Kansas Basketball: What the Jayhawks need to do to win NIT Season Tip-Off

The worst-case scenario for Kansas

If the Golden Eagles find a way to upset the Jayhawks, that would likely set up a Kansas vs Louisville match up unless the Cardinals also shock the Volunteers setting up an upset city title game in the NIT Tip-off.

Kansas matches up well with the Cardinals. Louisville, now under the watch of new head man Chris Mack, has one common opponent with Kansas so far. Vermont. The Catamounts kept it close, only losing to Louisville by eight.

Kansas topped Vermont by 16 when LaGerald Vick blitzed in eight threes on eight attempts.

What to watch throughout the tournament

• Kansas defending the three ball and rotating defensively

Both Marquette and Tennesse have versatile guards and wings who can attack from every which way. If the Jayhawks are not crisp on their rotations, and running the Golden Eagle guards especially off the three-point line, KU might be on upset watch early in the NIT season tip-off.

• Is LaGerald Vick for real?

LaGerald Vick has been incredible this season, however, throughout his career, he has been an extremely streaky player. I am not ready to crown the senior just yet. A strong showing in New York would prove he has turned over a new leaf.

Especially if the young Jayhawks matchup with the veteran Vols, Vick will have to be the leader and settle the youngin’s down during the course of the game.

• What is Dedric Lawson?

The transfer from Memphis was hyped up by the Jayhawk faithful, and even some national media. So far this season, it has been a bumpy takeoff. Lawson even posted a donut in the point column earlier this year. Lawson has looked timid all year long, and he can use this trip to get right.

While the Junior has put up 13 points per game this year, they have not been very impactful, rather, they have not been memorable.

Points are points, but of the 19 points, he scored against the Ragin’ Cagin’ the only memorable points came from his backside.

Some projected Lawson to be the Big 12 player of the year, and he just has to be more impactful during the course of these games.

• Can Kansas play within themselves and cut down on the turnovers?

The Jayhawks have battled turnovers all year long, averaging 13.3 turnovers per game, mostly due to their inexperienced guards (Dotson and Grimes) but against well coached, well disciplined, and veteran laced teams like Tennesee, Kansas will not be able to survive their turnover bug.

• What will Bill Self do when the bigs get in foul trouble?

As previously mentioned, when Azubukie and Lawson found themselves in foul trouble in the first half of a tight contest against Louisianna, Self elected to play without his two best bigs in favor of young David McCormack and Junior Mitch Lightfoot. Self passed this move off as wanting to gain McCormack some experience in close games, which is fine against Louisianna. However, it is unlike the Jayhawks can survive such a stretch against the Golden Eagles, Volunteers, or even Cardinals.

Final thoughts and prediction

The Kansas Jayhawks will top the Marquette Golden Eagles, before losing to the Tennessee Volunteers by eight in the NIT Season Tipoff tournament.

Kansas should at least make the finals in the NIT season tip-off. If they don’t, rational people will not hit the panic button…but I will.