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What to Watch for: Wake Forest

@CrimsonBlueKU

It’s time to kick off KU’s early season tournament. This year takes us to the Bahamas for the “Battle 4 Atlantis” tournament. Kansas will have their hands full with a field that includes regular post-season challengers like Villanova, USC and Xavier. First up for the Jayhawks is a feisty Wake Forrest team. Statistically, this team is most similar to an Iona team that the Jayhawks beat handily, 86-66. You wouldn’t know it by looking at their 5-0 record, but I think they are worse than their early numbers indicate. In fact, they have the second easiest schedule in America. I think they are about to get a huge wakeup call when Kansas comes calling Thursday at 2:30 pm. Still, here are some things to watch for in the upcoming game.

Scoring efficiency. Kansas has been extremely efficient from the floor thus far in the season. If Wake Forest has a strength, it might be their on-the-ball defense. I say might be because given the competition they have played it is tough to tell what they are really made of right now. If they prove to be a solid defensive squad, it will be interesting to see how Kansas reacts offensively. So far the ‘Hawks have scored comfortably into the 80’s most of the time. They haven’t had to win a real grind-it-out type game, and given their defensive lapses at times, it is curious how they will handle a game like that.

First Four minutes. This is going to be a different situation for this young Kansas team. It is not easy to go down to the islands and play for certain guys. There are distractions everywhere. The gym is small. The crowds are pedestrian. It isn’t like lacing them up in Allen. I am interested to see how Kansas comes out and plays from the get-go. If they are locked in and take it to Wake Forest early and often, it bodes well for their success in this tournament. Kansas has energy guys, but their leaders (Tharpe and Ellis) are not those guys. Will the energy be there, and who will provide it?

Will Jamari Traylor bounce-back? The last point leads into this one. Jamari has had an up and down campaign to say the least. It is still early, but I have not been impressed with his game. He does show flashes of his improvement, but they are overshadowed by turnovers and uninspired defense. He is, however, an upperclassmen that can provide energy off the bench. I think this is the kind of game where he can come in a bring that spark if the young guys are being complacent early. Whether it be blocks, dunks or tough post moves, I think Jamari can deliver for Kansas this year. Maybe this is the game for him to show it for the first time.

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