photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Travis Releford comes in to defend against Longwood guard Jeremiah Brown during the second half, Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 at Allen Fieldhouse. At right is KU guard Tyrel Reed.

One of our most popular blogs from last year was Asher Fusco’s “Going Into Overtime,” which gave a look at each Kansas men’s basketball game the next day from an advanced statistics perspective.

Asher has since moved on, as he is now writing for Basketball Prospectus, where he wrote four conference summaries for the recently released and always informative College Basketball Prospectus.

This year, (with Asher’s blessing) I’m going to try my best to give a similar type of analysis after each game. It will look a lot like Asher’s blogs from last year, with many of the same headings (why mess with a good thing?).

Though it won’t be perfect at first, I’m hoping that over time, this blog will be able to provide some of the insight that KU fans received from Asher last season.
With that, let’s take a look at KU’s 113-75 victory over Longwood*.

* — Here is a listing of definitions for some terms used in this blog. Also, feel free to ask questions in the comments section below if something doesn’t make sense.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Travis Releford comes in to defend against Longwood guard Jeremiah Brown during the second half, Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 at Allen Fieldhouse. At right is KU guard Tyrel Reed.

According to kenpom.com, Longwood was the sixth-fastest paced team last year, and Friday’s game seemed to indicate the Lancers aren’t looking to slow down any this year.

The two teams had 80 possessions apiece. To put it in perspective, KU only had one game last year (Alcorn State) where it had 80 or more possessions. Last year, the Jayhawks averaged 69.8 possessions per game.

The higher possession totals throw the scores out of whack, but efficiency numbers will give us a better sense of how KU performed both offensively and defensively.

The Jayhawks scored 1.41 points per possession against Longwood — a feat the Jayhawks only accomplished against three opponents last year.

Meanwhile, KU allowed 0.94 points per possession, an effort that would have been slightly below average had it happened last year (KU’s opponents averaged 0.92 PPP).

M.O.J. (Most Outstanding Jayhawk)

Though many Jayhawks had gaudy stat lines, no one had a better night than Markieff Morris.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Markieff Morris puts in a bucket over Longwood forward Antwan Carter during the first half, Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 at Allen Fieldhouse.

The 6-foot-9 junior was stellar offensively, using 25 percent of KU’s possessions during his minutes and creating 1.35 points per possession. He was even better on the boards, though, pulling down 20.5 percent of the available offensive rebounds and an astounding 44.5 percent of the available defensive rebounds — the highest percentage he’s had in his career at KU.

Add in five assists, four steals and two blocks, and Markieff edges out Thomas Robinson, who also had one of his best nights as a Jayhawk. The sophomore forward posted 1.39 points per possession while using 28.9 percent of KU’s possessions while he was in there. He also grabbed 28 percent of the available offensive rebounds — the highest percentage for any KU player Friday.

Room for Improvement

It’s a good thing KU forced turnovers on 30 percent of Longwood’s possessions, because the Jayhawks sure weren’t stopping many of the Lancers’ shots from going in.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Markieff Morris defends as Longwood guard Jeremiah Bowman (1) passes to forward Antwan Carter during the first half, Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Longwood’s 54.0 eFG% was a mark that only three opponents matched against KU a year ago — Tennessee (loss), Baylor (win) and Oklahoma State (loss).

Longwood also made 11 of 30 three-pointers to shoot a good percentage (36.7 percent). KU hadn’t allowed 11 three-pointers or more in any of its last 20 games.

Tough-Luck Line

None. When each of your regulars posts at least 1.18 points per possession used, then no one deserves to be singled out for a poor performance.

Two of KU’s top players could have been better, though. Tyshawn Taylor was the team-low with 1.18 points per possession used, which was directly correlated to his high turnover count (six).

Meanwhile, though Marcus Morris posted 1.90 points per possession, he wasn’t overly assertive (only 13.4 percent possessions used) and he failed to record a defensive rebound for only the fifth time in his career. In fact, Marcus only had one game last year where he failed to grab a defensive board.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Marcus Morris pulls up for a three pointer over Longwood forward Jeylani Dublin during the second half, Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Bottom Line

KU couldn’t have been much better offensively. The Jayhawks shot well (68.1 eFG%, compared to last year’s 55.1 eFG% average) and also posted offensive rebounding and assist numbers well above last year’s season averages.

Defense is definitely a concern, though, especially as the Jayhawks are learning to play without center Cole Aldrich inside.

It all sets up for a scary game Monday against Valparaiso — a team that posted an impressive 1.44 points per possession itself in a 111-64 victory over Indiana-Northwest on Friday.

The Jayhawks can’t bank on forcing turnovers on 30 percent of their opponents’ possessions every game, so improving the team’s first-shot defense between now and Monday will most likely be KU coach Bill Self’s top priority.