Posts Tagged Oklahoma

Episode 85 – KU takes down OU, Brian Hanni previews Tech

Posted on: January 6th, 2016 by jayhawktalk No Comments

Greetings from the middle of the week! We decided that OU game was too much fun not to talk about it right away. We took an unscripted approach to our recap, talking about how the game compares to other greats in Allen Fieldhouse, what the game means for the future, and where the hell we go from here? The guys are also joined by Brian Hanni of Texas Tech radio to preview Saturday’s game against Tech in Lubbock.

Come on in, grab a beer, and enjoy a BONUS episode of the Jayhawk Talk Podcast!

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ROCK CHALK!

Photo Credit: Sporting News

My advice to Bill Self and the 2012-13 Kansas Jayhawks

Posted on: February 10th, 2013 by jayhawktalk No Comments

Fuck it, dude. Let’s go bowling.

I mean it. Hang with me here, but first, take it from Walter:

 

Coming off three straight losses for the first time in, well, it doesn’t matter, the only thing this team needs is to not think about basketball for a few minutes. One of the best parts about coming to Kansas is the ridiculous passion of an adoring fan base. It can also be a burden, sometimes.

You know, when you lose three straight games for the first time in, well, it doesn’t matter.

Elijah Johnson has played his worst stretch of games as a Jayhawk. And to be honest, probably the worst stretch of his whole life. He is a head case shooting the ball. He is a head case driving the ball. He just doesn’t have it right now. You might recall when he did have “it.” About 11 months ago he was the reason we made a run in March. For a stretch of games there, he played his best  games as a Jayhawk. Hell, maybe the best stretch of his whole life.

Works for Paul Pierce

I guess what I’m trying to say is I’m not buying the narrative that “this team isn’t any good.” They are good. They have two guys that will literally be making $1 million+ playing basketball next year in the National Basketball Association. They probably have another two or three other guys that will be productive professional players in a different league. Can Oklahoma say that? What about TCU?

This team isn’t bad at basketball. They’re just playing like they are. Some of it is coaching, for sure. I don’t think you can leave all the blame on the players. But now is the time for Self and Co. to make up for it. This is where he shows that he’s a Hall of Fame coach. This is where he demonstrates why we just inked a contract to pay him until my unborn child is in middle school.

So what does he need to do?

Take the team bowling this weekend.

Get their minds right! Slumpbusters obviously aren’t working. Shuffling the starting lineup ain’t working either. Running steps in Allen Fieldhouse or suicide runs or treadmill punishments don’t seem to be getting the message across either. Even Strength & Conditioning Coach, Andrea Hudy, mean-mugging players doesn’t even work (it’d work for me).

You aren’t going to learn much over the weekend. No new sets will be installed. You’ve already prepared for K-State before. I’m telling you. Bowling will do the trick.

And if ANYBODY tries to tell you that KU has no chance and that Elijah sucks and that this team is done for the season and let’s look forward to the football season and blah blah blah… just tell them this:

Rock Chalk.

KU-OU Postgame Notes and Podcast

Posted on: January 27th, 2013 by jayhawktalk No Comments

LJ World

Notes:

This was the 800th game played in Allen Fieldhouse, and like many others before it, KU emerged victorious. Oklahoma was held in check for most of the game, and while the Sooners pulled within a couple baskets a few times, this one never really felt in doubt. Kansas has won an NCAA-leading 17 straight games.

Player of the Game:

My player of the game was Jeff Withey. He finished with 13 points, 9 boards, 4 blocks, and 3 steals. He was a game changer on the defensive end the entire day and was efficient on the offensive end. McLemore ended up with 18 points on just 10 shots, but Withey made his presence felt on both sides of the court.

Not Player of the Game:

Elijah. Just two assists against 4 turnovers. He was in foul trouble early and just never got in the flow of the game.

Water Cooler Conversation Tomorrow:

The offense once again was not stellar. This is now 5 games in a row the Jayhawks have failed to score 70 points. Luckily, this team has been extremely solid on the defensive end and has consistently outrebounded opponents. That said, the offense has not been great, especially in the half court. Today there was a dedication to getting the ball inside, which I think is a great start. We established the post early and often, which led to more open looks on the outside. The Jayhawks were 6-11 from 3 in the second half. Hopefully this will be a start to better scoring outputs. One of these days we’re going to need it.

Podcast:

Find the podcast on iTunes here (please subscribe, rate 5 stars and comment if you like what you hear!)

Or on the Jayhawk-Talk website here.

Next Game:

We’ll see you on Big Monday when the Jayhawks match up against Huggy Bear and West Virginia.

 

Kansas, Oklahoma highlight video

Posted on: February 2nd, 2012 by jayhawktalk No Comments

Highlights from KU’s 84-62 victory over Oklahoma last night in Lawrence:

 

Preview: Kansas, Oklahoma

Posted on: February 1st, 2012 by jayhawktalk No Comments

Preview: 

The Oklahoma Sooners (13-7, 3-5) travel to Lawrence tomorrow to play the Jayhawks (17-4, 7-1). Kansas is coming off of its first conference loss of the season after a 72-64 loss at Iowa State on Saturday. Bill Self and Co. will look to bounce back in Allen Fieldhouse in what some are calling a “trap game” leading up to the College Gameday match-up at Missouri.

Oklahoma is coming off one of its biggest victories of the season — a 63-60 victory at Kansas State. Lon Kruger’s Sooners are playing better basketball of late, led by junior guard, Steven Pledger (17.8 PPG). Forward Romero Osby has also picked up his play, posting a 16 point, 11 rebound game last week against Baylor’s front line.

The Jayhawks have won eight straight games against the Sooners and have not lost in Allen Fieldhouse to the crimson and cream since 1993. Oklahoma will seek to revenge a loss in Norman earlier this year, where the Jayhawks needed a career high 28 points from Travis Releford to pull away in the second half for a 72-61 victory.

Matchup of the game:

Steven Pledger scored 30 points in Manhattan last game. He is Oklahoma’s best perimeter threat as well, posting a .436 3-point shooting percentage. I have a feeling all three of our guards will have a shot to guard him tomorrow, and I think that will be the biggest defensive matchup of the game.

Keys to the game for Kansas:

  1. Rebound the basketball. Over the last few games, the Jayhawks have played soft. This couldn’t be more evident than against Iowa State, where Iowa State out-rebounded KU by a margin of 36-23. In Norman, the Jayhawks tied the Sooners with 34 boards. It will be a welcome sight to see this tilt back into KU’s favor.
  2. Force feed Thomas the ball. Robinson had one of his worst games of the season on Saturday in Iowa. He caught the ball numerous times in good position but failed to turn those catches into good shots. He had five turnovers and never looked comfortable. The Jayhawk guards will need to continue to feed him the ball if this team is going to go anywhere this year. If that means force feeding him, then that’s what needs to happen.
  3. Let the defense lead to the offense. Kansas played one of its best stretches of basketball this year in that second half in Norman. They played loose and free and took advantage of every OU mistake. I want to see that same energy from the start and hopefully see it maintained throughout.

Keys to the game for Oklahoma:

  1. Play physical ball.  The Sooners hit the Wildcats in the mouth last game and it took Frank Martin’s team a while to respond to the physical play. It wasn’t the prettiest game (63-60), but it was the way Kruger and OU needed to play to win that game. They’ll need to do the same against KU.
  2. Continue to take high percentage shots. One reason the Sooners won in Manhattan is they shot 4-9 from the three-point line while defending K-State into shooting 3-17 from three. OU will need to make a high percentage of its open looks while also pestering Kansas the same way it did the Wildcats.
  3. Crowd the lane. Kansas has not been able to knock down many perimeter shots of late, so the Sooners will be wise to cheat toward the lane. Forcing Thomas against the baseline or into a trap has been a good strategy against smaller teams. OU will need to pound the paint defensively and hope the KU cold streak continues.

TV: ESPNU, 8:00 CST

Line: KU -16.5; O/U 138.5

Prediction: I think KU wins handedly. Final score: 83-68

 

 

KU, OU preview

Posted on: January 7th, 2012 by jayhawktalk No Comments

Kansas faces Oklahoma today at 1:00 PM in the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, OK. For those looking for the game, it will be televised on ESPNU. Judging by my twitter timeline, it sounds like there will be a few KU fans making the trip south, which is pretty freakin’ awesome.

I think most fans are looking at this game as an easy one considering Missouri recently beat Oklahoma by a ridiculous 38 points. I truly believe that game was an aberration. While Oklahoma certainly struggled against the Tigers, they are still 11-3, and have beat Arkansas and should have beat Cincinnati (outscored late to lose by one point).

Oklahoma plays a similar game to Kansas State. They crash the boards with authority and have better outside shooters than the Wildcats. While the Sooners were picked by Big XII coaches to be tied for last in the league this year, they have surprised some with their good rebounding and perimeter shooting. Should Oklahoma do both of those well, they will hang with this KU team.

Kansas certainly has the edge in the interior. At this point, you can pretty much give Robinson his double-double. What I am looking forward to is seeing whether Withey will maintain the kind of production he had against Kansas State. He played strong, and had a true presence on both ends. If he can find that every game, we are going to be tough to beat.

I’m also looking for Tyshawn to have a really good game. He sounded off on twitter last night, calling out those who criticize him and don’t know how to play basketball. While I’m not that worried about the twitter rant, it would certainly do a lot to quiet his critics with a big game. I think he’ll do it.

As for a prediction, I believe KU wins an ugly matchup. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 72-60. Safe travels to all making the trip, and Rock Chalk!