Something isn’t right. It hasn’t been the same since 2008, even though the in-season results have been just as good in the time that has passed between the championship game and now.
A Bill Self coached basketball team is built to survive even when the shots don’t fall. His teams at Kansas have frequently done just that, even though the shots do fall most of the time. It all comes down to, what the 2008 team specialized in — defense.
I’m not saying that the previous three Kansas teams haven’t played good defense, but I am saying that something has been missing, and it lies with the guards.
The perimeter defense for Kansas just hasn’t quite been the same since the lightning fast hands of Russell Robinson and Mario Chalmers left.
Sherron Collins fit the definition of a great college point guard offensively, but on the defensive end, the story didn’t read the same. Tyrel Reed’s kryptonite came on the defensive end of the floor, and while Brady Morningstar played great defense, his problem was the same — they frequently got beat off the dribble.
Guards of opposing teams have been able to drive the lane with ease the previous three seasons. Fortunately for the Jayhawks’, Cole Aldrich roamed the paint for two of those years and literally made a living off of swatting away anything and everything around the rim.
The lack of steals has deprived multiple incredibly athletic teams of fast-break opportunities. The penetration from opposing guards has gotten the big guys for Kansas in foul trouble, or allowed for open threes to be thrown up in hordes against helpless, helping defenders.
In 2008, the Jayhawks’ averaged 8.9 steals a game, while holding their opponents to shooting .379 from the field. In 2011, the Jayhawks’ had 7.8 steals a game, and their opponents shot .394 against them.
Along with the lack of forced turnovers from the boys up front, the toughness defending the perimeter hasn’t been there either. There used to be no one as tough as the Kansas guards were on defense, and that’s were they can get it back this year.
Tyshawn Taylor has shown flashes of Robinson/Chalmers-esque defense, but problems with his head have caused multiple in-excusable defensive lapses on the perimeter. Taylor finished last season playing the best basketball in his career, and if the guard from New Jersey finally gets “it”, he can lead the defensive charge for Kansas.
Elijah Johnson also has shown that he can be a tough-minded defender outside of the three-point line. Johnson played well at times this season, and the early word from the Jayhawks summer-ball action is that he’s worked hard to become a more consistent player —bringing his defensive dividends to the action.
With junior forward Travis Releford specializing as an elite on-ball defender to compliment the probable to starting guards in Taylor and Johnson, the Jayhawks’ may find that the soul of their team comes in defensive tenacity and toughness — which has had big payoffs in the past.
Mind of Mike 