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I know the UT game wasn't our best on paper or in actual results, but I will say it was the game that made me feel the most confident about our ability to win a championship this year.
Jackson has ascended even more, and between he and Mason, Jackson was the better player on Saturday, which is saying something.
The emergence of Coleby and the re-emergence of Bragg has a ton to do with why I feel confident. It just changes the whole landscape of the game when we can rotate three bigs through, instead of shuffling our backcourt around all game.
I just felt like we played with energy and intensity, and while there were some problems with rebounding, for the most part it just felt like a great team win that never really felt in contention.
I will say, however, that Jarrett Allen is the real deal. Man, we really could have used that kid this year. I don't know if we would have lost a game if he had come to KU. Love his game, and I think he should go to the NBA, where he will do nothing but improve.
Allen vs. Jackson was a super fun matchup to watch, and he gave Josh all he could handle. Jackson has him when he puts it on the deck, though.
Speaking of which... I wonder if Devonte reads message boards. There was a lot of chatter about how he doesn't ever attack the rim and just hangs by the three point line. Then, Saturday afternoon, he's driving to the basket and - GASP! - actually getting to the free throw line. I saw him line up for his first FT and thought, "Holy shit... I don't remember the last time he shot free throws. I know everyone else's FT routine, but can't think of his at all."
Good signs, all around, I'd say. Let's just win out now and get that top seed in the tourney.
UCLA is coming, and we best be ready.
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