[81alum]

Preview:

Having gotten our 1st round warm up out of the way, we now face a team that is far more of a legit threat.  Kansas is 29 by Massey, 38 in NET, and is 21-9 having just beaten a well regarded Georgia Tech.  Kansas is a well balanced team that inhibited Georgia Tech by playing a close defense on their guards.  They also shoot 75% of their free throws, so watch out if the game turns into a free throw shooting contest.  They make about 5 or 6 treys a game--fewer than their opponents, and are about average with turnovers and rebounding compared with their opponents.  But their defense and offense are good enough to give them a +7.7 scoring margin on the year.

The top Kansas scorer is Holly Kersgieter, a 5'11" junior guard playing the 2.  She is well rounded--shooting 51 treys on the year at 38%, 79% of her free throws (she has made 100!), and 14 ppg.

The Kansas point guard is Zakiyah Franklin, a 5'8" junior guard scoring 12 ppg and with a 3:2 assist to turnover ratio.  She takes a few treys but has more than a hundred free throws at 85%.  She also has made exactly 100 free throws.   It looks a lot as if these two guards are prolific slashers who get people in foul trouble.

Kansas also has some height.  Their third leading scorer is Ioanna Chatzileonti, a 6'3" sophomore forward from Greece--I imagine she knows Elena Bosgana since she is one year ahead of her and also from Athens.  She scores 10 ppg.

Taiyanna Jackson is their 6'6" junior center.  Jackson shoots 61%, has not taken a trey, and averages 9 ppg.  She leads the team in rebounding and has a whopping 92 blocks on the season.  That is nearly 20 more than Brink.

Kansas plays 8 players in double digit minutes, so they have depth.  As the announcers said when looking forward to a potential Stanford matchup--Kansas plays sound defense and has the height and length to match up with us.  I do not think they are as talented in as many positions as we are--but they are not to be taken lightly.  The stats have them as a better team than UCLA or Washington State and in the ballpark of a Colorado or Gonzaga.

According to the post-game presser, the Kansas gameplan on offense against Georgia Tech was to work inside-out.  To penetrate and only if there was not a clear lane or a short pull-up to then pass back out.  That sounds like their MO for the year based on the foul shooting patterns.  Their coach indicated that "we don't have a star" or an MVP candidate--but they have a lot of good players who play together well, make the extra pass. etc.  The Kansas coach also said that Stanford's championship run after being off campus last year was one of the great achievements in sports.  He also indicated that they had recruited Kianna Williams and had been rooting for her last year.

Kansas finished the season with a gauntlet of top teams playing 3 teams in the top 10, losing a competitive game by single digits to Baylor, losing by 10 points to Texas, and splitting with Oklahoma.  Based upon those games, they will also be competitive against us.  I am trying to remember a 2nd round game we have had against an opponent this good.  We will need to play well.

[81alum]

Preview:

Having gotten our 1st round warm up out of the way, we now face a team that is far more of a legit threat.  Kansas is 29 by Massey, 38 in NET, and is 21-9 having just beaten a well regarded Georgia Tech.  Kansas is a well balanced team that inhibited Georgia Tech by playing a close defense on their guards.  They also shoot 75% of their free throws, so watch out if the game turns into a free throw shooting contest.  They make about 5 or 6 treys a game--fewer than their opponents, and are about average with turnovers and rebounding compared with their opponents.  But their defense and offense are good enough to give them a +7.7 scoring margin on the year.

The top Kansas scorer is Holly Kersgieter, a 5'11" junior guard playing the 2.  She is well rounded--shooting 51 treys on the year at 38%, 79% of her free throws (she has made 100!), and 14 ppg.

The Kansas point guard is Zakiyah Franklin, a 5'8" junior guard scoring 12 ppg and with a 3:2 assist to turnover ratio.  She takes a few treys but has more than a hundred free throws at 85%.  She also has made exactly 100 free throws.   It looks a lot as if these two guards are prolific slashers who get people in foul trouble.

Kansas also has some height.  Their third leading scorer is Ioanna Chatzileonti, a 6'3" sophomore forward from Greece--I imagine she knows Elena Bosgana since she is one year ahead of her and also from Athens.  She scores 10 ppg.

Taiyanna Jackson is their 6'6" junior center.  Jackson shoots 61%, has not taken a trey, and averages 9 ppg.  She leads the team in rebounding and has a whopping 92 blocks on the season.  That is nearly 20 more than Brink.

Kansas plays 8 players in double digit minutes, so they have depth.  As the announcers said when looking forward to a potential Stanford matchup--Kansas plays sound defense and has the height and length to match up with us.  I do not think they are as talented in as many positions as we are--but they are not to be taken lightly.  The stats have them as a better team than UCLA or Washington State and in the ballpark of a Colorado or Gonzaga.

According to the post-game presser, the Kansas gameplan on offense against Georgia Tech was to work inside-out.  To penetrate and only if there was not a clear lane or a short pull-up to then pass back out.  That sounds like their MO for the year based on the foul shooting patterns.  Their coach indicated that "we don't have a star" or an MVP candidate--but they have a lot of good players who play together well, make the extra pass. etc.  The Kansas coach also said that Stanford's championship run after being off campus last year was one of the great achievements in sports.  He also indicated that they had recruited Kianna Williams and had been rooting for her last year.

Kansas finished the season with a gauntlet of top teams playing 3 teams in the top 10, losing a competitive game by single digits to Baylor, losing by 10 points to Texas, and splitting with Oklahoma.  Based upon those games, they will also be competitive against us.  I am trying to remember a 2nd round game we have had against an opponent this good.  We will need to play well.

[petersalas]

I’ve actually seen Kansas play twice in person already. Saw them play Vs Tennessee in Las Vegas in a fairly close game, saw them play most of the game yesterday. Their bench is very animated. One thing I noticed and did not like because I’m not sure I’ve seen it from any bench… when an opposing player is shooting a 3 in front of their bench, they literally stand up and scream in the players ear to distract them. I know it’s whatever it takes, but I didn’t like that.

[petersalas]

I’ve actually seen Kansas play twice in person already. Saw them play Vs Tennessee in Las Vegas in a fairly close game, saw them play most of the game yesterday. Their bench is very animated. One thing I noticed and did not like because I’m not sure I’ve seen it from any bench… when an opposing player is shooting a 3 in front of their bench, they literally stand up and scream in the players ear to distract them. I know it’s whatever it takes, but I didn’t like that.

[ceece]

I’ve actually seen Kansas play twice in person already. Saw them play Vs Tennessee in Las Vegas in a fairly close game, saw them play most of the game yesterday. Their bench is very animated. One thing I noticed and did not like because I’m not sure I’ve seen it from any bench… when an opposing player is shooting a 3 in front of their bench, they literally stand up and scream in the players ear to distract them. I know it’s whatever it takes, but I didn’t like that.

I saw that yesterday also, found it very unsportsmanlike. Aren't there rules about bench behavior?

[ceece]

I’ve actually seen Kansas play twice in person already. Saw them play Vs Tennessee in Las Vegas in a fairly close game, saw them play most of the game yesterday. Their bench is very animated. One thing I noticed and did not like because I’m not sure I’ve seen it from any bench… when an opposing player is shooting a 3 in front of their bench, they literally stand up and scream in the players ear to distract them. I know it’s whatever it takes, but I didn’t like that.

I saw that yesterday also, found it very unsportsmanlike. Aren't there rules about bench behavior?

[crackpot]

Didn't have a clue going into yesterday's matchups, but GT's band and cheer teams were a million times better than KU's, so started rooting for 'em. Couldn't see the Kansas bench from my seat, sounds horrible.

[crackpot]

Didn't have a clue going into yesterday's matchups, but GT's band and cheer teams were a million times better than KU's, so started rooting for 'em. Couldn't see the Kansas bench from my seat, sounds horrible.

[ca245]

I’ve actually seen Kansas play twice in person already. Saw them play Vs Tennessee in Las Vegas in a fairly close game, saw them play most of the game yesterday. Their bench is very animated. One thing I noticed and did not like because I’m not sure I’ve seen it from any bench… when an opposing player is shooting a 3 in front of their bench, they literally stand up and scream in the players ear to distract them. I know it’s whatever it takes, but I didn’t like that.

I saw that yesterday also, found it very unsportsmanlike. Aren't there rules about bench behavior?

Hannah gets her shot off too quickly for them to get up and pull that stunt. :)

[ca245]

I’ve actually seen Kansas play twice in person already. Saw them play Vs Tennessee in Las Vegas in a fairly close game, saw them play most of the game yesterday. Their bench is very animated. One thing I noticed and did not like because I’m not sure I’ve seen it from any bench… when an opposing player is shooting a 3 in front of their bench, they literally stand up and scream in the players ear to distract them. I know it’s whatever it takes, but I didn’t like that.

I saw that yesterday also, found it very unsportsmanlike. Aren't there rules about bench behavior?

Hannah gets her shot off too quickly for them to get up and pull that stunt. :)

[M T]

I’ve actually seen Kansas play twice in person already. Saw them play Vs Tennessee in Las Vegas in a fairly close game, saw them play most of the game yesterday. Their bench is very animated. One thing I noticed and did not like because I’m not sure I’ve seen it from any bench… when an opposing player is shooting a 3 in front of their bench, they literally stand up and scream in the players ear to distract them. I know it’s whatever it takes, but I didn’t like that.

I saw that yesterday also, found it very unsportsmanlike. Aren't there rules about bench behavior?

If the bench players are rising from their seat during play to disrupt the opponent, then that is a clear violation.
It would be nice to have a poster visible to the court "All players shall remain seated on the bench while the ball is live"

Misconduct by players, coaches, and bench personnel is not permitted� There is continued support for officials to enforce rules against misconduct by players, coaches, and bench personnel� Players' taunting, baiting, finger-pointing, trash-talking, and inappropriate gestures have increased during the past several seasons� Players and coaches are permitted to celebrate an individual or team accomplishment, but they cannot direct that celebration towards their opponent� Also, players and coaches are not allowed to disrespectfully or inappropriately address and/or gesture at an official after a ruling is made on the court� Player and coach behavior, which in the judgment of the official is determined to be a taunt of an opponent or a disrespectful act toward an official, shall be penalized by assessing a technical foul�
....
f� No opponent (player or bench personnel) shall disconcert (e�g�, taunt, bait, gesture or delay) the free-thrower�
....
Art. 4. Bench Technical Fouls
The head coach is responsible for the conduct and behavior of all bench personnel�
a� Committing misconduct, including, but not limited to, the following:
...
4� Taunting or baiting an opponent�
5� Objecting to an official’s decision by rising from the bench or using gestures�
6� Inciting undesirable crowd reactions�

d� All bench personnel shall remain seated on the bench while the ball is live, except as follows:
2� To spontaneously react to an outstanding play, immediately sitting down on the bench afterward�
....
b� Assistant coaches and other bench personnel. All bench personnel, with the exception of the head coach, are required to be seated on the bench while the ball is live except to react spontaneously to an outstanding play and then to immediately return to sitting on the bench� Violations by players, and especially assistant coaches, should not be tolerated by officials� When assistant coaches or bench personnel are violating bench decorum rules in a minor way, the official shall inform the head coach and request that they handle the situation� This is an official warning. Any further violation by bench personnel shall result in a technical foul assessed to the offender� Egregious (blatant) conduct violations by assistant coaches or bench personnel need no warning and shall immediately result in a technical foul� A technical foul assessed to bench personnel is also assessed as an indirect technical foul�

[M T]

I’ve actually seen Kansas play twice in person already. Saw them play Vs Tennessee in Las Vegas in a fairly close game, saw them play most of the game yesterday. Their bench is very animated. One thing I noticed and did not like because I’m not sure I’ve seen it from any bench… when an opposing player is shooting a 3 in front of their bench, they literally stand up and scream in the players ear to distract them. I know it’s whatever it takes, but I didn’t like that.

I saw that yesterday also, found it very unsportsmanlike. Aren't there rules about bench behavior?

If the bench players are rising from their seat during play to disrupt the opponent, then that is a clear violation.
It would be nice to have a poster visible to the court "All players shall remain seated on the bench while the ball is live"

Misconduct by players, coaches, and bench personnel is not permitted� There is continued support for officials to enforce rules against misconduct by players, coaches, and bench personnel� Players' taunting, baiting, finger-pointing, trash-talking, and inappropriate gestures have increased during the past several seasons� Players and coaches are permitted to celebrate an individual or team accomplishment, but they cannot direct that celebration towards their opponent� Also, players and coaches are not allowed to disrespectfully or inappropriately address and/or gesture at an official after a ruling is made on the court� Player and coach behavior, which in the judgment of the official is determined to be a taunt of an opponent or a disrespectful act toward an official, shall be penalized by assessing a technical foul�
....
f� No opponent (player or bench personnel) shall disconcert (e�g�, taunt, bait, gesture or delay) the free-thrower�
....
Art. 4. Bench Technical Fouls
The head coach is responsible for the conduct and behavior of all bench personnel�
a� Committing misconduct, including, but not limited to, the following:
...
4� Taunting or baiting an opponent�
5� Objecting to an official’s decision by rising from the bench or using gestures�
6� Inciting undesirable crowd reactions�

d� All bench personnel shall remain seated on the bench while the ball is live, except as follows:
2� To spontaneously react to an outstanding play, immediately sitting down on the bench afterward�
....
b� Assistant coaches and other bench personnel. All bench personnel, with the exception of the head coach, are required to be seated on the bench while the ball is live except to react spontaneously to an outstanding play and then to immediately return to sitting on the bench� Violations by players, and especially assistant coaches, should not be tolerated by officials� When assistant coaches or bench personnel are violating bench decorum rules in a minor way, the official shall inform the head coach and request that they handle the situation� This is an official warning. Any further violation by bench personnel shall result in a technical foul assessed to the offender� Egregious (blatant) conduct violations by assistant coaches or bench personnel need no warning and shall immediately result in a technical foul� A technical foul assessed to bench personnel is also assessed as an indirect technical foul�

[WBB fan]

That's a really reasonable rule, and seems to me, not hard to interpret or understand, both for players/coaches AND officials. But how often does it get enforced?

[WBB fan]

That's a really reasonable rule, and seems to me, not hard to interpret or understand, both for players/coaches AND officials. But how often does it get enforced?

[martyup]

That's a really reasonable rule, and seems to me, not hard to interpret or understand, both for players/coaches AND officials. But how often does it get enforced?

Hopefully Tara's staff will alert the refs to the issue.

[martyup]

That's a really reasonable rule, and seems to me, not hard to interpret or understand, both for players/coaches AND officials. But how often does it get enforced?

Hopefully Tara's staff will alert the refs to the issue.

[M T]

There are rules & points of emphasis that restrict the coach from entering the court when the ball is live.  I've seen it violated often & never have seen it enforced.  (IIRC, it used to be that the opposing coach had to ask, and of course that never happened.  Now, the official is to call it, first with a warning, then a technical.)

Despite a point of emphasis that the officials enforce the rules as written, clearly the officials don't.

It will be a shame if this rule about bench decorum is also ignored by the officials.

(Anyone know how to get a message to one of the TV announcers?  Maybe if they call it out, then the NCAA and officials will pay attention.)

[M T]

There are rules & points of emphasis that restrict the coach from entering the court when the ball is live.  I've seen it violated often & never have seen it enforced.  (IIRC, it used to be that the opposing coach had to ask, and of course that never happened.  Now, the official is to call it, first with a warning, then a technical.)

Despite a point of emphasis that the officials enforce the rules as written, clearly the officials don't.

It will be a shame if this rule about bench decorum is also ignored by the officials.

(Anyone know how to get a message to one of the TV announcers?  Maybe if they call it out, then the NCAA and officials will pay attention.)

[crackpot]

I'm old enough to remember the time Kathy Olivier wore a white suit and one of the Stanford players passed the ball to her.

[crackpot]

I'm old enough to remember the time Kathy Olivier wore a white suit and one of the Stanford players passed the ball to her.

[petersalas]

It was ignored yesterday, but I don’t know how often it happened because I was only in my seat for half of the second quarter and second half, but GT switched to the other side after the half.  I did send a message to one of the parents to at least prepare the team. Hope if it happens, the officials catch it and put a stop to it!

There are rules & points of emphasis that restrict the coach from entering the court when the ball is live.  I've seen it violated often & never have seen it enforced.  (IIRC, it used to be that the opposing coach had to ask, and of course that never happened.  Now, the official is to call it, first with a warning, then a technical.)

Despite a point of emphasis that the officials enforce the rules as written, clearly the officials don't.

It will be a shame if this rule about bench decorum is also ignored by the officials.

(Anyone know how to get a message to one of the TV announcers?  Maybe if they call it out, then the NCAA and officials will pay attention.)

[petersalas]

It was ignored yesterday, but I don’t know how often it happened because I was only in my seat for half of the second quarter and second half, but GT switched to the other side after the half.  I did send a message to one of the parents to at least prepare the team. Hope if it happens, the officials catch it and put a stop to it!

There are rules & points of emphasis that restrict the coach from entering the court when the ball is live.  I've seen it violated often & never have seen it enforced.  (IIRC, it used to be that the opposing coach had to ask, and of course that never happened.  Now, the official is to call it, first with a warning, then a technical.)

Despite a point of emphasis that the officials enforce the rules as written, clearly the officials don't.

It will be a shame if this rule about bench decorum is also ignored by the officials.

(Anyone know how to get a message to one of the TV announcers?  Maybe if they call it out, then the NCAA and officials will pay attention.)

[M T]

Watching the games on Eastern Sports Network today.  You'll not be surprised to know that Stanford vs Kansas is NOT one of the 4 notable games on Sunday.

[M T]

Watching the games on Eastern Sports Network today.  You'll not be surprised to know that Stanford vs Kansas is NOT one of the 4 notable games on Sunday.

[WBB fan]

Just tripped across a stat of interest, relevant to tomorrow's game. Haley has a Stanford career point total of 999 following the Montana State game. Her 1st point tomorrow night will be #1000.

[WBB fan]

Just tripped across a stat of interest, relevant to tomorrow's game. Haley has a Stanford career point total of 999 following the Montana State game. Her 1st point tomorrow night will be #1000.

[Card10Fan]

Friday night was a decent crowd. Hoping fans show up and help root this team onto the Sweet16. Kansas has had some really solid wins this year in the Big 12.

[Card10Fan]

Friday night was a decent crowd. Hoping fans show up and help root this team onto the Sweet16. Kansas has had some really solid wins this year in the Big 12.

[M T]

Despite a point of emphasis that the officials enforce the rules as written, clearly the officials don't.

It will be a shame if this rule about bench decorum is also ignored by the officials.

At 4:19 3Q in the Arizona - UNLV game, one official was signalling that one player on the UNLV bench should sit down.  (Her team was on offense in front of her.  She stood up, stepped toward the edge of the court, and yelled something (advice) toward the court.)  AFAICT, the official didn't issue a warning.

[M T]

Despite a point of emphasis that the officials enforce the rules as written, clearly the officials don't.

It will be a shame if this rule about bench decorum is also ignored by the officials.

At 4:19 3Q in the Arizona - UNLV game, one official was signalling that one player on the UNLV bench should sit down.  (Her team was on offense in front of her.  She stood up, stepped toward the edge of the court, and yelled something (advice) toward the court.)  AFAICT, the official didn't issue a warning.

[PVTree]

Just read that Kansas was voted to finish last in the B12 preseason poll. They ended up 5th. So, they have overachieved this season.

[PVTree]

Just read that Kansas was voted to finish last in the B12 preseason poll. They ended up 5th. So, they have overachieved this season.

[WBB fan]

Charlie Creme has now re-seeded the surviving 32 teams based on play in the 1st round. He has Kansas as a #6 vs their original #8.  But does still have Stanford as a solid #1.

Be ready to cheer loudly for Haley's 1st points tonight, will take her past 1,000 for her Stanford career.

[WBB fan]

Charlie Creme has now re-seeded the surviving 32 teams based on play in the 1st round. He has Kansas as a #6 vs their original #8.  But does still have Stanford as a solid #1.

Be ready to cheer loudly for Haley's 1st points tonight, will take her past 1,000 for her Stanford career.

[BostonCard]

Mostly, Crème just moved teams up as higher sealed teams were upset.  There’s a little rearrangement but not much.

BC

[BostonCard]

Mostly, Crème just moved teams up as higher sealed teams were upset.  There’s a little rearrangement but not much.

BC

[WBB fan]

Mostly, Crème just moved teams up as higher sealed teams were upset.  There’s a little rearrangement but not much.

BC

That's true, but the fact is that he did reevaluate Kansas and move them upward to a 6. He could have left them as an 8.

[WBB fan]

Mostly, Crème just moved teams up as higher sealed teams were upset.  There’s a little rearrangement but not much.

BC

That's true, but the fact is that he did reevaluate Kansas and move them upward to a 6. He could have left them as an 8.

[winflop]

There are rules & points of emphasis that restrict the coach from entering the court when the ball is live.  I've seen it violated often & never have seen it enforced.  (IIRC, it used to be that the opposing coach had to ask, and of course that never happened.  Now, the official is to call it, first with a warning, then a technical.)

Despite a point of emphasis that the officials enforce the rules as written, clearly the officials don't.

It will be a shame if this rule about bench decorum is also ignored by the officials.

(Anyone know how to get a message to one of the TV announcers?  Maybe if they call it out, then the NCAA and officials will pay attention.)

If the officials are going to make any such calls, they would be well-advised to let Kansas know. I think it would not be right to all of a sudden issue a warning or bench technical for something they've been doing all season.

[winflop]

There are rules & points of emphasis that restrict the coach from entering the court when the ball is live.  I've seen it violated often & never have seen it enforced.  (IIRC, it used to be that the opposing coach had to ask, and of course that never happened.  Now, the official is to call it, first with a warning, then a technical.)

Despite a point of emphasis that the officials enforce the rules as written, clearly the officials don't.

It will be a shame if this rule about bench decorum is also ignored by the officials.

(Anyone know how to get a message to one of the TV announcers?  Maybe if they call it out, then the NCAA and officials will pay attention.)

If the officials are going to make any such calls, they would be well-advised to let Kansas know. I think it would not be right to all of a sudden issue a warning or bench technical for something they've been doing all season.