In this Hearings newsletter:

1. KU-Tech 3 Things to Watch

2. VIP Update on Harris, McCullar, and McDowell status 🔒

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EVERYTHING IN THIS NEWSLETTER IS BASED UPON WHAT I AM HEARING FROM PEOPLE I TRUST. PLEASE DO NOT MISTAKE THIS FOR FACT OR FOR ACTUAL JOURNALISM, WHICH HAS VERIFICATION STANDARDS THAT I HAVE NOT ADHERED TO. I DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT.

KU-Texas Tech: 3 Things to Watch

First, Kevin McCullar is out tonight. I’ve Heard (and Bill Self said) this was expected. Kansas has called the injury a bone bruise. I’ve Heard Dajuan Harris is expected to play as of Monday morning. This has also been reported by Jon Rothstein.

I’ll elaborate a little further on Harris and McCullar + give an update on Jamari McDowell’s status in the VIP Scoops section below.

Betting Spread: Kansas is a 3.5-point underdog to Texas Tech

Things to Watch

1) Does KU have the legs?

KU’s starters playing extensive minutes has been one of its primary issues all year (which you already know). The Jayhawks rank No. 342 (out of 362) in % of minutes played by bench players.

The Saturday-Monday turnaround with travel is rough. Will the Jayhawks have the energy to go all 40 vs. Texas Tech?

Here’s one positive: The Red Raiders don’t like to play fast. If you see them pushing it repeatedly, they’re trying to take advantage of the Jayhawks’ depth issues. I’m curious to see if they try to play outside their comfort zone.

2) Guard the three and win it inside

While Texas Tech doesn’t like to push the ball, it wants like to shoot a lot of outside jumpers. Kansas is an average team at defending the three (yes, it feels worse than average).

The Jayhawks will need to run the Red Raiders off the three-point line. (And don’t let Pop Issacs get hot. The guard made four threes vs. KU last year).

Also, remember this?

Tech hasn’t been the best rebounding team this year. It opts to get back on defense rather than crash the glass and slow the game down. It doesn’t block many shots or force turnovers, either.

I’m curious to see if the Jayhawks can comfortably get the ball inside. KU’s clear advantage comes if it can win the game down low.

3) Can anybody step up?

Can anyone — literally anyone — take pressure off Hunter Dickinson, Dajuan Harris, and KJ Adams tonight. Johnny Furphy is the obvious choice… beyond that... anything KU gets is a bonus.

Can someone make the most of their playing time? This is the obvious question.. but it’s still worth asking.

If I Hear who is starting in McCullar’s spot, I’ll send a VIP Text for subscribers (link below). I’m still in awe of this sequence from Nick Timberlake.

VIP: Dajuan Harris, Jamari McDowell, Kevin McCullar Status Update 🔒

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