Frank Mason hits the game winner as Kansas knocks off #1 Duke 77-75! Mason with 21 pts. #kubball #jayhawks pic.twitter.com/RgPbYuTyze
— Andrew Baker (@abakesports) November 16, 2016
If you're good enough, you're big enough. Frank Mason III is damn good. No guard in America has played bigger to start the season. pic.twitter.com/q8NxiKq44U
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) November 16, 2016
Mason will have a spot on the Wooden Watch all season long. POY candidate. https://t.co/oRfdJs6ab5
— Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) November 16, 2016
AHHHHHH !!! FRANK MASON !! #PITBULL #KILLER LETS GOOOOOO !!!!! @F_Mason0
— Devonte' Graham (@Devonte_Graham4) November 16, 2016
□ A #ChampionsClassic matchup that lived up to all the hype!#kubball pic.twitter.com/Fbeq6LzpOP
— Kansas Basketball (@KUHoops) November 17, 2016
Frank Mason for the Dub • bad boy □□□□□□ • great game‼️ @KUHoops @DukeMBB pic.twitter.com/ntL4Oq8Fxe
— RM5Nike (@RM5Nike) November 16, 2016
In Mason's winner, I sensed a carryover effect from an amazing national title game. There is an optimism hitting the horizon of 2016-17 college basketball campaign.
You're waking up feeling it a bit too, aren't ya? It's going to be a terrific season for college hoops, and this is only the beginning.
That 77-75 Kansas-over-Duke thriller which started Tuesday night and ended early Wednesday morning was the first cannon shot of what will become one of the most notable seasons of the past decade. I'm not talking just March. We're not saving most of the fun for then, but we'll get the goods from now until April. Frank Mason and his onion bag will lead our way down the trail.
…Less than a week in, Mason's play must be taken seriously. He's at 51 points in two games, and is first in line for National Player of the Year. You hit that shot, score 21 points and dish five assists against No. 1 Duke, it starts the highlight reel that will run to the end of the season. At the end, we'll look back at five months of what's going to be filled with compelling games played by outrageous athletes and controversial coaches. And Mason kick-started the marathon with a slick, cool step-back -- beauty of a bucket.
The play was what Doug Collins used to call for Jordan all the time back in the 1980s. To paraphrase: Give Frank the ball and everyone else get the hell out of the way.
…For Kansas, the win means more than you might think. The Jayhawks lost in overtime Friday against a beautifully coached Indiana team. KU's last remaining notable nonconference game comes in January at Kentucky. Fair to chalk that up as a loss. Going 1-2 against three teams likely to vie for No. 1 seeds looks a lot better than 0-3. It's nearly automatic that Kansas will win the Big 12, so you pair that with a win over Duke, and this could, and should, have 1-seed implications come March.
CBS Norlander
When you're about to knock off No. 1. pic.twitter.com/mhTE92xNHc
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) November 16, 2016
On the first can’t-miss night of college basketball’s young season, about a dozen players who are expected to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft streamed into the world’s most famous arena. But Frank Mason, a 5' 11" senior guard who originally committed to Towson before becoming a Kansas star, overshadowed all of them when he hit an iso, step-back game-winner to give the No. 7 Jayhawks a 77–75 win over No. 1 Duke. With one swish, Mason reset the college basketball conversation back to the upperclassmen—at least for a night.
…Frank Mason’s game-winner will be the most memorable moment of the night, but he was brilliant throughout the entire game. He offered the Jayhawks 21 points, five assists and two steals in 35 minutes to help them avoid their first 0–2 start since 1973. “If Frank hadn’t gotten in foul trouble early,” Bill Self told reporters after the game, “he would have played 40 minutes as well.”
Mason and junior guard Devonte’ Graham—whom Self affectionately refers to as “the two littles”—give Kansas college basketball’s most coveted advantage: A veteran backcourt. Even better, they are both point guards, and they each can create their own shots and lock down much larger and more imposing guards. After a first half in which the Jayhawks went 1-for-12 from the three-point line, Self reminded his players—and particularly his two guards—that they let opponents off the hook when they settled for contested jumpers. “He tells us nobody can guard us or stay in front of us,” Graham said.
SI
— Viking Basketball (@VASJBasketball) November 16, 2016
How do you win a tight game vs Duke after flying from Hawai'i? With a dagger in the final seconds by F. Mason III. pic.twitter.com/LPMH8qxhzu
— Champions Classic (@championclassic) November 16, 2016
Mason's game-winner. See the full Baseline View highlights from the #kubball 77-75 win over Duke here: https://t.co/PmLHfiXs5T pic.twitter.com/ZanFwFe5wy
— Nick Krug (@nickkrug) November 16, 2016
Frank. Mason. III. #kubball https://t.co/8sdTXzkICa
— Andrew Carter (@Andrew__Carter) November 16, 2016
So when will we learn? A year ago Buddy ball stole the season, and Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu combined to lead Villanova to a national championship. A year before that, Quinn Cook rallied Duke's trio of NBA-bound rookies to a title. Before that, it was Shabazz Napier taking UConn by the hand, and all the way back in 2013, it was Peyton Siva guiding Louisville.
None of that seemed to knock any sense into us.
Maybe this, a Frank Mason winning jumper on the early season big stage of the Champions Classic instead of the end-season elevated stage of the Final Four, will do the trick.
…Seniors matter. They've always mattered. They still matter this season. They will matter next season.
…Much has been made about Mason's past, about an early commitment to Towson after he failed to catch the expert eyes of college recruiters early. Along with backcourt mate Devonte Graham, whose college career began at Appalachian State, Mason makes up the best small-major gone big-timer perhaps in the history of the game.
But his story now isn't so much about people who missed on him. It's about who he has grown into. Asked if his younger self could have made such a big shot, Mason smirked.
"I'm not sure I'd be in the game in that situation in my younger days," he said.
ESPN O’Neil
What a game 2 from @TheGarden. @KUHoops holding on to beat @dukebasketball pic.twitter.com/n6Pwy3aVHQ
— Champions Classic (@championclassic) November 16, 2016
You can't sell me on a better backcourt in the nation than the Kansas Jayhawks. Devonte Graham and Frank Mason III are the gold standard.
— jordan cornette (@jordancornette) November 16, 2016
A big thing that stood out last night at MSG? How well the Kansas guard are taught to feed the low post. Precise passing all night long.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 16, 2016
Asked if all the freshmen in the Champions Classic had overshadowed a senior like Mason III, Self said: “I think [the] NBA is missing the boat on him. He doesn’t fit the eye test with length and standing height and that kind of stuff. But he’s got some things you can’t teach and intangibles that are as good as anybody in America probably possess.”
…“It was a heck of a game, they’re really good,” Krzyzewski said. “Their backcourt is a heck of a backcourt.”
“We’ll see what will happen when we get guys back,” Krzyzewski said. “We didn’t lose because we were short-handed tonight. We lost because Kansas played better.”
Kansas traveled straight to New York from Hawaii on Saturday and Self said it was good to avoid going 0-2 to start.
“If you’re going to travel 11,000 miles,” he said, “you might as well win at least one game.”
zags blog
ROCK CHALK, Frank Mason III! #kubball pic.twitter.com/KE2Rl3bAdS
— Kansas Basketball (@KUHoops) November 16, 2016
But the player who hit the biggest shot thus far in this young season Tuesday night in New York is not taking anyone's job. He's barely on the NBA's radar.
Frank Mason III is that man—a bad, bad man—and chances are Kansas head coach Bill Self wouldn't trade him for any of those future lottery picks.
Mason made the Champions Classic his night when the narrative was supposed to be about the young 'uns. The 5'11" senior point guard punctuated a brilliant performance when he rose up over Matt Jones to bury a game-winner and save the Jayhawks from a 0-2 start with a 77-75 win over top-ranked Duke.
…The win is big for KU's confidence but isn't going to have that much impact on the season. Duke and Kansas are far from finished products, and it's hard to judge the Blue Devils without seeing those three freshmen on the floor.
But don't write off the Jayhawks as potential champions just because they barely won Tuesday against a short-handed team. This is going to be a squad that can run with Duke once it's stacked.
Jackson is figuring out his role and is going to stop fouling. Udoka Azubuike looks like a promising big body off the bench, which Kansas desperately needs. Graham is really good. Carlton Bragg is coming along.
And the Jayhawks will always have the baddest dude on the floor.
He's not a lottery pick. But he's damn good...and clutch.
Bleacher Report CJ Moore
America saw a glimpse of Udoka Azubuike's potential last night versus Duke. Six points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks in just 15 minutes.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 16, 2016
Udoka Dunk @TimUdoka pic.twitter.com/fOcrU5HWog
— Colouring KU (@ColouringKU) November 16, 2016
Flex on em. @TimUdoka pic.twitter.com/j2Zbv1X7YA
— Colouring KU (@ColouringKU) November 16, 2016
1. The officiating made it brutal to watch
I may or may not have been whistled for a technical foul just writing this.
Early in the game, the officiating crew called back-to-back offensive charges on Frank Mason III, then on Duke's Luke Kennard. Then a minute later, Frank Mason III got whistled for a touch foul that was met with disdain by Bill Self. The early foul trouble forced Kansas' hand to make adjustments they weren't accustomed to.
"We played with lineups we've never practiced with before," Self said at halftime of the telecast.
The officiating crew set a precedent early on that they were calling it tight with the new freedom of movement rules. It really felt like the last man standing with both teams getting into foul trouble. A combined seven players finished the game with four fouls, and two players -- Kansas' Josh Jackson and Duke's Amile Jefferson -- fouled out.
CBS
#RockChalk pic.twitter.com/4uvXajBERp
— Colouring KU (@ColouringKU) November 16, 2016
KU has won 2 in a row against Dook and 3 of the last 4. Can you say owned? #kubball
— Bob Fescoe (@bobfescoe) November 16, 2016
Duke was missing 3 lotto picks. KU goes 2-16 on 3s, 9-19 on FTs, lost Jackson down stretch. Deep runs likely for both.
— Blair Kerkhoff (@BlairKerkhoff) November 16, 2016
@JonRothstein take the L Jon
— Kansas Jayhawks (@KansasHoopstalk) November 16, 2016
Meantime, the Blue Devils other best player, Grayson Allen, was about as awful as he has been in the entirety of his Duke career. The preseason player of the year candidate shot just 4-of-15 from the field, his troubles starting long before he left the first half prematurely after dinging his knee.
And so to panic that Duke, the No. 1 team in the nation, lost to Kansas 77-75 would be equal parts foolish and premature.
Because this isn't Duke. These Blue Devils are like the seat-fillers at the Oscars, making sure there are bodies on the floor until the stars return.
And truth be told, the replacements weren't exactly terrible. Despite Allen's shooting woes, despite a heavy whistle from the officials on both sides, the undermanned Devils rallied late against Kansas, turning what looked to be a Jayhawks walkover into an uncomfortable finish for a Kansas team in need of a little morale boost after being stunned by Indiana last week.
espn O’Neil
Anti @dukebasketball have fun now but Dukies will get last laugh when healthy https://t.co/tpgLAL1tEt
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) November 16, 2016
KU opponents have hit 46 percent of their 3s, and the Jayhawks are still a possession away from being 2-0. These guys are good.
— John Gasaway (@JohnGasaway) November 16, 2016
3 Things I learned from Champions: 1. Frank Mason an AA candidate 2. Duke (minus THREE lottery picks) best team 3. Malik Monk NBA stock rose
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) November 16, 2016
You know why Duke lost last night, right? It's because the uniform gods were punishing them for wearing those hideous black uniforms.
— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) November 16, 2016
Saw glimpses of Josh Jackson's greatness last night but silly fouls hurt him. Bill Self will get it rectified w/o changing Josh's passion.
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) November 16, 2016
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) November 16, 2016
Breaking news: Frank Mason is pretty damn good. And his shot Tuesday was way more important than you think. COLUMN | https://t.co/Re9VkQo3Vg
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) November 16, 2016
Frank Mason III shot 50% on pull-up jump shots from the elbows last season. What a way to start his senior year.
— Synergy Sports Tech (@SynergySST) November 16, 2016
When is the last time in hoops history -- if ever there was one -- that 2 guys named Frank traded crunch time baskets?
— Jason Franchuk (@HarkTheFranchuk) November 16, 2016
Best part about Frank Mason's success is that he is a freaking awesome kid. #Respect #Kubball
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) November 16, 2016
@j_josh11 pic.twitter.com/RXBerHdrJW
— Colouring KU (@ColouringKU) November 16, 2016
If you're waiting until March to watch college hoops, you're missing out.
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) November 16, 2016
Take last night for example: https://t.co/QBdUELJ1pS pic.twitter.com/N7JUVWQhWv
The fam was out here strong in NY , LOVE EM TO DEATH □□❤️️□ pic.twitter.com/9E7md1IWNt
— Devonte' Graham (@Devonte_Graham4) November 16, 2016
Great team win..Guys stepped up and got it done! Proud of everyone! And s/o my boy Frank for being clutch!!! #bifm #RockChalk
— Landen A. Lucas (@LandenLucas33) November 16, 2016
BIFM
— Tyler Self (@T_Self11) November 16, 2016
□ so it's clear pic.twitter.com/l6NHizx8Iu
— malik newman (@iammaliknewman) November 16, 2016
Looks like Joel Embiid just dialed up 1-800-SAVAGE https://t.co/Pd8eRJtu7g
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 16, 2016
Big Jah representing Kansas.... Look at that smile□ @JahlilOkafor #RockChalk pic.twitter.com/WhKJUTlNgu
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) November 16, 2016
Haven't seen this type of clutch in a KU uni since @SHERRONCOLLINS4. @F_Mason0 to frosty
— Wayne Simien Jr. (@waynesimien) November 16, 2016
— Colouring KU (@ColouringKU) November 16, 2016
Mase FTW! #RCJH
— keith langford (@keith_langford) November 16, 2016
I was in college forever □ but somebody got me beat lol!!
— Perry Ellis (@PElliz) November 16, 2016
Yeaaaaaaa Frankkk ! My boy... best backcourt in the country.
— Wayne Selden Jr. (@WayneSeldenJr) November 16, 2016
Yesssss #FrankMason
— Ryan Robertson (@ryrobstl) November 16, 2016
Game. Set. Match.
— Tyrel Reed (@treed14) November 16, 2016
Ok frank mason. Way to fight KU. Rock chalk y'all kno wat it is
— Mario Chalmers (@mchalmers15) November 16, 2016
My boys got that W ROCK CHALK !!
— thomas robinson (@Trobinson0) November 16, 2016
Man, I love watching Frank Mason work! Great win last night! #RockChalk https://t.co/8CbcRXCW1U
— David Beaty (@beaty_david) November 16, 2016
Rock Chalk!
— Ben Heeney (@henbeeney) November 16, 2016
Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!
— Jake Heaps (@jtheaps9) November 16, 2016
@waynesimien @F_Mason0 agreed great job young men lead baby lead
— Sherron Collins (@SHERRONCOLLINS4) November 16, 2016
— Darnell Jackson (@DBlock_Official) November 16, 2016
Then this happened. @F_Mason0 game winner. pic.twitter.com/BESyhETPtc
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) November 16, 2016
No. 7 Kansas defeats No. 1 Duke, 77-75 #ChampionsClassic pic.twitter.com/2M3nXwkCmd
— AZ Finest Mixtape (@AzFinestMixtape) November 16, 2016
Frank Mason reminds me of Adonis Jordan. Strong,tough,winner. #Kubball
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) November 16, 2016
Kansas games won't be the same without Uncle Anthony and his clock.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) November 16, 2016
OK KU...I fell asleep... Big win
— Uncle Anthony (@TheUncleAnthony) November 16, 2016
Frank Mason III!!!! Petersburg stand up
— Trey Songz (@TreySongz) November 16, 2016
I □ you boy!! Way to finish ya food @F_Mason0 □□
— Nick Wiggins (@Wiggys__WORLD) November 16, 2016
When frank hit that mid range lol □ □□□□□□□ Duke ✔️ pic.twitter.com/rITtcQVUNR
— Markese Jacobs (@markese_24) November 16, 2016
FRANK MASON□
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) November 16, 2016
Frank Mason III's buzzer-beating shot gave @KUHoops a stunning win against No. 1-ranked @DukeMBB. #KUvsDuke https://t.co/73tgr3I44L
— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) November 16, 2016
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