The official symbol of KSU basketball...

[ksu_FAN]

Right on cue, this team seemed to pick up from where they've left of the last few years and managed to start Big 12 play 0-2.  This is not a very mentally tough team that simply doesn't know how to win, to exert its will on an opponent on a consistent basis.  It seems right now we have two guys that are "all in" in Hoskins and Stewart.  Stewart may make mistakes, but Huggins complimented him well on his desire to win as well as Hoskins in postgame.  The rest of the guys, not so much.

Cartier looks like a whipped puppy out there and its becoming obvious he doesn't take this style of coaching well.  Frankly he was given quite a bit of freedom by Wooly, probalby in part to keep him from leaving, and as Huggins and staff have tightened the reighns he has lost his confidence and isn't making the shots he has consistently made in his career here.  Most all of last year if Cartier got an open look from 3 he was probably a 75% shooter and that has disappeared.  I think in part last night he felt he had to step up with Bill out and took some ill advised shots and is unable to get into any rhythm offensively. 

Lance is much the same.  After buying in initially and succeeding, he is regressing from the Harris we saw his SO year to the Harris from last year.  And this team can't afford to have 2 guys who have shown some ability in the past to be scorers, not be scorers.

Akeem balanced out his solid performance with probalby more of what we should expect.  He again played well defensively and hit the boards, but his desicion making was bizarre at times, especially in transition.

This team just isn't going to win when it has that tough of time scoring the basketball and wastes as many possessions as they did last night.  Outside Hoskins the team shot 23% and we won't win like that.  We struggled some from the line as well, but at the end of the day we shot 69% which is about where we've shot all year, so we shouldn't be surprised, it was just that Tech shot 81% which puts even more pressure on your ball handling and rebounding. 

Then we compounded all that b/c against a team like Tech you can't have the TOs we had and give them 2nd chances b/c they will kill you.  Knight's teams don't beat themselves and we did last night. 

If anyone can fix it its Huggins, but there is a long way to go.  Without Walker this team is a lot easier to guard and when we can't get at least 2 of our scorers going we're going to be a 6 win team in this league.  Huggs is going to need a big shovel.

[WILDCAT NATION]

Opening this, I was sure there was gonna be a picture of a brick...or a missed shot at a bunny with a shotgun (if you could illustrate that).

That, or of a French surrender, because that's how we played defense at times last night.

[ksu_FAN]

We played pretty good defense, but Tech will expose lapses.  I agree with Huggs that our offense is what lost us that game.  At some point you've got to make open shots and take advantage of the opportunities given to you by a very good defensive team, especially at home.  We were unable to do that. 

Now, if you want to talk about rebounding, then you have something.  The sad thing is our ability to get a hand on nearly every rebound only to have it end up in Tech's hands.  That's all about desire and Tech wanted that game more than we did which is probably the most disappointing thing.

You are right, there are plenty of other symbols and a brick for last night would be another good one.

[ksu_FAN]

And the official slogan is....

"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". 

(okay, I stole it, but its true.)

[WILDCAT NATION]

I just can't get the visions of #22 being left WIDE OPEN from 3 and having 2 of our defenders turn away from #22 6 feet from the basket out of my head..

I'm sorry. 

I can't figure out how you can be a "basketball player" and not be able to shoot the ball.

If I was Huggs, the first thing I'd do is put stick-em on everybody's hands...then maybe they could hold onto a rebound, etc...

Then, put them in knee pads (if necessary) and teach them it's ok to hit the floor for a ball...then, we'd shoot contested shots until our arms fell off. 

I fully expect to run Mizzou out of the gym on Saturday.

[michigancat]

I just can't get the visions of #22 being left WIDE OPEN from 3 and having 2 of our defenders turn away from #22 6 feet from the basket out of my head..

To be fair, Jackson didn't get many good looks all night - his only open three I remember was off of a loose ball scramble.  Clent did a great job on him all night, and I thought the help defense was pretty good to.  Jackson is just a great player (best in the Big XII, IMO) and managed to get about 16 points from garbage baskets.

[catzacker]

I fully expect to run Mizzou out of the gym on Saturday.

Seriously?  I expect the opposite.  Who's going to guard Hannah?  He's going to go for atleast 20. 

[ksu_FAN]

I agree Rusty, Clent's defense on Jackson was commendable and Jackson had to work awefully hard to score.  There is a reason many consider him the best player in the league and the player that means most to his team as the definate MVP of that Tech team. 

Huggs said himself our offense is what lost us that game, not our defense.  Sure we had some breakdowns late, but I think the situation changes if you have a lead down the stretch.

[WILDCAT NATION]

I just can't get the visions of #22 being left WIDE OPEN from 3 and having 2 of our defenders turn away from #22 6 feet from the basket out of my head..

To be fair, Jackson didn't get many good looks all night - his only open three I remember was off of a loose ball scramble.  Clent did a great job on him all night, and I thought the help defense was pretty good to.  Jackson is just a great player (best in the Big XII, IMO) and managed to get about 16 points from garbage baskets.

I agree...and overall I was pretty impressed with the defensive performance, but those two plays in particular just baffled me..

KSU lost big time in the easy buckets department...gave up too many, and didn't hit any*

*it seems.

I would kill for someone you could count on to hit a shot.

I'm sure we'll start shooting about 58-50% a game once we get to about 4-6 losses and the tournament becomes a remote possibility...then win a few games in a row....and then once the pressures on again...we'll undiscover the ability to play bball.  It's just all too familiar.

 

[sys]

i didn´t see the game, but from the radio and stats - ksu rebounded well in the first half, but got beat on the boards the second half.  defensively they were very solid through 30-35 minutes.

lost the game with turnovers and inability to score.  honestly, as bad as they shot it is amazing it was even close with 5 to go.

[Skycat]

The rebounding was frustrating in the second half.  We got our hands on a whole lot of boards that we just weren't able to pull in.  Several of those ended up as easy Tech baskets.

[coitus]

jb played better, but still tries to block shots he can't possibly get to.  the result is he's never in position to rebound, and the guy he should have been boxing out is in prime position to rebound.  both he and colon are progressing, albeit slowly.

maybank played hard, but sucked equally hard.

martin and harris are next to useless, which is amazing.

the analogy the announcers made was dead on.  our offense is like a football team without a rb or qb, but a bunch of good receivers.

 

[PowercatPosse]

Acutally on Jackson's 3........  TT had a fast break oppoutunity and Clent had to pick up another guard.  Young got back into the paint, but then did not pick up a man and just stood in the lane.  He was closest to jackson but did not go and pick him up.   Tech reversed the ball and JJ got an open 3.   Young was taken out shortly afterwards.   That 3 in on Young.... you have to have awareness and pick up the man who is open. 

[BWisavag]

i would think that this would be the new symbol...