🏀 KuBuckets Archive

Fair Weather Fan

I would imagine that's how some folks react when I talk about doing other things besides watching KU Basketball. I wasn't always this way. You know, having peace and normal blood pressure...

From childhood I've had an extreme case of Crimson and Blue Fever. The only antidote is getting older (and more cowbell). I recorded every game (yep - VHS) and watched each one multiple times. I missed birthday parties and many other social activities to stay home and watch KU Basketball. My house looked like a Shrine to all things KU.

As I've been getting older, it just makes sense to me to make good use of my time. To have fun or be productive. My TV is still still set to record the games, but once I've seen that we lost. I don't need to watch. I'll still watch a little bit on a Tuesday night or whatever, but I've taken back my Saturdays - and I love it!

You younger guys and gals that are so passionate about KU - I 100% get it. Been there, done that. But the portal, the NIL and the frequent losses have ruined it for me.

I'm not there yet, well never were where you were at either! Having never lived in the state other than my student years. Winning championships has always helped me stomach the difficult stretches. This and last year has been a lot of thinking 2022 wasn't that long ago!

@nuleafjhawk wouldnt this, by your description, make you more of a “poor weather fan”? Ie you watch when the weather is poor outside?

@wissox this, last year, and the year before. Not that I am counting ;)

@nuleafjhawk I get closer everyday watching this team to doing the same. Twice this season I haven’t even watched a game. Even when I was playing and coaching usually my older brother was able to record the games for me on VHS to watch later. He had cable at his house so that helped a lot once I got to highschool. The Bill Self coaches show used to be on Sunday night on JTV and I never missed a single one in those days. Now it’s like I know before we hit the floor we ain’t gonna play hard so why should I waste my time?

Count me in this club. I’ve never coached or even played much. I’m not even much of a sports buff… outside of KU Bball. But My dog would tuck his ears back and look at me with the “why you yelling at the tv, dad?” look for many years. But last year and this, I’ve missed multiple games too. Just better for blood pressure and yes, frees up some extra to me to do other more productive things. Not a bad thing really. But I do hope someday we can get back to our dominant ways.

I took the position that it was for my betterment to not be consumed with anxiety that came from being a spoiled fan going through the 14 conference championships to the investigations, the recruiting whoes and the overall play being subpar. I have instead watched as a fan but without the intensity that we all have experienced on this site. I turned the KState game off with 7 minutes to go and that is the first time I have ever not thought we could make a come back. It was 75 degrees outside and chose to go for a walk instead. In my case, I hope they earn my trust back. The transfers didn't pan out, Coach is still Coach, and it's just not the same for me.

@RockChalkinTexas miss you! Glad to hear you’re doing okay. Feel free to stop in and talk about walks, weather, good books, whatever. This board is for people who are casual fans as well as maniacs and everyone in between.

I no longer look forward to KU games. I don't even watch them anymore; just check the score the next day. I thought KU might gain some all time Ws over Kentucky this year since Kentucky has a first year coach who had only several months to put this year's team together. But, Kentucky has the same win loss record as Coach Self has been able to achieve-if that's the correct word. And, most would say the SEC is a better conference this year than the Big 12.

What has changed?

The coach - nope. The players - yup. What will change next year? The coach - nope. The players - yup. Will the results be the same? I doubt it.

Recruiting - yes. The pipeline was disrupted by the punitive investigation and has since changed drastically. Will KU start getting guys that work together better? I believe so. But there are some major wrinkles that need worked out. Many caused by the NCAA’s witch hunt, so I believe things will be better going forward.

Player development- a perceived strength of Bill’s is partially degraded by the transfer portal being wide open. It might be best to align recruiting to stud HS guys that will play year one. And early transfers that have multiple years left to play, but a harder time transferring out having already transferred once. Hopefully Rylan…and then there’s Storr. It is difficult to get the core backbone guys that play 4 years and help establish the culture - Dajuan Harris, Russel Robinson, David McCormach. The 3-4 year studs that blossomed - Rush, Braun, Thomas Robinson, Ochai.

There will be a return to normalcy. Self will get his pipeline in place again, it takes time to get the backbone right though. The flash in the pan guys are easier to add in later - Remy Martin, Darrell Arthur. You need the program builders in place first.

@dylans Really just wondering: Does KU have one of the oldest coaching staffs? Sometimes old means experienced; sometimes old means old.

During Hawk Talk last week kurtis was on, and Hanni was questioning him about past players he recruited. While they were talking Frank called and they put him on air, then Hanni asked him about other guys and KT said Wiggs likes Miami and he just had a baby boy. I think these old guys still stay pretty relevant w/recruits, past and present.

@dylans said in Fair Weather Fan:
You need the program builders in place first.

The transfer rules have made the coaching staff and the players themselves too impatient to stick around and DEVELOP.

The whole thing is a mess. If the transfer rule remains, the most "successful" coaches will be like AAU coaches. They will be the best at identifying the mercenaries that will fit together well for one season.

Once Bill Self is gone so am I. I'm 50 years old. I played JUCO in the early 90s, watched the heyday of college ball, and saw Kansas win 3 titles. I won't miss what all of this has become.

@BigBad Shoot three quarters of these kids now with this NIL money they are pulling in-- they don't give a flyin rat's ass about development.- - A lot of them are fringe players for NBA and they are making more money in College then they would in the G league, where a lot of them would land o over sea's- -they don't care about developing anything as log a they are raking in that NIL -making bank they figure why? - I'm gettin paid well already,