🏀 KuBuckets Archive

"I see we have thrown our hats into 2 former VCU signee's Tevin Mack & Kenny Williams."

Wouldn't that be something... we go at Chaka Khan with his own ex players!

dylans

Apr 16, 2015 01:06 PM #21

@BeddieKU23 It wouldn't hurt to have more depth everywhere for '16-17. You are right a big is a more pressing need as they seem to take longer to develop and are integral to the hi-low.

Crimsonorblue22

Apr 16, 2015 02:03 PM #22

@BeddieKU23 why wouldn't the vcu guys follow smart?

drgnslayr

Apr 16, 2015 02:07 PM #23

Interesting... so Shaka's players from VCU want to leave... but none of Barne's players from Texas want to leave?

Doesn't that say a lot?!

Crimsonorblue22

Apr 16, 2015 02:09 PM #24

@drgnslayr Taylor and Turner declared, I'm guessing the rest didn't want to sit a year. So what do you think it means?

REHawk

Apr 16, 2015 02:26 PM #25

@drgnslayr I like it: Chaka Khan!

Crimsonorblue22

Apr 16, 2015 02:37 PM #26

@REHawk can you dig it!

REHawk

Apr 16, 2015 02:39 PM #27

@Crimsonorblue22 DUG!

RockChalkinTexas

Apr 16, 2015 04:42 PM #28

@Crimsonorblue22 I don't think Taylor has declared. Holmes is a Sr. so he is gone and Turner has declared. Shaka was on the radio yesterday afternoon talking about what talent Taylor had. Found nothing on the Longhorn Sports site either.

BeddieKU23

Apr 16, 2015 04:47 PM #29

I am surprised of that myself but Texas has a lot of returning guys if nobody decides to leave from the current team. The 2 guys Texas has signed are Top 50 guards so I can see why they would want to stay.
I think if anyone follows Smart it will be Tevin Mack who was a huge score for Smart over UConn. I think Mack picked VCU solely to play under Smart but now that he bolted now he's going to get a lot of attention like (KU) is showing. Mack would be great depth on the wing, can shoot and can play the 2/3.

Williams was a huge get over UNC, not sure what he's going to do or the level of interest in KU he might have. He's a shooter but is a pg in College, not a position we have a need for unless Self is planning to run both Graham & Mason together in the starting lineup. Those 2 together seemed to work best so I wonder if Self needs a 3rd small guard to spell them.

drgnslayr

Apr 16, 2015 04:48 PM #30

http://www.burntorangenation.com/2015/4/6/8354455/isaiah-taylor-will-enter-nba-draft ↗

I'm not sure. Maybe the existing players are looking at Shaka as an opportunity?

Crimsonorblue22

Apr 16, 2015 04:54 PM #31

@RockChalkinTexas read it somewhere, maybe he changed his mind?

RockChalkinTexas

Apr 16, 2015 05:00 PM #32

Just saw this. Good news:

JayhawkSlant ‏@JayhawkSlant · 15m15 minutes ago  Olathe, KS

@b_greene14 has made it out of surgery and is doing well. He can return to the basketball court in 4 months full speed. #kubball

kubball will conduct an in-home visit with .@B_Ingram13 (Brandon Ingram) tomorrow. Big time player and immediate difference maker.

From SB Nation:

Brandon Ingram -- SF, Kinston High School, Kinston, NC

There is no doubt that plucking the North Carolina native from Duke, UNC or other state schools will be hard, but there is also no doubt the lanky, but super-athletic Ingram likes what he sees from the Jayhawks.

Rob Harrington, in an article from ScoutHoops.com, said Ingram "always speaks with a reverence toward his official visit to Kansas last October." Ingram, who said he considers former UNC players Jerry Stackhouse and Reggie Bullock mentors, isn't letting that influence his decision according to the article.

"I don't feel any pressure at all to stay in the state," Ingram said. "Jerry and Reggie both support me 100 percent, and they just tell me to make the decision that's best for me and my family."

On the flip side, the Jayhawks really like the top-15 prospect as well. JayhawkSlant has been reporting that Self has been very active with Ingram, telling him "Kansas needs him" directly after its tournament loss.

Again, it won't be easy but the Jayhawks always have their history and tradition in their back pocket. One thing they do not have is a small forward on the roster. Ingram could come in and make an immediate impact for a team that could use a slashing No. 3 who can get to the basket with ease, but also hit from the outside if called upon.

In-state schools have led the way in most expert predictions, but the Jayhawks are starting to trend upward in 247's rankings. Just one week ago, Duke had a 53 percent chance to land him, followed by UNC at 25 and KU at 16. Today, the Jayhawks are tied for second with UNC at 18 percent.

It can't be said enough that sometimes decisions are literally made at the last minute by these top recruits, although Ingram has said he will make a decision before the end of the month.

If it were up to Bragg, Ingram would join him in Lawrence along with No. 2 overall prospect, Jaylen Brown.

BeddieKU23

Apr 17, 2015 12:54 PM #44

We are visiting Diallo this weekend as well. I expect he'll make his decision by end of next week..

Article makes it sound very appealing for KU with Ingram. I've thought that if he did go out of state it would be KU. The in-home visit is encouraging sign but we all know that we are fighting against 2 in-state schools..

RockChalkinTexas

Apr 17, 2015 01:07 PM #45

@BeddieKU23 What I wonder about Ingram is the "reverence" he speaks of on his visit last Oct. Is it the same thing that Kelly mentioned in his goodbye tape about the type of feeling he got on his Late Night visit? That's been a good thing for lots of players throughout the years.

Do you know the proper pronunciation of Diallo's first name? Is it like "check" book or "cheek" bone?

!late18.jpg ↗

Kansas recruits Carlton Bragg, Tyler Dorsey, Stephen Zimmerman and Brandon Ingram watch the action during Late Night.

From 10/13/14 KUSports.com article:

Ingram update:

Ingram, a 6-8 forward from Kinston (North Carolina) High, tweeted: “Visiting Kansas was a great experience. I had a wonderful time. Shoutout to everyone who made it special! #RockChalkJayhawk.”

No. 18-rated Ingram has visited Duke and will visit Kentucky this weekend and North Carolina on Jan. 24. UCLA and N.C. State also are on his list. He will be a spring signee.

Statmachine

Apr 17, 2015 01:11 PM #46

The 4 star Papagiannis is currently considering Maryland, Oregon, KU, NC State, and PSU. No true leaders in his recruitment currently.

Statmachine

Apr 17, 2015 01:12 PM #47

Papagiannis is in the same situation as Maker with about a 50/50 chance of playing in college next year. Could be a great 3-4 year player.

FarSideHawk

Apr 17, 2015 01:17 PM #48

So if we get Ingram and he is being promised to start (ala Oubre), Greene or Svi will have to sit. Do we really want that?

If he is someone, that will come in and sit a year and be ready the following year, then it makes sense. That's when we'll most likely lose Svi and possibly Selden.

We will also lose a lot of our bigs (Perry, Jamari, Hunter). But though Ingram has the height, he doesn't have the body to play inside (maybe he will in Year 2).

RockkChalkk

Apr 17, 2015 01:20 PM #49

@RockChalkinTexas Do you know the proper pronunciation of Diallo's first name? Is it like "check" book or "cheek" bone?"

Great question. I believe it is "Check." I remember during one of his interviews I think he said that a lot of people pronounce his name wrong and he actually stopped trying to correct them but it might have been his last name that was the tough part. I would certainly feel better knowing that I'm saying it right though. Maybe someone with more time on their hands than I can try to dig up that interview where he tells us how it is supposed to be pronounced.

RockChalkinTexas

Apr 17, 2015 01:24 PM #50

@RockkChalkk This was from USA Today:

PSA: Cheick is pronounced SHECK; not CHECK or CHEEK.

(I'll think of Shecky Green - shows how old I am :-))

So now we know.

joeloveshawks

Apr 17, 2015 01:31 PM #51

@FarSideHawk I don't want that. I really feel the OAD players should only be taken if there is an obvious hole in our roster. This year that is in the post. We are in good shape at the 3 spot, right? Svi is going to be a 3. BG is a 3 when he comes back. Wayne Selden can play the 3 if we have both Mason and Graham in at the same time.

All I want is a good post player to help compliment Perry and Bragg. We already have too many cooks in the kitchen on the perimeter and I hate the idea of a stud like Svi not getting minutes. He has so much potential and a year already in the system. I expect him to have a really big year if he just has the opportunity.

drgnslayr

Apr 17, 2015 02:40 PM #52

@FarSideHawk

"So if we get Ingram and he is being promised to start (ala Oubre), Greene or Svi will have to sit. Do we really want that?"

No one wants Greene or Svi to sit. But this is the SF spot. So far Greene and Svi play like SGs. Neither has shown the physicality to be an effective SF. Doesn't mean it won't happen... but neither guy gets the lock down at SF without earning that spot. If a young player comes in and shows he can do it, then they better stick to fighting for more minutes backing up the SF and the SG slots.

Of the two guys I see Greene as being the guy closer to finding a SF physicality. Very unlikely Svi can hold that spot this year. He really needs to strengthen up and play more aggressive basketball if he wants solid SF minutes. Really... Wayne has the best build of those three to be a SF. Just not sure he can consistently bring the physicality and I doubt he wants to give up minutes at the SG where he has his NBA hopes connected to.

I had a thread about having too many SGs on our team last year. When Conner was here, half of our team were SGs (6) even though we moved Frank to PG. Here is an area where I often rub with Self... and it is with the concept of "utility players." Guys who can play many slots on the floor. I remember he said Selden could go 1 through 4. What I care about is how well he can play the 2. This has really killed us in past years when we move utility players in at PG.

Our SF should be our most-athletic player with a full set of skills... shooting... ball handling... finishing at the rim... rebounding.. And he should be aggressive and attack the rim. He should also be able to handle an aggressive SF on the other team. I don't think those qualifications fit with either Svi or Greene. Both tend to play timid basketball and Greene is only just starting to use some physicality. I believe that is part of why he got banged up a lot last year, because he didn't have experience with physicality but was trying to play physical. Kudos to him for trying!

Ingram is lanky. But perhaps he plays physical and aggressive? I haven't seen him enough to know if we could really gain anything by snagging him. He may have been able to play aggressive in HS, but can his lanky body carry him in physical play in D1? I think many of you in here probably follow him and can better answer that question. It seems like Ingram would get pushed around at the SF in the B12.

Maybe we bring in Ingram at the SG, where he probably belongs in the NBA... and move Wayne to the SF. It almost seems to be a better lineup. And if we land another big, Wayne shares minutes with Perry at the SF and backup at the SG. Wayne becomes our next EJ.. a guy asked to sacrifice his future for the team's sake.

KUSTEVE

Apr 17, 2015 02:45 PM #53

@drgnslayr I thought Perry was moving to the 3.

drgnslayr

Apr 17, 2015 02:48 PM #54

@KUSTEVE

I think that question will be resolved in the next couple of weeks... depending who we recruit.

joeloveshawks

Apr 17, 2015 02:56 PM #55

@drgnslayr I like Perry at the 4 but a "stretch" 4 or whatever you want to call it...like Kaminsky was this year for Wisconsin. I am not saying that Perry is going to have the same sort of year as big Frank but hey, why not dream?

dylans

Apr 17, 2015 03:04 PM #56

jeffborzello Jeff Borzello
Other in-home visits for Brandon Ingram: Kansas tomorrow, NC State on Monday, North Carolina on Wednesday. Working on setting up UCLA.
42 minutes ago

BeddieKU23

Apr 17, 2015 03:10 PM #57

@dylans

Can't count out NC State now that Lacey bolted for the pro's. They clearly have a need for a guard/SF type now.

joeloveshawks

Apr 17, 2015 03:11 PM #58

@dylans How in the world do these kids not just have heads the size of basketballs with all of these in home visits? Can you even imagine this circus at age 18? Multiple guys you see on TV every day all of the sudden in your house telling you how wonderful you are.

I remember when my folks and I were talking about where I was going to go to college. The three of us were at the dinner table and my Dad said, "You are going to KU. Now eat your super that your mother made." Great talk, Dad.

BeddieKU23

Apr 17, 2015 03:18 PM #59

I doubt if Ingram signs he'd be a 2 guard. He's got 5 inches on Selden. Ingram might not even be done growing and we certainly know he will have to put on a significant amount of muscle and some weight to help balance out his size.

I agree we need the SF position to have an Athletic player and right now we don't have one we've been accustomed to lately. Greene is out at least 4 months and will miss the most important off-season of his career. We all think the world of Svi but Self must be not convinced those 2 are the answers.

What's interesting to me is that if Self was happy with his guard rotation especially the SF position then he wouldn't be recruiting players. He's on Paschall (has to sit), Ingram, Brown, and now Ty Outlaw a Juco scoring machine. Whether we get any is another question but he's clearly recruiting like we have an immediate Starting position open.

drgnslayr

Apr 17, 2015 03:23 PM #60

"Whether we get any is another question but he's clearly recruiting like we have an immediate Starting position open."

I'd say so.

Maybe you've seen some of Ingram's game. Can he be effective in just a few months from now at the 3 in the B12? That is the question. He isn't going anywhere to sit.

Another question... what is his goal for D1? He does look like he could grow more... but does he think he will put on strength and muscle and become a banger? Not many guys make that transformation. I don't know the kid at all, what he wants... but it makes sense that he thinks he can become a very tall SG at the next level. Might he be demanding SG minutes from his future D1 team?

To be honest... he looks like a very heavy Duke lean. He can get away with playing soft at the SF if he plays at Duke where they will having him outside bombing 3s.

Here is what he said last year about Duke:

"I love their style of play. At my position, you have to know how to shoot it and that's what I do well. I love their transition play and they just get after it offensively and defensively. They also have great history."

Bill Self isn't going to bring in a SF to just bomb 3s. If he comes to Kansas, he'll have to go banging in the B12 if he wants minutes as a SF. Unless he gets minutes at Kansas as a SG, I see absolutely no chance of us landing Ingram.

BeddieKU23

Apr 17, 2015 03:31 PM #61

He has more Kevin Durant in him than anything. That's what he reminds me of. He'll be asked to put on enough weight and muscle to sustain his body type. Before these All-Star games came around I think people were sleeping on him a whole lot and he wasn't generally thought of as a OAD because his body really needs work. But he's improved a ton since the grassroots season last summer and is now on the NBA radar as a guy with great potential that already has a polished offensive game.

Not sure what kind of defender he's going to be off the bat and that's something that Self values a ton. Brown offers more immediate defensive prowess but Ingram shoots it better and can be plugged into the 4 if needed on height alone.

Duke could land him but they also have Allen & Kennard as well as Jones. I think all 3 are interchangeable at the SG/SF position. They clearly need a PG or 2 at least and that's why they are now after the Jamal Murray and Ennis kid from Nova.

drgnslayr

Apr 17, 2015 03:38 PM #62

Yeah... I can see him being a Kevin Durant type. A lot more than I could ever have seen Myles Turner pull it off.

Ingram coming to Kansas and playing the SF would be the best thing for him. Toughen him up for the next level. Make him scrap it out.

But what we see and what the recruit sees are two different things. Most go for the easy path... Everything I read about Ingram is weighted on his shooting. Why come to Kansas if you want to become a premiere perimeter shooter? We seem to make perimeter shooting an afterthought to post scoring.

I hope the kid is bright enough to see what his game needs. It is going to need a lot more than just some polishing on his 3. Kansas would be a great developmental move for him if he has the brains and patience to see him as needing more than one year of college ball. If he can't see that I'm not really interested in seeing what he can do for us in just one year. He is going to get pushed around in our league as a freshman.

BeddieKU23

Apr 17, 2015 03:52 PM #63

He's a great talent and I bet he moves up some spots in the final rankings that ESPN or Rivals will do.

He loved his visit, he's good friends with Bragg and from all accounts Carlton did a good job telling him to come on as well.

You are right about us making perimeter shooters a black hole of some sorts. We all saw what happened in the last month of the season how a top 10 3pt shooting team just fell off the face of the earth. The H/L system will do that because it's just not run to showcase an above average reliance on 3 pointers.

What I don't know about Ingram is will he make the team that much better if in fact he only spends 1 year in school. Is he a good passer? Can he defend and hold his own? Can he fit in the guys already here and learn the system fast enough..

drgnslayr

Apr 17, 2015 03:58 PM #64

I'd like to see us finally land another quality 3 that will stay for more than one year. It definitely paid off when BRush came back after his injury. A well-oiled 3 playing for us makes us a contender. It's the position that can be adjusted to really take advantage of holes in defenses because the 3 can setup anywhere on the court and has the freedom to score from anyplace. I don't really have enough background on Ingram to know what he could bring us... but I know if he is really good and we could have him for more than one year, he would make a big contribution to Jayhawk basketball. Imagine if we had Kelly back this year? I'd have us as a Top 5 team regardless of who else we get or don't get!

BeddieKU23

Apr 17, 2015 04:19 PM #65

Absolutely agree about finding a wing who will stay more than a year. We have Greene who's made it to his Jr. year and he was highly ranked and thought of. Who knows maybe he will be completely different after this surgery heals. Svi has the size but I view his skill-set as more of a SG than anything.

Mack the former VCU signee is a kid with tremendous upside. His film looks pretty good, long, not an explosive athlete but good enough and can shoot. Maybe the closest thing to a developmental wing with upside to play as a freshman.

At KU you seem to have to be undersized for a NBA position to get past your freshman year. Mason if he was 6'2 probably would have tested the waters. Probably would be thought of as a pro as a Junior but the reality is he's small for the league and KU benefits from that. Same with Ellis, skill level says he can play in the league but he's a tweener position wise. He comes back and has a chance to be an all-time great, top 10 scorer in history, All Big 12, All-American. Great for KU again.

JhawkAlum

Apr 17, 2015 04:57 PM #66

I am like some others that don't want to see Svi or Greene's minutes taken away. If we get one, redshirt Greene because it will take awhile to get into the rotation because of his injury and have Svi come off the bench as a poor mans Harden with the Thunder. A do it all offensive punch kind of guy.

drgnslayr

Apr 17, 2015 05:00 PM #67

@JhawkAlum

I would love to see BG redshirt this coming year anyways. Let him fully recover and have a year to build more strength and other assets.

I don't care if we recruit over anyone as long as the recruit coming in actually has to earn their minutes. That is the way it used to be under Self but not any longer. Top tier guys are getting promised something. It didn't work when he said they had to earn their minutes.

RockChalkinTexas

Apr 17, 2015 08:15 PM #68

JayhawkSlant ‏@JayhawkSlant · 26m26 minutes ago

Five-star shooting guard Terrance Ferguson says he's been in contact with the #KU staff… #kubball

For 2016

Terrance Ferguson

Dallas, TX (Prime Prep Academy)

Shooting Guard
Ht 6-7
Wt 180
Age 17 yrs 11 mo
CLASS OF 16

247Sports Composite

0.9973 ?

Natl Comp
6

Pos SG
3

St TX
1

247Sports  99

10

2

CRYSTAL BALL Predictions

Kansas
47%

Oklahoma State
27%

SMU
13%

Florida
7%

Louisville
7%

Timeline
See All 12 Entries

Jan 27

C. Visit

Jerrance Howard from Kansas Jayhawks visits Terrance Ferguson

Jan 13

U. Visit

Terrance Ferguson unofficially visits Kansas Jayhawks

Jan 6

C. Visit

Jerrance Howard from Kansas Jayhawks visits Terrance Ferguson

Crimsonorblue22

Apr 17, 2015 08:28 PM #69

@drgnslayr do you really think they are being promised time? Oubre and Cliff had to earn the minutes, wiggins justified himself.

drgnslayr

Apr 17, 2015 10:33 PM #70

What about Wayne? He has started every single game since becoming a Jayhawk. He's had arctic cold periods and we have three solid guys to replace him with. We used to mix up the lineup just to get guys to fight out of a slump.

I'm not sure that Kelly minded not starting at first. He was so lost out there and he probably preferred to work out some of his bugs before going public. Cliff was a complete bust. If a guy misses his defensive assignments that often there is no way you can keep giving him minutes. He didn't figure out his defense and offered only a little bit on offense.

Crimsonorblue22

Apr 17, 2015 11:41 PM #71

@drgnslayr I'm guessing there's more good than bad w/Wayne, plus experience?

drgnslayr

Apr 17, 2015 11:50 PM #72

He has plenty of experience now... back in the beginning he was green wood like everyone else but always got the nod.

I really like Wayne, and I hope he comes on big this year. My fear with him is Self starts moving him around to other positions where he doesn't belong. If that happens he becomes the next EJ... a guy that should have never been pushed into being a PG. I'm not saying he would be in the NBA right now but that move crushed his NBA potential. He took one on the chin for the team. I'll always have a soft spot for EJ... a true Jayhawk! Putting a round peg in a square hole usually backfires.

Crimsonorblue22

Apr 18, 2015 12:51 AM #73

@drgnslayr I guess I trust self more than others. Wayne started sitting more in the end.

dylans

Apr 18, 2015 01:02 AM #74

Why wouldn't you want this guy on your team?

“I’m using that last game and the season as my everyday motivation to get better,” Selden said in a release. “I’m happy to come back to Kansas next season. This is a special place.”

Wayne is rated the 21st best sophomore by draft express behind only Monte Morris of ISU in the Big 12. I hope Wayne improves as much as he is capable. 6'5" with a 6'10" wing span, plenty of strength and 2 years of major minutes in the system. Here's hoping for the breakout season that I expected this year.

BeddieKU23

Apr 18, 2015 01:12 AM #75

"Check Diallo plays like he's a Great White Shark and there's nothing but blood in the water. Beyond relentless. Doesn't know how to stop."

dont we want that?

nuleafjhawk

Apr 18, 2015 01:20 AM #76

@BeddieKU23 I DO !! That's exactly what I want.

dylans

Apr 18, 2015 02:10 AM #77

Diallo had 26pts and 11 reb. in the Jordan Brand Classic tonight. The announcers are right, once he learns to pick his shots better he will be a much more efficient player. He definitely looks like a stud that would look good in Crimson and Blue!

dylans

Apr 18, 2015 02:41 AM #78

I think what we fail to realize is during the time-frame that all the # 20-100 players were signed KU was looking so stacked that Frankamp (top 30 talent) transferred. Kelly Oubre said when he signed he didn't want to play for Cal because he didn't want to be forced into the L after one year. Cliff looked like a two year player also and probably would've been had his eligibility been cleared up. I know if I was a marginally talented player I wouldn't want to walk into that potiental logjam.

Crimsonorblue22

Apr 18, 2015 03:05 AM #79

@dylans I hope so!🙏

DinarHawk

Apr 18, 2015 03:20 AM #80

@dylans I completely forgot that the Jordan brand classic was on tonight. Even though it is just an all star game, 26 and 11 is still really solid.

JayHawkFanToo

Apr 18, 2015 05:26 AM #81

I'll take Junior Selden over any OAD.

Crimsonorblue22

Apr 18, 2015 03:24 PM #82

Late Thursday night, Stephen Zimmerman committed to UNLV, leaving the number of uncommitted guys in the Jordan Game at three — Malik Newman, Cheick Diallo and Jaylen Brown. Brandon Ingram, who is not here in New York because he’s not a Nike kid, has also yet to publicly announce.

Crimsonorblue22

Apr 18, 2015 04:01 PM #83

Looks like Thorne to illinois

BeddieKU23

Apr 18, 2015 04:11 PM #84

I suppose we misjudged his interest in the other schools. I would have thought that he might take all his visits first and see where other domino's might fall. Illinois certainly had the PT available. Can't say that they would offer him the path to the NBA that KU could have.

Landing Diallo becomes all the more important now.. Did you see the Jordan game? He was an absolute beast out there. Someone kick me and tell me he's not the best big besides Simmons in this class. Effort is off the charts.

Crimsonorblue22

Apr 18, 2015 04:13 PM #85

@BeddieKU23 I'm hoping this is a good sign, no room in the inn.

Statmachine

Apr 18, 2015 04:29 PM #86

Matt Scott ‏@KUTheShiver · 4m4 minutes ago
Kansas in home with Brandon Ingram and family happening right now

Crimsonorblue22

Apr 18, 2015 04:30 PM #87

@Statmachine tell me something good 🎶❤️🏀💙

Unknown

Apr 18, 2015 04:32 PM #88

@BeddieKU23 I watched it last night and also noticed that KU didn't get mentioned as trying to get Diallo. I heard St John's, Kensucky and ISU.

BeddieKU23

Apr 18, 2015 04:58 PM #89

@brooksmd

because its a nike event. They did mention him with KU a few times but a few times they also failed to mention them. The announcers know as much as us which is nothing.

JayHawkFanToo

Apr 18, 2015 05:19 PM #90

Thorne has one year left to show what he can do and needed "guaranteed" playing time somewhere in one of the top conferences. There is no way KU could have promised or guarantee playing time. KUs on the other hand cold have; another player dismissed (5leaving so far) and they will have only 3 of their top 10 scorers coming back; they do have several decent (2-3 stars???)prospect signed though.

HighEliteMajor

Apr 18, 2015 05:35 PM #91

@JayHawkFanToo said:

@Crimsonorblue22

I'll take Junior Selden over any OAD.

Absolutely. No question in my mind. Selden is the kind of guy that could just explode. I'm very optimistic on Selden for next season.

HighEliteMajor

Apr 18, 2015 05:46 PM #92

@BeddieKU23 I had posted this on another thread - Miles Simon made the point that Diallo was not a guy you'd throw it into on the block. He's not a back to the basket scorer yet. He called him a "garbage man." Diallo is amazing in literally every other phase. But that back to the basket scoring is our biggest need.

Here's ESPN's comment on his weaknesses: This is where significant improvements must be made. He lacks feel on the offensive side and while he's got major awareness as a shot blocker he's opposite in terms of catching and scoring. His touch is fleeting. Needs one move and he'll be a kid that can impact games. He must continue to work to develop on the offensive end of the floor including his ball handling.

One post move. A little baby hook might be nice.

For our system, I would have liked Simmons obviously, but Rabb or Jeter would have been my choice regarding presumed OADs.

But no sense in worrying about that now. It's all in on Diallo.

BeddieKU23

Apr 18, 2015 06:06 PM #93

@HighEliteMajor

link text ↗

Looked like a nice post move to me?

I understand what we want or what we need is a post who can score when he gets the ball down low. The thing about Diallo is he can score and he's done it very easily in these all-star games. I think if he couldn't score he wouldn't have been the MVP in 2 of the 3 games he's played in recently.

His effort alone says that Self and Staff can teach him a few post moves this summer. He just started playing basketball 4 years ago and look at where he is already. He might get 10 pts a game in College just on put-backs, hustle, and Lobs. He also has a good FT motion so he shouldn't be a liability when he gets fouled. He's not polished I know that and everyone can see it. I don't think Embiid was farther along offensively at this point either but KU certainly accelerated the learning curve. He might have just been a once in a lifetime type big that picked things up quickly but you have to think Diallo could do the same if taught.

DinarHawk

Apr 18, 2015 06:38 PM #94

@BeddieKU23 I think he is farther along offensively that what he gets credited for.

drgnslayr

Apr 18, 2015 06:40 PM #95

And over Zim. Guess he didn't want to contest the shot because he could break a nail.

Whether he can score or not... what we really need is a post presence and that starts with a guy who has a motor. I haven't seen this kind of motor since TRob.

DinarHawk

Apr 18, 2015 06:44 PM #96

@drgnslayr I agree. Right now, toughness, effort and rim protection are more important than back to the basket scoring. As he improves, it will come along.

drgnslayr

Apr 18, 2015 06:47 PM #97

@DinarHawk

"As he improves, it will come along."

It usually does for guys with motors and toughness... usually sooner than anticipated.

BeddieKU23

Apr 18, 2015 06:59 PM #98

All great responses. This just better work out for us then, we better start praying to the KU basketball gods.

drgnslayr

Apr 18, 2015 07:01 PM #99