🏀 KuBuckets Archive

This is the first year in almost 40 that I've lost interest. I didn't even watch the Kentucky game. I really like Harris but other than him I just don't care. This isn't COLLEGE basketball anymore. None of these kids actually care about the school, the team, a free education, or anything else outside of their bank account. Am I supposed to cheer for Dickenson this year because Kansas outbid everyone for him? Am I supposed to follow "recruiting" which now is just a kid deciding on Nike or Adidas and THEN picking a school? Am I supposed to cheer for kids who would bolt on this team for a better payday in a heartbeat?

I'm sure I will watch Maui because I'm off work this week but I've just lost the feeling I used to have for this team and this sport.

Understandable. I'm not to that point yet, but I do ignore the comments "once a Jayhawk always a Jayhawk" that we see here. A kid goes pro too early, hello Cheick Diallo, Devon Dotson, Josh Jackson, Xavier Henry, Josh Selby, etc etc etc, or a kid being talked about in the other thread about how are the transfers doing now I just think, no, they're not Jayhawks. A coach like Bill Self believes in you enough to offer you a roster spot and after a year you say goodby to all of it? I do at least understand the life changing money the NBA offers, but then the NBA should just end their stupid rule forcing kids to sit out a year after HS.

I really do hate to break the news but that conception of college basketball was never reality. Even going back to Wilt. It's just out in the open now.

@FarmerJayhawk Nice job labeling an entire sport's history by bringing up maybe the top recruit of all time. Obviously, there has been a wink-and-nod type of thing with the absolute top guys forever. I'm talking about recruiting kids that actually want a degree, and actually love the school. I'm aware you cant fill a roster full of Lightfoots and local studs like Braun and Ogbaji but it would be nice to have a few.

If Im going to watch pro sports, Id rather watch the best of the best and have moved towards NBA.

@BigBad it's just one example of MANY. The lowly local kid who just wants to play and graduate from the neighborhood school has always been a minority. John Wooden cheated his tail off for decades. So did Larry Brown, Cal, Coach K, Dean Smith, on and on and on. There really is nothing new under the sun. The sun is just shining brighter and illuminating things more now.

I think this is kind of a wild take. We are a year and a half removed from a bunch of kids (that were 3 and 4 star recruits) from the KC area winning a national championship at KU! Two of them are starters on this years team! I'm also pretty sure that Ochai, McCormack, and Jalen Wilson all graduated. Dajuan Harris and KJ Adams will graduate, and if Christian Braun hasn't already, he will. I hear ya on the transfer stuff...but Hunter Dickinson is the real deal, and seems to have absolutely embraced KU. Did you hear his interview after the Kentucky game? He was rattling off KU history like he grew up in Lawrence. Did you hear Kevin McCullar say he wishes he would've played his entire career at KU? I'm thankful that this new era allowed for guys like that to come to KU.

I think you gotta evolve with the times. I understand the frustration with NIL and the transfer portal. But all things considered, the transfer portal especially made it possible for someone like McCullar to even come to KU. They also made it possible for someone like Dickinson to come to KU rather than going to the NBA, where his game doesn't have a home. It might even allow him to come back to KU for another year.

As others have said, you might be describing a utopia that just never existed. But I'll also say, this year's starting lineup features two seniors, a super senior, a junior, and a freshman. Four of the 5 will for sure get degrees from KU. I've heard people make this argument before and they're missing that the scenario they're describing is literally happening right in front of them. 2022 was that utopian vision of college basketball. A veteran team from the area goes on to win it all. That's great! That's why we watch sports. Obviously this year isn't exactly the same, but there are most definitely similarities.

If you want to be mad at someone, be made at guys like Udeh and Ejiofor who left KU prematurely to step into the exact same situations at inferior schools. Let them be a cautionary tale of this new era.

Later edit: I'd also like to add that NIL and the transfer portal allowed KU football to turn around faster than anyone would have ever expected. Lance Leipold and his staff are performing a miracle in the KU football program right now, but they are helped significantly by the flexibility that the transfer portal allows, and the security that NIL offers.

@BigBad I have warmed up to the team. I felt that way mid-offseason, but I really enjoyed the Kentucky win, and Hunter was part of that. I can appreciate the fact that we've had other guys whom I didn't have to love that were integral parts of the team. I expect our transfers to conduct themselves well while they are Jayhawks; if they do that while kicking ass and taking names, what more can I ask for? They chose wisely to come and work with Bill and represent KU. Can I fault them for that?

I don’t disagree with this assessment, I feel like college sports have gone down hill ever since the OAD era started in CBB. The transfer portal is pretty much a free agency where players will go to the highest bidder. Now we all know guys have gotten paid for decades before most of us were born. But it wasn’t the insane amounts it is now.

I'm just thrilled that @BigBad has spent lots of time with all the players and knows exactly what they care about.

I hate the way that college ball (foot and basket) has become, but I still root as hard as ever when KU is playing.

There’s a fundamental tension here as well. If you want your team on tv every night and draw huge viewership, that takes a lot of cash. And then not to expect players to get a slice of it just doesn’t make sense.

Last night was the first KU game I’ve missed by choice in over a decade. And I didn’t even care. Apathy - it’s like being a Kentucky fan. You win a lot, but who are the players, where’s the school pride?

I’ll embrace the freshmen, if they become sophomores. - it’s like work I have new interns every summer. I actually work with these people everyday and a few years later I hardly remember their names because it was just one year. Same as the new basketball turnover. I’ll remember Bill and love the Jayhawks, but the players (whom I used to enjoy the most) are just a cog in the machine now.

No one has to like it, but it is what it is.

@MoonwalkMafia said in Anyone else feel this way?:

I think this is kind of a wild take. We are a year and a half removed from a bunch of kids (that were 3 and 4 star recruits) from the KC area winning a national championship at KU! Two of them are starters on this years team! I'm also pretty sure that Ochai, McCormack, and Jalen Wilson all graduated. Dajuan Harris and KJ Adams will graduate, and if Christian Braun hasn't already, he will.

I actually think that team has made all of this worse for me. It seems like it was officially the end of it and we at least got to see it culminate in a championship. It was awesome and it's never going to be like that again

I'll yell & cheer for these kids while these kids are here - cuase they are KU. Whie they re at KU they a part of Jay Hawk Nation. -As far s the one and dones-- -not holding it against them, I don't blame them going for the money.

In reality they are no different then for the blue collar guy , you have your profession/job - -playing Basketball is a job for these kids - -it's their future. - If a every day job for them just like anyone else. It's like if your working a job and then you get job offer for double the amount your working at the present. You going to turn the better paying job down because of your loyalty to the present job when you have been there a year ?-- just like a one and done - -they get a chance to be drafted after a yr in College - -your a fool to stay, that's their future just like a better paying job is your future

If they got that chance to make money after a year - - - Good for you , take that Money -and Thanks for being our boy for the yr

@jayballer67 The right decision for them is to take the money. The right decision for this fan is to not give two squirts of piss about players until they hit year two in the system. I’ll pull for them, but won’t get invested.

NIL is dumb. I don’t care about any of the players unless they are wearing crimson and blue. It could be any decent human wearing that uniform and I’d cheer for them. I’d rather pay baby Jay than Hunter Dickinson no matter how good he is. Wins seem hollow this year vs years KU has home grown players.

@dylans I don't miss any games by choice - unless it interferes with existing plans or it's stupid tip-off time - like 10:00 pm....:face_with_symbols_on_mouth:

But, here's where I'm at. If you stay 4 years here you are my hero. Three years will get you in the upper 30% of my favorites. One or two years - you mean nothing to me. I don't watch the NBA, but if I did you wouldn't mean any more to me than someone who went to NC State, USC or any other school anywhere.

@dylans said in Anyone else feel this way?:

@jayballer67 The right decision for them is to take the money. The right decision for this fan is to not give two squirts of piss about players until they hit year two in the system. I’ll pull for them, but won’t get invested.

NIL is dumb. I don’t care about any of the players unless they are wearing crimson and blue. It could be any decent human wearing that uniform and I’d cheer for them. I’d rather pay baby Jay than Hunter Dickinson no matter how good he is. Wins seem hollow this year vs years KU has home grown players.

it's ok, everyone has their own opinion / view. I could see yours -- just mine is different -not saying either one is wrong

@nuleafjhawk said in Anyone else feel this way?:

@dylans I don't miss any games by choice - unless it interferes with existing plans or it's stupid tip-off time - like 10:00 pm....:face_with_symbols_on_mouth:

But, here's where I'm at. If you stay 4 years here you are my hero. Three years will get you in the upper 30% of my favorites. One or two years - you mean nothing to me. I don't watch the NBA, but if I did you wouldn't mean any more to me than someone who went to NC State, USC or any other school anywhere.

Win a Natty and I suppose I’ll make an exception. However, I rarely think about Remy, so maybe not.

Idk I’m a big Ben McLemore fan. Who would’ve stayed longer with NIL.

Still love and watch college sports as much as I always have. I am happy the players can make some money off of themselves to help take care of their families, do charity work, and enjoy college life a little bit more. I am never against people making more money.

@BigBad I don't know, man. To say that outlook is overly pessimistic is probably putting it mildly.

I honestly think this is maybe the most excited I've ever been about KU sports. Have you seen what KU's volleyball team, women's basketball, and KU baseball is doing? Not to mention the football program. How can you not absolutely love a guy like Devin Neal? Or Jason Bean? Guys that absolutely love KU. Devin Neal could easily make millions of dollars next year, but I will flat out bet you that he chooses to come back to KU because of how important he is to their success next season--when he will almost certainly become KU's all time leading rusher.

I think a lot of that comes back to our athletic director, who may already be the best AD we've had in my lifetime. Travis Goff is from Kansas, a diehard KU fan, and is working on righting some of the wrongs of the past. Again, you are describing the passing of a bygone era that in a lot of ways is literally happening right in front of you.

If you want to be mad about these issues to the point where you walk away, that's your prerogative. But you'll be missing out. RCJH.

I think of some of this lack of interest is a normal part of aging. I'm speaking for myself, but I know as i get older, the less i care about watching sports in general. I dunno how old the rest of you guys and girls are, but I think it's natural.

I find myself only really wanting to watch teams i'm dedicated to -- Jayhawks, Chiefs, etc.

I can't say i have the enthusiasm i've had in the past for the Jayhawks with all these changes and come and go players. It was definitely better when we had four year guys. You get to know em, see their personalities, know their strengths and weaknesses, see em get better over time.

It's different now for sure. I don't love it, but i'll still watch.

@Woodrow You sound like a very nice person, but are there really college student-athletes doing a lot of charity work? I'd be surprised, but I hope you're right.

@nuleafjhawk Of course they do. KU athletes do all sorts of things around town for kids and what not. Saw a video this week of the Michigan star RB using his NIL money to buy turkeys and pass them out this week to families in need.

As always a lot of the good stuff never gets publicized. I would venture to guess a lot of kids use their platform to help other people.

@nuleafjhawk just off the top of my head, the football team does a Mass St cleanup every year, players go to schools to talk to kids, they help out at the Humane Society, and presumably other things. 🐦 View Tweet?s=20
🐦 View Tweet?s=20 https://lawrencehumane.org/2023/10/06/kuathletes-at-lawrence-humane/ ↗

Boys and girls club!

Pick out the Christmas gifts for kids.

@Crimsonorblue22 oh yeah! The Walmart toy video is always a highlight of the season

Interesting discussion. I've been curious to what kind of fan I'd be if my school was Duke or Kentucky. I'm guessing it might be a much tougher follow because of the constant turnover in those programs. Thankfully OAD's haven't been too much of Bill Selfs MO and I'm thinking he just wanted to avoid those guys who would probably bolt after a year. Grady Dick was a bit different because of his in state status, but would he have taken Grady if he was from lets say Texas or Boston or wherever? I'm a little doubtful.

What the portal has done to me is make these guys switch schools like they're changin their socks and it really is frustrating. We at least are one of the privileged schools that make a Hunter Dickinson possible, but even then I feel a little 'guilty' seeing him come here.

@wissox Grady Dick was a bigger disappointment to me than most BECAUSE of his in state status.

@FarmerJayhawk said in Anyone else feel this way?:

Idk I’m a big Ben McLemore fan. Who would’ve stayed longer with NIL.

He was also here 2 years, after redshirting the first year due to eligibility questions. Not the typical 1-and-done because he sweated in practice for a year without the glory of the spotlight. So I'm a fan too.

I probably will never stop watching Kansas basketball. Maybe I won't be as invested as I once was but I will always watch. One thing I will say is that it is a great disappointment knowing that neither Furphy, Elmarko, nor McDowell will be a Jayhawk next year as they will all either declare for the draft or transfer. It used to be fun to watch the freshmen and look forward to their futures with the program but that aspect of college basketball really doesn't exist anymore.

Benny Mac was so happy to be here. He had never had his own bed, hot water or food for every meal. He was thrilled to go to class! He cried like a baby when he left, he had to help his family. He kept a place in Lawrence and came back to play in Hanni's charity cancer bb game. He gave money back to it!
D Dot was on the front row when we won the 22 national championship. Self gave him a hat, knowing their team should've been playing the yr before. Wiggs went to Selfs HOF induction.
Diallo's family looked worse off than Bens. It definitely would've benefited him to stay, thank heavens I don't know what it's like to be that hungry or cold.
I'm excited every yr and bummed to see the players leave at the end, no matter the reason. They give me so much joy! The older I get the more I enjoy them. I like the NIL, allows us to keep them longer.
Each to his own. ❤️🌾💙

@BigBad

Sorry that you've lost interest. I get it, especially after this past offseason. It seems so unsustainable at times and the drama left me a bit bitter about some things that went down. I was hoping that games would cure my disappointment and so far it has. We still have guys that are easy to root for and will remain hopeful that the young guys will stick around a few years.

I still follow KU Bb but not as passionately as in the past. I’m okay with the new landscape of revolving door in the sport, as long as players respect the program. I no longer stay up very late to watch as I used to, partly because of age, not getting any younger. Last year was a real eye opener tho

@AsadZ what about last year? Self's health?

I do feel a little better that the max exodus of players has in large not been successful elsewhere. As much as i try to rationalize tempering that, that those guys could have been successful at KU, I have my doubts. While it remains to be seen if the current players stick around, i think there is a decent chance they will, and as @Crimsonorblue22 said, we got to keep Jalen because he got paid NIL, so it can go both ways.

@Crimsonorblue22 Max exodus of players

Ha. Unintentional play on words

I thought it was just me. Honestly I lost a lot of interest when Mahomes started playing for the Chiefs. I only have so much sports attention to go around.

@chriz said in Anyone else feel this way?:

I thought it was just me. Honestly I lost a lot of interest when Mahomes started playing for the Chiefs. I only have so much sports attention to go around.

I'm a Chargers fan so I have only enough sports pain to go around...LOL

Kansas was usually my respite.

Well, I bought tickets for Saturday's game so I guess I'm officially BACK!!!!

LOL

I reset anew every year. Since I have no real knowledge of how the players are looking out for themselves I like some more than others.
There is so much more going on than we know about so why worry so much? I find myself living and dying with the Hawks every year.
I'm sticking around because I like it.

I'm reviving the El Kabong award for best big ass dunk. Hope it's El Marko once. Lol Kabong to me. If perchance there is more than one that is worthy I may name the second one Baba Louie. You are welcome!

@BigBad said in Anyone else feel this way?:

Well, I bought tickets for Saturday's game so I guess I'm officially BACK!!!!

LOL

You're going to be in Bloomington too?

Yep...I live just North of Dayton Ohio so its only 2 and a half hours away.

@BigBad Awesome! Maybe we'll meet! I'm in the nosebleeds which I guess in that stadium really are way the heck up there.

Let me know. My son(13) and I will probably get there around 11:00

You all have a good time?