@BShark said in Gonzaga Game Thread:
Always seem to suck to start the year. Everyone looks so nervous.
What was that turnover #5?
BeddieKU23
31745 posts
Hopefully the game starts to slow down because it's not looking good
Guys playing scared
Gonzaga playing at a much higher level. Self must rally the troops
Yikes
Big Dave not playing well at all
David please rebound the ball
Turnovers man
Terrible call
Jeez Dave didn't learn
@bmensch1 said in Gonzaga Game Thread:
Big Dave spent a lot of time in the weight room this off-season. A lot of time.
And he had too
@BShark said in 2021 Recruiting:
@BeddieKU23 I actually like this class a lot. Last year was concerning but might work out. Overall I think we will see college hoops with less talent going forward.
Agree. Love the class. Just pointing out there's been a clear change in how they can recruit
Jalen Wilson will start taking the 5th spot.
Wow
@BShark said in 2021 Recruiting:
@BeddieKU23 said in 2021 Recruiting:
Hope he works out here.
Definitely a traditional big.
I think it will, Bill will love the way he rebounds and blocks. He claims to be 6'9'' now, so maybe he is 6'8'' :face_with_tears_of_joy:
Just worried Recruiting juco's points to an overall talent decline coming through the program. There's no way around the downturn we've seen
Hope he works out here.
Definitely a traditional big.
Wooo
@Bosthawk said in Here we go...:
Pretty much every other top program opened their seasons with a bunny game.. sigh.
Not us.
Yep that's Self!
@stoptheflop said in Here we go...:
Has there been an announcement by Coach Self on the 5 starters? I always hear coaches say that starting is of little consequence, but it's always interesting to me. Any word or will it be like KU starting QB at the beginning of each year?
Garrett, Braun, Agbaji and McCormack for sure. 5th not official but I'm expecting it to be Thompson.
I think Self will trust Braun to play the 4 allowing Thompson to be the other ball handler and shooter from the perimeter. Honestly due to Gonzaga's size wouldn't be surprised if Enaruna Wilson and TGF rotate a bunch. It may not matter so much who starts but by who stays in the game and who's playing well
Nice optimistic view of things.
While I'm excited about this team and how they will come together i have a lot of concerns about the overall talent level and the lack of a normal offseason. I wouldn't be surprised if some guys made some real improvement individually but as a team they have basically had zero time together to mesh. I'm expecting some sloppy chemistry early.
The good thing is having a Sr point guard, experienced starters at the wing and post and a bunch of talented pieces to mold together. This isn't a rebuild but it definitely feels like a changing of the guard and that's what I'm worried about.
As for Gonzaga, KU must play their game and score because Gonzaga has no issue putting up points. I think this is a game that is difficult to predict because both teams are replacing a lot of key players and banking on newcomers and backups to step up.
Schematically I think Gonzaga is a good matchup because historically they are not good defensively and that's something they struggled with last season while KU had one of the best defenses ever. I give the zags the edge on offense without knowing how KU is getting its points. Big edge to KU defensively which if both advantages play out then we probably have a close game. Regardless of if it's game 1 or not I'm expecting our veterans to play as such and will be looking to see how Marcus, Ochai and Dave step up into leaders and main scorers. Should be fun to root for our hawks finally
Pretty much all my concerns you added on about.
I hope this team can stay healthy. Marcus or Dave being out for any reason for any extended time changes the direction of the season. You look at the backups at those positions and we are just lacking a backup where there isn't a big drop in play. Last season if Devon was out it was Marcus to cover and if Doke was out it was Dave. All we can hope for is neither becomes an issue.
I'm not as high on the defense being Elite this year despite having two of best defenders in the country at their positions. I have concerns how we will guard teams who can throw size at KU in the post. Dave is not a rim protector nor proven to be a good rebounder so he must prove himself in both those areas. I know those same concerns were there for Doke going into last year but he was a freak athlete. One of Selfs earlier pressers mentioned how Dave must become someone who can switch and guard.
I think our perimeter defense will be good but we are going to miss Doke protecting the back end and therefore I think the defensive numbers slide up into the bottom half of the top 10, low teens. Hopefully Dave can improve in the areas on defense that make the guards jobs a bit easier.
Well bucketeers we're 6 days away from the first game of the season. Crazy to think after what has transpired the past 8 months that games are on the horizon. I have a lot of mixed feelings about this years squad and the level of play we'll see from the Jayhawks. Bill Self is presented with one of his most difficult transitions from year to year he's had as a coach. The lack of an off-season, some recruiting pains, replacing your Top 2 scorers and several other factors have made this upcoming season a challenge.
I figured I'd start some discussion on what everyone thinks about this years team, how good can they be? Who's going to step up and become leaders and our top scorers?
The Schedule looks extremely difficult this year. 6 of KU's first 10 games are against ranked opponents, including 3 of the first five against teams ranked in the Top 11. Preseason rankings are tough to gage but the fact remains KU is playing good teams. Game 1 against Gonzaga presents a big challenge for KU. I happen to think both teams are similar, replacing a lot of scoring, experience from arguably the two best teams in the Nation last year. The matchup should be fun and hopefully the Hawks will prevail.
I'll start with what I think will be the starting 5 to start the season. The 4-1 look will be KU's base offense and due to the roster construction a 5 guard look will likely be something we see during the year, maybe even every game. Going to be interesting to see the lineup combinations used this season.
PG- Garrett. DPOY of year from last season steps into Dotson's role as a leader, facilitator and maybe even an improved scorer in his 4th year in the program. The word on Marcus was he spent a majority of the off-season working to improve his shooting touch. We already know his defensive ability and this is his team.
G- Thompson. 5 star freshman and jewel of the 2020 class steps into a starting role right off the bat. The main reason I think he starts is to give the lineup a secondary ball handler (something Self loves to have). He also brings a high level BBIQ, + size at the position, court vision and shot making ability.
Wing- Agbaji. The other full time returning starter for this team steps into his Jr year with a lot of expectations on his shoulders. There's video of his improved shooting form and Self has mentioned wanting to see Agbaji be aggressive on offense in order to keep him from blending in. Already a good defender, consistency on offense will be the biggest thing I'm looking for with him. Hopefully we'll see improved ball handling, shooting and decision making.
Wing- Braun. Christian steps into his 2nd year as a full time starter after playing well enough to gain a handful of starts and playing some big time minutes in the 2nd half of last year. I'm a fan of this man's game and has a chance to expand his role even further on offense as the teams top 3 point shooter. Word was he grew a few more inches in the offseason. Expecting big things from this guy.
Center- McCormack. Big Dave leaves the shadow of Udoka Azubuike and steps into a primary scoring option for KU in his 3rd season. Self recently said Dave had separated himself. He's the anchor in the post and we'll see just how much he's improved his game and his body in the offseason. If he followed in Doke's footsteps look out!
6th man and rotation- I expect Self to play 9 to 10 guys regularly early as he figures out rotations and what works.
Wing- Grant-Foster. I believe as the season progresses the Junior College product will earn the 6th man spot and potentially crack the starting lineup at times. A preseason injury has slowed him which may leave him a bit behind early. Self recently had some glowing remarks regarding some practices in which Tyon showed some serious offensive potential. He might have a bit of Moss role from last years squad as a human microwave coming off the bench to score points. Don't expect Grant-Foster to be a knockdown 3 point shooter but his blend of skill, athleticism and size will earn him minutes.
Wing- Enaruna. After showing some potential early last season Tristan hit the proverbial "freshman wall". He was a late bloomer in High School and learning how to fit in Self's system can be challenging. Year 2 we should see some positive gains from him on both sides of the ball. The experience he gained playing last year hopefully helps him earn a bigger role this season.
Center- Lightfoot. Mitch is back for his 88th season at KU after redshirting last season. Will be Big Dave's primary backup and will bring some rim protection and experience to the floor. We know what we're getting from Mitch.
PG- Harris. If Marcus ever leaves the floor for a break expect redshirt freshman Dajuan Harris to get some minutes. Not a prolific scorer but brings + court vision, passing ability, defensive instincts to the court that could blend in well with this team. His main role will be to be a sponge learning the position and give KU the ability to steal some minutes without Marcus on the floor.
Wing- Wilson. The highest rated recruit from KU's 2019 recruiting class enters year 2 after missing almost the entire season due to injury. Jalen reported he's lost 15 pounds in the offseason in order to improve his athleticism and ability to help this team. It remains to be seen what role he'll have this year but Self has consistently mentioned him as one of 4 battling for the 5th starting spot. Could be a versatile piece used as a Wing or 4 man in lineups with the ability to stretch the floor from the perimeter.
Expecting both Muscadin & Jossell to be non-rotation guys unless injury or Covid impacts the other 10 players. Both came to KU with some promise but needing to be developed in the system. With the free year of eligibility any playing time they may get is an added bonus for their development.
Expectations-
It's difficult to project the ceiling of this team right now. The media thinks they are a Top 10 team but anytime your replacing two stars in Devon Dotson & Udoka Azubuike that were matchup nightmare's I'm left tempering my expectations to start the season. Devon & Doke had elite skills that are not easily replaced. I don't see a star on this years squad but hopefully I'm wrong and someone steps up into that kind of role.
Thankfully Marcus Garrett is back to lead this team at the PG position, Agbaji & McCormack are in year 3 with tons of experience and the rest of the roster has a blend of talent and skill that can be molded into a good team. Unfortunately the schedule did KU no favors early as mentioned above. My worry is this squad is a year away due to the lack of an off-season to build chemistry. Most of this roster can return next season which makes me think the true potential of this nucleus could be a year away. The homer in me and historical evidence with Self says every year he reloads and makes the pieces fit. We shall see. I'm hopeful for a good season. I'm very excited to see how the 4-1 scheme runs for a full year. A five guard look could be exciting at times to see how that works. Too early to tell if this is a championship type squad. We just had one that was robbed.
What's everyone's thoughts?
@approxinfinity said in Frank:
@BeddieKU23 hopefully his trey gun is blazing. Giannis to Frank... Bang!
Shot 42.5% last season. G-League MVP. I hope he gets PAID. Frank deserves the chance
KU one of 4 programs prioritizing 4 star 6'11 forward Mouhamed Gueye of Prolific Prep California. Ranked #36, has only been in the states about a year..
Kansas: “They send me stuff every week about the school. Their main message is that they want me there and they just want to get me better. I kind of knew Kansas before I got here too. I used to watch them because they have a lot of African kids, and now they have big time players in the NBA so that stands out. They develop their players really well. The names that stick out to me are Joel Embiid and even Andrew Wiggins who I like to watch a lot. The main thing about them is probably the coach and how real he is because he’s not playing around.
One to monitor..
On Thursday, Mason received a $1.5 million qualifying offer from the Milwaukee Bucks, making him a restricted free agent. Yahoo Sports reported the news via league sources.
What this means: Mason is now free to go out to any other team in the league and agree to an offer sheet. When he does so, the Bucks will receive a certain amount of time to either match that contract and bring him back — or let him sign with the other team.
If Mason does not get any offers, the Bucks can choose to negotiate a deal with the young point guard, or he can play next season on the $1.5 million tender, which would keep him in Milwaukee for a season with championship expectations.
Here in Vermont the governor banned inter house gatherings among other things. Restaurants etc closed down by 10pm. Vt has consistently been last in case totals since early summer but has seen a dramatic rise of late which has forced people in charge into tough decisions.
@tis4tim said in HAPPY For Dok:
I would think the NCAA record 74.9% career FG shooting would put him up there. It's tough to break an all-time record. I know that's not part of the criteria for rafter-ship, but it probably should be. I think he gets up there when all is said and done.
I don't disagree there. I really do think the lack of the tournament robbed him of his shining moment in front of everyone. I've gone back and watched some of his big games last year and it's really amazing to see how dominant he was, as dominant as any big Self has had.
@Kcmatt7 said in HAPPY For Dok:
@BeddieKU23 said in HAPPY For Dok:
So happy for him! Doke's a legend in my mind
I was talking to a buddy last night. I think his senior season gets him in the rafters now as B12 POY
That's a tough one. If the season had ended the way most of us were hoping it would have been a no brainer
I hope it works out for Devon. Just very surprised he wasn't drafted but I guess the shortcomings with his shooting must have played a big part.
So happy for him! Doke's a legend in my mind
Tristan Clark of Baylor has retired from Basketball. Will be interesting to see who takes his place
@BShark said in 2021 Recruiting:
@FarmerJayhawk said in 2021 Recruiting:
Made Sallis's final 8: KU, UK, UNC, Oregon, Creighton, ISU, UCLA, Gonzaga. Don't think we're much more than window dressing at this point.
Sounds like the NCAA thing screwed KU a bit there, according to Bossi.
when will the horror end..
Marsha has officially resigned. Yay
Will get almost 8 million in settlement $ over the next 6 years.
KU seems to be in the thick of things with 4 star PG Mark Armstrong. The NJ prospect is 6'2, 160 pounds. 247 has him as the #40 player but the composite has him sitting at #130. Guess one of the services hasn't ranked him yet. Rutgers, UConn, Louisville, Stanford also involved.
Kansas: “Their main message was basically like Rutgers’ besides playing for your state. Just coming in and being a main piece for the team. Nothing is guaranteed but they said I have the chance to be a main part and that they are very interested. Hearing that was amazing because it's a wonderful opportunity to have a school that you watched when you were younger to be recruiting you. I watch all these guards ahead of me so for them to be interested in me says a lot and I'm very grateful to be in this position.”
Future headline: Duke opts out of bubble for NCAA Tourney; will play first round matchup in Durham
Because historically they always play in North Carolina anyway..:beaming_face_with_smiling_eyes:
Not a lot of specifics at this time besides moving all the regional games and putting them into one place. Can imagine the specifics of this tourney will have lots of moving parts
NCAA announces Madness to be held in a bubble. Preliminary discussions with Indianapolis about holding the tourney there.
This seemed like the only way there will be a tournament this year. We shall see who gets it and how it's done
@BShark said in 2021 Recruiting:
I want Aidoo and Cuffe. :money-mouth_face:
I would be very happy with that 4 man class
@BShark said in 2022 Recruiting Thread:
@BeddieKU23 said in 2022 Recruiting Thread:
I know rankings are crap with covid but there isnt another athlete at 6'2 in high school that can jump like that. I don't understand the 100 ranking on athleticism alone
Very much want this kid and from what Bossi said KU has a shot.
Sounds promising. He's definitely on the want list. Deciding by end of 2020 and could reclass. I hope they are pushing hard on him
I know rankings are crap with covid but there isnt another athlete at 6'2 in high school that can jump like that. I don't understand the 100 ranking on athleticism alone
Grady just updated his recruitment. KU vs Baylor battle really. Alabama also probably rounds out the Top 3. Hopefully with Covid and his connections to the program he stays local.
Not expecting KU to be serious with anyone in the Top 20-25 recruits. Just the way it is right now.
Hoping they keep after Rylen Griffen #46, SG out of Texas
Aiden Shaw out of Blue Valley sits at #77 and should be someone they look into.
Believe Clemence will sign Saturday since his teammate is Signing with Baylor on the same day.
Adams signed last night! Yay. Listed at 6'7, his hair tops him out at 6'10
Hunter Salis won't sign early. Glimmer of hope there, albeit a spec.
Believe Uconn also had to pause. Football games being canceled/postponed left and right. It's definitely trending to back to the spring when everything was shut down
Fully agree on him being a good pickup. Self would have a lot of post options next season and to develop for the future.
@BShark said in 2021 Recruiting:
Notable hoops blue blood Nebraska picking up a commitment from a kid Friday that "wanted to go to a blueblood".
A business decision to finish 10th in the Big 10
@jayballer67 said in 2021 Recruiting:
How about this Jonas Aidoo ? - -Any thoughts on him ? - -you think there is any possible chance we could land him ? - -looks solid only really true blue blood like the article says that on his final 10.. Might be one of those cases where we get in on the non rated 3 star that could go to 4 star and in top 100 that would be a real jewel in the rough.
Noted today on 247
"The potential growth of both prospects during their time in Lawrence will be exciting to see. However, they might not be the only frontcourt members of this class as the Jayhawks are in the mix to receive a commitment from four-star late-blooming big man Jonas Aidoo."
For a minute there I really didn't think Wichita was going to do the sensible thing and let him go.
Good grief. Can't defend that
Hopefully there will be some options in the spring when he knows what he really needs to get going into 21. Right now the cupboard looks bare for options
As long as both sign that's about as good as we can hope for at this point