Friday, March 9, 2012

Balance

An interesting stat popped up at the end of Gary Bedore's post-game notes in the LJW following KU's whomping of SEC bound Texas A&M.  All 5 of KU's starter's have scored at least 25 points in a game at some point this season.  Think about that again, all 5 starters have scored at least 25 points in a game this season.

Over the last 2 decades the Jayhawks have put some very talented teams on the floor.   Now I'm not going to dig through the rosters over the last 20 years to check it out but I don't think that's ever happened before.  Even the talented 1996-97 team that was loaded with talent capable of matching that feat didn't do it.

I think this speaks volumes about the coaching job that Bill Self has done this season.  Early on I worried about Tyshawn Taylor's ability to play the point and the post passing by Thomas Robinson.  As the season progressed both players became more and more unselfish as they realized their teammates were capable of helping them carry the load.  Taylor's improvement in particular has been jaw-dropping.  His long range shooting has improved beyond belief.

This season's edition of the Kansas Jayhawks goes to show that it doesn't take a roster filled with McDonald's All-Americans to field a very good basketball team.  This squad has gelled and come together in a way reminiscent of the 2008 national championship squad.  Regardless of whether this team wins its way to a Final 4 or even a Big 12 tournament title, we've witnessed one of the best coaching jobs I've seen at Kansas, ever. 

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