🏀 KuBuckets Archive

Andy Katz 3 point shot

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:12847787 ↗

I apologize if this has already been answered...
In preparation for the WUG will Cheick and Svi be able to practice with the team? More importantly, will they be able to play in the exhibition games against Canada?

I guess I just worry that excluding them from this process will cause continuity issues.

Pretty fun to listen to the clip after that one... about Calipari's desperation because he only has the #2 signing class this coming year. He has been putting the message out that he has abandoned the platoon system... over and over again. Guess he lost out on all the big late talent. It will be fun to see what he does with maybe just half the McDs AAs he is used to. Ouch! Imagine if they have a really bad year this coming year. What moment will he have going for him for the next recruiting class?

@CaptnMo I heard they were going to be managers but weren't sure if they could practice. Seems like a lot of questions about that!

@CaptnMo

I would assume they can practice and participate in the exhibition games. The exhibition games are not part of the WUG but tune up games for preparation.

Practices & exhibition's fall under the NCAA rules and the Korea games under the WUG rules.

You would think they get to at least participate with the team in everything leading up to it.

June 7th start of practice, I'm sure something will come out soon officially stating if they can or not.

I am flat in salivation mode for both Bragg and Diallo to join our team. I put a cherry on top of my morning with a youtube visit to both our guys, and I am so stoked what those guys will add to our team. To have big guys that will finish at the rim, run the court like mad men, and block shots like crazy has me practically hyperventilating over this season. They simply solve so many issues, it could easily be one of the major reasons we win the national championship. Finally, some finishers that will absolutely punish other teams in the paint. Add in the most experienced team we've had in years, and we're looking at some lofty heights this year.

@KUSTEVE glad to see you fired up again!!🔥

Does anyone know if tickets to the exhibition games against Canada are available yet?

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Take me!

Went on sale to WEF members last month.

Are the two exhibition games to be televised?

@KUSTEVE

I have to say I'm in the same boat. I'm really excited about this upcoming year. Of course I'm excited every year when the time comes to roll out the ball on the hard wood. Yet this upcoming season just seems so different. There just seems something special about to happen. Veteran guard play, an all American in Ellis, mixed in with two stud big men. Are you Kidding me? Diallo grabbing MVP in two not one but two star studded events says to me the kid can play. Bragg may need sometime to adjust to the college game, but the WUG and all those extra practices can't hurt. Count me in brother I'm ready for the ride.

@CaptnMo

Everything I read says that Svi and Diallo can't play in the Exhibition games. That they can only be mangers? Whatever that means? I would assume they can and will practice with the team.

@Crimsonorblue22 I don't lose hope in our team- just elements of our fan base from time to time..lol. This year has taught me I am a very poor live blogger. I get too emotional from comment to comment depending on what is happening in the game, so this upcoming year, it's take a day, and then post after games...lol.

@RockChalkinTexas Man! I shoulda waited for another year before I moved out of Kansas! Im gonna miss out on those games at the Sprint Center! Anyone wanna get a ball signed for me? LOL

@CaptnMo I think both Svi and Cheick will be able to practice with the team. Both can go with the team for sure so my thinking is if they can travel with KU then they can practice, just not play for KU in the games.

@Lulufulu

Since the team will practicing for the WUG, I imagine Cheik and Svi will playing for the 'Scout" team; no sense in them practicing as starter for games they will not play and it is important that the team is focused on the WUG first and worry about the upcoming season later. How KU does at the WUG will be big in terms of publicity for the program. No question that a poor showing would be exploited by rival coaches/programs.

Just saw neither is eligible for the exhibition games. Bummer but at least they can practice

@BeddieKU23 do we get to take them! I hope so.

@Crimsonorblue22 I think KU can take them both with them, just not playing and as Jayhawkfan said, they can practice on the scout team. That'll give us a good boost with Cheik and Svi on the scout team.

@Lulufulu great experience for them!

@Crimsonorblue22

It's a bummer they cannot even play in exhibition games. Not really familiar on why that would be. But at least practice wise it will be great for them.

Lucas and Mickelson will get some tough competition in practice before these games, which in itself will make us better underneath. Hopefully, Diallo will learn the offense from watching it instead of being able to run it. Now that Self has the players to run the high-low, maybe they can be as good as Jeff and Kevin Young ran it. I know that they were both 5th year seniors, but having a whole summer of practice has to help. The instagram video's of the weight room with Andrea have me thinking that this group wants to show how 3rd and 4th years Mac All-Americans can perform. Wayne's dead lifts insure that he will be able to finish his driving dunks. Mason already looks like a smaller version of TRob. Everything will get better with the Defense of the returners. I hope that Bragg and Diallo pick up the D quickly to insure them playing sooner than later for Coach and his philosophy of "If you don't play defense, then you don't play."

There is now a Facebook page.

@wrwlumpy link?

@Crimsonorblue22
https://www.facebook.com/WUGUSA ↗

@wrwlumpy thx!!

@Lulufulu If I still lived there I would try like hell to get a ball signed for you, but alas I have been gone 35 YEARS.

@BeddieKU23 I meant to go along, even though they can't play. Better than sitting home?

@Crimsonorblue22

yes looks like they can go along and be student managers at least..

@BeddieKU23 did you see that ex Duke player sulaimon signed w/turg?

@Crimsonorblue22

From what I read, KU can take 12 players and 2 additional players as managers which I will guess will be Diallo and Svi, since Ukraine is not playing

@JayHawkFanToo walk ons sol?

@Crimsonorblue22

KU has 12 players coming back including walk-ons and 2 new players, and unless he sign someone else of gets a graduate player to come back, all 14 should be going.

How about bringing Kevin Young...he made 1st team in the Canadian League and would bring incredible enthusiasm and experience.

@Crimsonorblue22

makes them a top 5 maybe even top 3 team going into next year. Surprised that Maryland took a Duke player considering their history, and his history that will follow him forever. Seems like Suliamon was a pre-madonna that needed to grow up.

@JayHawkFanToo Kevin turns 25 on June 24th and he will be ineligible by 10 days.

!121229_BKC_americans_tyoung_web03.jpg ↗

@wrwlumpy Damm damm damm! I really was hoping Mr Big Hair could join the team in Korea!

@wrwlumpy

Each athlete must meet the following specific criteria in order to be eligible.

United States Citizen and able to obtain a US Passport.

Born between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 1997. For basketball, the athlete must be born after January 1, 1990 and before December 31, 1997.

Have taken at least one 3-credit course towards a degree or diploma within the last year before the GAMES. Incoming freshman and transfers are usually eligible.

Sign the Comprehensive Acceptance of Team USA Agreements form.

Sign the Team USA Honor Code and Code of Conduct form.

Sign the Team USA Authorizations, Waiver and Release Form.

If KY is just turning 25 his bday is after Jan 1 1990 which makes him eligible.

@Kip_McSmithers so, who would qualify?

Christian Garrett.

In the bigs department we are pretty limited. As far as I can tell it would be Kevin Young and that's it. All of the other former bigs that meet the age requirement are in the league so that excludes them. And I don't know if Kev's playing time with the Puerto Rican national team excludes him.

As for guards we have a few to pick from. Guys like Ty, EJ, Trav, Josh, and if we're desperate Naa.

Depending on how Self fills out the remaining scholarships we really could use KY and a big guard. I'd love to see Ty back but we need a 3 more than a 1,2 but if we sign a 3, or two 3s, we could use Ty's leadership.

I think the WUG will benefit Bragg big time. It should get his feet wet and introduce him into Self's system. I think it will benefit and possibly give Graham some extra incentive and confidence. This may be what Graham needs to fine tune his game. The sole benefactor will likely be Graham. The others will too, but not as much as Graham. I wish Greene was able to play. He could really use this trip. Our bigs should get some good reps too.

@Kip_McSmithers

His birthday is June 24, 1990, so it seems he would be legible...

@wrwlumpy Read where Tarik Black is staying with Christian and his folks at their house in Lawrence. Mrs. Garrett said that he had such an infectious smile that it was hard not to feel good around him and that he was welcome in either their Calif. home or there. She also said that Tarik was a good older brother to Christian - and both Tarik and Christian were enjoying each other and their faith was a big part of that. Tarik is taking piano lessons now wanting something to get away from bbal for the summer.

@JayHawkFanToo

I know he meets age requirement.

My only question now about his eligibility for KU at the WUG has to do with his playing for the Puerto Rican team in the past.

has Kevin taken a class within the last 12 months?

If not then he fails this requirement.

"Have taken at least one 3-credit course towards a degree or diploma within the last year before the GAMES. Incoming freshman and transfers are usually eligible."

At this point we have 5 bigs for Korea. And if we sign a guard we have 4. Likely the last 3 will go to our walkons if we don't sign anyone else eligible to play.

@BeddieKU23 I thought he could take an online class now, enroll in a summer class?

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!wug-life1.jpg ↗

@Crimsonorblue22

Sure he could but would he just to play in the World Games?

I think Self wants to take a roster that composes what he will have for this upcoming year. It's a great teaching, bonding, and growing experience for the team. I know initially he made several comments about possibly looking at others because the rules allowed such but its hard to imagine he will. Practice starts in a few weeks, he will want everyone who's going at those practices.

@BeddieKU23 if we don't sign at least one more, we would be a lil short-handed. Jmo

@Kip_McSmithers

I will guess that most of the players from other countries have played for the under-XX teams of their countries in the past; Svi has played for the Senior Ukrainian team and if his country would have qualified for the WUG he certainly would be playing. If NBA players can play I just don't see how having played for the National team from Puerto Rico would be an issue. Juts my guess and I could be wrong.

Right now we only have three scholarship guards that will be suiting up, this scares me. Being picked to represent the USA in this tourney is a huge honor and one KU shouldn't take lightly. For us to go there and compete without the best possible options at our disposal for success will all but guarantee several things. We go there with only 8,9 scholarship guys and lay a big fat egg this will be our one and only chance at this opportunity for a long, long time. And don't think that a poor showing wouldn't be used against us in recruiting. But if we go there and kick some ass and take some names it opens up domestic and international recruiting eyes. I really hope KU doesn't view this only as extra practice time.

@JayHawkFanToo I don't think nba guys can play??

@Kip_McSmithers I agree!

@Kip_McSmithers but who could we take? Gotta say, I'm sure self has this figured out.

@Crimsonorblue22

I expect to be competitive but we will have only 3/4 of our eligible guys. And the one's that can't play are just as big as the ones who can. Getting another guard will be nice to have especially how we've seen injuries plague our team the past few years.

Having 5 bigs will allow Self to play Ellis some SF regardless of who else we sign. For Ellis that is a big thing for his NBA dreams if he can show somewhat of a more refined Marcus Morris game. I'm sure he'll have his time during the season to show off SF skills but this tourney will give him every advantage.

Maybe Self will look to others but the way he's recruiting looks like he really wants to have as many of his players available as possible.

@Crimsonorblue22

As long as they meet the requirement they can; however, no NBA team is likely to agree to have player under contract risk injury at the WUG. Young plays in the Canadian League and if he has a contract in place, there is a good chance his team would not allow hm to play anyway. If you recall, there was talk of having Wiggins come back but I just don't see an u scenario where the Wolves would allow that.

@JayHawkFanToo he can't play for us, Canadian.

@JayHawkFanToo

He's played for the PR Junior National team back in 2009 and tried out for the PR National team in 2012. Maybe someone like Jesse could answer the question if that makes him ineligible. Either way though his being in Puerto Rico now according to his Twitter probably isn't a good sign of his inclusion on the WUG squad.

@Crimsonorblue22

Oops...:(

@JayHawkFanToo more like duh!😄

@Kip_McSmithers

Puerto Rico is an Associated State and people born in Puerto Rico are considered natural-born U.S. citizens

@JayHawkFanToo sometimes I do dumb stuff too, just not very often!😂

@Crimsonorblue22

I did not know that women ever did anything wrong...or so I am told by the women in my life...:)

@JayHawkFanToo yes! That's right! We sure like to call you on that though? Can't believe you forgot wiggins was Canadian!!

Naadir Tharpe is eligible. Born July 23, 1991. American, despite the weird name.

I wouldn't half mind it if Self gave him a shot.

@DanR I bet he won't.

@Crimsonorblue22 Probably right. I forgot about his daughter and all.

@DanR I don't think it had to do w/daughter! Pretty sure., still sad.

@Crimsonorblue22

From what I inferred from @ralster experience aqd reporting from the Bill Self Camp, I got the impression that Self is not too fond of Tharpe and I would be surprised if he is called. Maybe @ralster can chime in on the subject?

@JayHawkFanToo think he was leading them astray!

@Crimsonorblue22

Of course you realize I meant he could come back and play at the WUG.........for Canada, of course, right? :)

@JayHawkFanToo of course! No doubt in my mind!!😶

If someone could launch an extensive search, by way of a transcontinental college hop, maybe Rio Adams could be unearthed. Betcha he would leap at the opportunity to rejoin the Jayhawk contingent for the WUG.

Or is he perhaps iced down in Eastern Siberia?

Maybe we could get Jamari to bring the ball up the court. If i remember correctly, someone mentioned that last year.

Does anyone know who is on the roster for Team Canada? I read that Brady Heslip and Kyle Wiltjer are both from Canada. I wonder if they'll be at Sprint.

@Wigs2

There is a large number of very good Canadian players playing college BBall in the US.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article21167370.html ↗

That should answer pretty much all the questions I think everyone had.