🏀 KuBuckets Archive

Official

Officially happy

@BeddieKU23 wooooo hoooo!💃💙🏀❤️🎈🎈🎈🎉

@BeddieKU23 WOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I take back anything negative I might have said about this whole Diallo process. It is now worth it.

@BeddieKU23 ha! Great post.

Where is this made fact? Not questioning...just would love to see where.

YESSSSS!!!! Welcome aboard big boy!!

@joeloveshawks

All over twitter, he announced to ESPN

@BeddieKU23 On twitter, supposedly he told espn

Specifically, Paul Biancardi broke the news on twitter, so this isn't just the regular rumor mill.

Well getting Diallo is a game changer. Wow.

Rock Chalk

Cheick has been retweeting them so its gotta be true.

🐦 View Tweet[link text]

No. 7 recruit commits to Kansas

Cheick Diallo told ESPN's Paul Biancardi that he felt Kansas was the best place for him: "I can earn playing time right away. I played against Joel Embiid in high school and watched his development. I need to work on a lot of things and feel Coach Self can help my game."

@RockkChalkk

Joel Embiid with the assist!!

Official stat line for Philadelphia this year.
Opts, Orebs, 0blks, 1 Ast.

Great, great news! He's not our "savior," but he did answer our prayers. Also, a great choice for him and his future development.

For those who don't have ESPN Insider.

Strengths:
Diallo has a terrific motor. He competes at a high level on both ends of the floor. He rebounds on both ends with two hands at rim level. He runs the floor with extra long strides where he finishes with power. Diallo simply attacks the opponent. He is capable of defending both post positions as well. Diallo is a finisher, rebounder and top notch shot blocker and defender. Call him an eraser or a rim protector, either is appropriate.

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.

Bottom Line:
Diallo is a high energy, finisher, rebounder and shot blocker. His defense and rebounding is what make him special. He will need to continue to work to add some offense to his game but he competes at a high level and can dominate the game defensively. He is a sure shot high major power forward with off the charts upside.

Too bad he can't hoop it in Korea with us..

ESPN underselling his ability. Offensively he will find a way to help, his effort to the ball is like a magnet

@BeddieKU23 guessing a sponge like Embiid!

WHOOP WHOOP WHOOOP HUGE GET, man this makes me so happy. gonna go do my happy dance lmao

@BeddieKU23 Agreed. Even if he is a bit "raw" I think he will do things that our current post players can't do. Or I hope.

Wonder where this ranks our class now? So far.....

@joeloveshawks

Athleticism for a big is as good as it gets. He's not yet your Iso post back to the basket but if he couldn't score he wouldn't have been the mvp of 2 all-star games. He showed he plays harder than every kid coming into college.

@Crimsonorblue22 I think this gives us the best recruiting class in the State....

@nuleafjhawk killjoy

Hot diggity dawg....how sweet it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WooHoo! Just heard. Work got in the way. (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap)

Way To Go Coach(es).

Remember, we need to view the process -- our approach -- irrespective of whether Diallo committed. Is this how Kansas should live?

But for 2015-16, this is huge. Would have hated to be the standing when the music stopped.

@Crimsonorblue22 The addition of Diallo takes previously unranked Kansas to No. 13 in the 2015 class rankings.

@BeddieKU23 Well thats good news! We should be a tough team to beat in the Big 12, yet again.
Think I already know the answer but can Cheick come and play this summer?
Rock Cheick Jayhawk!!!

@Lulufulu Great use of his name!

Sweet! Welcome to KU & AFH.

@BeddieKU23

Too bad he can't hoop it in Korea with us..

ESPN underselling his ability. Offensively he will find a way to help, his effort to the ball is like a magnet

All he has to do is to catch the alley oop, and dunk it.

Diallo may make this KU team the best defensive team since 2012. I don't know how much he will be able to help offensively because his game is still very raw on that end, but he will be a shot blocking, rebounding, rim protecting force.

His hands are probably average at best right now, which limits his offensive utility. Once the ball is in his hands around the rim, though, he is finishing, and finishing with violence and authority. I don't know if he has any real post moves in his game, and his shooting stroke needs some work.

But I love, love, love the way he runs the floor. He's a mobile shot blocker. He can go side to side, forward and back. He rebounds in and out of area. Since both Ellis and Bragg can score, Diallo can do what he does best - defend, rebound and dunk opposite those two.

Also, because both Bragg and Ellis can handle the ball and shoot from the perimeter, you could conceivably play all three at the same time. That's a nice, tall lineup. I would even say that Self needs to consider that if he doesn't land Brown because Diallo, Bragg and Ellis will almost certainly be three of the best six or seven players on the roster. You can't always have one of those guys on the bench.

I won't repeat what I yelled when I heard the news. Needless to say I'm happy he signed and happy no young (or any) ears where within a mile of me.

!Capture.PNG ↗

I said it before and I will say it again...trust thy Self... :) :) :)

I hope that this helps quiet some of the negativity about Bill Self as a recruiter on that "other site".

@justanotherfan I was thinking the same thing about Bragg and Ellis. Put that together with Frank and Devonte, and man oh man...that's a hell of a lineup. Or Wayne. Oops...did I make a boo-boo, and put Devonte ahead of Wayne? Oops.

@joeloveshawks here too!

@KUSTEVE

I think we can play a small backcourt with that front line. I would tend to go small in the backcourt because then you could switch it up and go small with Wayne, Brannen, Svi, Bragg and either Mason or Graham. You could go back and forth between big lineups, small lineups and regular lineups and just be a matchup nightmare.

What SF is going to want to guard Bragg for a few possessions, then have to chase around Brannen Greene, then Svi?

What C is going to want to deal with Diallo on the glass, then a few possessions later, be matched up on the perimeter with Bragg, then have Perry a few minutes after that?

You have to bang with Diallo, then get quick against Bragg, then deal with Perry's polish and footwork. That's three completely different skill sets required. Most teams won't have one guy that can do all of that, and if they do have to go with multiple guys, chances are the drop in talent will be noticeable.

After Ingram, who we really never had a chance to get him away from his home state, people were bashing Coach Self, saying that it seems like the one and done's don't want to play at KU. Coach recruited his butt off and made several in-home visits with the family. Bragg and Diallo are two of the best Big Men in this class. Well done, well done, well done! Back to being the best defensive team in the country.

I can't wait to see Diallo make Jameel McKay his beatch... :)

@Crimsonorblue22 I prefer " Realist ".

@nuleafjhawk you definitely are that! Sometimes grouchy! Jk

@JayHawkFanToo I despise that guy, best post so far. Happy day I'm Jayhawk land, I'm gonna take off work and watch Dialli videos all night and read more about him, you think I'm kidding but I'm not 🎄🎄🎄🎄 in April

@Crimsonorblue22 Too funny!! I'm probably the least grouchy person I know! Except after a KU loss and the whole OAD thing.

Sorry hard to type on my phone, a lot of errors in my post

@nuleafjhawk yes turning the game off to watch the voice!

@Crimsonorblue22 At the time, it was much better quality entertainment. You know that's true......

@Jayrawks1 party time! Let us know what u think.

@nuleafjhawk I never give up! See KU-mizzo last game! Best time ever! Of course, not a voice fan so maybe I'm missing something??or, messing w/u!!💙🏀❤️💃💃💃

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/dgx1r?utm_campaign=tsiphone&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=twitter.com ↗

@nuleafjhawk

"I think this gives us the best recruiting class in the State...."

Even better than KState's?

As for Iowa State... I'm thinking it is not a good day to be a clone!

@JayHawkFanToo

"trust thy Self."

And trust thy Embiid! Thanks, bro, for remembering you are a lifelong Jayhawk!

No time to rest now... let's score a post player that will develop nicely and stick around for 3 or 4 years. Great chance that Cheick is only in Lawrence for a year.

one of the best parts of this huge signing is the impact it has on the traylor Lucas mickelson playing time. someone will be the 4th big and 2 will be regulated to the bench or spot minutes.

I just realized while I am no longer a Brandon Ingram fan I became a huge Chieck Diallo fan today! How do you like them apples?

@wrwlumpy Do you think Coach did:

1. 08 Davidson on his knees floor slap?

2. Running double fist bump after beating Misery?

3. Both?

@RockChalkinTexas perhaps that should stay between him and Cindy!! Ha, can you tell I'm happy?!!!

"Hear that? Hear that?"

( sigh of relief )

I wonder if our recruit class (two 5-star recruits) now places us on the ranked recruit charts? Surely it will. If we land at least one more good fitting piece, we may just have the top class.

I still want a guy that will stick around because I see the blood in the water two years from now.

Bill Self does it again. Great addition. Should be a fun team to watch this year. We are talented and experienced. W😁W!!

Check back in a year to see how this all has worked out. I'm excited he chose us because we need depth up front. Obviously two years of getting really excited over recruits signing with us has yielded nothing but 2nd round exits

The question is, can we turn him into a 2AD or 3AD?

The best case scenario with this is he teams with Bragg to create a front line that frees up Perry on his way to All American status and leads us deep into March and April.

Next best case is he and Bragg stick around and develop, and in 2016-2017 with a seasoned backcourt, a scary good backcourt with Mason, Graham, Selden, Greene, and whoever else comes along makes this the odds on favorite to win the whole thing with Self's best team in many years.

Worst case, see March 2014, March 2015.

@wissoxfan83 worst case due to injuries and ineligibility!

@Crimsonorblue22 I had predicted SJU. I think it was you that said I had better be wrong.
I am very happy to be wrong. Great news!

@Crimsonorblue22

I'm not sure to be honest. If Cliff was eligible would we have beaten Wichita? Not with the infamous abandoning the 3 ball.

If Joel was playing would we have beaten Stanford? Probably, but we lost 10 games that year, so who knows? I don't think any of us thought that was a NC contending team.

@wissoxfan83 I did, remember Embiid didn't play a few of those loses.

Cliff would have made a huge difference in the WSU game. Perry was also injured, my pt also.

@BeddieKU23 Yeah, they are notorious for doing that to KU commits. They hype them during their whole recruiting process. Then, they write they will go Puke, UK, or St John and then down play them like a bad habit. It's the bball media machine.

Biancardi and the whole group had him all but committed to St John and others had him committed to UK.

Yes...take that haters.

@Crimsonorblue22 Don't forget Brannen was injured too. And I don't think Graham seemed as explosive after his injury either.

@dylans duh! I did forget, and sounds like LL was pretty banged up. BG was really hurt!

I'd really like to know more about Jaylen Brown. He's unlike Ingram or Diallo. We could really use a phenom at the 3 and let Svi back him. This way, Greene won't be rushed back too early. He can heal 100%. Also, it will give Svi some much needed pt. In fact, it may not hurt for Greene to take a medical redshirt.

Hows this for a line-up:

Mason

Selden

Brown

Ellis

Diallo

Daaaang...4 McD AAs? I'm lovin it. And not all OAD. This should satisfy you OAD skeptics.

I like it. If Brown signs that takes pressure off of Brannen to come back. A redshirt would be nice so he has 2 good years left instead of one good and one gimpy year. If he signs elsewhere it will allow Svi and Greene more playing time to season them. It's a win-win situation.

YEAH! This is Self hitting a home run in the middle of the 9th inning. Let's see if he can homer in the bottom of the 9th too (Brown).

@drgnslayr

I see you. I see it in your posts. I see what your going to say before you get your fingers to move on the keyboard. I just want to say you're not alone. I too am not a fan of the OAD craze that has taking over college basketball. In fact I think a strong case can be made that it's ruining the game we both love.

However my friend it is what is. As long as the top recruits are allowed to leave after one season, they will leave. The money is to great. It's nothing personally against KU and other colleges and the college game. It's the money is to great to pass up.

KU has to play this game. They have no choice. To stay in the realm of the Blue Bloods and the saving grace of Kansas University. They have to pursue the best talent. Even if they leave after one year. Do you think Coach K wins the championship last year without his two OAD's? NO

I'm with you and hope something changes but until then we have to get the best talent we can. Look on the bright side. KU has a seasoned team coming back next year sprinkled in with some real talent. Here's hoping.

@DoubleDD well said, the rules need to change.

OK Buckets! I have my stuff in place to figure out who's going to fill our remaining scholarship? Jaylen Brown, Tevin Mack, or Georgios Papagiannis. I know some of you are hopeful we get Mack because there is a far less chance someone leaves KU for Bluer skies. I also know there are some of you that would trade our 11 straight BIG 12 titles for another championship season. I want another championship NOW so bring on Brown force a medical rs on Greene and add Georgios Papagiannis. LETS DO THIS!!!

@Statmachine

OAD's are a gamble. There are no guarantees. Just putting out the best starting five guarantees nothing. I don't have the answers, but I have played many sports and team chemistry is just as important as any talent. I say lets don't rock the boat. Keep what we have and recruit to what's best for KU for not only this year but years to come.

If all reports are true of Brown wanting adidas, then Michigan and KU are his options. Keep in mind that Bragg is still recruiting Brown to KU. He's our ace in the hole. Greene rehabbing and Svi waiting in the wings, is a perfect opportunity for Brown to step in and give us some aggressive play.

I don't know much about Michigan, but they already have a wing. I'm sure Behline will make accommodations for Brown if necessary. This is why you never turn down an OAD. You never know what will happen. I would rather error in having an OAD than not. They can always explode and have a spectacular year. Here's to landing Brown, why not?

@cheick_diallo13 Welcome to the family bro 😁😁😁🙈😎💙❤️ now we need to add JB 😜😎 pic.twitter.com/PfgbwShXDV

@ChekDeallo 37m37 minutes ago Does anyone know when Jaylen Brown commits?

@Statmachine

Trying to read Twitter is like reading encrypted code...whatever happened to actually typing words?

@DoubleDD

I hear what you are saying. Coach K wasn't going to win this year without his OADs, just like the year before when UCONN won without a single OAD. I don't think they have to define the game. I'm not against recruiting OADs, just not liking how we are left in a do-or-die position this late. And also, I think we always need a solid core of non-OAD players at all positions who are willing to stay and learn the game, and learn Self ball. My biggest concern now is two years from now, when we look back at this year and if we only snagged OAD players then we will be in that tough position of losing most of our core players all in one year. I think it is vital we recruit 3 and 4 year players every year, at least a few, to keep our future team full of experienced players.

I have recently vented on this circus we call college basketball and recruiting OADs. It is tiring and too much focus is put in this direction. I don't like the idea of thinking we can just recruit our way to a NC. I like to still emphasize hard work, leadership, coaching, and with multi-year players.

Someone give the phonetic spelling for Cheick so I know how to pronounce it.

Way to go, Coach Self, now Jaylen Brown, come on down.

Don't stop till we reach the top.

I heard sheck.

@jaybate-1.0 where have u been? Late to the party!🎉

@jaybate-1.0

Here you go, directly from the source.... ↗

@RockChalkinTexas Just a big grin, I'm guessing followed by a burrito at Salty Iguana, chased down with a beer. The roundhouse fist-pump after the Mizzou beatin' hasn't been seen before or since, and that is fitting. Also never ever saw him not shake opposing coach's hand, like he did not with Frank Haith.

Of course, Frank Haith, being introduced as Tulsa's HC, mentioned Tulsa's past/recent glory, and mentioned Danny, and those that came before, but skipped right over Self... (evidently it was quite noticeable in the press conf.) Funny thing is there is a HUGE wall-mural of Self and his '99 Tulsa E8 squad in the office hall...

Bill self

!image.jpg ↗

@JayHawkFanToo

Thank you kindly, sir.

@JayHawkFanToo

Sheck it out!

Shecky Greene would be proud.

The shecking crew starts now.

Now, put a sheck in the box by Jaylen Brown's name.

@Crimsonorblue22

Thanks for posting Self's take.

Self appears to be feeling some REAL pressure about this recruiting season.

He is really pumping Cheick up by comparing him to Thomas Robinson, almost the way he pumped up Cliff Alexander last year.

But I just don't see where Cheick is the rim protecting presence that Self has said is needed.

Cheick is with Perry and Bragg our third 4. And with Jamari and Mikelson he is our 5th four.

Cliff Alexander was about the same size as Cheick. Cliff could not protect the rim.

Heck, Thomas Robinson was not a rim protector. He was a great rebounder and a tireless aggressive defender and offender by his last season.

But Jeff Withey was the rim protector that let Thomas roam.

I can see how Cheick could rim protect against ISU, because Fred never has rim protectors, and Fred lost his top recruiter to St. John's. I can see how Cheick MIGHT be able to rim protect on 6-7 Rico Gathers. But against four footer stacks?

I don't know.

This may be an admission for preparing KU fans that there isn't going to be any footer or near footer added this year.

But whether Cheick is too short to rim protect, or not, MY GAWD AM I ECSTATIC TO HAVE HIM JOIN THE JAYHAWK JARHEADS AND SEE WHAT SELF CAN COOK UP FOR HIM TO DO AS A 4 PLAYING 5.

One more thing...

It looks like Slice sliced one for Mullins.

Chris, welcome back to D1.

Its going to be a little tougher than scouting.

Wow! Bickerings going viral on the other site over a Great Signing! I just love KU Buckets! RCJH!

@Shanghai_RCJH
It's crazy! A few idiots have hijacked that site and it's a non-stop bitch fest. They can't even revel in a little good news from time to time. There was seriously a contingent that was trying to spin this signing as meaningless. And that Self simply lucked out by signing Diallo. I tired of posting responses to that kind of drivel long ago. Now I just stop by to read the articles. The train wreck that ensues in the comment section, is enough to drive you to drink.

@ZIG

Posting via Facebook and/or with your true identity didn't civilize the site??? HA! Not sure why the ones at LjW that made the decision to make posting transparent thought that's how things would go down.

Svi retweeted this:

Kansas Jayhawk Fans ‏@FansOfKU · 10h10 hours ago
2015-2016 squad...are you ready?

!15-16.jpg ↗

Chip Miller ‏@BLUEChip_Miller · 11h11 hours ago
Remaining 247Sports Top 100:

Jaylen Brown

Thon Maker

Tevin Mack

Georgios Papagiannis

Kobe Eubanks

Kenny Williams

Marcus Lovett

UPDATED: 12:57 PM

Jeff Borzello ‏@jeffborzello · 1h1 hour ago
Former VCU signee Tevin Mack tells ESPN that Kansas and Texas have visited him. UGA also making a strong push. Has no official visits left.

@ajvan More like a grand slam in the bottom of the 9th.

@Statmachine

Comparing the 2 its easy to say that Brown is the better play now and would probably impact the game more as a freshman.

Brown:
Freak Athlete, gets to the lane at will, College ready body, good ball handling skills, and has shown defensive ability.
Needs to work on FT's, Outside Shooting, decision making.

Mack:
Good Athlete, Great Shooter from the perimeter, untapped potential both physically and athletically.
Needs to work on lateral quickness, ball handling, driving ability.

Brown is College ready now, he's got a great driving game reminiscent of Wiggins with maybe a little more power. Wiggins struggled at KU with contact but Brown welcomes contact. His outside shot is streaky but can definitely make them in rhythm.

Mack reminds me a lot of Brannen Greene as a freshman. Known as a lights out shooter with great size, they are not exceptional athlete's nor great defenders. That's where the potential for Mack comes in a few years after he's had weight training and individual work would probably make him a star by Junior season. He was a great Coup for VCU when Smart did get him and you know Smart doesn't go after you unless you have shown some defensive ability so clearly he saw something in Mack.

Mack offers the safe route with room for great development, Brown offers the 9 month pit stop with the ability to impact the game immediately.

WOW! What a commitment! Congratulations to the coaching staff. Cheick Diallo, you have just elevated a very good squad to potential superstar status. Really a sad situation that you and Svi can't join the team for World University Games, but I assume that you each will gain considerably from summertime practices with the Jayhawks. Welcome to Lawrence, KS.

@ZIG Total agreement. In this site, we can relax and enjoy the Buckets Gurus' takes on next year's line up, potential, and what other pieces we need. I just love this site so much more. We always move on and forward! RCJH!

What a way for ISU to spin it!

!isu.jpg ↗

Cheick Diallo will play in Hilton Coliseum next year after all.

In a Kansas uniform.

The blue-chip big man verbally committed to the Jayhawks on Tuesday afternoon. He primarily chose Kansas over Kentucky and St. John's, who finished in a distant third.

What does this mean for the Cyclones?

Not much.

If you've been paying attention at all over the last few week, Iowa State hasn't been a serious contender for some time.

The Cyclones still have two scholarships to give this offseason before the 2015-16 campaign begins.

@RockChalkinTexas thats awesome ;)

This is obviously a wonderful day for KU fans and coaches to land a premier big man. What strikes me as important is the way he played at the McDonald's game. A room full of elite OAD hopefuls protecting their nobility and a guy who just goes out and plays his heart out. Robinson like is the ingredient that we needed in the mix. Good job coach!!!

Saw one headline with:

Cheick Mate!

@RockChalkinTexas

I'm excited to see Diallo challenge McKay and Niang in the low post... actually... all over the floor! Diallo has the motor and the quick ups to reject both of these guys shots. They live off of timing quick shots and if Diallo adapts as quickly to D1 speed as many project, he is the perfect defender against players like that.

@drgnslayr

I couldn't help myself on the Fanatic site I posted above :-) and wrote:

RockChalkJayhawk • 27 minutes ago

Rock Cheick Jayhawk!

and here's the response I just got (clearly NOT classy!)

**Country Boy Ye He! **

RockChalkJayhawk • 3 minutes ago

What are you doing here scumbag? Go away! The Big 12 is ours!!!

Should I respond?

@RockChalkinTexas Do yourself a favor - don't go to the other side (site). You won't need to shower near as often. :shower:

@KU-Flyer my favorite traits in a player!! Hopefully it will be contagious. If not, he will leave them in the dirt!

@nuleafjhawk cause you will be (puke)

@Crimsonorblue22 I'm pretty sure you're my wife, because about half the time I don't have any idea what you're talking about! :confused:

@nuleafjhawk (puke)

@nuleafjhawk you don't get me?

I was talkin about the OTHER site, makes one (puke)! Get it? Boys are slooooow!

@Crimsonorblue22 I am very slow. Practically asleep! Thanks for clearing that up. What's for supper tonight? hehe

@RockChalkinTexas Ha, good call.

@nuleafjhawk steak! I'm sure your wife is a better cook! Me (puke)! Since you are slow, I'm practicing my puking sign you taught me, referring to my cooking skills!!

I just realized after relishing in the fact that we swiped two top recruits from UK, but Self also beat out a former NBA player, coach, and two key assistants coaches that were recruiting Diallo. I think this is extraordinary that he pulled Diallo from Mullin, Abdelmasi (sp), and Slice. Their plan backfired.

@RockChalkinTexas

"Should I respond?"

Na... it's not worth it. I always believe that you shouldn't force a lasso... just leave the rope on the ground and watch people hang themselves.

@nuleafjhawk

"I am very slow. Practically asleep! "

I'm with you. I feel like I haven't slept in a month! All of this soap opera business keeps me counting OADs at night instead of sheep. I'm not good with drama... especially when played out slowly over time. Pour medicine in the spoon and gulp it down!

(https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/0EF265C38D1198765980264931328_3379fcbeee5.2.1.882452720470427774.mp4?versionId=RJSJpg.RbLEq5B.chjN4.z7NWnQRMWjh) ↗

Watch Cheick school his teammate for not making a defensive stop. He's super competitive. I like his fire and verbalization.

Who is that that let Brown go to the rim uncontested? Where did he go? Defensive liability.

@truehawk93 can't tell.