@ Iowa State up next

Well, we have a tough road game at Iowa State this Saturday. Even when Iowa State was terrible, this was always a tough placve to play. This year they have a much improved team and Royce White is a matchup nightmare. The arena will be crazy loud and Kansas will have their hands full against Fred Hoiberg's Iowa State team.

Iowa State has been on the cusp of breaking through this year. It seems that they have been in a ton of really close games but have been unable to pick up a really solid victory. All 6 of Iowa State's losses this year have been by 10 points or less. They have already beaten Texas and Oklahoma State at home this season.

This should be a tough battle, but one we really need to keep our conference lead solid.

I'll admit to being a little nervous about this one.  KU didn't look very good in the first half of last game, but hopefully they'll refocus especially now that they can pad their lead in the Big 12 standings in the wake of MU's loss at OSU.  So long as EJ and Teahan aren't chucking up 3's with 30 seconds left on the shot clock we should be good.  I'm pretty excited to see if Jeff Withey can keep improving.  He's already a wonderful defensive player, but I would love to see him look to score first or at least get to the line where he shoots 80%. 

I live in Tampa and this weekend is Gasparilla (google it if you don't know), so I may be seeing double by the time this game comes on. 

This is a very concerning game as already mentioned Ames has been a difficult place to win for some time.  One thing I do think is to our advantage is that the Cyclones pushed us so hard in Allen Field House.   Had we rolled them by 20+ we perhaps could go into this one a little over confident but I am sure after leading us by double digits for almost 2/3 of the game in Lawrence they have our undivided attention. 

What we have here is an oppurtunity to paraphrase the late Herb Brroks.   With MU stumbling in Stilwater we can really solidify our lead in the conference and not give one back so to speak since the Tigers already won at ISU. 

Individual accoaldes are certainly secondary to team accomplishments but I can't help but find myself stat watching Thomas Robinson as he challenges for the player of the year award.   His main competetion is from Jared Sullinger, Anthony Davis and Doug McDermott but I believe for numerous reasons that TRob should be the winner as of now.     While a great shot blocker Davis is fairly one dimension offensively, Sullinger's stats are not as good across the board and he has missed action and McDermott plays against a soft schedule while KU has faced one of the toughest in the country.  

And T-Rob has come up the biggest in KU's biggest games.
I think the general displeasure with the way KU played in their last game will also help. My guess is that it has been a very long had week of practice. I would be shocked to see EJ and teahan putting up shots early in the shot clock this weekend and expect to see KU feeding T-Rob and Withey inside early and often. We'll see how it plays out, but KU needs to get a 'W' in this game to help in the drive for #8 straight.

Yep, even the best KU teams tend to struggle at Iowa State and this will be no different as ISU is actually pretty good this year.  I still fully expect them to win, but it certainly isn't a gimme like some games.  TRob and TT are going to need to be solid as normal with good contributions from the combination of Withey, Teahan, TRel and EJ.

A lot of times games like this come down to 3-point shooting; if ISU gets hot, which is certianly a tendenc for this type of game, KU is gonna be in trouble.

We saw TT go crazy in the second half against ISU the first time or maybe we don't win that one.  I don't think they can guard TT, so  iam looking for him to have another huge game.  They don't really have an answer for Trob, or Withey.  The key is going to be foul trouble.  If we can s tay out of foul trouble, we have a good shot at winning.

I have too think that after Monday's game that our team has seen the light and knows that we are inside then outside.  If it comes down to 3 point shooting, I don't like our odds. 

ISU has some really good shooters.  Royce White is a really great player when he iis in control of his emotions.  He will bring the game to Trob and Withey so they better be ready.  Young and Wesely b etter contribute some meaningful minutes as well.  We really need to see EJ and TT combine for a good solid game from both outside and inside the arc.  Releford is another matchup that i think really benefits us. 

Tough game.  A winnable game however.  I think we win, but it won't come easy.

Their best defender is Chris Babb who blanketed Releford in the first meeting.   It is possible they move him over to Tyshawn and if that happens then Travis will have to take advantage of what will be a certain mismatch.   First go around Chris Allen got absolutely abused by Taylor and I'd be a little surprised if ISU just matches up like that again hoping for a better result. 

They do present a problem for us though when they have Royce White and virtually four long range shooters in the lineup.  Iowa St is a team not unlike Missouri where they can really make it difficult to win if they are hitting their jumpers. 

I'm just hoping we survive this game.  I don't care if we win by one or twenty one, I don't care if we look ugly as long as we win, this game in terms of the conference title is like a tournament game.... survive and advance.

     Not looking past this game, but I just heard that Mizzery fans are printing "No Mom Tom" t-shirts.  Making fun of TRob and his sister.

Not looking past this game, but I just heard that Mizzery fans are printing "No Mom Tom" t-shirts. Making fun of TRob and his sister.

If this is in fact true, and the university actually allows students to where these to the game, the NCAA has no choice but to hand down some sort of fine.  It's a hated rivalry but that doesn't mean there isn't a line that can be crossed.  This clearly does.

down 3 at half...as poorly as KU has played, I feel good to only be down by 3.  Fouls could be a problem real quickly and rebounds seem to be finding the hands of ISU players.

Typical first half.  If KU has a typical second half too, then they'll be fine.

Interesting...MU was down 38-36 at half during their game @ ISU before going home with the W 76-69.

Also, if KU can "come from behind" and win today, and they can win all their home games which they are expected to do, nothing else matters, they win the Big 12.

If Withey can get that spin move to the lane jump hook a little cleaner, both to his right and to his left, dude is going to be a serious threat.  Get'r'done Danny!

If I'm Hoiberg, I'm having White and Ejim take it down low and shoot every position.  Another foul or two on KU's bigs and things get interesting.  

TT is looking like a ball hog these last few posessions.

TT is looking like a ball hog these last few posessions.

Given what he's capable of with the ball, I'm ok with him driving and taking open shots.

Our offense keys off of him 

I don't mind him driving...just let someone else touch it first...you know, run some half court O.

Pretty evident that KU's inability to shoot consistently from the perimeter will be the downfall of this team.

Teahan has been frustrating to watch this year.  When you're not able to do the only thing you're on the court to do, you're just taking up space.

Whats evident is the fact that we give so many minutes to a non-factor like Teahan, and have Tharpe just sitting.  I know Tharpe is no juggernaut, b ut TEahan is of no value to this team.  Can't guard, can't shoot apparently, and generally can't pass.  Some one please  tell me why he see's the court?

Up by six, now down by one.  6 point lead on the road, we needed to take care of the ball better and get our bigs touches.  This team doesn't make smart decisions.  TT is forcing the issue and now we have our usual standing and watching.