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I just can't seem to do a whole lot on kusports. I glance and then read some of the comments, but that board is really bad. Some on this board still comment. But lately, I've just chosen not to because they've gotten extremely negative. Anyway...I really like this piece on Svi.

“It’s a process,” Mykhailiuk said Thursday...This is mature.

He said, “every day I guard Kelly (Oubre Jr.) or Wayne (Selden Jr.). They are really good.” This will only sharpen his skills.

I’m trying to work every day when it’s possible,” he said. Great European work ethic.

You need to be tougher physically and mentally. Defense is not just physical, it’s mental. This is a statement beyond his years. He understands the game. He's had some good coaching in Europe.

“The guys love him. He’s a stud,” Self said. The makings of a great leader.

It’s the best chance (opportunity) what I have in my life,” he said of playing at KU...He appreciates his opportunity. Doesn't sound like a kid that's going back home to mommy.

Just give him time,” Self said...This is all he needs right now.

These are some great comments and the makings of a player who will be a solid player in the near future. Again, these kids have to recognize their role and be extremely patient. It will payoff. Self is waiting to debut his European gem.

Hang in there Svi. You have all the tools and talent. Just be patient and your time will be guaranteed.

Once again, thanks for choosing KU and RCJHGoKU

I feel very confident that Svi eventually will rise to some terrific occasions for Jayhawk Basketball. An immediate impact recruit, his crisp passing helped us to a splendid early non-league season. Unfortunately, his bombs weren't falling; his strength not quite adequate to bang with seasoned stronger opponents and teammates. Another 9 months with Hudy should do much to cancel some weaknesses. At the moment, he represents a comfortable cushion for the coaching staff, in case of injuries at the 2 or 3 positions. As do our other newbies, Svi appears to bear the patience to listen, learn, and await the call.

@REHawk Spot on analysis. From a BBIQ standpoint, Svi is probably the smartest player KU can put on the floor. He has great awareness and feel/instincts. But he's clearly physically over matched at this point. It started with the Florida game where Self had to pull him because he couldn't get over/around screens. It also doesn't help that he's been shooting like a freshman. But Greene was very much in the same position last year and look at how far he's come. If Svi could shoot half as well as Greene and finish at the rim half as well as Kelly (he needs to abandon the floater just like Selden), then he'd be our best player by far.

Self also said something like "he's probably the best prospect we have... Just give him time." which I thought was the most complimentary and promising of all the comments.

Remember what we saw of Svi at the beginning of the season?

Nothing has changed.

The only thing that has changed is that Self had to make rotation decisions.

My question is -- If Self had chosen Svi over Selden, would we be better off right now?

That's a legitimate point of speculation, given what we've seen from Selden.

Despite the WVU lapse, I do think Selden is trending upward.

There's a good chance Svi could end up being our best player next season. If he's here.

@HighEliteMajor said:

My question is -- If Self had chosen Svi over Selden, would we be better off right now?

YES

@nuleafjhawk I say no.

@Crimsonorblue22 Well, I guess we have different opinions!

But I'm right. :smirk_cat:

@nuleafjhawk 👏👏👏

@Crimsonorblue22 Svi hater .. or Selden lover?

@HighEliteMajor like them both, Svi not as strong, yet. Not much of a hater!

@nuleafjhawk I say maybe :)

@Crimsonorblue22 Come on, you love Selden. I know it. Maybe you just like Svi.

I love Svi. I admit it. Guilty. Don't tell my wife.

@wissoxfan83 that doesn't count!!

@HighEliteMajor I love Mari, remember him 🚌🚶

@Crimsonorblue22 We'll let @HighEliteMajor decide if my maybe is valid!

@Crimsonorblue22 Agreed. Both players struggle to finish at the rim, but Selden has been hitting his Js and is better at screen defense. Selden does struggle with small, quick guards, but I don't recall Svi being significantly better in that department. Svi is the better passer/ball handler. I don't know if we have enough data to compare their rebounding, but Svi's board work hasn't stood out to me in any special sense. Selden does need to do more in that area, though. Once Svi has a bit more of an NBA body, things may well change (provided he gets the typical sophomore uptick in shooting), but this season, I think Selden over Svi is the right choice. Even if Svi's shooting upticked, he's still going to have the same body throughout the year, and it still won't be ready for American/D-I levels of physicality. Those kind of rebuild jobs are an off season thing.

Also, in regards to Selden's performance alone, he really hasn't been bad, but the fact that he's more of glue guy rather than a franchise player is what I think frustrates most people, because a franchise guy is what we were all expecting and what he should really be. He's still a better defender, rebounder, and hustle-play-maker than Graham or Greene (per HEM, Greene is in fact a much better rebounder), but he doesn't accomplish as much on the offensive end in his minutes (at least discounting Graham's recent slump).

Lastly, I'm not a grass-is-always-greener type. The 'what if?' game can be a lot of fun, but the fact of the matter is, frequently, the path not taken leads to the same town. Different choices represent different opportunities, but not necessarily different results. We can speculate as to which player might have made for more wins over the course of the season, but unless those players are playing a similar amount, it gets really hard to compare their efficiencies in any significant manner, and it may not make a difference anyway because both players have exploitable weaknesses.

@konkeyDong The dreaded "glue" comment .. it's the kiss of death, isn't it? You have compared him thus to Dr. Glue, Brady Morningstar. God help us all.

But I can't argue with your analysis. In Self's shoes, you have to gamble on Selden vs. Svi this season, if that's the choice. Svi wasn't hitting shots. That made it an easier choice.

I would note one statistical item -- Selden is not a better rebounder than Greene. Greene has a much higher rebounds per minute played than Selden. Rebounding and Selden -- an obvious oxymoron.

@HighEliteMajor Amended.

As for the kiss of death, you're right, but there is a glimmer of hope. Morningstar was never going to be anything more than a glue guy. Selden doesn't have to be, though, and the degree of the changes he needs to make to get out of the glue trap are so enticingly small:

1. Don't shoot floaters over defenders, you just don't have the touch.
2. Use the jump-stop/Eurostep. I know bigger dudes just get called for more charges, but you can cut that down by more than half with these two weapons.
3. Don't go for the dunk unless you absolutely need to or it's a sure thing. Layups may not be as crowd pleasing, but they count for more points than rim-jections.
4. Don't pass to a guy that doesn't have hands ready.
5. Don't try to bullet pass through the middle of a zone.
6. Finish at the rim, especially through contact.
7. Focus. Keep your eyes on the rim when you put up a shot. Keep an eye on your man when defending. Catch and rebound the ball with two hands always. You don't have to think more, just be more present.

Ok I wasn't supposed to say anything but, I have a friend who has a girlfriend that has a cousin whose best friend works at a gas station, and she over heard Selden talking to his Slurpee about not wanting to be awesome as he doesn't want to be forced to chase the money to the NBA.

Word is he loves it in Lawrence.

(Ok I made all that up) ')

No Svi is going to be the man. You don't pick up a scholarship to a blue blood school like KU at the age of 17 unless you have mad skills. His problem he's been playing European ball. Which from what few game I've ever watched and stuff I've read is more of a finesse game. The physicality of the US game seems to be a big adjustment for him.

I understand the Selden love. The more experience, and proven player, but I think I'm with @HighEliteMajor on the Svi love. I just hope the kid sticks around for another year.

@konkeyDong sounds good to me too!!

@Crimsonorblue22 Agreed. Selden is the guy right now. He is older, stronger and has been really clutch a few times for us this year. Has won us a couple of games honestly. I don't think Svi is at that level yet.

Any chance Oubre is back? If so, we still have Greene, Selden and Oubre ahead of Svi. I know a lot will happen between now and then but hard to believe he will go from not playing at all to being our best player next year if everyone stays on the roster.

@joeloveshawks BG will still be prone to the pine for D and dribbling skills. Svi will get good minutes and we shall SVI how he does w/them. I'm afraid Oubre's gone, I hope not though.

I think we must face the facts about Selden. He doesn't have the explosion we thought he would. You can't blame us with his physical appearance but he isn't super quick and can't explode in the lane to finish above the rim.

BUT I still take Selden over Svi this year. Selden may not be a lock down defender, but when compared to Svi, it isn't close. He fights over screens better, can't get bullied around, and is just a tougher player. And whether we agree on Self's system this year, we know Selden knows it better and is in the right position more often than not.

The one thing that has left we wanting from Selden is where is passing went. Anyone remember his game against Duke is freshman year? Boy he did it all. Rebounded, slick passes, and chose his spots when to score.

@Crimsonorblue22 Wayne for me, and it's not close. I think Wayne is coming around. The jumper looks a lot better than last year- no over the head rainbows from the 3 this year. He's nailing 3s since conference play began, and has become a valuable asset. @konkeydong outlined some areas where he could, and probably will improve that could make Wayne an indispensable weapon for us going forward. There's a very good chance Wayne returns next year, so I want him on the floor. SVI is going to have to keep working hard to find time. It would be nice if he stuck around 4 years, because I think he could, with time, become sensational.

There is an even more in-depth article in Rock Chalk Weekly on Svi. He has a strong work ethic and with his will, he'll be a work horse. From reading that article I did not get the impression he was going anywhere.

@nuleafjhawk

I am with @Crimsonorblue22 and say NO!!!

@konkeyDong

Dean Smith at UNC used to have a drill where they played a scrimmage and they kept track of points and layups counted more than long shots and dunks. A properly executed layup off the glass while protecting the ball from being blocked is the highest percentage shot and it takes a lot less energy than a dunk.

@JayHawkFanToo lol - ok you are now joining @Crimsonorblue22 on the list of enemies of the state.

@nuleafjhawk

If she looks even close to the picture on the other thread I would join her every day of the week and twice on Sunday...what can I say, I am sucker for blonde babes... :) :) :)

@JayHawkFanToo ha ha!! Maybe I do????😘

@HighEliteMajor You sure like to stir it up...don't you. :)
Selden by far. I get the rationale behind the question, though. I think Selden is a victim of his perceived (maybe real) potential I know I was really excited the way he looked in the McDonald's game. Great quickness, super passing, good shooter. But I also thought that Malik Newman was the fastest player I every saw last weekend when he was on TV. Things sometimes change when they get to the next level. Maybe he still has slight injuries. I know the lack of finishing at the rim is vexing. But, the biggest surprise to me is the ballhandling. I hold my breath when he handles the ball against any kind of pressure.
I still think he is a very good player. Good perimeter defender, improving shooter. Just not as complete as all had hoped.
Maybe there's still time......