Coming off a brutal stretch with games against Indiana and Duke, the Kansas basketball team returns to hallowed Allen Fieldhouse for a matchup against Siena in the first round of the CBE Classic.
Will there be a hangover?
Don’t be surprised if Kansas basketball comes out sloppy against the Saints. It’s the home opener, so there could be some nerves for newcomers. There shouldn’t be a ton of turnovers, since Siena isn’t a team that forces a ton of them, only 25 through two games. I would be more concerned about shot selection and fouling, both issues that have plagued the Jayhawks so far.
Once the Jayhawks settle in, I expect them to play well. With additional practice, the main rotation will be more comfortable playing around each other, and the competition level is not nearly as high. The Saints rank 79th overall, but just 144th in the country in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.com, a basketball analytics service. It could be a coming out party for Josh Jackson as well. He’ll be defended by 6’5” Siena sophomore Nico Clareth, a big challenge for the guard.
Defensively, KU will have a chance to really show what they can do. The Saints’ leading scorer is 6’1” senior combo guard Marquis Wright, who scores 26 per game. He’s a stat sheet stuffer in his own right, as he’s averaged over four rebounds and nearly five assists per game over his career. It will be a good challenge for Frank Mason and Devonte Graham to defend the talented senior.
How will the frontline respond?
Against Indiana and Duke, the Kansas frontcourt has been somewhat of a disappointment. They should be better against the Saints. The Siena frontline is a veteran group, led by 6’10” senior Javion Ogunyemi, who is averaging 16 points and six rebounds per game. The Saints best player up front is fifth year senior Brett Bisping. The 6’8,” 234 pound veteran averaged a double double last year, with 16 points and 10.4 rebounds per contest. He’s remained just as consistent so far this season, averaging 14 points and 10.5 rebounds. The only other big man in the Saints rotation is 6’8,” 248 pound sophomore Evan Fisher, who is only averaging three points and two rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game.
After the Duke victory, head coach Bill Self challenged the frontline, “We’re not a great rebounding team by any stretch,” Self said “and he [Udoka Azubuike] gets 12 in 15 minutes and our other bigs get seven in 30.” Carlton Bragg and Landen Lucas should play well. Bragg is longer than Bisping, who will struggle to defend Bragg’s mobility. Landen Lucas will be the biggest player on the floor for the most part against the Saints, and hopefully gets back to rebounding at a high rate. Azubuike should get plenty of minutes as well, especially with the lack of size for Siena.
Kansas should develop depth, especially up front.
It’s understandable why Self thinned his rotation early against Indiana and Duke. Both are top teams, and KU needed their best players on the floor for as many minutes as possible. Siena is a good team, but not good enough force Self to keep a tight rotation. The Saints were 21-12 last year, and finished third in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
Tomorrow, I hope they play well enough so that freshman Mitch Lightfoot and especially junior Dwight Coleby can get plenty of playing time. If he’s physically healthy, Coleby needs to gain confidence in his surgically repaired knee, so that he can be an asset later in the season. The Jayhawks probably will need his size at some point in the season. Lightfoot is promising as an energy guy, but needs seasoning.
Bottom line.
This should be a relatively low-stress game for KU fans. Sienna is a veteran team with several very good players, but isn’t deep. KU’s talent will easily carry the day. The Jayhawks should win, and fairly easily. Final score: 84-63.
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