wissox said:
@jaybate-1-0 Slow down on the Bamba = Embiid comparisons! He did that against a team with only one other big. Impressive sure, but we were already seeing signs of Joels footwork which far exceeds Bambi's, even when Joel was a frosh!
Bamba is not close to Embiid on offense.
BeddieKU23 said:
I didn't know Bamba could make the 3. He's years away from being a finished product but some NBA team could be sitting on a future all-star if he develops the skill on the offensive side
Well, he really can't. Not reaaaaally. So of course he hit one against us.
Instead, clueless Shaka gets Bamba.
Phenom Hoop Report
@Phenom_Hoops
17h17 hours ago
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6'2 '18 Devon Dotson (Providence Day/Kansas) had 35 points, 11 rebounds in win vs. Neumann-Goretti (PA) at the Hoodies House Tourney.
kjayhawks said:
I’m personally tired of Self claiming to hear word “real soon”, been hearing that for 3 weeks. I worried if we don’t get him soon, he won’t have time to delevop and won’t be a big bonus. The NCAA office is close til Tuesday now so I’d say the earliest word from the NCAA on De Sousa or Billy won’t be til Friday of next week. I think it’s fine that De Sousa can just practice because he probably wouldn’t be playing this soon anyway.
Self isn't even playing Cunliffe.
Silvio is much more of a need though.
@HighEliteMajor Hopefully not. Self says they think it's just a muscle issue. Self doesn't usually lie about this stuff, I don't think anyway.
BeddieKU23 said:
I don't think Newman fits on this team. He just doesn't seem to gel with anyone, there is zero rhythm in anything he does. It's the biggest disappointment to this team right now. Id say Preston but he's barely apart of the team as it is. Let me ask this question. Has Newman made one play all season where you were like oh wow that's nice? I watched him in particular last night and he picks and chooses where to exert effort. Some plays his defense is stellar, some plays offensively he makes the right read, pass etc but they is very little consistent effort in his game. If I was Self I'd be trying figure how to motivate him.
I like bringing him off the bench, I think he's shown he's not a starter in 13 games yet. Garrett just fits better with our other 3 guards right now. Garrett rebounds, defends and moves the ball as well as anyone on the team. Important that he continues to do those things
I think he is clashing with Self a bit plus apparently he has a foot injury.
HawkChamp said:
Tonight was a unique game due to Bamba's ability to protect the ENTIRE paint. This was a game where we absolutely had to have three point shooting or else it's probably an L.
No other team has a defensive player on the level of Bamba, and I've watched just about every top 50-75 team play. Things should be a bit easier in the paint the next few games.
Bamba will have a long NBA career. There are some pretty nice college post players around the Big 12 but definitely no one else like Bamba.
StLJhawk said:
@KUSTEVE
Yea, the refs really let em play and bang some bodies around tonight without trying to take over the game.And it was nice to hear Bilas gush over us, so glad Walton was doing the ucla game after and not ours.
The only thing I wish is that we had just one more stud to play with DG, Svi, Doke and Vic. Two more studs (Preston and Sousa for example) and we wouldn't lose a game. Definitely get some solid minutes from others (and yes I'm a Lightfoot fan), but... dang, just one more real threat and it sure would make things a heckuva lot easier.
And lastly, as it's been said before, some coaches just have other coaches number. Bill completely owns Smart. That VCU loss in the Elite 8 a few years ago must have really pissed bill off as he hasn't lost to him since! Oh and loved the technical on the not Smart one too!
That one sure sucks though. I'd give Shaka at least 3 conference wins for that EE win. The title was right there for that team...ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Jayballer54 said:
I told you call me crazy, I said I really wasn't worried for some reason, Bamba went off - -the zone helped there
I said we would the score would be like 85-78 - people said we would be lucky to score close to that. - - -Well Texas defense wasn't that defense against us - - Case in point - -They have allowing 60 points a game - -we score 92, - -they was only allowing 37.4 % fg pct - -we shoot 45 % - -they had only been measly 3 pt % - -we shoot 49 % from the 3 - it's ok -- huge win nice start.
Bamba is a beast better then I thought offensively - - -But you know what - -our Big boy not bad either pretty proud of him too - -- 13 points -- -13 rebounds - -pretty dam good actually in a big game - - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
Bamba actually isn't that good offensively at all. KU just had nothing inside for him especially with Doke playing hurt. Self was smart to have the team play a lot of zone.
Looks like zero defense is being played in Ames (STUNNER!) as KSU leads ISU 53-50 at half...
Meanwhile TTU just drilled the crap out of Nancy Drew and Faiylor. I know that must please @KirkIsMyHinrich
KirkIsMyHinrich said:
Shaka Smart in the locker room at halftime:
"Guess what?
I have a fever, and the only prescription is Mo' Bamba.
I'M GOING TO NEED AT LEAST... 30 PERCENT MO' BAMBA!!"
Guy's ridiculous.
He's really good. That stretch where he fouled Vick (uncalled) and hit a three really peeved me. Everything else I pretty much expected. The kid is a LOAD.
@HighEliteMajor Yeah, next year will definitely be more of a return to classic Self ball. We've been spoiled with great shooting lately. Next year the team might struggle to have a single player over 40% from three. It totally depends on if Vick stays or if KU adds Romeo. Certainly I expect a lot of the three point looks next year to be a bit more open due to non-shooters plus having a lot of talent inside. I'm expecting the offense to run through Dedric a lot.
After his 44 point outburst Grimes had 33 and 39 point games in the same tournament.
BeddieKU23 said:
Agreed. He obviously plays well against us because of that
And he is just a good player in general.
Sign me up for a KU UNC championship game next year. I'd like our odds. :grinning:
BeddieKU23 said:
Looks like Andrew Jones is playing tonight. Not 100% but he played really well vs ku last season
A shame KU got involved in his recruitment too late.
UK going after him hard says a lot, thankfully we are KU with a HoF coach and not the likes of Arkansas or Missouri so Cal didn't swipe our legacy stud.
@HawkChamp Silvio as the third big is just ridiculous, the kind of talented depth we haven't had for awhile inside. Plus he will have the huge leg up of being with the team for half a season already.
HawkChamp said:
@BShark with the way he's been playing, I don't think he'll be back unfortunately. If he does though, do we lose more than two games all year?
Probably just due to the growing pains of so many new starters. The potential is scary though.
FarmerJayhawk said:
@truehawk93 I can’t see it happening. There’s not really a spot for him next season. Are we going to relegate him to the bench again? He’ll have to compete with Silvio for the 3rd big spot.
Is this assuming Doke is back? I'd definitely rather have Doke back than Billy just from a parts/roster construction perspective.
@JayHawkFanToo Agree very much with Stevens in a fantasy situation.
Archie Miller might be a realistic get but I need to see more from him...
Grimes and Garrett are both 6'5''.
KU is definitely targeting a lot of wings in 2019 as well.
KU made the final 5 for https://247sports.com/Player/Onyeka-Okongwu-88727 ↗
Probably gonna be a Bruin
Baja Oklahoma = Texas I think.
My guess is Bamba.
@whipperboy73 Somehow I got really confused, and yes I was talking about Sosinski.
Paper tiger per usual.
This post is sponsored by el poyo's fried chicken. It's finger lickin good.
kjayhawks said:
@HighEliteMajor exactly what I was thinking on the matter. KU is going to recruit the best players in the country, everyone with a brain knows they will get recruited over to an extent. As for the redshirt year it worked out quite well for some local guys named Releford and Morningstar.
This is why Mitch Ballock isn't a fightin scrappin KU Hawk.
@whipperboy73 Heh, I'm fine. I just think it's way too hard to extrapolate anything based on the time Sosinski got against Sisters of the Poor U. He played 4 minutes. His PER is 57
(HOWLING as @jaybate-1-0 would say), his Ortg is 207 and his net BPM is 9.4. He might have a nose for the ball, he might not, we will see if he ever plays against real competition in real minutes.
Garbage minutes aren't the same as real minutes.
HighEliteMajor said:
Good discussion, along with @jaybate-1-0's reference to attrition.
If Mitch redshirts, he pretty much eliminates the transfer option later, unless he graduates. So it's a big career decision.
What I keep coming back to is that anyone with any intelligence and perspective (relying on his parents) would have foreseen this exact situation at Kansas. Maybe not at New Mexico St. So I say he stays here and is a four or five year player, depending upon whether he redshirts. This assumes his parents have one collective brain that functions.
If I'm Mitch's parents, and we knew this coming in (meaning, we aren't surprised by the possible logjam), I would 100% encourage a redshirt. You get 5 years of free education, and you increase your chances of playing professionally somewhere.
As to @dylans' point, yes, I would. I think you can hold a scholarship like this for a program player. Maybe two. In fact, I think it's very beneficial. But it does burn a scholarship if there is not production, and how do you cast aside a program player after a redshirt?
But @justanotherfan is probably right. We're looking at this in the moment of today. Things work out. Players coming in that aren't as good as expected. Broken ankles. Sick grandmas. Bongs. Nudges out the door.
Assuming no Doke and no Preston (hologram or not), we still have DeSousa, McCormack, and Lawson down low. An experienced guy in that mix seems like something Self would want.
It would not surprise me if Mitch is the #3 big next season, and it would not surprise me if he redshirts. It will surprise me if he's a starter, or if he transfers (assuming his parents were wise enough anticipate this). If Doke stays as @BeddieKU23 mentions, or if Preston materializes and stays, Mitch just won't be in the mix next season.
Great post. I have some comments.
Based on comments from a user that knows his family (don't think they are around anymore) I don't think a transfer is very likely it all. It definitely sounds like Mitch knew it was going to be a war for PT most years.
Totally agree that it's fine to have him on scholarship for 5 years. He isn't scaring off elite talent. If he scares a kid off...I don't think we wanted them anyway.
If Doke and Preston are gone I'd bet on Mitch playing more than people think. Even in that situation I think Self could get away with playing him exclusively at the 4 which would be much better for him.
I really hope Doke is back though, he would make next year extremely exciting.
BeddieKU23 said:
Don't forget KJ who's really not a SF but could be a small ball 4. Regardless I think he's going to play so that's another guy that needs to be accounted for.
I hope Doke is back. Doke makes that frontcourt a real nightmare for the rest of the country, something we haven't had in a long time. Doke also limits the impact either Lawson or De Sousa/McCormack will have. Seems too crowded.
I think us as fans are more fixated on Lightfoot possibly redshirting then what is really going to happen. Next year he should have opportunity to focus his development on being a 4 which should make a huge difference. His outside shot has improved and could be something that separates himself from the other big's. Maybe Mitch will be in for a big jump from Soph to Jr year.
If Doke is back, get ready for big ball most of the time. Also Dedric is going to play a lot. My guess is McCormack will be the mop up guy. He plans to be a 4 year player and graduate plus he could use the developmental year anyway. The path likely immediately opens up for him to be the starting center the year after with Doke and Dedric going pro.
KJ is definitely going to get some run. Admittedly I was wrong on him with my initial assessment. It seems like Self is high on him as well. At 6'7''-8'' and 210 pounds he should be fine at the 4.
But yeah however this shakes out there are going to be players unhappy with their playing time. A good problem to have again...
@HighEliteMajor I think his PT is at severe risk next year but like Lucas he is the kind of player that you love to have around.
@drgnslayr I don't think he is a 3. Certainly not under Self and not at KU in general if the team is at the level we hope. And like you mention, he lacks the handle for it. He also lacks the defensive speed. I think he is totally fine as a stretch/small ball 4. There aren't a lot of teams that have two behemoths inside anymore.
I don't think the staff should be trying to turn him into a guard at all like you suggest. However I also think his future career will not be pro hoops.
Jayballer why you gotta go and change your name like that? :wink: @whipperboy73
@BeddieKU23 I hope not, but I could see it too. Generally we don't see many decommits. This year was a big exception of course due to the FBI crap.
Also Cole Anthony is pretty good. It's a pretty big drop-off after Lamelo Ball and of course he shouldn't even really be considered because no one wants the mess of Lavar at this point.
I'll never count Calipari out for anyone but Anthony would be an extremely tough pull so if Hagans stays solid with UGA and he can't pull Maxey then Calipari might develop some back aches.
@dylans Oh yeah I never considered that he would go to KU. The squid was hot and heavy on him though (at one point, the cb predictions were all UK and UK was going to a fair number of his games), so now he will have to look elsewhere. I would guess Tyrese Maxey as it will be tough to pull Antoine away from Duke.
My heart is really breaking for Calipari. NOT.
Hadn't been too much attention due to the holidays. Apparently Ashton Hagans committed to Georgia. WOW.
HighEliteMajor said:
So who is the attrition (transfers)? Not many options other than Mitch and Garrett. 4 current transfers aren’t leaving. 4 recruits. Doke, Vick, Newman, Preston may leave to the NBA. Svi and DG gone as seniors. Garrett’s going to play a lot. Hopefully Mitch will redshirt and not leave. Am I missing any other possible transfer?
Maybe they meant after next season. Which, I could see depending on the recruiting class but it's too far out to project and we also don't know if Grimes will be OAD (I think he wants to be, like any kid but could go either way depending on how his season goes and he grades at the combine) or who the odd man out will be in the rotation. Especially if Vick comes back or Romeo is added it's going to be so deep with guards. In that situation we are looking at probably 2 kids that could start at a lot of schools not playing much. What a wild situation to go from so thin to so deep.
After this season like you I don't see it. Newman and Preston I would put at 0.1% to come back. Even with just two gone there would still be an open roster spot.
HighEliteMajor said:
@jayballer54 You do realize that Self signs players as development/depth players? Not everyone he signs is assumed to be an immediate rotation player.
I was going to say something similar. I think in an ideal situation Mitch redshirts his FR year and just plays junk minutes until he is a JR/SR but obviously it didn't work out that way.
jayballer54 said:
@HighEliteMajor Actually. - - - -the blue blood chose him. - -Yep he chose Kansas, but also Kansas was the one that extended he Scholi offer so that works both ways. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
Self couldn't make him sign though. The kid picked KU. He had other offers.
approxinfinity said:
If silvio plays for us this half year would he be eligible to declare for draft?
He will be draft eligible but the plan isn't for him to go.
@truehawk93 Don't eat Bevo though, probably tastes bad. :grinning:
@Kubie Cuonzo Martin isn't much of a coach.
Are you Mitch's dad? :grinning:
Banana Claus knows if you've been naughty or nice!
Hope everyone here has a pleasant Christmas. Ya I said Christmas. :)
JayHawkFanToo said:
Doke needs one more year to learn basketball fundamentals and improve his athleticism. I would be shocked if Preston comes, back; in fact, he might bolt if he is not cleared by the time the Spring Semester starts. Newma's plan (and his dad) has always been to be playing for money next season; at this point the NBA is not within reach so overseas is the more likely destination.
Strongly agree with all of this. Doke as a JR would be pretty beast too...