Kansas 1/22 9:00 ESPN

[GoBearcats31]

Random thoughts:

I am encouraged by this team, but MUST beat UCF this weekend then follow with a WVU win.

UC has been in every game. Lots of so so teams will look good one night, get crushed the next. They are in it each night -- reminds me of some of Mick's teams.

#19 defensive efficiency on KenPom

If UC had been blown out, I think people might say 'Well, it is Kansas.' But because they were in it despite so many turnovers and missed shots, it feels like a missed opportunity.

UC made 6 of its last 7 shots (plus a bunch of FTs too) -- they were tentative and seemed more committed to running the offense then someone just taking over and getting a bucket prior to that. Again, reminds me of Mick's teams... once they did not overthink things, when they just had to get a bucket late, good things happened.

Lots of analysts saying this is an NCAA Tournament team. Obviously they need to get some more wins to get there. UC was bubbly last year but, in hindsight, not a very good team. This team feels close. Again, must win against UCF.

Lukosius is a good player but more often than not just hasn't gotten it done. If he can get going, good things can happen. But having Fredrick would help.

This is a solid program right now with promise headed our way via recruiting and hopefully the portal. McDonald's AA rosters announced today - would be amazing if Betsey got the call.

[Carthage World]

Our recent 3-point shooting woes just go to show how heavily we were depending on CJ Frederick to carry the load as a career 41% 3-point shooter coming into this season.

Simas shot 37.8% at Butler last year on nearly 5 attempts/game but has since seen his percentage drop to 33.7% on similar volume so far this season.

Aside from Josh Reed who made 10/25 attempts (40%) as a freshman in limited action, no one else entered this season with legitimate 3-point shooting acumen.

[Lobot]

Here's the Box :

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401603433


Stuff that jumps out:

-We lost a game at KU by 5 points on a night where we turned the ball over like mad. That's actually encouraging from my viewpoint. We're so close.

-Lack of assists by the Bearcats. This was also a glaring issue vs. Oklahoma

-We hammered KU on the boards and gave it right back to them. 40 to 29 in Rebounds but 16 TOs.

-Obviously no one scouted this Furthy kid nor did we ever figure out how to block him out. He killed us all night. McCullar got his but I didn't expect Furthy to be the second guy. I thought it would be Dickinson.

-Dickinson was underwhelming last night and we didn't take advanatge of it nor did we attempt to foul him out at the end of the game. They got a whole 2 points out of their bench last night.

-Not going to win many games in this conference shooting 16% from 3. Lukosius in particular was just completely ice cold last night but the entire starting lineup didn't make a 3.

-James looked pretty good on offense but needs to cut down on the TOs.

-Free Throw shooting was not as much of a problem as the past few losses outside of Vik. 78% for the game.

-Ody must have pissed in Wes' Wheaties or something. DNP again. Not sure if he's hurt or in the doghouse. You'd think he'd see at least a few minutes.

[Gmann]

From CBSSports:

“You had some good looks, some blown possessions, and you're still right there. That's the hard part to swallow,” said Cincinnati coach Will Wade, whose team had 16 turnovers and went 3 for 18 from the 3-point arc.

Didn't realize Wes took the night off.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-ba..._CINCY@KANSAS/

I guess this shows Wes has a ways to go before he's a household name in coaching.

[Lobot]

Every time I see Day Day jack up another 3, I cringe. Over the last 6 games, Day Day is 2 for 21 from 3.

Day Day was 25% from 3 on the season coming into the game. If it's wide open sure, but he's not making a contested shot from out there.

[Lobot]

from cbssports:

“you had some good looks, some blown possessions, and you're still right there. That's the hard part to swallow,” said cincinnati coach will wade, whose team had 16 turnovers and went 3 for 18 from the 3-point arc.

Didn't realize wes took the night off.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-ba..._cincy@kansas/

waaaat????

[leo from jersey]

Another very winnable game slips away !

Bottom line, we're a year away Boys!

a guard who can take leadership, see the court, pass and hit more than a mid range jump shot. he needs to play perimeter defense against good shooting teams. I am a dreamer.

[Gmann]

Miller wants his offense to be fast paced and shoot a lot of 3's. When we push it we turn it over. We are horrible shooting 3's. If we throw it inside we fumble it away or miss layups. Our offense generally consists somebody going 1 on 1 with maybe one pass and then shoot an errant 3 or miss it close. One thing that is obvious in this league is that teams screen the **** out of you to create a mismatch or get an open shot. I have not seen that from us at all. I think part of it is because we are constantly shuffling guys in and out which I think killls continuity and rhythm.

[loshow22]

From CBSSports:

“You had some good looks, some blown possessions, and you're still right there. That's the hard part to swallow,” said Cincinnati coach Will Wade, whose team had 16 turnovers and went 3 for 18 from the 3-point arc.

Didn't realize Wes took the night off.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/gametracker/recap/NCAAB_20240122_CINCY@KANSAS/

[Barklee]

Every time I see Simas miss another 3 I think "Get Reed in the game" I think Reed is a much better option.

Every time I see Day Day jack up another 3, I cringe. Over the last 6 games, Day Day is 2 for 21 from 3.

[Rufus]

Whoever Miller starts in these games needs to contribute to their full potential or the whole thing falls apart. Their is no consistency, no playing hard and no playing in unison, in every game lost so far there is one player that does not contribute on the offense. Thomas went absent against Texas, Newman was held to no points against Baylor, but is the only one who defends consistently, Lahkin was a no show vs Oklahoma, and then Lukosious was only just physically present last night ( Kansas). I understand coaches allowing players to shoot their way out of slumps but keeping Simas in for twenty seven minutes last night with 1 for 9 shooting is a head scratcher.
Unless,..... I was thinking as I watched the game last night that the only thing that makes sense is that Miller is teaching these kids how to play his style and making that his priority and not just winning. I'm not saying he is deliberately losing games but that he is building the foundation for a better program in the future with his recruits and using these square peg portal players to fill gaps until he gets a " team". Forcing square pegs into round holes. Time is on his side and if wins come that's just gravy but building to win "championships" will take time and his players. That would explain Viks regression this year.
Simas is "slow and clunky" as someone else on here stated, but he is not being used the way Matta used him at Butler. The same thing could be said about Reynolds and Aziz. They are not the players they were last season and it's because they are being forced to fit into Millers vision. And I think this is the reason for the rotations and subs that seem to make no sense. If this is the case and if my memory serves correct, Reed was the higher rated recruit out of he and Skillings ( Dan didn't start playing until the 9th grade). Why not play Reed more and let him grow into Millers vision, cultivate his shot and his skills. Especially when Simas isn't scoring.
Am I looking at this all wrong? Comments welcome.

[bearcatjd]

Every time I see Simas miss another 3 I think "Get Reed in the game" I think Reed is a much better option.

I agree 100%.

[John P]

I wonder what the outcome would have been if you give Simas’ minutes to Jizzle and Reed?

Every time I see Simas miss another 3 I think "Get Reed in the game" I think Reed is a much better option.

[SKell82155]

I wonder what the outcome would have been if you give Simas’ minutes to Jizzle and Reed?

Wondered where Reed went the 2nd half. Know
he had 3 fouls but he woulda been another
scoring option from 3pt ?

[SKell82155]

This is the most unskilled group of BB players in the Big 12. They have no clue what they are doing.

I agree, yet they’re in every game.
Makes one wonder how good the Big 12 really
is ?