@drgnslayr There's clearly something lacking in connection on defense when he's out there despite being a fine individual defender. I also wonder about the impact of our style of offense while he is playing on the overall stress it puts on defenses. Are we easier to guard physically when he is out there because there is so much less ball and player movement? Does the moving the ball from side to side and whipping it around and in and out actually tax the opposing team more than some two man game over and over until DP makes an incredible play? Not all DPs fault to be clear.

@BShark TCU was really trying to blow up any PnR opportunities with Darryn. They blitzed those screens every time and ended up double or even triple teaming him as he tried to initiate that action. He split it the one time and got the nice and one from it, but I don't think we can expect teams to just let him run a simple Pick n Roll for easy lobs to Flory as much as we might have hoped. He's good enough and by all accounts smart enough to develop a counter to that kind of D. And he still got 30... But much of his scoring early was from free throws because of TCUs attempt to simply take him out of the game by throwing bodies at him. He was bumped and fouled EVERY time he tried to get around the hedging big when flory or tiller would set the pick and the refs just won't call ALL of them.

@kjayhawks2.0 Yep. And a lot of it is on the other guys to figure out how to still be active and aggressive while DP has the ball in his hands.

Can’t remember who the five were for overtime. Wasn’t it both elmarko and Jamari?

@kjayhawks2.0 said in Darryn Peterson:

DP played 32 minutes last night and hit some very clutch FTs. Everyone criticizing him should be on here singing his praises. I believe in accountability but also believe in a pat on the behind. Great game DP, let’s keep it going young fella!

My goal was to do both. Hope that came through.

This last game gave me a little more hope. But they are still in November form as a team when he is on the court. He’s obviously great but the team is still figuring out how to play with him out there. And yes I know his 30 points were huge and clutch free throws to close regulation. But him pulling himself out in the way he did could have cost us that game. If he just commits to playing for 1 more minute we maybe even win in regulation.

We are still yet to see a game end with him on the floor.

@drgnslayr I've been so curious about the switching d for a while now too. It can work in games where the other team isn't prepared for it and does negate some of what other teams are trying to do. But I feel like even minimal scouting can lead to very easy play for the opposing offense. You know what KU is going to do. You can get whatever matchup you want and then attack while having not just one, but multiple mismatches all over the court. EVERYONE in the big 12 knows this. And I don't feel like I see anyone else doing it to the extent we do which could be good for novelty I guess, but in general means, it probably just isn't very good.

@drgnslayr Cal’s recent comments on the transfer portal were really some of the best I’ve heard. He talked about having the first transfer be allowed with no penalty but then requiring the year to sit after that. You get into a bad situation, the coach lied or left or whatever, then yeah get out and find somewhere better, but after that don’t go chasing money. And his concern was not for himself and as a coach but instead for the players. Talking how if you transfer to four schools in four years you almost assuredly aren’t graduating. And then you have no connection to any university or people who will commit to helping you down the line.

Give me 13 fist half minutes and 7 second half minutes and call it good. If he can get 12-20 in that time great but still leaves room for the team that has started to really gel to have some fun.

@ROCKCHALK2025 in my darkest thoughts I go to that he has never finished a game for us. So maybe he’s afraid he’s not clutch. I notice he came out vs North Carolina when it became clear their guy was the best player on the court. He didn’t play against UConn which would have been the perfect opportunity to come out and show he’s the best.

There’s a part of me that thinks the perception that he is one of the top 3 players in college basketball is already out there so it’s easier to not give any evidence to the contrary rather than attempt to prove he’s number 1.

I just know for sure you’d have to DRAG Melvin off the court in the last 2 minutes of a close game.

I then also think about how the bal sticks when he’s on the court. Will we ever see the ball sing with him out there like it has several times this year as it whips around the court? Is he gonna give up his body like Jamari would for a charge or a loose ball?

At the same time if he plays 15 minutes during that dead stretch vs UConn we win that game. All to say I’m conflicted, I’m disappointed we haven’t see him play to his full potential, and I feel like we aren’t being told the full truth of what is going on. I don’t feel like any of that is owed to us as fans. But it is still sad and frustrating.

I'm sure Vaughn helps and this may be beating a dead horse, but I think Hunter moving on has done wonders for the mentality of the team. The game looks so much more fun without a monster just standing in the paint waiting for the ball to be passed to him. And while he got his numbers it just never felt like he really cared. I'd trade his 18 and 10 for whatever numbers council was putting up BEFORE NC State any day.

Has DP played the last minute of ANY game this year? If so, I can't remember it. I'd be curious to know if there's ever been a player to avg 17 a game and NEVER be on the court at the final buzzer. Lol

@wissox83 said in Kansas Jayhawks @ NC State Wolfpack Game Chat Sat. 12/13 4:30 CT:

It's hard to keep track of past Jayhawks let alone players from other teams. But when I realized Darrion Williams was TTech's stud who we thought we might get in the portal who chose a corrupt coach instead of Bill Self I was gobsmacked. I mean what fool is gonna pick someone like Wade over Self? Wade blew that game Saturday night. Never leaving the plan to let Council be open was a colossal blunder and cost them the game.

You could hear the fans screaming every time they purposefully left him open in the second half. Lol.

I think I’ve come to terms with the idea that DP might just play 25 minutes a game and score 15-25 points in that time but not really be the team leader. If that ends up being the case he won’t end up as my favorite jayhawk of all time or anything but can still help win a bunch of games.

@wissox83 said in Kansas Jayhawks @ NC State Wolfpack Game Chat Sat. 12/13 4:30 CT:

@FarmerJayhawk

Yeah, even when he had an off game yesterday he got 17 points seemingly almost effortlessly.

And more than the 17 points was how he freed up Melvin to go off early and gain the confidence to carry late.

@BeddieKU23 said in Kansas Jayhawks @ NC State Wolfpack Game Chat Sat. 12/13 4:30 CT:

@approxinfinity

Certainly, took them not guarding him to heart and made them pay.

I love Juan but this mentality is certainly an upgrade for our lead guard to have.

What I see with Council and his shooting is he is not afraid to shoot an open shot when it is presented. Eventually a decent percentage of those will go down. But he has also been the guy for most of this season who is willing to take the difficult ugly shot rather than just get a turnover. And I think it's clear he doesn't really care about his percentages or stat lines, the only number he cares about is the final score.

I heard someone say on the could be wrong podcast that people who don't love council are just not BALL knowers. Couldn't agree more. And I know DP is great. Like really really good. But I still just would rather watch Council bring the ball up than DP. The energy he brings to every step he takes on the court is infectious. (I'm not saying Council should play instead of DP just to be clear) Hopefully they will complement each other with one being so calm cool and collected and the other being always ready to be a burst of pure energy. DP is great. Maybe the best freshman we've ever had, but it's watching guys like Council that make it easy for me to be a Jayhawk fan.

I think council sets the tone and is a big part of why this team feels tougher than the last few. Dude always has the right energy.

@TYOHawk But did he get through it? I'm not trying to be a hater, but I just have never seen this level of kid gloves applied by Bill Self before. He couldn't play for UConn because he was only at 90-95%? So he must have been 100% for this one? But later we found out there was a minute restriction? I feel like I saw DP ask to be taken out after in the first half maybe even rejecting a sub. It just feels like Bill Self is working very hard to spin the fact that DP is yet to play a full game of basketball. I understand that is Bill's job and I'm all for him taking as much heat off of the 18 year old as he can, I've just never seen him do it to this level before and it makes me feel weird. Lol.

Really hoping this is all somewhat Remy coded and come March we will see this team actually peak and make some noise. I'd just love to beat a few of the really good teams in the big 12 along the way.