Cory Joseph needs a rain out.

How far this team goes in the tournament depends on how JH plays and who we’re playing against. I can’t even speculate.

Please, please, please, just let us end Baylor’s hope of an NCAA tournament birth on Sunday. It would do so much for this team’s confidence.

A 4 seed would be so disappointing.

If Baylor beats us, does the B12 get 7 teams in?

Or Saturday. Either one.

Hopefully Joseph has a mild cough or something similar that forces him to get rested Saturday. I wish we had a bigger bench, and I wish we were playing the full thing Saturday. Since there is still a slight chance we could tie KU for the conference champ, I’m sure we won’t be resting at all.

“I see losing to Baylor, two wins in the Big 12 Tourney, a four-seed and a Sweet Sixteen by the skin of our teeth (and a late J’Covan bomb against some poor bastard who thinks he has him covered).”

I think this is fucking depressing, that’s what I think, considering that two weeks ago we were talking about the overall #1 seed.

Oh, how we miss Varez Ward.

But after watching Baylor lose to the mighty mites of OSU on Tuesday, I think we beat them in Waco.

No way on the seven. Or, at least let’s put it this way… the Nebraska-Colorado winner (and i’d be shocked if it isn’t Colorado) will not get in by winning that game. Even by beating Texas, Baylor doesn’t have the n-c resume to support a bid. All of those teams, IMO, have work to do.

But I think jtt is right about the ultimate course. That’s the most likely one, anyway.

I forgot to mention yesterday what is covered quite well in the post. I’m convinced that they’ve been working too hard, that whatever Barnes thinks means cutting back in terms of practice time in late season, to the team means more than optimal, if not more than necessary.

I remember an alarm going off in my head about three weeks ago when all was right with the world and I heard Barnes asked how his team could improve and he said he thought they could improve defensively. This was at a time when they had become KenPom’s top defense (and still are, last time I checked). Defense is hard work, and practicing defense is even harder. If that is what has been done, I am left to wonder what he thinks about and worries about. Whatever it is, the emperor is darn near naked.

engr, I get your frustration, but basically, if they don’t have a 1 seed, what they get doesn’t really matter. They’ve proven they can play with ones, so they’re gonna do what they’re gonna do.

“Please, please, please, just let us end Baylor’s hope of an NCAA tournament birth "

Lace Dunn is just 4 points shy of Andre Emmitt’s Big 12 scoring record. Would be sweet to hold Dunn to 3, although that hardly seems possible.

If Baylor beats us, does the B12 get 7 teams in?

Are we even at 6?

We have 5 locks: Kansas, Texas, Kansas State, Missouri and A&M.

After that, I’d say Baylor, Nebraska and Colorado are all firmly on the outside looking in. Baylor probably has the best chance, since they could notch the best win, but aside from some serious runs in the tourney next week I’m hard pressed to think any more than one of those three sneak in…

Hmm, apparently my previous post requires moderation. Interesting.

“Hmm, apparently my previous post requires moderation. Interesting.”

Me, too. Subsequent post was A-OK. I guess I shouldn’t have mentioned that we miss Varez Ward in the first one.

By the way, nice piece Jones. I had no idea he was getting that kind of run. Pretty surprising in any instance, but especially considering what happened to Bradley a year ago.

I didn’t either. After the Trips post (I see dead people), I started this post with the premise:

“I wonder how many more minutes Bradley played last year than Joseph this?”

It never occurred to me that Joseph has played more minutes. It just jumps off the page, huh?

Great piece, jonesy. It says a lot about our lack of depth especially when you tie in Bob’s comments on the toll that playing and practicing defense takes. A good comparison is Kemba Walker, he’s much better when the opposing team has an easy cover like say a Balbay or another non-scorer. Allows him to conserve energy. You can also say the same about Fredette, as the book on him now is to wear him down by going right at him to make him defend.

Oh, and yeah, Varez would have been huge for this team.

As I’ve said, it all comes down to J’Covan, and Barnes (and J’Covan himself) have failed the team in this regard. However, they both have time to right the ship to make a run.

Also, in actuality, it would be better to go one and done in the Big XII tourney and get some rest for the the dance. Though I can never root for us to lose.

man, I think you’re not supposed to bring up the fact that a Rick Barnes team ain’t operative w/out a lottery-bound PG. “smart people” have taken umbrage with such statements….they start waving the name “Kenton Paulino” on large banners, unfurled from Athenian columns.

it is a big deal man.

besides, we have a new offense with lots of “utah jazz like screening and cutting.” we never get bogged down anymore — you know, just standing around and running ISO plays like it was the NBA circa 1995.

on a lighter note, depth is an issue. it’s too bad we lost that one guy from Duncanville that that one guy on the internets liked so much. I believe he was supposed to be better than Jordan Hamilton.

kinda miss that internet bro who wouldn’t stop talking about the Duncanville guy. certainly better than the aggy trolls on the recruitocosm lately.

Fantake was “acquired” by sbnation? They are touting Barking Carnival as just a general CFB blog, how is this gonna change content here? Are ya’ll gonna move to the sbnation format? Just curious really

Great piece, jonestopten. And I couldn’t agree more that fatigue is definitely what ails. That’s on the coaches’ shoulders. It’s not like we’ve got a rookie coach who’s still looking for the right buttons to push in order to have the team ready for March Madness. Right? Right?

Would like to see a comparison of minutes to other top freshmen in the nation.

However, I totally agree that Corey (and Tristan) should have played fewer minutes for three big reasons.

1) REST
2) Wangmene needs minutes. This is not for this year, but for next. He’s had problems with his feet and hands on the offensive side and more time could help that.
3) REST

It was great to see that Barnes learned from his past mistakes on offense and sought outside help to get better. Unfortunately, he hasn’t recognized his other big mistake, burning out his freshmen.

Rick Barnes:offense::John Mackovic:defense. Who fucking needs it?

Texoz:

Among the best freshmen in the nation, only one plays more minutes than Joseph (in my fairly limited research). Here’s a reasonable cross-section, heavy on guards:

Brandon Knight, UK: 35.4 (that’s ridiculous)
Terrence Jones, UK: 31.5

Any signs of burnout on Calipari’s team? I haven’t been paying attention. The rest:

Jared Sullinger, Oh St: 31.1
Tim Hardaway, Jr, Mich: 29.9
Kyrie Irving, Duke: 28.9 (pre-injury)
Juwan Staten, Dayton: 28.9
Harrison Barnes, UNC: 27.9
Josh Selby, KU: 24.3
Joe Jackson, Memphis: 21.9
Terrell Stoglin, MD: 20.9

Seems reasonable to me that Joseph should be in the 27-28 minute range. But what the hell do I know?

Not sure if I buy the minute thing. We should remember that our lack of a real offense allows other teams to get a rest on defense. Many great team, with talent far less than Texas, have had guys play a lot of minutes. As an example, on the way to a national title here are Steve Alford’s numbers.

37 Minutes per game
53% 3 PT %
90% FT %
22 PPG
1 inch vertical leaping ability – in constant motion, moving without the ball, had to be open to get a shot off

Tex, Alford was a senior that year. We are talking about freshmen. What is your point?

Bob in Houston said:

OK let’s look at freshman year:

38 Minutes per game
59% FG % (there were no 3 pointers)…that number is insane for an outside shooter
91% FT %
16 PPG

…..led his team to a Sweet 16 victory against Jordan/Worthy/Perkins and crazy talented Dean Smith team….speaking of minutes the only man who could stop Michael Jordon was Dean Smith via not giving him enough minutes.

http://www.databasebasketball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=ALFORST01

Loss at Baylor, one win in the B12 tourney, and out in the second round of the NCAA tourney as a four seed. 26-9 overall, and 3-6 in the final 9 games.

Yeah, I thought it was inevitable that a team with a short bench that plays such intense defense would sooner or later burn out and get tired legs. It should not take too much rest for these young guys to recuperate.

It would be a good idea to play more zone defense to reduce fatigue and reduce the need to play the horns defensive specialists. It would really help Jordan (vs big front lines) and Gary and Brown.

Barnes ought to do a little team building exercise. Maybe a float trip down the Guadalupe or the Pedernales or a trip out to Big Bend (might want to fly, that is a long drive). They need to take a break and recharge the batteries.

Barnes needs to go back to using Balbay much more on screens, even against big men. Balbay’s defender can’t play a 1 man zone if he is constantly under pressure to hedge or switch a screen. Forcing Balbay’s defender to defend Tristan (after the screen forced switch) is solid gold.

Jordan can’t generate his shots outside easily vs a smaller, faster defender. It would be smart to use Jordan more as a screener who can get open on the roll after he screens. Jordan has great hands so he can catch the pass very well and should be open for a shot. This approach will take much less of Jordan’s energy than running around trying to get open (very difficult, frustrating and tiring vs a faster defender). Using Jordan as a screener for Tristan would makes foes pay for defending Jordan with a small guy.

The pick and pop play that the horns used to run with Atchley, would be a nice play for Jordan.

Posting Jordan up on smaller defenders would both take advantage of Jordan’s size, negate the defender’s speed, make foes pay for putting a small guy on Jordan, and conserve Jordan’s energy. Jordan should be prepared to pass because he will most likely be immediately doubled teamed on the post. The horns need to actually pass it to Jordan when he posts up.

Jordan might consider shooting a set shot on his 3 point attempts sometimes. He could get the shot off quicker and it would facilitate faking the set shot when the defender sells out to block the 3. It would also facilitate drawing fouls on 3 point shots.

Jordan has to be more humble dribbling by using his body to protect the ball (don’t put the ball in front of these little fast guys, they will swat it away). For finishing inside, he needs to start working on a jump hook (with either hand). Guys who are not explosive leapers have to be able to jump hook or they are going to get their shot blocked. Easiest way to start is to develop a shot that is all hand/wrist and bank it high off the board with plenty of back spin. Its also a good idea to jump slightly into your defender’s space to budge him off balance as he is getting ready to leap (also good for drawing fouls). Fake every now and then to draw the foul. Jordan needs to draw a lot more fouls because he is an excellent free throw shooter.

I meant to say that zone defense would help Gary (not Jordan) vs a big front line.

Playing Doge at the stable part of the halfs allows team to run he doge “d” and mess us up. Sets the tone.

Excellent comments, Kafka, although playing zone to conserve energy is the just about the last thing I would expect from Barnes, especially these days.

From Luke Winn

Texas Longhorns (24-6)
The Longhorns’ defense is slipping. After holding 10 of their first 11 Big 12 opponents to 0.88 or fewer PPP — and leading the nation in defensive efficiency as a result — they gave up 1.13 PPP to Nebraska, 1.21 PPP to Colorado and 1.12 PPP to Kansas State, and lost each one of those games. Much of the issue is effort, and one of the key culprits is star Jordan Hamilton, who (as Jeff Goodman recently wrote) is the key to Texas’ season. If he comes back around on both ends of the floor, the ‘Horns won’t go off the rails. If he plays D like he did in the ugliest stretch against Colorado … they’re in trouble.

I reviewed the tape from the loss to the Buffs, in which Texas blew a 22-point lead, and there’s a lot of Bad Hamilton. A frame-by-frame guide to the image that follows (and yes, this is harsh, but I only point it out because the ‘Horns’ defense was so amazing to watch when they were trying):

1 and 2: Hamilton gets beat by Alec Burks in one-on-one coverage on back-to-back possessions, turning a 58-44 game into 58-48. These aren’t mistakes, per se, but after this, Hamilton gets down on himself and his effort starts to wane.

3. Hamilton gambles for a steal a few seconds before the screengrab, doesn’t get back in transition, and leaves his teammates in a 4-on-5 situation that results in a three-pointer. 58-53.

4. Alec Burks blows by Hamilton in transition for a layup.

5. Hamilton loses his new man, Levi Knutson, in transition and gives up a three. 61-62.

6. Hamilton is slow to get back again — even though he’s outside the arc when the Buffs grab a defensive board — and Knutson is open for another three. 65-70.

http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.element/img/4.0/global/swapper/201103/110303.10.jpg

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/luke_winn/03/03/power.rankings/index.html#ixzz1FexpuHJ2

Luke Winn with the breakdown on Jordan Hamilton’s defensive breakdowns against Colorado. It’s not pretty.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/luke_winn/03/03/power.rankings/index.html

Here is what they are tweeting:

Tristan Thompson
http://twitter.com/realtristan13

- I would like to thank Dean Melchionni for making me a man.
- Play time is over. Either you join us, or become a victim.

Gary Johnson
http://twitter.com/Garyjohnson44

- Never ever under-estimate the next man’s greed…..
 I need a happy ending

Interesting conversation between TJ Ford and Avery Bradley

  @tj_ford man this is crazy 10:00 PM Feb 28th via web in reply to tj_ford
(Bradley) Dang Texas lost again

Is it possible to get rid of that “Aloha, No. 1 seed?” article and the picture of the slobbering idiot of a coach that accompanies it from the very top of the page? Thx.

“star Jordan Hamilton, who (as Jeff Goodman recently wrote) is the key to Texas’ season”

Through one half in Waco, our star is 1/7 from the field (that was a dunk), 0/2 from behind the arc.

Of course, it’s not like the rest of the team (save Tristan Thompson) is doing shit either. Take TT out and the team is 5/23 (22 goddamn percent!) from the field, 0-7 from the field and 1/4 from the free-throw line.

Thank goodness we got a quality 2nd half from JH. Instead of forcing up those terrible shots, he passed the ball to wide open team mates. Even if Hill blew a couple of them, JH was making better decisions and some shots fell for him. I’m really glad Alexi is back on the team! Did we ever find out why he was suspended?

AW – DUI. Good to have him back. If JH finds his stroke and this team defends like it did most of Jan-Feb they will be a tough out. As much as I would like this team to win the Big 12 tourney for once, an early exit would not be the end of the world rest wise. Remember the 2003 team lost game one vs TT, then went to the F4. KU seems to put an inordinate amount of emphasis on winning the tourney, then often flames out early in the big dance, ’03 and ’08 the exceptions.