Recap: Kansas at Colorado

February 15, 2007

Kansas 75 - Colorado 46

My Observations

There was one possession that really summed it up for me.  KU inbounded the ball in the second half after a made CU basket, and they used a grand total of one dribble to get the ball all the way into the corner for an open long-range jumper.  Sure there were moments when it seemed like KU took its foot off the gas pedal, but did it ever feel like this game was in question after the initial burst to open the game?  For the first time in a long time, honestly, it didn't.  It would be nice if the Jayhawks would sometimes play less flashy and play percentage basketball, especially on the road, but it's hard to find anything negative to say about a 29-point waxing of the Buffs on the road.  So, I won't try.  I will say that Russell Robinson continues to show he really belongs on the court, just in case anyone had ideas about starting lineup changes.  Let's just hope his shooting continues to stay solid, although it's probably going to average somewhere between his conference stats and his pre-conference stats ... somewhere around 46% eFG.

Four Factor Analysis

• eFG% - KU by 52-30%.  Not even the CU scoreboard operator's spastic fingers could overcome this deficit.
• TURNOVERS - Nice advantage for KU, 25-19%.  Looks like Kansas has Colorado's number when it comes to forcing TO's.
• OFFENSIVE REBOUNDING - Advantage to KU 42-33%, though somewhat higher than expected for CU.
• FREETHROW RATE - Only CU advantage in the game, 24-14%.  Too little, too late.

CONCLUSION - Even KU's pitiful 50% freethrow performance resulted in a very small advantage for CU there.  Just too much domination in shooting by KU to make this game close.

Player Performance Analysis

Just some minor notes on the major performers.  What an all-around display by the junior, Russell Robinson.  After a shaky outing against MU, Robinson seemed to be everywhere and do everything.  A couple of his three-point attempts were too early in the possession and ill-advised, but it's hard to fault a performance like this one (14 PTS, 78 eFG%, 6 AST, 4 REB - 2 OR, whopping 5 STL and just 2 TO).  Hats off to a virtuoso performance, Russell.

Sasha Kaun I - tisk, tisk.  Two quick fouls and very little to show for your time, huh?  Glad we didn't see any of you in the second half.

Sasha Kaun II - A Valentine's Day special card for you ... "Where have you been all my life, errr ... season?"  Great hands, great aggressiveness and even great awareness.  Please come back and visit from time to time, please.  Kaun finished with 10 PTS, 9 REB and 4 BLK and even made 2-3 FT.  Enough to keep KU fans ticked off when has bad games.  Oh, Sasha ... why do you tease us so?

Julian Wright was another highlight show mixed with a few bad passes.  But overall, a solid performance with 8 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST.

Mario Chalmers is quietly slipping away.  He shot well (3-6 FG, 1-2 3FG) but he had zero steals and 2 AST with 3 TO.  Considering the competition, his numbers should have looked considerably better if he is to be considered one of our top performers.

Rush had a tough shooting night, only 3-10 FG and 1-4 3FG plus only 3 REB.  His biggest contribution was helping to shut down Richard Roby, no small feat and somewhat understated in these ratings.

Nothing too notable on CU's side, except that Roby was a neutral factor this time, not the beast he was in Lawrence.  Tough day for Thorne and Bay.

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