We witnessed a historic year in Kansas Basketball. It didn't end exactly the way we wanted, but we'll look back on this year as a watershed moment -- HC Bill Self named to the HOF, Frank Mason III named POY (first in KU history), tying the NCAA record for consecutive conference championships (13) and setting the NCAA record for consecutive appearances in the Tournament (28), among other things.

I believe next year will be tough for us because expectations have been set at an extremely high level - without achieving the FF/NC goals.

In particular, our PG next year (and for many years to come) will be compared to Frank. Whoever takes over the PG role next year will be in a tough position. We now know great PG play when we see it. Anything less will be disappointing but less is almost certain.

So this is just a precautionary note to manage those 'sky-is-falling' feelings next year when they come. It will feel natural to pick apart the guard play and backcourt, but that's because 2016-17 was the new benchmark for excellence.

@bskeet Let's also cut Devonte some slack next year, assuming he stays. While he'll be a senior, Frank made a tremendous leap from junior to senior year; those are big shoes to fill, and we can't expect Devonte to just slide into doing what Frank did (POY caliber). I'd be ecstatic if he does, but don't expect it.

@bskeet Yep. Frank is poised to sweep all of the NPOY awards. All of them. That is truly amazing.

Coach Self is a hall of famer. Amazing

KU's continued excellence evidenced by 13 straight conference champs and two straight Elite 8s.

Lets wait anxiously for next season to pan out for the roster.

I'm betting that our front court will be unstoppable next season.

Our guards will be not as good as this year, for sure, but we have a Hall of Fame coach! He will find a way

@Lulufulu I think a third straight elite eight is a real possibility if Devonte and Svi come back.

@HawkChamp w/who else?

@Crimsonorblue22 an improved Bragg, mitch, doke, coleby, Vick, cunliffe and Newman + another recruit. That's a final four caliber team that will have the inside outside balance we need.

@HawkChamp you are more hopeful than me for a change!

@Crimsonorblue22 what is lacking with that roster? Shot making, experience, depth, size, inside presence - where is the weakness?

@Crimsonorblue22 I would rather have a two or three seed though - less pressure for coach to have

@HawkChamp to many unknowns for me. I feel good about Newman. Hope doke has a good summer. Vick too. I don't think Bragg will be back. Cunliffe I know nothing about, can't play till Christmas. The others will be subs.

@Crimsonorblue22 It all starts with defense. Hopefully we wont see any of the loafing on defense crap and the "we'll outscore them" crap. This year's team had no defensive mentality and just looked slow.

@HawkChamp so who will step up and play D w/this group?

@Crimsonorblue22 everyone. It all starts with each player realizing how important it is.

Hope Newman lives up to his HS billing.

@dylans I hear a lot of good stuff about him.

Devonte needs to pick up his game. I had soo much hope for him this year. He was ok, but not what I had hoped for. Josh's production was part of the reason Graham didn't have big numbers, but Graham disappeared way too often.

Lots of room for improvement. Should be exciting.

@dylans said:

Devonte needs to pick up his game

Devonte was spectacular at times, but inconsistent (the final game really highlighted this). His challenge (should he choose to accept it as a senior) is to become as consistent as Frank Mason.

DG is taller and may have more athletic talent than FM, and definitely burns hotter when he is on (recall the WV comeback) than anyone else on the team.

It would be great to see him take that final step next year.

Disgusted by the commercialism around the Naismith award. Have to jump through hoops online to watch the ceremony. Something about citizen watches... Nothing to do with who is the best college player.

That would be Frank Mason. This award means nothing. If they get it wrong, then they're idiots or sellouts. If they get it right, I don't care.

BIFMOE.

BIFM just won the Naismith poy

!naismith.jpg ↗

!naismith3.jpg ↗

!naismith2.jpg ↗

!naismith4.jpg ↗

BIFM's birthday is tomorrow!

:gift_heart:

:clap:

:birthday:

:violin:

:confetti_ball:

@approxinfinity

Even the write up on the KU website" target="_blank" rel="noopener">http://www.kuathletics.com/news/2017/4/2/mens-basketball-mason-awarded-naismith-trophy.aspx) ↗ has a whole paragraph about Citizen watches...it just does not seem right.

BIFM sweep!?!?

@Eric-san

Not many left. As per KU site...

CANDIDATE:
- NABC Player of the Year - April 2
- Bob Cousy Award for Point Guard of the Year - April 7
- Wooden Award - April 7

He would appear to be a shoe in for the Cousy and NABC awards and the Wooden is the only one left. Having won so many already, it would appear that the Wooden would also go to him. I cannot imagine Mason winning all the awards and not the Wooden.

Truly awesome for Frank, couldn't be happier for him. He brought it every time. I don't think it will truly sink in till this upcoming season as to just how truly blessed we were to have Frank leading our teams. Not saying our backcourt won't do well - - -just won't be able to replicate this years. -- Frank you will be truly missed BUT for sure welcomed back anytime. Looking forward to your jersey being hung in the rafters.

I'm so glad I got a chance to see a truly fine player in my life time - - Seen multiple fine players BUT you were a different special - Never seen a tougher player, loved contact so it seemed, fearless, You will be truly missed - - Congrads Frank you deserve all of it. Always notice one the first things out of his mouth - - - IF weren't for my TEAMATES -none of this would of been possible. - -Typical Frank great job. - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

You think frank will keep them-awards, in AFH for awhile?

@JayHawkFanToo Here is the list from KU Sports. Just think about who we got to watch this year! He certainly was to me the best one on the court, game in and game out, every time. He has earned each one of the awards. RCJHGKU. Once a Jayhawk, always a Jayhawk.

!awards.JPG ↗

@bskeet

I see next year as a "rebuilding year." No way I see us winning so many games like we did this year. We just won't have the leadership.

That doesn't mean we can't win a national championship. But my expectations have dropped considerably from where I was this year.

@RockChalkinTexas

Well done!

@drgnslayr

Agreed. With the loss still fresh its hard to hit the refresh button just yet and truly dig into next years squad. We still don't know which pieces will be back or gone and whatever talent Self can get into Lawrence before summer. Definitely shaping up as the most unpredictable team in years.

@drgnslayr We don't rebuild, we reload.

Frank won the NABC last night. -- I heard them say he had won it on my local sports WIBW, said it was announced last night around 10:00 -- rack up another one, way to go Frank- -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@KansasComet

Yes!

I think I was a bit Negative Ned on that post.

There is always hope because we are Kansas!

@drgnslayr If Graham, Bragg and Svi stay and Preston gets cleared we will have another TEAM that can go all the way. I cant imagine any coach outside of UK not starting Graham, Newman, Svi, Cunliffe, or Vick. Our Bigs could be really great next year too! Preston, Bragg, Coleby, Lightfoot and Doke! We have some more guys like Garrett that could surprise us as well. I like our guys and hope that they all stay!

@drgnslayr I know the feeling, it's how I felt last season. I had been waiting for several years for that culmination and poof its over. I feel for Frank, but this season was doomed when Dok went down. Masterful job by Self and his players to mask deficiencies all year to the point I still think they should've won it all.

@drgnslayr

I just don't see it as a rebuilding year. No question that it is not easy to replace Mason; however, If Devonte stays the drop will not be great. One year older and more experienced Vick, Svi and Cunlife should be able to compensate for the loss of Jackson. Lucas rebounding will be missed but with Doke back, Preston available, Coleby playing much better and hopefully improved versions of Bragg and Lightfoot the front line will be considerably better. Also, Garret will be a stud and probably the steal of the class; he has played PG in HS and now he is listed at 6'8" which would make it more of SG or a SF but he can play PG if needed and would have a huge height advantage.

In short, with what KU has coming back, it should be at least as good or better than last season and if Coach Self does his usual magic and snags a top PG, KU should be much better. I am sorry but not a rebuilding year.

At the 7th Annual Ladies Night Out in October it took Frank only three letters to respond to the question of where he would be next year: "N B A". It came across as a simple statement of fact with absolutely no hint of braggadocio.

Tough ending to a stellar season but I am resolved to be completely satisfied if Frank can just make it to the next level. So please, please basketball gods continue to pile on the individual accolades for Frank (which I know he would have traded away in a nanosecond to compete for the national title tonight) so that every GM in the NBA has to hear his name repeatedly.

Sometimes even though you may want it more for others you have to accept that it may just be your time to shine.

@JayHawkFanToo

I don't want to stay too negative. But Devonte was hot/cold all year. I'm not just talking about shooting %. Frank was solid, consistent. Hard to count on a sustained winning streak if your PG is like a roller coaster. We know what that is like.

Devonte's biggest issue is trying to consistently bring intensity.

@drgnslayr

I am hoping that when he moves from second to top option and team quarterback he will have a sense of urgency like Mason did this past season. If he comes back, it will be his team and his chance to have Mason like season and improve his standing in the draft.

@JayHawkFanToo

I'm hoping the same thing. When he was given the assignment to guard Buddy and OU last year, he really stepped up.

I wonder if he is the kind of guy that needs to take possession of something in order to lock down on the assignment.

@drgnslayr By Late Night we will have one heck of a squad. It happens every year.

@KansasComet

You know it!