Post Game Awards: Baylor (Round Two)

Beware of the Blog’s Player of the Game is Naadir Tharpe. Tharpe continues to deliver the performance that the team needs when the team needs its. Some have spoken about his inconsistency, but I really don’t see it that way. He has become the floor general for this team. He knows exactly what needs to happen and when it needs to happen. He keeps the young guys in check and even his seniors like Tarik Black recognize that he is the leader out there. I specifically remember a moment in this Baylor game where the team was coming out of a timeout and Wiggins was smiling and joking with Tharpe walking back onto the court. Tharpe was not. He remained stone-faced and focused on the next play, barking out commands to his team before the ball was in-bounded.

Sometimes KU needs Tharpe to take a backseat and just manage the game. In those instances he will not necessarily fill up the stat sheet unless it is with a ton of assists, but his presence is felt. KU is better if Wiggins, Embiid, Ellis and Selden are doing the bulk of the scoring. However, if some of those guys are off, as was the case against Baylor, Tharpe has to know when to step and and score. He did that again for KU this time. Tharpe finished with a team high 22 points on 71% 2-pt shooting and 67% 3-pt shooting, nailing 4 of 6 from behind the arc. He also added four assists to two turnovers in 38 minutes. With Embiid playing his worst game of the year, Selden coming up empty in the first half and Wiggins contributing only 3 points in the first half which came as late as possible, Tharpe had to carry much of the load. He also defended well shutting down Heslip for the entire second half when he was on him.  His performance moves him into a tie for second place with Perry Ellis and two  back of Wiggins for player of the year.

Current Standings:

• 1. Andrew Wiggins (6)
  
• T-2. Perry Ellis (4)
  
• T-2. Naadir Tharpe (4)
• 3. Wayne Selden (3)
• T-4. Joel Embiid (2)
  
• T-4. Frank Mason (2)
• 5. Tarik Black (1)

You let the whole team down Joel Embiid. Embiid had another poor game against the bigs of Baylor. Some of his bad night was shooting alone. All of his looks seemed to roll the wrong way. But the 7-footer just didn’t seem comfortable out there. He looked equally uncomfortable against Baylor the last time and also had trouble with the size of Texas. This game may serve as a reminder to folks who aren’t sure why this kid would stay in school another year. If he goes to the league, he will face big men that are stronger and more talented than the competition Texas and Baylor have to offer each and every night. I don’t think he looks ready for that. Embiid finished with five points on 16% from the field going 1-for-6. He also had three turnovers and four fouls.