Just a few thoughts from this afternoon's W over the Wildcats...
*Was the second half sloppy? Yes, you turned it over too much on offense, got too stagnant at times, blew some assignments defensively early on, too. It wasn't a great half of basketball for this team compared to how they've been playing for the last few weeks. But you know what? You'll take it, particularly after the Red Raiders had one of the greatest defensive halves I've ever seen a college basketball team play.
*So, let's talk about that first half. I thought the Red Raiders played a perfect half of basketball in Lawrence on Tuesday to start things off. I was wrong, because they topped that effort with an even better one against the Wildcats. Tech was incredible on the defensive end. K-State was lost with the way the Red Raiders were super physical, played tight man defense, and did a wonderful job of both cutting off pick and rolls and rotating well outside. The Wildcats just couldn't find any good shots to be had. Then, on the offensive end, Tech was nearly perfect as well. They missed just ONE shot inside the three point arc that half. They took a ton of great shots, passed it around well, and today those shots all just happened to fall. If Tuesday was perfect at KU in the first half, today was perfect plus. They grabbed K-State by the throat that half, and they were helpless. It was something to see in person.
*I also thought K-State settled down at halftime and definitely did a much better job of being compact on defense, didn't let any easy drives to the basket early on. Offensively, they did a much better job on the pick and roll. But it just wasn't enough.
*So, the Wildcats go on a 15-3 run, cut Tech's lead to 7, and I think there was a bit of a sense of dread in the USA. Then, your veterans made plays to ultimately flip the momentum and shut K-State's window. Keenan Evans hit one of the hardest, toughest layups I've seen a guard hit at Tech, and then Brandone Francis got a steal, helped Evans get another fastbreak layup, and then got ANOTHER steal, this one him taking for two FT attempts, nailing both. That was a 6 point swing in less than 30 seconds, one that helped the USA roar back to life and helped this team settle in. Tech cruised to the win from that point on. Big kudos to two older vets for their poise and playmaking ability to turn the tide.
*And that's really the thing that stuck out to me about this team in the second half: They showed steely poise and patience. They never panicked when K-State made a big push. They took it and then, when the window opened, they pushed back and sealed the deal. Love that about this group.
*The Red Raiders have yet to trail a single second in Big 12 play. Pretty incredible through three full games. This team is playing its best basketball right now, and it's all fueled by that fantastic defense.
*Zhaire Smith had a really nice effort today where he did a bit of stat sheet stuffing. He made big shots around the rim, at the FT line, and from three. On top of that, he played some wonderful defense as well.
*Keenan Evans did Keenan Evans things today. 27 points and led the way when scoring got tough in the second half. How about 13-14 at the FT line?
*While he had three turnovers, Brandone Francis made some major plays in this game, including the previously mentioned steals. Add to that a few clutch shots, and you love him as a big glue guy at the back end of this rotation.
*This team is 3-0 in Big 12 play, and they're turning heads while they do it. Think the game on Tuesday in Norman is going to be pretty big? I certainly do. And as long as the Sooners can beat West Virginia, I think it's going to be a top 10 matchup.
Buckle up, amigos.
*Was the second half sloppy? Yes, you turned it over too much on offense, got too stagnant at times, blew some assignments defensively early on, too. It wasn't a great half of basketball for this team compared to how they've been playing for the last few weeks. But you know what? You'll take it, particularly after the Red Raiders had one of the greatest defensive halves I've ever seen a college basketball team play.
*So, let's talk about that first half. I thought the Red Raiders played a perfect half of basketball in Lawrence on Tuesday to start things off. I was wrong, because they topped that effort with an even better one against the Wildcats. Tech was incredible on the defensive end. K-State was lost with the way the Red Raiders were super physical, played tight man defense, and did a wonderful job of both cutting off pick and rolls and rotating well outside. The Wildcats just couldn't find any good shots to be had. Then, on the offensive end, Tech was nearly perfect as well. They missed just ONE shot inside the three point arc that half. They took a ton of great shots, passed it around well, and today those shots all just happened to fall. If Tuesday was perfect at KU in the first half, today was perfect plus. They grabbed K-State by the throat that half, and they were helpless. It was something to see in person.
*I also thought K-State settled down at halftime and definitely did a much better job of being compact on defense, didn't let any easy drives to the basket early on. Offensively, they did a much better job on the pick and roll. But it just wasn't enough.
*So, the Wildcats go on a 15-3 run, cut Tech's lead to 7, and I think there was a bit of a sense of dread in the USA. Then, your veterans made plays to ultimately flip the momentum and shut K-State's window. Keenan Evans hit one of the hardest, toughest layups I've seen a guard hit at Tech, and then Brandone Francis got a steal, helped Evans get another fastbreak layup, and then got ANOTHER steal, this one him taking for two FT attempts, nailing both. That was a 6 point swing in less than 30 seconds, one that helped the USA roar back to life and helped this team settle in. Tech cruised to the win from that point on. Big kudos to two older vets for their poise and playmaking ability to turn the tide.
*And that's really the thing that stuck out to me about this team in the second half: They showed steely poise and patience. They never panicked when K-State made a big push. They took it and then, when the window opened, they pushed back and sealed the deal. Love that about this group.
*The Red Raiders have yet to trail a single second in Big 12 play. Pretty incredible through three full games. This team is playing its best basketball right now, and it's all fueled by that fantastic defense.
*Zhaire Smith had a really nice effort today where he did a bit of stat sheet stuffing. He made big shots around the rim, at the FT line, and from three. On top of that, he played some wonderful defense as well.
*Keenan Evans did Keenan Evans things today. 27 points and led the way when scoring got tough in the second half. How about 13-14 at the FT line?
*While he had three turnovers, Brandone Francis made some major plays in this game, including the previously mentioned steals. Add to that a few clutch shots, and you love him as a big glue guy at the back end of this rotation.
*This team is 3-0 in Big 12 play, and they're turning heads while they do it. Think the game on Tuesday in Norman is going to be pretty big? I certainly do. And as long as the Sooners can beat West Virginia, I think it's going to be a top 10 matchup.
Buckle up, amigos.
