Marcus MorrisCole Aldrich has had EFF ratings of 9 and 8 in his last two games. For the entire 2009 season, he only had less than 10 twice (both 9) and the worst two-game stretch was 30… not 17. Obviously, he isn’t playing that well and we can only hope it continues long enough that he decides he should spend one more year in school! Of course, I doubt that will be the case, but there are a lot of differences between last season and this. He was (by far) the most important offensive piece to the puzzle in 2008. Clearly, this season, the team has a lot of weapons. Aldrich is not even a requirement, much less the go-to guy. Of course, his value is still super high – rebounding, defense and inside threat (drawing in defenders). But, it’s definitely possible that he won’t get enough stats to warrant heading into the NBA horizon. If so, it’s the ultimate silver lining.
Aldrich is shooting 50% from the field and 57% from the line. Last season, he averaged 60% from the field and 79% from the line. He is averaging 10 points and 17 EFF per game this season. In 2009, he averaged 15 points and 24 EFF. It’s clear he is off to a very slow start.
TYSHAWN TAYLOR
Taylor is struggling badly. However, I was very impressed with his race horse lay-ins – even if he missed a couple (hitting three). If ever a player needed to play full court, it is he. Once again (obligatory bitch), no pressing which would allow these players to exploit their skills at the expense of their competitors. Taylor is likely to always struggle in the half court. I didn’t see the 19u games, in which he led the team, but I have to assume a lot of it was up and down the court. Don’t expect him to flourish in a boring half court offense.
Taylor’s FG% is now 26% (6-23). After four games last season, he was shooting 62% - the same number of FGAs, but he made 10 more (16) of them!
UPSIDE
On the upside, Cus had a 24 EFF – the highest of his career, Reed continued to rebound from his first two games, Collins had the most assists he has had this season (7), Kieff was solid, Johnson made the most of the backboard and rim, and X was his usual sensational self. So, although Aldrich and Taylor weren’t anything special (to put it mildly), KU still beat a decent Oakland team by 30.
A couple things of interest.
At one point, KU was 2-8 from the line. They ended 13-21 (62%). For the season, the club is shooting 67.9%. That’s well below last season’s 72.5% (#4 in KU history).
KU now has won 44 straight at home (third longest in team history) – ahead of Utah State (34), Cornell (21), Pittsburgh (20) and Dayton (20).
DEFENSIVE FG%
Kansas held Oakland to 33.3% shooting. The three other defensive FG percentages on the season were Hofstra (36.6%), Memphis (34.5%) and Central Arkansas (25.5%). Their defensive average on the season is 32.8%. Not only would that be an NCAA record if they kept it up, but Kansas has now held their opponents to under 50% from the field for 78 games in a row! I would gladly have teams hit 5% higher percentages if KU also scored 10 points more per game... much more exciting to watch. With Self being semi-obsessed with defense, it’s no doubt going to be more of the same.
Here are the all-time lowest defensive FG percentages (below 40%) for KU teams since the introduction of the three-point shot (1987). Also shown are KU’s average points per game. As you can see, low defensive FG% does not require lower offensive scoring.
| Year | Coach | Pct. | PPG |
| 2006 | Self | 37.0% | 75.2 |
| 2007 | Self | 37.6% | 78.4 |
| 1995 | Williams | 37.8% | 83.0 |
| 2001 | Williams | 37.8% | 82.0 |
| 2008 | Self | 37.9% | 80.5 |
| 1994 | Williams | 38.3% | 80.5 |
| 2009 | Self | 38.3% | 76.4 |
| 1996 | Williams | 38.7% | 80.6 |
| 2005 | Self | 38.7% | 75.0 |
| 1999 | Williams | 39.1% | 72.1 |
| 2004 | Self | 39.1% | 75.8 |
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Obviously, KU isn’t going to maintain a defFG% of 32.8%. I don’t have to go far for an example. Last season, the team had a defFG% of 32.5% after four games.
BY GROUP
I mentioned before that I see KU’s groups as Leaders (Collins, Aldrich, Reed), Sophomores (Twins, Taylor) and Freshmen (X, Johnson, Robinson, CJ). I’m keeping stats on each group for each game based on EFF. After four games, these are the stats (per game).
| Gm1 | Gm2 | Gm3 | Gm4 | Avg | |
| Leadership | 44 | 46 | 41 | 36 | 41.8 |
| Sophomores | 38 | 15 | 34 | 39 | 31.5 |
| Freshmen | 42 | 5 | 51 | 31 | 32.2 |
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UGLY POINTS
The formula is (100 minus points scored) + missed FG + missed FT + turnovers + fouls.
| Opponent | UGLY |
| Hofstra | 69 |
| Memphis | 106 |
| Central Arkansas | 66 |
| Oakland | 74 |
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GAME FLOW
Kansas has scored more points in the second half of each game so far this season. Their average in the first half is 37 – the same as their last two games. Their average in the second half is 48.
| Minutes | Half 1 | Half 2 |
| 1-4 | 6 | 6 |
| 5-8 | 7 | 14 |
| 9-12 | 10 | 12 |
| 13-16 | 7 | 7 |
| 17-20 | 7 | 13 |
| TOTAL | 37 | 52 |
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PLAYER PRODUCTION
Here are the player’s points and EFF as well as their season EFF.
| Player | Points | EFF | SeasonEFF |
| XHenry | 19 | 22 | 18.0 |
| Aldrich | 9 | 8 | 17.0 |
| Collins | 9 | 15 | 16.5 |
| McMorris | 19 | 24 | 15.8 |
| MfMorris | 8 | 13 | 11.5 |
| Reed | 11 | 13 | 8.3 |
| Johnson | 8 | 9 | 7.3 |
| Robinson | 2 | 1 | 5.3 |
| Taylor | 6 | 2 | 4.3 |
| CJHenry | 1 | -1 | 3.5 |
| Buford | 0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| Teahan | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Juenemann | 0 | 0 | -0.7 |
| TOTALS | 89 | 109 |
EFF = (Pts + Reb + Ast + Blk + Stl - Missed FG – Missed FT – TO)
NOT IN THE BOXSCORE
I don’t have all the data for the first table. I plan on updating it later today.
| PTS | InThe | Off | Second | Fast | From |
| SCORED | Paint | TOs | Chance | Break | Bench |
| Oakland | 18 | 3 | 15 | 2 | 3 |
| Kansas | 28 | 20 | 17 | 13 | 32 |
| Actual | Effective | Ast/ | Ast | Hustle | |
| FG% | FG% | TO | FGM | Pts | |
| Oakland | 25.5% | 39.8% | 0.92 | 0.67 | 17 |
| Kansas | 50.0% | 57.6% | 3.00 | 0.55 | 25 |
Hustle = Blocks + Steals + Off Rebounds
I just want to see him concentrate on the defensive side of the ball. He needs to take after Russ Rob and put the ball in the hole when the opportunity comes and not try to force anything and focus on D. KU has enough offense.
Sherron had 7 assists. His assists are going up and this is a great year for him to improve his draft stock by showcasing his point skills. He seems to be relishing the fact that he doesn't have to carry the team. I liked what Self had to say about this. Quoted from Brady's column in the Star.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” Self said. “That kid wants to win. That kid wants to leave a legacy behind. He knows the only way you can do it is by winning.”
That's what I love about Sherron. Self is fortunate to have a leader such as Sherron. His primary focus is winning a title. The others will follow this mindset as well. That's why even though Cole has started out slow. They're continuing to win and you're not hearing too much grumbling(just a little) from Self about Cole not getting enough touches. He doesn't need them. Like you said Martin, His rebounding, blocks and ability to take up space still makes him a very important piece of the team.
Also from Brady's column
Self believes that Aldrich, who is averaging just 10 points through four games, will come around soon.
“I think he’s the best big man in the country,” Self said. “He just hasn’t played to that level yet. But he will.”
Cole will come around. This team is playing well but still isn't as cohesive as they will be. Like most Self teams. They'll be playing their best ball in the later part of the season.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!