Basketball from a fans perspective
“I’m from Missouri Show Me”
This is written prior to tonight’s Kansas-Oklahoma game. If we look at the polls Oklahoma is the number one team in the nation while Kansas is number one too. That’s no typo, in the USA Today Coaches Poll Oklahoma is atop the poll with Kansas sitting in second place. If we check the Associated Press Top 25 they have Kansas in first place followed by Oklahoma in second. This anomaly (two teams being number one) may have occurred in the past but I doubt they played each other as will occur tonight. Kansas is a 5 point favorite due to it being a home game for Kansas. Side bar here; I wrote Kansas has been a consistent winner in basketball historically in the latter years little of that talent is home grown. The latest example of not acquiring that talent might be Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield.
Hield from Bahamas played high school ball at Sunrise Christian Academy in Wichita Kansas. The Jayhawks had plenty of opportunity to scout him while he played 2 hours drive time from Lawrence. Coach Self indicated in a Kansas City Star article; “We under-recruited (Hield) him”. Consider this tidbit from last Saturday night the Jayhawks played number 23 Baylor also a home game for Kansas; they totally destroyed Baylor 102-74. This past Monday I wrote the Big 12 wants to stick out hits chest bragging about the strength of its basketball teams. After viewing the Baylor Bears being totally destroyed Saturday evening what should we expect from the Oklahoma Sooners tonight? The outcome might be different Oklahoma may win however “I’m from Missouri (they must) show me.”
NOTE: In a game for the ages the Kansas Jayhawks won a triple overtime match 109-106. Oklahoma playing in Allen Fieldhouse played much better than I expected but came up short.
Did you know?
I’m unsure if there is history here or not at the same time I’m uncertain if any school has begun a game with a taller lineup. In a game earlier the University of California Irvine Gauchos trotted out these starters against Chapman College. UCI starters were 7 foot 6 inches, 7 foot 2 inches, two others stood 6 foot 10 and “tiny” Shawn Ray at 6 foot 8 inches was the smallest starter if we dare use the term. The Gauchos won the game 65-51 and registered 13 blocked shots.
Race issue
The father of 76er guard Kendall Marshall has apologized, allow me to state that upfront. We know the mess the 76ers team is on the basketball court but to claim racism for the basis his son is not playing is a stretch. Marshall’s dad took to twitter complaining about his son’s lack of playing time. He hinted racism was the basis for Marshall’s lack of play. After investigating the story I discovered Marshall was coming off a torn ACL sustained while a member of the Bucks. In addition Ish Smith who became a teammate in the middle of December has played better and reduced the minutes of Marshall. It should be noted Marshall and Smith are African American, if Marshall’s time on the court had been reduced by a white player I could understand his rant. Just my thoughts fans you might formulate a different opinion.
Say what?
Don’t know where ESPN’s Chris Broussard been hiding out but he surfaced recently. He appeared long enough to drop this tidbit of information; “Kevin Durant could go to the Warriors.” We know next season Durant becomes a free agent and a number of NBA teams will be seeking his services. I certainly am not doubting the talent issue here I’m questioning the chemistry issue.
Harrison Barnes doesn’t command the basketball but neither does Durant. With the Thunder Durant only shares the ball with Westbrook and Ibaka. Would there be enough basketballs to go around dividing shots between Curry, Thompson, Green and Durant? Can’t say this move by Durant couldn’t happen I I just seriously doubt it.
