By: Jack

Jack — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:03:18 +0000

“Best duo in the country.” I like that. Thanks for the dap.

By: DCassilo

DCassilo — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:48:52 +0000

Interesting breakdown. I kind of feel the same way about Withey. He just impacts the game in a completely different way from most players. The bottom line is Kansas needs both to win, and it’s the best duo in the country.

By: Jack

Jack — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:21:31 +0000

I’m a KU alum, and choosing between McLemore and Withey is really difficult because they serve such different roles, even beyond the wing/interior separation. McLemore is arguably the best pure scorer we’ve had since the 2008 squad with Rush and Chalmers. Selby and Henry were close, but they never really meant as much to the team or fans as McLemore does. The Rush comparison is also apt because McLemore has that same relaxed, “let the game come to me” attitude that often drifts into quasi-apathy or lack of aggression. Self has made that comparison as well, noting that McLemore sometimes doesn’t look for his shot enough or look to take over a game. Then again, from Iowa State, we know he’s very capable of doing so, but even there he only took 12 shots. I guarantee you ask any KU fan, though, if they think we beat Kentucky last year with McLemore playing, and 95% confidently answer yes. We just couldn’t shoot the ball to save our lives; we made Kentucky play ugly, but we couldn’t score. McLemore is the wing scorer we were missing in that game, and he is hugely important to us this year.

Withey, meanwhile, doesn’t get many accolades for his shooting, which, admittedly, has fallen off lately (3-10 against Baylor, 2-3 against Texas Tech, 3-10 against Temple, but 6-10 against Iowa State). But holy hell, his ability to block shots, alter shots, and not foul is unreal. He’s only had 3 fouls in a game once, nearly a month ago (and let me tell you, 2 of those 3 fouls were highly dubious). Having him play 30 minutes every night is a huge help, and knowing that Self will almost never have to manage his minutes in the second half due to foul trouble ensures that he can be a presence in any late-game situation. His passing has improved (which is helping Kevin Young make his presence felt), his free throw shooting has dropped ten points from last year but seems to be on an uptick (e.g., 8-10 at Texas Tech), and his comfort level is high. If his little running hook could become more consistent, and his mid-range jumper could arrive, he would be the clear choice.

In the end, I think, Kansas is a team that has always been founded on defense and has generally ranked in the top-ten in most defensive categories. It comes not just from having one stand-out defensive player, but from having top-to-bottom skill and having everyone buy in to Self’s philosophy. Young is energy, Withey is the bedrock, Releford is our best on-ball defender, McLemore (and Releford) are lanky and laterally quick, and Johnson is smart and quick up top. Offensively, it’s been a struggle this year, and McLemore and Releford have been carrying the load on that front. But McLemore is by far our best player in terms of making his own shot, making a variety of shots, and hitting difficult shots. I think that’s maybe why you have to give it to McLemore at this stage.

As a final note, though, while I wouldn’t trade McLemore for anyone in the country, there are other plays out there who fit his profile type and can fill up the score sheet. Withey? There is no one in the country like Withey. He gives us a dimension that no one (outside of maybe Dieng, but he fouls way more) can bring to a national title contender. So it all depends on your criteria for a NPOY.

Comments on: Award Tour: Doug McDermott is the New No. 1 Player and Nerlens Noel is Looking Special

By: Jack

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