You are hereThree things KU can improve to win Big 12 Tournament
Three things KU can improve to win Big 12 Tournament
1. Play the guys who are playing well, regardless of reputation: If Sherron Collins is off his game, which has been a pretty frequent occurrence during the last month, KU coach Bill Self shouldn't hesitate to play Tyshawn Taylor with Brady Morningstar and Tyrel Reed as he did at times on Saturday at Missouri. When Collins is at his best, there's nobody on the team who can impact the game like he can, but if he's not feeling it, there's no reason to keep him in the game and wait for him to get going.
2. Ride Marcus Morris. Morris has become the Jayhawks' most dependable offensive option. He can score the ball by shooting a jumper or driving into the lane, he can score by cleaning up offensive rebounds and he also just happens to be one of the best passers on the team. Particularly against a zone, Morris is irreplaceable.
3. Stop playing to the situation. Can Kansas go on to accomplish the rest of its goals by playing its best only when it feels challenged? The Jayhawks have been a team defined by their ability to create a run when they need one. The Big 12 Tournament, with a first-round matchup against Colorado or Texas Tech, would be a good opportunity for Kansas to play 40 strong minutes and bury an inferior opponent.
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Collins brings too much to the team to sit him for a lack of offense. He is still the best ball handler, and possibly the best free throw shooter (although I have seen him miss a lot lately).
The great thing about the team this year is the ability of several players to step up when necessary. Besides Sherron and Cole, Xavier and Marcus have been huge at times. And then Reed, Markief, and Tyshawn have given some great minutes too.
The one thing I would like to see to improve KU is for Cole to dominate more on the offense, more points and offensive rebounds, or possibly a lot more assists when he is double teamed under the basket.
Sorry, but benching Sherron if he is not shooting well is not very a good idea heading into the most important stretch of the year.
I'd rather use these games to let him shoot his way out of a slump and gain confidence going into the NCAA tournament, rather than bench the team's leader and hurt his confidence.
Most of the time Sherron only needs to see the ball go in once to heat up and take over a game.