Not Doubting Thomas; Tulane ADV

[kso_FAN]

Extremely efficient low possession game. 1.33 points per possession is nice, especially given the mediocre 2PT shooting. Also, TO% was still down, OR% was still up, and 3PT shooting was great (50% PTs from 3s, 40% shots from 3s).

Thomas had a nice debut, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 0 turnovers in limited minutes. Another nice FR piece for the future.

Shane got going, especially the 5-9 from 3. Also 5 boards.

Nigel doesn't want to lose his minutes, nice 3-5 night from 3, 2nd leading scorer, 2 assists, 2 steals.

Solid minutes from guys like Gip, Westicles, Johnson, and even Nino.

Always nice to have a convincing win over a team you should beat soundly.

[catzacker]

Did u see Westicles's dunk?  I bet he breaks pullen's scoring record too.

[kim carnes]

Did u see Westicles's dunk?  I bet he breaks pullen's scoring record too.

he might

[kso_FAN]

Did u see Westicles's dunk?  I bet he breaks pullen's scoring record too.

That's ridiculous (But he clearly has a shot to get up there with Cartier/Rod on the list.)

[kso_FAN]

Notable:

Will - 23 minutes
Nigel - 20 minutes
Jevon - 19 minutes

[Panjandrum]

I'm glad the game wasn't really in doubt.  Jevon probably got 5-10 more minutes because of it.

[Powercat Posse]

1) When u go on a 19-0 run, you should win the game.  We did and won it with ease

2) Last 2 games -- 10 total TOs and +18 in the TO in games vs Gonz and Tulane

3) Held Zags 25 under scoring ave, Held Tulane 30 pts under scoring ave.   Gotta like this!

[ksupamplemousse]

Did u see Westicles's dunk?  I bet he breaks pullen's scoring record too.

That's ridiculous (But he clearly has a shot to get up there with Cartier/Rod on the list.)

Probably more like Jamar Samuels, but I like his game a little more each time I see him play.

[Winters]

_Fan, I really like Thomas

[catzacker]

Did u see Westicles's dunk?  I bet he breaks pullen's scoring record too.

That's ridiculous (But he clearly has a shot to get up there with Cartier/Rod on the list.)

He dunked, _Fan.  that means he breaks scoring titles.

[Stevesie60]

Why is our scoring defense so good? It makes no sense.

[kso_FAN]

Why is our scoring defense so good? It makes no sense.

For this game, 35% shooting and 30% turnovers for Tulane make it really hard to score. Those are really good numbers. Giving up the 43% oboarding was the biggest disappointment, but we managed 50% so we still had the edge.

[sys]

Why is our scoring defense so good? It makes no sense.

for the season (not yesterday, necessarily), we've been playing great 3pt% and ft% defense.  top 10 nationally in each.

[kso_FAN]

Why is our scoring defense so good? It makes no sense.

for the season (not yesterday, necessarily), we've been playing great 3pt% and ft% defense.  top 10 nationally in each.

oscar and his entire staff should all go out and buy lottery tickets.

[dal9]

It is a mistake to believe that there is no such thing as good 3-Point Defense. 

Good defensive teams run players off the three point line and force them to take the less valuable mid-range jumper.  I don't think this should be very controversial.

[kso_FAN]

It is a mistake to believe that there is no such thing as good 3-Point Defense. 

Good defensive teams run players off the three point line and force them to take the less valuable mid-range jumper.  I don't think this should be very controversial.

I agree to a point, but there have been some good studies done by Ken Pomeroy that point out the value in a lower 3PT attempts/FG attempts compared to flat 3PT %-age. The first one is probably the best, but the rest are good too.

http://kenpom.com/blog/index.php/weblog/entry/3_point_defense_should_not_be_defined_by_opponents_3p

http://kenpom.com/blog/index.php/weblog/the_3-point_line_is_a_lottery/

http://kenpom.com/blog/index.php/weblog/entry/one_last_post_on_3p_defense

You could make an argument that where you force teams to shoot 3s from is valuable too.

http://kenpom.com/blog/index.php/weblog/entry/three_point_accuracy_by_shot_angle

[dal9]

^I agree, but at the same time, I guess there are two things an offense can do, when facing a good 3 Point D. 
1) Take more mid-range shots
2) Put up contested 3s.

KSU opponents seem to be doing the second.


In any case, halfcourt opponent EFG% is really good (ranked 30th in NCAA)

http://hoop-math.com/leader_d2014.php

[kso_FAN]

^I agree, but at the same time, I guess there are two things an offense can do, when facing a good 3 Point D. 
1) Take more mid-range shots
2) Put up contested 3s.

KSU opponents seem to be doing the second.


In any case, halfcourt opponent EFG% is really good (ranked 30th in NCAA)

http://hoop-math.com/leader_d2014.php

Good point, the defense is the strength of this team and I think it will continue to be a strength. Low defensive eFG% (and 3PT%) have been a consistent staple of oscar's teams (every team except '12 at Illinois really) and I think this year it will be again. I also like the Lowery influence in forcing TOs (something that oscar's teams lacked at Illinois after Lowery was gone).

IMO, the key for this team will be on offense and if they can hit shots. Gip has been a nice scorer inside, but he's only going to be on the floor for 60% of the minutes max. It will be up to Foster, Spradling, Southwell, and Johnson (and maybe Thomas) to hit shots, especially from 3. If this team continues to shoot <.300 from 3 in Big 12 play it will be tough to be .500 or better in the league.