Kansas 85 - Florida Gulf Coast 45

Offensive and Defensive Performance

Using the outcome of the game and the adjusted offensive and defensive efficiencies for each team, performance indicates (in PTS per 100 Possessions) how each team would have fared against an average team.  That is, KU's offensive performance is how many points per 100 possessions KU would have scored against an average defense.  This provides a standard performance we can compare across teams.

Player Performance Analysis

The key performer for KU had to be Sherron Collins, scoring a career-high 25 PTS on a staggering 79 eFG%.  But it still wasn't a remarkably efficient night for Collins, as he struggled with 3 TO's against his 3 AST and contributed little else statistically (0 STL, 3 PF, 2 DREB).  With a team-leading 29 MIN, that won't get top efficiency honors.  That honor goes to the big guy, Cole Aldrich.  If he can stay out of foul trouble, Aldrich is just a beast in the middle.  In a mere 19 minutes, he shot 86 eFG% to finish with 12 PTS and 6 REB (2 OREB) and 3 BLK with only 1 TO.  Weaker teams just have no answer for Aldrich, so it will be interesting to see how he performs against his first real inside competition ... assuming he stays in the game long enough for it to matter.

The only real offensive contributors this game for Kansas were Collins, Aldrich and Tyrel Reed.  Looks like Reed has found his stroke again, shooting an unbelievable 100 eFG% (2-of-3 from 3FG) and 3-of-4 FT to finish with 9 PTS, 2 AST, 2 STL and 0 TO.  Two players who will probably be stronger on offense most of the season struggled there this game.  Both Travis Releford and Tyshawn Taylor had negative offensive ratings.  Releford did make 4-of-8 from the field, but given KU's reasonably efficient offense (1.16 pts/poss), that's about par for the course.  On the other hand, in just 15 MIN he had 2 TO and missed all three FT attempts.  The three FT misses are equivalent to using up about a possession and a half.  Meanwhile, Taylor continued to show off his speed.  The problem was that he had 3 TO in 18 MIN.  His shooting was the same as Releford, so the net offensive contribution was not positive this game.  He did help balance it out defensively with 2 STL and 1 BLK though.

The Morris twins had decent games overall.  Marcus certainly had a better game than in his debut, but it wasn't obvious if you only paid attention to him on the offensive end.  He only shot 25 eFG% and made 1-of-2 from the line, although he did grab 5 OREB and had 0 TO.  On defense, he ended FGC possessions with 5 DREB, 4 STL and possibly with his 1 BLK.  With that effort, Marcus takes defensive honors this night.  His brother Markieff had only a third of the rebounds he had in his debut, but they were on both ends (2 OREB, 3 DREB), and he kept turnovers to a minimum (1 TO) while shooting a strong 60 eFG%.

Kudos also to Brady Morningstar in a starting role, with 28 minutes (just behind Collins' leading minutes).  Brady was so-so on offense (40 eFG%, 6 AST, 0 TO) but really helped out on defense with 3 STL and 1 BLK with 2 DREB.

Four Factor Analysis

(Actual statistics moved to Game Projections table below)