Kansas 97 - Colorado 74

My Observations

Considering that Colorado had a whopping 30 turnovers, most KU fans are probably disappointed that Colorado still managed 74 points and shot nearly 52 eFG% for the game.  Shooting percentage defense notwithstanding, this was still a decent defensive effort by Kansas if you look at the numbers.  CU's efficiency was 0.893 pts/poss, well below the Buffaloes' season adjusted average of 0.969.  The 74 points is deceiving, as this game turned out to be KU's highest-tempo game thus far this season (83 possessions per team).

Julian Wright continues to be an enigma, able to drop the viewer's jaw in awe or "Aww, crap!"  First impressions are difficult to change, but in my mind, Wright's image has finally changed from "dependable, athletically-gifted team player" to "wild child that needs to be contained and disciplined."  Yet, through it all, he puts up the numbers that defy all common sense.  He'll still be at the top of the season cumulative ePSAN and ePSAN70 ratings because of crazy things like 6 steals this game!  And in just 20 minutes, he still got 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK and shot 3-6 from the field.  It's head-scratching stuff, I tell ya.

Bottom line for me this game was that KU didn't play tough enough, as Self indicated after the game.  There's no excuse for being outrebounded by CU in Allen Fieldhouse ... none.  Not with the size advantage we have and the shooting percentage being squarely in our favor.  But we did what we had to do in order to notch a small blowout of a conference opponent.  Let's see how the boys focus on the road on Big Monday.

Four Factor Analysis

• eFG% - The court was sizzling, as KU held a 64-52% advantage.  The defense rested long before opening arguments.
• TURNOVERS - Despite KU's above-average 23% rate, CU gave it away an astonishing 36% of possessions.
• OFFENSIVE REBOUNDING - The Jayhawks were embarrassed on the boards, 38-28% on the offensive glass.
• FREETHROW RATE - 33-25% advantage for CU.

CONCLUSION - It's always tough to overcome a significant shooting percentage disadvantage, but you're certainly never going to do it if you give the ball away over one-third of your possessions.  CU chipped away with offensive rebounds and freethrows, but those were too little too late.

Player Performance Analysis

Due to time constraints and needing to put together a preview for the Big Monday game at Nebraska, this will be extremely abridged.

Richard Roby put on a show, but one man cannot usually beat a good team on the road.  Despite Roby's 30-point, 77 eFG% shooting clinic, CU could not make it very close.  Even though Roby chipped in 7 REB, it's tough to overlook his 8 TO's.  Still, you have to forgive him because he was basically the only hope for his team and was trying to make things happen.

Williams and Thorne also had good games for the Buffs.  Williams shot and rebounded extremely well and added 3 STL as the only player in double figures besides Roby.  Meanwhile, Thorne only played 7 minutes but didn't miss any shots while scoring 5 PTS, 2 REB, 1 STL and had a 3FG.

Bay and Silas really struggled this day.  They combined for 4-16 shooting (34 eFG%), 3 REB and 9 TO's in 52 minutes.

KU boasted two players with 20+ points.  Chalmers and Rush tied for leading scorer at 21 points each.  It was Chalmers who had a slightly more efficient day, shooting a scorching 79 eFG%, 5 REB, 3 AST, 4 STL, but also 4 TO's.  Rush was almost as hot, shooting 73 eFG%, 8 REB (team high), 4 AST, 1 STL, but also 4 TO's.  It was really a close call as to which player had the better game, since Rush also had a couple of critical second-half 3FG's at opportune moments.

Collins was again one of the bright spots on the team, with great shooting and even adding 5 AST and 2 STL, including one right under the CU basket.  Self said that he must find a way for Collins to get more than 19 minutes per game.  I sure hope he can because Collins is quickly becoming a bona fide star.

Julian Wright's numbers averaged out to a modestly positive effect on the game.  He got his wish, to be on SportsCenter, with his windmill dunk choke job, so now let's see if he can start making good decisions and getting the job done instead of going for flashy moves.  I will go on record as saying that, if Wright actually does this the rest of the season, KU will be a #1 seed and make the Elite 8 at a minimum.

Self's comments were that the bigs didn't bring it today, and the ratings would tend to support that.  Arthur and Kaun bring up the rear this game.  Kaun made only 4-10 shots and missed his freethrow, grabbing only 4 REB in 25 minutes, while Arthur managed only 2 points on two shots and just 1 REB and no blocks in 18 minutes before fouling out.  Maybe Darrell needs to have another dream, like the one he had that told him to come to KU.  Only this time, I hope it's his mom kicking him in the rear, telling him to show some more life out there.  What's happened the cool, collected freshman whose spin move embarrassed Al Horford in the closing minutes?