2023: 3s and Put Backs

[Wayne23]

1/21: At Oklahoma ST, 11-8, 1-3. Their C is out for the season.

Fast start. Up 9 after 10. Then a run. Up only 4 at the half as they go on a late run. I’m not happy. 13, 5 for Dix, 12 for Prin.

“Sloppy play late in the half. Get your heads in the game!”

They take the lead. Up 7 with 10 left.

88-70 but we had to work for it. 24, 7 for Dix, 14, 1, 8 for Winn, 14, 4, 2, 3 for Prin.

“We need to be sharper than this when we play the good teams!”

#19 West Virginia, 13-7, 2-3, is here next. They have been a disappointment in conference so far.

We’re back to #1.

1/25: Early lead. Up 9 after 10. Big run puts us up 50-27 at halftime. 12, 11 for Redd, 11 each for Dix and Winn. Big edge inside.

Up 19 with 10 left. Then a run.

89-59. Best D we’ve played in awhile! 22, 6 for Dix, 12, 14 for Loux, 12, 13 for Redd, 14, 5, 10 for Winn.

This team simply doesn’t shoot the three well. I just may have found out why. When I moved here to Kansas I didn’t check “Heavy Outside.”

Only one single digit win so far, 6 points at BYU. We desperately need a couple of challenging games before the post season.

At 11-8, 4-2 Baylor. Their PG is out with a broken hand.

1/28: Close early. Up 1 after 10. Then a run. 57-38 at the half. 16 for Dix, 11, 7 for Redd. Strong inside play.

We’re strolling through the park. Up 25 with 10 to play.

117-91. 33 for Dix, 17, 13 for Redd, 15, 14, 3 for Loux, 10, 1, 11 for Winn, 22 for Hend. +32 in the paint.

Marc Winn is #30 on the Norton list.

At #19 Texas Tech, 18-2, 6-1. They’re the only team 1 game back of us in the Big 12. They’re good at every position but they don’t have a big scorer.

2/1: Early lead. Up 5 after 10. They keep coming back. We put the press on more often. 45-45 at the half. This may be that challenge I was looking for! 3 fouls for Loux, poor D. 11, 8, 3, 3 for Redd.

Early lead in the 2nd. They come back again! Down 2 with 10 left. Late lead.

97-83. It took a long time but we got there. This was probably our last chance to be challenged in the regular season. 22, 15, 3, 3, 4 for Redd, 24, 4 for Dix, 11, 2, 12, 5 for Winn, 14 for Hend. Good inside play.

I really like the way you responded when they kept coming back. You never got discouraged. That’s what we’ll need in the post season.

At the halfway point in conference play we’re 23-0, 8-0, #1, NET #1. 2 game lead over 2 teams in the Big 12.

#1 in PPG, +25.5. #1 in RBs, +12.8. #2 in blocks. +4.2 assists, +6.2 steals. -7.3 TOs, a fantastic 7.8.

23.4 PPG for Dix, 16.9, 4.2 RBs for Prin. 14.2, 11.0, 3.6 blocks for Redd. 9.9, 9.5 assists for Winn. 9.8, 12.5 RBs for Loux. 9.7 for Hend, 8.1 for Brow.

And again, not a senior on the team!

[Wayne23]

2/4: 12-11, 3-5 Iowa ST is here. Back and forth then we wake up. Up 14 after 10. We’re crushing them. 50-20 at the break. 10, 1, 7 for Winn, 17, 5 for Hend, 12, 3 for Redd. Dix and Redd have 3 fouls.

They’re shooting 18.2%! 2-14 on threes.

Up 40 with 10 to go. The bench is already in.

95-46. Their SG got 24, more than ½ of their points.

26, 6, 3 for #3 guard Al Hend, 19, 3, 10 for Winn, 12, 17, 4 for Loux, 11, 10 for Prin, 14, 3 for Redd. +30 in the paint, +20 RBs.

9-13, 5-4 Texas Southern is here. I don’t think they can keep up with us.

2/8: Big early lead. Up 13 after 10. 59-34. 14, 5 for Prin, 13, 3 for Dix, 14, 5 for Prin, 10, 10 for Loux. We owned the paint.

Up 34 with 10 to play.

101-66. 26, 8 for Prin, 26, 3 for Dix, 18, 19, 3, 5 blocks for Loux, 10, 16, 4 blocks for Redd, 8, 5, 10 for Winn. +38 RBs.

At 10-13, 4-6 Anal Roberts. This should be another very one sided game.

2/11: We’re flat. Down 1 after 10. 44-32 at halftime. 15, 4 for Dix, 11, 1, 5 for Winn. We’re shooting 29.4%and winning!

Now we’re putting them away. Up 17 with 10 to go.

92-69. Not our best game, actually, but the talent disparity was huge. We shot 32.3%, 27.1% on threes. 16, 23, 8 blocks for Redd (WOW!), 16, 2, 11 for Winn, 22, 4 for Dix, 19, 6 for Prin.

12-13, 2-9 TCU is here. There’s nothing to gain and potentially a lot to lose in a game like this.

2/15: We’re not well focused but we’re running away. Up 17 after 10. A game like this promotes bad habits. I’m playing the subs a lot, pressing to make my kids work, doing all I can. 52-27 at
halftime. Balanced scoring. +20 in the paint. They’re shooting 29%, 3-12 on threes.

104-70. 15, 13, 5 blocks for Redd, 16, 12 for Loux, 20, 8 for Prin, 14, 7, 6 for Hend, 17 for Dix. +24 RBs, +30 in the paint, +18 on 2nd chances.

Just glad no one got hurt.

27-0, 12-0, #1, NET #1, 2 game lead on #15 Texas Tech, 4 or more on the rest. 4 games left.

+27 PPG, +14.5 RBs, +5.6 steals, +4.3 assists, +3 blocks (#1), -6.7 TOs.

Dix still leads in scoring with 22.5. 17.2 for Prin, 14.1, 11.4 RBs for Redd, 10.3, 9.6 assists for Winn, 10.3, 12.9 RBs for Loux, 10.0 for Hend, 8.0, 5.9 RBs for Brow. So much talent!

[Wayne23]

2/18: At 18-8, 7-5 Oklahoma. We won by 22 at home.

Quick start. They come back. Up 6 after 10. 45-41 at the half. Shooting 35.4% to 48.4%. 3 fouls for Prin.

“Wake up!”

They’re staying with us. Up 9 with 10 to play.

90-86. They got it to one twice and to 2 three times. 22 for Dix, 14, 9 for Loux, 17 for Prin, 7, 14 for Redd, 8, 5, 11 for Winn. Poor inside play and worse D, 50.8% to our 34.1%.

I may back off the three point strategy in the big dance.

18-9, 9-4 Texas is here. We won by 27 there.

2/22: We score the first 20 points! Up 18 after 10. 49-21 at the break. They’re shooting 23.1%, 0-9 on threes. 18, 12 for Loux. Big advantage inside.

Subs are getting lots of minutes. Up 46 with 10 left.

95-54. 26, 16 for Loux, 12, 1, 12 for Winn, 9, 12, 11 blocks for Redd, 20 for Dix. They shot 28.8%. Just happy no one got hurt!

At 16-11, 7-7 Kansas ST. We won by only 14 at home.

2/25: They take the lead right away. Then we come back. Down 7 after 10. It’s a game of runs and they’re one run up on us. We catch up. 44-39 after a hard fought half. 15, 1, 1, 3 for Dix. Neither team shot well. -10 from the line is what’s keeping them close. This team has not had a lot of foul trouble but we’re having some tonight. We’re going to press more.

Quick 10 point lead! Up 11 with 10 to play.

97-75 but they gave us a battle for 25 minutes or so. 24, 3, 2, 7 for Dix. 15, 17, 5 blocks for Loux. 17, 4 for prin. +17 RBs, +18 in the paint.

We’re 3 up on #13 Texas Tech, 5 or more on the rest.

Our last regular season game is at home vs. 13-17, 3-12 Oklahoma ST. We won by 18 at their place. Again, I’m just hoping no one gets hurt.

3/1: Quick start. Up 9 after 10. Cruising. 44-32 at the break. 17, 3 for Dix, 9, 8 for Redd. Good D.

Up 25 with 10 to go. Playing the subs as much as I can.

85-67. 21, 4 for Dix, 13, 11, 1, 4, 3 for Redd, 15, 2, 4 for Prin. 9, 16 for Loux, 12, 1, 4 for Hend.

We end the regular season 31-0, 16-0, #1, NET #1, 3 up on #13 Texas Tech, 5 or more on the rest.

1st in PPG, RBs, Blocks.

[Wayne23]

3/5: We lose only 2 players, Gar Dix, who is a big loss, and Tom Tell, who we red shirted. I thought it would be worse!

We offer to a guard and a PF.

3/9: We open the Big 12 tourney tomorrow vs. #8 sed Iowa ST, 15-17, 5-11. We won by 49 at our place.

3/10: Sluggish start. Tied after 10. We wake up and we’re up by 12 after 10. 18 for Dix. Good D, 29.6%, 2-12 for them.

Up 22 after 10. Subs will be in soon.

86-61. 26, 4, 2, 3 for Dix, 10, 1, 14, 3 for Winn, 11, 11 for Loux, 8, 14 for Redd, 13, 2, 3 for Hend. We owned the paint.

#5 seed Oklahoma, 21-11, 8-8, in the semis. They gave us our toughest game of the season, a 4 point win at their place. Believe me I’ve reminded my guys about that often.

3/11: They hit a lot of outside shots and they played well inside. We shot poorly and let them win inside.

We take the lead fairly early. Up 9 after 10. They catch us. A late run puts us up 47-31 at halftime. Balanced scoring, good D- 31.3%, 3-16 on threes. BIG edge inside. Loux has 3 fouls.

“Don’t let up!”

They get close. Then we go on a run. Up 11 with 10 to play. Up 20 and the subs are ready to go in.

99-89 but it wasn’t that close. 20, 9 for Redd, 17, 8 for Brow, 16, 3 for Dix, 15, 4 for Loux. Solid inside play.

The SG we were chasing signed.

#6 seed Kansas ST, 20-12, 8-8, for the title. We beat them by 14 and 12 so they can play.

3/12: Back and forth. Down 8 after 10. 45-49 at the break. -7 from the line. We’re shooting better and playing better inside but we’re trailing. Not sure how. 12, 3 for Loux, 8, 0, 6 for Winn.

“Come on, guys. Bear down!”

We take the lead and then it’s back and forth. Up 3 with 10 to go. It’s a battle! We go on a run!

99-83 and the Big 12 title! 16, 15, 11 blocks for Redd, his 2nd triple double. He is tourney MOP. 22, 6 for Loux, 10, 3, 10 for Winn, 14, 2, 3 for Dix, 11 each for Prin and Brow. +26 in the paint.

We should be the #1 overall seed in the big dance.

#1 East, #1 overall!

[Wayne23]

3/13: We start with #16 seed Tennessee ST, 17-16. This won’t be pretty!

3/16: 76-60. We did NOT play well. Too many fouls, poor inside play. 20, 5 for Dix, 12, 13 for Redd, 13, 3 for Prin.

#8 seed Temple, 24-7, in the 2nd round. Their C is out with a torn MCL.

3/18: 87-71. We started fast, took a big early lead, and never let go.22, 14, 3 for Redd, 21, 6 for Prin, 14, 14 for Loux, 13 for Dix.

On to the Sweet Sixteen vs. #4 seed, #10 ranked San Diego St, 28-6. They have some guys who can play. They rebound very well.

[Wayne23]

3/23: Close in the early going. Up 4 after 10. 57-44 at the half. 3 fouls each for Dix and Loux. 16, 8 for Redd, 13 for Prin. Big edge inside.

We’re holding the lead. Up 15 with 10 to go. Then a mini-run gets it to 20.

103-81. 25, 12, 3 blocks for Redd, 29, 4 for Prin, 13, 9 for Brow. +20 in the paint.

On to the Elite Eight where we face #7 seed Oregon, 25-8. They’re good inside and out. This is no cakewalk.

3/25: Back and forth early. Then we go on a run. Up 9 after 10. 48-33 at the break. 12, 4 for Loux, 10, 5, 2, 3 for Redd. We’re owning the paint. Shooting 50%.

Up 23 with 10 left. The subs will get playing time.

106-65. Turned out it WAS a cakewalk! 18, 6, 5, 5, 6 for Redd, 22, 5 for Loux, 20, 4, 3 for Dix, 10, 4, 8 for Winn. +46 in the paint. We shot 61.4%.

On to the Final Four!

We play #4 seed, #12 ranked Arizona, 27-11. They have a very good backcourt. Not sure their inside game can stop ours.

[Wayne23]

4/1: Back and forth early. Down 5 after 10. 56-52. We’re not playing D, 51.6%, 5-11 on threes. 11, 6 for Loux. We’re beating them easily inside. We need more from our guards.

Double digit lead. Up 11 with 10 to play. Big run late!

108-87 and we’re in the title game! 22, 15, 3 for Loux, 19, 7, 2, 3 for Dix, 10, 17, 4 blocks for Redd, 14, 3, 9 for Winn, 17 for Prin. Good bench play. +28 RBs, +28 in the paint.

#1 seed, #2 ranked, #2 NET Gonzaga, 37-3. Again it’s likely to be their backcourt against our front court.

4/3: They take an early lead but it’s close. Down 3 after 10. 37-42. 3 fouls for Loux. Their SG has 3. Again tonight we need more from our guards. It’s pretty much a draw inside. 13, 6, 3 blocks for
Redd. TOs are our downfall right now.

“15 turnovers! I can’t believe it! That’s more than you’ve had in almost any game all year!”

We take an early lead and it’s back and forth. They go on a mini-run. Down 1 with 10 to go. Tied late!

81-78 and the national championship! 2 subs, Swan and Brow hit key baskets in the last minute. Dix fouled out so we went big, and then Loux turned his ankle with 42 seconds left. HELL of a game.

They had an open three at the very end and it front rimmed.

19, 13, 7 blocks for Redd, who was immense for us in the post season. 12, 3, 4 for Dix, 13, 3 for Loux. +24 in the paint. Their guards beat ours but our bigs and our bench beat theirs by just a little more. We wound up with a season high 20 TOs but we survived that!

[Wayne23]

4/4: Awards: Van Redd is tourney MOP. I get national COY. Van Redd is Big 12 POY, Def. POY, 1st team. Gar Dix is Frosh OY and 1st team. Loux and Prin make the 2nd team. I thought Winn deserved it as well. I get Conf. COY.

4/9: We meet all of our goals and TP goes to 100.

4/23: I ask for money.

No.

Undefeated, 40-0! Overall, I’m 533-99, .843. We’re losing only the two who went pro, Gar Dix and Tom Tell. A great guard coming in and injured guard Ben Monn will be back.

[Wayne23]

5/1: Preseason #1. Recruit class #9.

5/29: We lose no one but have a spot open for a transfer. We’ll take the best player available.

6/2: We offer to a PG. We get him.

6/25: We’re going to Indy and to all of the regional camps.

6/26: 4 scholarships. We want 2 and 2.

Dix was picked #4 and Tell #12.

7/11: We offer to 2 PGs, an SF, and a PF.

8/7: 4 on the Norton list: Frosh PG Jed Hort is #1, senior guard Marc Winn is #8, soph guard Ben Monn is #9, soph forward Ivan Prin is #35. My problem is that the 4 guys all play PG, SG, and SF.
I’m shocked that C Van Redd wasn’t nominated. He may be our best player. I will likely go with a 6 man rotation, and I’ll have a very strong bench behind them!

9/11: WOW! 4-4. A C, #5, a PG, #12, a PF, #27, an SG, #30. (House rule: I can land only 1 in the top 10, 1 in the 11-25 range, free after that for an elite school, otherwise 2 in 25-50, unlimited after that. Normal set for recruiting.)

9/18: Going to the preseason NIT. As challenging a schedule as we could put together. Lots of top teams weren’t interested in playing us.

[Wayne23]

10/2: First day of practice. We could definitely repeat!

11/13: Here’s the lineup: It’s a 6 man rotation.

Frosh Jed Hort, possibly the best player in the country, is at the Point. Senior Marc Winn moves to SG and back up PG.

Soph Ivan Prin is back at SF.

Senior Brad Loux is back at PF.

Senior Brad Redd is back in the middle.

Soph Ben Monn gets starters minutes. He’ll play mostly Sg and SF and we’ll adjust positions when he’s in as needed.

Kyle Kell, a very good transfer guard from George Washington is next. He’s too good to sit, frankly. If we have injuries he’ll be our first option.

Senior guard Al Hend is also too good to sit.

Junior Tom Swan is good enough to get minutes, and I wish I had some for him!

Soph Earl Brow was our 2nd man off the bench last year. We’re so strong now he’s #5 off the bench.

Soph Geb Yung is also good enough to start for lots of teams.

Frosh forward Fran Arch needs to work on his D.

This is a power house!

We start tomorrow in the NIT where we’re the #1 seed. We play #16 Stephen F. Austin. It should be a blowout.