Looking like Furphy will be leaving for the Draft and staying in according to Swain on 247.
So who can we get to replace him? Was really hoping we would get another year of Johnny but apparently he's ghosting town.
We still have 3 weeks until the portal closes. My guess who we get is not in the portal yet. I think it also depends on who takes the Kentucky job. If itās Donovan then the carousel stops, but if itās Drew then it keeps spinning. If itās Drew then more and more players will become available.
That NBA teams think he is ready surprises me. Furphy absolutely sucked in the second half of pretty much every game he played at KU.
While Furphy at times completely outclassed the entire roster, if he truly leaves he will be the least accomplished OAD in KU history. Furphy helped KU to its worse record since they were on probation in 1989 and he did absolutely nothing at an elite level. Iād love to watch him continue to develop at KU, but if heās going to go pro I wish him the best in Europe or wherever he ends up.
š¢
That NBA teams think he is ready surprises me. Furphy absolutely sucked in the second half of pretty much every game he played at KU.
While Furphy at times completely outclassed the entire roster, if he truly leaves he will be the least accomplished OAD in KU history. Furphy helped KU to its worse record since they were on probation in 1989 and he did absolutely nothing at an elite level. Iād love to watch him continue to develop at KU, but if heās going to go pro I wish him the best in Europe or wherever he ends up.
The NBA draft is like the MLB draft now. It is all based on potential, not what they are currently.
As far as the "the least accomplished OAD in KU history" , Cheick Diallo will never be matched!
Such a down year, could even say it might be historically bad. That helps Furphy who's high upside with some proven flashes of what NBA scouts are looking for. I think the fact he cannot get NIL as he's likely here on a Visa is what's preventing him from coming back. Zach Edey was just complaining of this at the Final 4 as well as a Canadian Resident. It is what it is
Good riddance. To all of em. The last couple of years has almost completely diminished my enthusiasm for sports. All sports - College and Pro. Maybe I'll concentrate on High School since they have to stay four years.
Unless they move. Or drop out. Or can't play because of grades. Or.....
Crap.
@BeddieKU23 Zach Edey needs to shut up. If he wanted to make money, he should join the workforce. He was the national player of the year last season, how did he improve his draft stock by coming back?
And as for the lack of NILā¦thatās the terms that every single player before NIL played under. If he canāt figure out how to make it work then thatās more of a show of the instant gratification culture we live in than anything else. Getting better would pay dividends.
@BeddieKU23 was this a solid he is 100% staying in or just a likely to stay in? Not that is changes much either way and don't love hearing that.
May be taking some copium saying this, but there is still a small chance he will still return until it is more widely reported and even then he could get bad feedback and change his mind (i.e. Kev last year where he declared not expecting to come back).
Iād like to see an upgrade at that position maybe a guy who shows up for the second half of games. I was hoping that would be sophomore Furphy, but I donāt know if he will ever be able to achieve that level of consistency. I do think he could lead a team by his Jr year, but Freshman Furphy was at the level of solid bench piece on a championship level team.
If he goes itās disappointing that we wonāt get to see him develop into a more finished product. He does have lots of potential.
He's here on a student visa where US law prevents him from making $ from NIL unless he was to travel abroad etc. I don't recall that he was even a first round pick last year but I could be wrong. He may go in the lottery this year so if both are true, I'd say he improved his stock a lot by coming back.
I should have explained the point I was trying to make. As it stands with International Players here on student visa's, they cannot earn NIL the same way as others. While Furphy was a great last-minute addition to the team, I think its safe to assume if he could earn NIL like everyone else a 2nd year at KU would be likely. The risk KU and others take on International Players and trying to retain them year over year
Well might give a better shot at McNeely , had read an article saying that what they were hearing was alot was depending on Furphy's decision
@jayballer67 bright side
McNeeley didn't impress me playing the other day. The reason Oscar stayed in was cause he earned so much money.
Bummer if true. But I hope it opens the door for a top recruit.
@Crimsonorblue22 said in Furphy:
McNeeley didn't impress me playing the other day. The reason Oscar stayed in was cause he earned so much money.
you really can't judge /gauge a lot in these all star games - - it's pretty much all about me. -in these type games not really THAT structured - -usually it's who eve gets the ball first about mid court it's going up - A LOT of one on one school yard ball- - -half hearted defense - -players jogging down the floor. - - Just like Flory- he is better then that game by far--- just not a good way to determine actually just how good a player is. - -There is a reason McNeely is ranked as high as he is
Furphmania we hardly knew ye
Perhaps from his side but KU is focused on the portal. If you can get a stud wing plus McNeeley your cooking. Otherwise not sure I see us relying on him
We should all band together and declare that we will only come to games / watch games if the players pay us fans some NIL money. We're more invested in the game than they are. We love it - or used to anyway. They just do it as a means to another pay raise.
Pay me to watch, beeyatches.
@BeddieKU23 said in Furphy:
Perhaps from his side but KU is focused on the portal. If you can get a stud wing plus McNeeley your cooking. Otherwise not sure I see us relying on him
could be right. I think if what your hearing/seeing is true , then I think we are still going to have three Scholi's.-- -Clemance- -- -Furphy-- -& probably Jamari. Kind of hate to see Jamari go - -think he might have been a decent player for us in a couple of years - -just how the game goes I reckon , becoming one BIG revolving door
@jayballer67 "think he might have been a decent player for us in a couple of years"
It won't be long before no one knows what that means. What's a couple of years? Nobody would EVER stay around that long.
@approxinfinity This is a big anticlimax for me, seems to be a blur
Yeah. This sucks.
@nuleafjhawk said in Furphy:
@jayballer67 "think he might have been a decent player for us in a couple of years"
It won't be long before no one knows what that means. What's a couple of years? Nobody would EVER stay around that long.
McDowell
@jayballer67 I just meant that nobody is going to be around long enough to develop. A whole damn country of one and done's. Some guys will have attended more colleges than I have changed underwear in a decade.
Read a couple of articles today saying Furphy may drop to early 2nd round and McCullar to late first. Furphy dropped because of his late season woes and McCullar due to injury.
Maybe NLI can get Furphy big bucks when KU plays out of the country! HA!
I haven't heard even one of y'all "fans" offer to marry Furphy so he can get his green card and and be paid
@nuleafjhawk said in Furphy:
@jayballer67 I just meant that nobody is going to be around long enough to develop. A whole damn country of one and done's. Some guys will have attended more colleges than I have changed underwear in a decade.
geez , thanks for sharing that lil tidbit lol
@BeddieKU23 said in Furphy:
He's here on a student visa where US law prevents him from making $ from NIL unless he was to travel abroad etc. I don't recall that he was even a first round pick last year but I could be wrong. He may go in the lottery this year so if both are true, I'd say he improved his stock a lot by coming back.
I should have explained the point I was trying to make. As it stands with International Players here on student visa's, they cannot earn NIL the same way as others. While Furphy was a great last-minute addition to the team, I think its safe to assume if he could earn NIL like everyone else a 2nd year at KU would be likely. The risk KU and others take on International Players and trying to retain them year over year
Eh - I doubt this is the difference maker. Maybe its the excuse we are given but it may just be he wants to go. It hasnt been that long since the OG recruiting days, right? All those alleged backchannels cant be completely closed yet. There has to be a workaround where he could (legally of course) be compensated. I hear the Cayman Islands have some good banksā¦
Hope he comes back to finish developing, but if not itās next man up.
The Ringer projects Furph as the 34th pick, noting basically the same strengths and weaknesses we experienced this season. Hopefully, he comes back to get stronger and address deficiencies. I like him, especially how hard he plays.
So furphy is going to play for Australia in the Olympics this summer, does this mean we can find a way to pay him?
For what it's worth KU is recruiting the portal like Furphy is leaving. He just announced he hired an agent. Writing on the wall here.
@BeddieKU23 but he can still return.
Yes, sounds like he might go through the draft process before a final decision.
Have the rules changed? It used to be when you hired an agent, you had to stay in the draft.
@Gorilla72 said in Furphy:
Have the rules changed? It used to be when you hired an agent, you had to stay in the draft.
You can hire a approved agent and still return to school.
He just put a post about it out on his Instagram
@JAYHAWKFAN214 - can you just tell us what it said? I donāt follow him on Instagram.
So Furph declared for the draft while maintaining his college eligibility. Said some very nice things about KU. I canāt link via the apps.
Go be great, kid
He won't be back, unless something very unforeseen happens.
ya figured this would probably be the case.-- I'm not mad at him , give them hell , hope the best. Enjoyed him while he was here. - Can't blame him for trying to make money.
We hardly knew ye, Johnnyā¦
Johnny-come-lately
The new kid in town
Will we still love you
When you're not around?
@approxinfinity Iām looking forward to checking out the new New Kid in Town
So, what's your name?
What was your name?
I can't remember something so lame
'Cause I don't care
Yeah, I don't care
That a break up left you in despair
I Forgot That You Exist
Song by YonKaGor
@approxinfinity I get it, I was hoping to see him develop another year here. I really like him, so much potential.
Disappointing that we won't get another season from Johnny. What a steal he ended up being so late in the cycle when things went south with dipshit. Good luck Johnny, hopefully you'll do big things
Well... none of us are OADs! lol
The safest quality recruits to take hoping they put in years at KU... short point guards that can offer consistent play for years... and big post players who can dominate D1 but don't translate to the NBA. I think Hunter will be back, and Juan is coming back.
Itās a business now. I donāt know why they donāt completely eliminate the ncaa and make the new hires sign binding one year contracts pay a signing bonus and be on to the rest of team assembly and coaching. Recruiting and re-recruiting the same commit several times per year is exhausting. I hope it doesnāt drive Bill into retirement.
Itās a business now. I donāt know why they donāt completely eliminate the ncaa and make the new hires sign binding one year contracts pay a signing bonus and be on to the rest of team assembly and coaching. Recruiting and re-recruiting the same commit several times per year is exhausting. I hope it doesnāt drive Bill into retirement.
You know I think now I might be wrong have been many , many times before BUT I think if I remember correctly Ja y Wright walked away from Coaching as he didn't want to deal with this NIL crap and the portal.
You just never know these days , you know Bill one day may just say screw this.---I know well have heard and can believe very easily how tiring this whole recruiting thing can be. Like you said recruiting a kid and then re- -recruiting -could really wear on a guy. You put that with having to know all the in and out's of NCAA recruiting rules - -the NIL- -& Portal can drain the best of them. - -One of the reasons these University's have to have X amount of lawyers just for the Recruiting and such. Never say Never to Coach one day coming in and just throw up his hands in frustration and just say screw this--and follow what Wright did.
@BeddieKU23 It really is incredible that we picked this guy up in the middle of the summer and he's probably going to become a top 20 draft pick
With him not being able to get the NIL money, canāt really blame the kid. It stinks for both him and us because I firmly believe heās a top 5 pick next season if he stays. I hope it works out but so many good players end up in the G league and then over seas. Iāve always said this a bout the NBA-They will draft you off of potential, but give you little to no time to develop that potential. The G league has made vast improvements the last few years so hopefully that helps. If he has a good combine, he could sneak into the first round which would be huge. Crazy to think about a kid averaging single digits across the board being a OAD honestly.
Sometimes I think it'd be ok if the top talents from McDonalds and High Schools had a semi-pro league and skipped college altogether. Then we'd preserve college sports with more traditional scholarship student-athletes. Like there would still be plenty of talent to make the games high-level and exciting. It also seems just - to give top-caliber athletes a route other than college to get paid what they deserve while they pursue the NBA without distorting the fairness of our leagues. I'd still be a Jayhawk fan, to be sure, and I don't think my enthusiasm/enjoyment would lose a step like it might as this new status quo evolves.
Sometimes I think it'd be ok if the top talents from McDonalds and High Schools had a semi-pro league and skipped college altogether. Then we'd preserve college sports with more traditional scholarship student-athletes. Like there would still be plenty of talent to make the games high-level and exciting. It also seems just - to give top-caliber athletes a route other than college to get paid what they deserve while they pursue the NBA without distorting the fairness of our leagues. I'd still be a Jayhawk fan, to be sure, and I don't think my enthusiasm/enjoyment would lose a step like it might as this new status quo evolves.
They did. That's what Overtime Elite was. That was the purpose of the G-League Ignite team. Those entities were specifically created to provide a place for top HS talent to go and get paid before NIL was widespread. NIL forced Overtime Elite to close up shop and is the reason why Ignite is folding after this season.
@approxinfinity Maybe the hockey model will become a thing in basketball too. No reason not to under the current rules.
ie NBA team drafts a hs player and designated him to a certain college team or set of teams at his choice for developmentā¦ ahem I mean allow the student athlete to pick a school to develop for 2 years (not the 3 hockey requires) before becoming league eligible. The nba team would have a more developed prospect under contract and the full term intact once the player is called up.
Read an article in the star, Furphy's dad said Johnny hasn't made up his mind. He's kept in touch w/coach and there's a place saved for him. The workouts have helped him.
lol
Do we think Bill is able to add 3 wings in the portal if Furphy comes back? Writing is on the wall.
I'm guessing if Furphy somehow, miraculously, comes back Riley Kugel will conveniently turn out to be academically ineligible.
@Crimsonorblue22 Not a fan of the article, though I probably shouldn't say much more. Don't want to be too mean.
If he comes back, it'd be a miracle.
@Crimsonorblue22 I think Bill knows what is happening.
@Crimsonorblue22 I don't want to get into it. Not a big fan of the writer. He did the same thing with Gradey Dick. I've talked to some other writers about him. Things best not repeated.
A questionā¦ what are the main drivers for Furphy and his family at this point? Hard to believe that a 19 yr old is that overly concerned about money and a burning desire to enter into a full time job. Is it lack of NIL $? Does he not like having to take classes?
I think it's a simple calculus: if you are certain to be drafted in the NBA draft, and likely in the first round, you look at the salary and contract and say, "that looks like a pretty good career opportunity."
He can always go back and get his degree. But the opportunity to be drafted and become an NBA player -- no matter what team it is -- is too good to pass up.
I try to imagine if it was in another field, like engineering, or business, etc. If Google/Tesla/Amazon contacted a freshmen engineering student and said "come work for us and we'll pay you X million for the next 3 years with the opportunity to go up from there... Most would take that.
@bskeet I posted in another thread arguing that physically he is not ready to play in NBA, look at his age, weight and physical strength, he is not ready for NBA's brutal rigor.
It is known that real money is made in 2nd/3rd contract.
He can get picked in mid to late first round, but he will most likely be warming the bench or playing in G league.
After a few months he may be traded and move around before disappearing.
His parents seem to be doing well in the sense that he does not need money right away to support them, so even without NIL he can wait to get real money and get drafted much higher and have a longer NBA career.
A questionā¦ what are the main drivers for Furphy and his family at this point? Hard to believe that a 19 yr old is that overly concerned about money and a burning desire to enter into a full time job. Is it lack of NIL $? Does he not like having to take classes?
He's a basketball player. Basketball players generally dream of playing in the NBA. Furphy is good enough that he's going to realize that dream after 1 season of college basketball.
Again, I will suggest that the NBA should be allowed to draft and stash players in college. Let the Spurs draft him and pay him guaranteed money/NIL to keep playing for Bill.
@approxinfinity said in Furphy:
Again, I will suggest that the NBA should be allowed to draft and stash players in college. Let the Spurs draft him and pay him guaranteed money/NIL to keep playing for Bill.
That's literally what the G-League is for, to stash and develop players who aren't quite NBA ready. A lot of people here need to get past their outdated views and stereotypes of what the G-League is. Literally over half the NBA right now has spent time in the G-League including many first round picks. Furphy will be better prepared for the NBA playing and developing in the G-League than he will at Kansas.
@Texas-Hawk-10 agreed thats what g-league is for,
but it seems that NIL has shifted the balance, with g league ignite going away. Would seem that a high profile college program with a difficult schedule offers several advantages that may work better for some, including not getting your ass kicked by grown ass men with a chip before your body fills out
I can think of several others: public exposure, confidence, peers of the same age, other NIL, etc
@approxinfinity said in Furphy:
Again, I will suggest that the NBA should be allowed to draft and stash players in college. Let the Spurs draft him and pay him guaranteed money/NIL to keep playing for Bill.
I like that idea. Just like baseball. Why not?
@approxinfinity said in Furphy:
@Texas-Hawk-10 agreed thats what g-league is for,
but it seems that NIL has shifted the balance, with g league ignite going away. Would seem that a high profile college program with a difficult schedule offers several advantages that may work better for some, including not getting your ass kicked by grown ass men with a chip before your body fills out
A player in the G-League on an NBA or Two-Way contract is making more than NIL. The Ignite team was essentially a select team that was invite only for a handful of top HS kids that could legally go to the NBA. Contracts for those players worked differently than the rest of the league as Ignite players made significantly less than the rest of the G-League and less than NIL. Their salary range was between $50-$150k. The quality of players they could land had significantly dropped in the last couple of years because of NIL.
Also, because NBA franchises, except for Phoenix, operate their own G-League franchises, the players are developed how that franchise wants them developed because it's their own coaches and staff doing the developing. The G-League is also primarily made up of younger players under 25 so Furphy wouldn't usually be going against "full grown men" on a daily basis, he'd be going against players under the age of 25 for the most part.
I'd love to Furphy come back next year, but at the end of the day, his and pretty all basketball players dream of the NBA, not college basketball. At this point, the G-League is a better option for long term development than college is for players.
@rockchalkjayhawk said in Furphy:
@approxinfinity said in Furphy:
Again, I will suggest that the NBA should be allowed to draft and stash players in college. Let the Spurs draft him and pay him guaranteed money/NIL to keep playing for Bill.
I like that idea. Just like baseball. Why not?
That's not how baseball's system works though. In baseball, once you sign a professional baseball contract, you are no longer eligible to play college baseball anywhere anymore. You can be drafted and choose not to sign a contract and then still play college baseball, but once a player signs with an MLB club, they are no longer eligible to play college baseball.
@Texas-Hawk-10 you make sound arguments. For many kids the g league route is probably a strong option.
@approxinfinity In my wholesale HVAC business we call that "Tag and Hold".
Glad its not ācatch and killā
Tag and bag.
Speaking of said KC star writer...
@Texas-Hawk-10 called it right. These kids will develop best in G-league. Hard to say that... but it is what it is.
First thought, makes me think basketball, as a game, is doomed. College basketball turned into a big mess of "grab all." Meanwhile... pro ball has lost it's appeal to a broad audience.
Then everything changed!
Is it shoe companies? NO
It's the explosion of online gaming. Funny that players have to stay a million miles away from it... but who appears to be the new big sponsor of the NBA? Fanduel!
Online gaming is going to help support an audience pool.
Basketball is saved! Hallelujah! (sarcasm)
From Yahoo Sports
The talk at the combine is that Furphy is possibly returning to Kansas for another year, but he shot the ball so effortlessly, it's hard to imagine he didn't leave with first-round interest after the week in Chicago. The 6-9 wing didn't get a ton of touches during his freshman year at Kansas and shot 35.2% from 3-point range.
Returning? Really? Iād be shocked, but very happy.
Some of the boardds have him being taken 18th in the 1st round.---He is not coming back, being projected there
Yea, i'd be pretty happy with that as well. Doesn't sound likely to me though. Maybe our insiders have heard a few things?
Who is saying that? Off with their heads!
@approxinfinity said in Furphy:
Who is saying that? Off with their heads!
You donāt want the Aussie back @approxinfinity ?
Since we missed out on Kugel, yes please!
He's being crazy!
Im just saying whoever said that is just clickbaiting you.
@approxinfinity said in Furphy:
Im just saying whoever said that is just clickbaiting you.
Damn right!
just assume he's gone and if he comes back it's a gigantic surprise
@approxinfinity said in Furphy:
Im just saying whoever said that is just clickbaiting you.
I swiped the Furphy paragraph from the middle of the story below. Just a top player ranking. So, I dunno. Doesnāt sound far fetched as a topic of discussion. Even Self has said heāll āprobablyā remain in the draft.
I selfishly want him to return! :)
https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-nba-draft-big-board-ranking-the-top-40-players-142413978.html ā
Oh, and we still have two schollies to fill. obviously Billās waiting on somethingā¦
@rockchalkjayhawk said in Furphy:
Oh, and we still have two schollies to fill. obviously Billās waiting on somethingā¦
Probably start hearing stuff after Wednesday about potential targets.
@rockchalkjayhawk good points. Im just being crazy.
I would like to contribute to the Johnny Furby NIL fund with a 10 dollar pledge should he stay at KU.
@approxinfinity said in Furphy:
@rockchalkjayhawk good points. Im just being crazy.
Doh! all in fun. it's a waiting game now. Think Alex Galindo has eligibility left? I'd give him another shot.
If Furphy came back, it would really help Aussie US relations. The Aussie govt should put together an NIL package.
Very quiet on decision day.
Deadline is 11:59 tonight. The one we need to be watching in Robinson. If he withdraws from the draft, it sounds like it will be a KU vs Kentucky battle for him.
I think every one thinks it's a fore gone conclusion that Johnny stays in the draft. The latest mock draft I saw on him was 13th to the Kings You can't blame him if that turns out to be true. I don't think if he is going to be piked 13th that him returning for us next year would improve his stock in next years NBA draft.
They say this year is a pretty weak draft class , another reason for him to stay in, cause if he comes back for another year at KU - -the Draft class might be a lot stronger and he might not be drafted aa high. Having said that it is kind of different that he still hasn't come out and said he was staying in the draft -again pretty sure he is , but crickets so far.
Deadline is 11:59 tonight. The one we need to be watching in Robinson. If he withdraws from the draft, it sounds like it will be a KU vs Kentucky battle for him.
Doesn't look like he is being projected that high in the draft. I think he comes out but re-unites with his old Coach Pope at Kentucky. -Obviously all the Kentucky fan base think it's a done deal he will be at Kentucky lol
@approxinfinity said in Furphy:
@bskeet still has 24 hours right?
Furphy has until 10:59 p.m. Central on May 29 to remove his name from consideration
Ok.. Once more, with feeling: Very quiet on decision day.
@approxinfinity said in Furphy:
@bskeet still has 24 hours right?
Furphy has until 10:59 p.m. Central on May 29 to remove his name from consideration
Ok.. Once more, with feeling: Very quiet on decision day.
If he stays in the draft can we sing this?
Decisions are starting to trickle out. If I had to guess right now, Furph stays in and Robinson doesnāt
Among others, Sears from Alabama, Love from Arizona, and Karaban from UConn have withdrawn from draft and returning to their current schools. Does Furphy have more upside than any of those three? Perhaps. Is he a better college player that any of them now? No.
But, we know the NBA drafts on potential - whether or not realized is a different matter...
I demand Furphy or Robinson
No Furphy news by now is probably not good news for KU.
Furphy officially staying in the draft. KU Basketball just posted Furphy's thank you message to Jayhawk Nation.
Be great, kid
Drat.
Good luck to him
Right now most places have him going from 15-20th so itās really hard to blame anyone that goes in that first round especially in his situation with no NIL. I honestly think he couldāve stay and been a top 5 pick but no reason to risk that. Good luck young fella
Very happy for him, but I will miss that happy, polite, cute and talented young man! I know he loved it here. ā¤ļøš I hope there's another Jayhawk to take him under his wing!
Next
Good year to bet on yourself. Good luck Johnny at the next level. Selfishly as a KU fan, this sucks
Meh, goodby, whatever. I wouldn't say you're being selfish @BeddieKU23. It's past time that kids make a decision before college, go pro, or play for your college for a few years. What a stupid mess NCAA is.
Lol. We have heard everyones closing arguments and now the defense rests. Literally. Our defense is going to be lazy af.
Meh, goodby, whatever. I wouldn't say you're being selfish @BeddieKU23. It's past time that kids make a decision before college, go pro, or play for your college for a few years. What a stupid mess NCAA is.
It's not an NCAA rule. It's the NBA's CBA rules that set up the current situation.
@kjayhawks said in Furphy:
Right now most places have him going from 15-20th so itās really hard to blame anyone that goes in that first round especially in his situation with no NIL. I honestly think he couldāve stay and been a top 5 pick but no reason to risk that. Good luck young fella
I saw him as high as 13th., to the Kings Happy for the kid, not mad at all yo gt the chance to be drafted that high -- go for it
@jayballer67 not the Kings pls
@approxinfinity said in Furphy:
@jayballer67 not the Kings pls
ya, I know we have been hexed by our players getting drafted by the crappy Kings. Let's hope noy or he is doomed lol
@approxinfinity said in Furphy:
Our defense is going to be lazy af.
Self is going to have a love/hate relationship with this team.
Defense will be better this yearā¦.mark the tape
@kuballin10 hard to imagine it being worse than last year by the eye test, but statistically we still had room to suck worse. 20th in KenPom AdjD
@approxinfinity Iām hoping an actual backup center might give Hunter some more motivation and freedom to be more aggressive defensively. Same for every position really. But hard to imagine losing Kev and getting better defensively.
We will be worse.
PG: Harris -- More of the same
SG: Storr (who is not known for defense) -- worse than McCullar by a long shot
SF: Griffen -- maybe better than Furphy? He had effort at least
PF: KJ -- same
C: Hunter -- same
So really one position where we'll be worse than last year. But that's a big one.
@rockchalkjayhawk On the bright side, the inferior defensive player may actually log minutes down the stretch.
This should be an interesting puzzle for Self. Does he put Zeke in the starting lineup for some quickness?
@rockchalkjayhawk Griffen was already a better defender last year than Furph under an offensive minded coach, so would be a surprise if he ends up worse.
McCullar is a big loss on defense no doubt and that probably makes us worse, but I feel like the defense we all remember from last year was when he was injured. Slotting timbies in for the SG comparison and I find it hard to believe Storr will be a downgrade. Add that to hopefully the rest of the bench giving better defensive contributions and I think a top 10 defensive even isn't a pipe dream.
I'll back up my optimistic thinking by sharing that barttorvik 2025 prediction has us as the #4 defense (not that I put too much stock into that).
https://barttorvik.com/trankpre.php?sort=AdjDE&conlimit= ā
Storr athletically >>>>kevin even when healthy
Trust me this squad with a healthy Hunter and Bill adjusting will be better defensively. Better athletes and guys with higher bball iqās
If Zeke is in the starting lineup whoās sitting?
They're all here.
Next year there will be more Jayhawk fans admitting how valuable McCullar was. I hope one of our new guys (or more) decides defense comes first!
Or if we become hugely successful on offense... perhaps we can speed teams up on their end which might help us create bigger margins.
Juan... score when you are open... but focus most on running a real offense and CONTROLLING TEMPO! We will be a team that lives and dies by tempo. Mark my words now!
Keep that Tiempo running!
Isn't our depth supposed to make us way better than last year? I'm surprised to see people saying we won't be any better.
The depth should improve. One of your 3 transfers is likely your 6th man, Jackson is in year 2. Clemence off a red shirt with 3 years in the system is a wild card. Bidunga is an exciting big man with skills that Hunter doesn't have so I see that as a good 1-2 combo there. Passmore has a lot of tools we covet at the wing. The athleticism should be improved top to bottom. I would like to see another guard added just for insurance and thinking ahead to life after Harris.
I do think our depth is a bit of an unknown still. Potentially having a starter level guy as your 6th man will be different than last year and that's huge. I really do believe with the way the game is changing you need to invest in your depth and have 8-9 guys you can depend on every night. We didn't even have 6 last year and guys were completely worn down in March. That part is on the coaches to improve. Hopefully the roster additions did enough to fix it
@BeddieKU23 Yeah, I like the way you put it. Depth improves....apparently because they're largely unknowns at how well they'll improve.
Don't forget Storr is a scorer that will on a good night get us 25-30 points and just open up the floor with his quickness. He just might frustrate though when he forgets to guard his man.
I'm hopeful Storr takes feedback he's gotten from the draft process and KU coaches and figures out how to become a more complete player. If he takes his game to the next level, we will all be very happy.
It's going to be interesting seeing which guys solidify their roles. Who's the 6th man, will EJ take a leap, can Flory/Zach give us 10 minutes a game backing up Hunter. Will Passmore factor in the wing rotation. On Paper our depth should be really good. I have a lot more optimism overall with this year's roster already.
We need to start a new category!
Just read where Johnny might have a chance of getting picked by the Raptors , yippee , wouldn't have to play for the dam k kings would be the 19th pick - -- -Kings 13th pick
@BeddieKU23 said in Furphy:
The depth should improve. One of your 3 transfers is likely your 6th man, Jackson is in year 2. Clemence off a red shirt with 3 years in the system is a wild card. Bidunga is an exciting big man with skills that Hunter doesn't have so I see that as a good 1-2 combo there. Passmore has a lot of tools we covet at the wing. The athleticism should be improved top to bottom. I would like to see another guard added just for insurance and thinking ahead to life after Harris.
I do think our depth is a bit of an unknown still. Potentially having a starter level guy as your 6th man will be different than last year and that's huge. I really do believe with the way the game is changing you need to invest in your depth and have 8-9 guys you can depend on every night. We didn't even have 6 last year and guys were completely worn down in March. That part is on the coaches to improve. Hopefully the roster additions did enough to fix it
I really hope R , Passmore is able to see the floor early for quality minutes. I think we have a hidden gem there , hope he doesn't get frustrated with lack of floor time possibly. From what I've seen and heard about him he is athletic he is tough can take contact, and finish---- he can initiate contact just overall solid. could play a role for this team , nice size.
Let's keep our fingers crossed... low injuries... no off-court "fouls"... and a team that gels well and everyone finds their happy role. Then we know we have a real shot and enough depth. I'm getting excited for fall ball and it's early June! Tomatoes are huge this year with plenty of spring moisture. Yippee! My biggest concern is defense and hungry rabbits!