🏀 KuBuckets Archive

@mayjay

You may not have followed this kids recruitment but it was a weird one. First he was going to Izzo land, then Depaul, then Arizona, then Oregon and I'm probably forgetting a few along the way. The point being all these schools recruited him, had a connection in some way, Bowen personally took official visits and none of them could get his signature.

Then the "stars align" dad gets 100k from Louisville, son commits to the school days later after having little contact with the Bowen's before. Seems a little weird right? Maybe not but in any case how much coincidence can one believe. Maybe Brian really wanted to play for Pitino and his father really wanted him to go there because there was a really good incentive to push him there.

They cleared the son of accepting or knowing about the money. They should do the right thing and let him play in my opinion. Heck of a gamble for Martin to take as the headlines will follow the school and player for a while

REHawk said:

If Billy is not cleared, I'm kinda wondering what he will do after this no-play season. He won't become a lottery selection, quite possibly not a first round pick with a guaranteed contract. If "cleared" to play next season will he return?

He'll be 21 in the fall, if that has anything to do with his decision. Self recruited over him (Dedric). Kids do make the league without playing College Ball although usually those spend their time overseas, I'm sure practice has at least kept him active, in shape etc. Can't see him being a combine invite which will really limit what he can prove and do but who knows funnier things have happened.

@mayjay

The part where Bowen didn't know his father took the money just doesn't seem believable. Saw the ESPN story they ran on him recently, typical fluff piece

Big Clyde52 said:

@Jayballer54 I hear you. I wonder how long it took Maryland to get Silvio's buddy, Bruno, cleared. They are from the same area (Angola) and played on the same teams together. I guess it makes a big diff if you are playing on the coast as opposed to playing in the Midwest.

The big difference being Bruno wasn't joining mid-season . The NCAA had time to clear Bruno along with the 99.9% of basketball players who go through this in the normal circumstances. Bruno also re-classified from 2016 into the 2017 class in order to improve his academic standing.

Did Bruno play on the same national team as Silvio? I thought their only connection was handler/being from the same country.

some great stuff in this weeks!

This is actually a busy time for the NCAA. The early signing period for football just happened and kids that are enrolling early have to be cleared to do so. Just sayin.

The Silvio situation certainly should have been cleared up. Why wasn't it cleared at the same times as his academics? But as we find out nothing as easy as 1,2,3 boom he's here and playing, that is, unless your Duke that can get a kid eligible in a week after attending a sham school for a year.

BShark said:

I think there is more in play than just the car honestly.

Wouldn't be surprising. With how much time has passed one could certainly infer they didn't accept KU's findings

Bwag said:

@BeddieKU23 now NCAA will have resources to look into KU? And, that took awhile.

One could hope right? One would also like to believe the NCAA has more resources available where they can deal with these issues at the same time. Wiley had been sitting since beginning of November, his connection to the FBI investigation was known earlier. Preston has been sitting since November as well however all his information wasn't submitted until just before X-Mas.

The biggest issue here is the precedent ruling them ineligible for the year. Who's to say they won't employ the same ruling in Preston's situation with the car or whatever else they are digging for.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22047200/austin-wiley-auburn-tigers-ruled-ineligible-ncaa-season ↗

Austin Wiley was involved in the FBI investigation as a player that received extra benefits. The situation is not the same as Preston, but it is a decision involving a player receiving extra benefits where Auburn has held him out of playing since the beginning of the season. The NCAA released it's decision on his case today.

"The NCAA has ruled Auburn Tigers center Austin Wiley ineligible for the rest of the season following a reinstatement decision. Auburn self-reported violations related to Wiley involving recruiting, extra benefits and agents, the NCAA said in a release Thursday. The NCAA said Wiley would be eligible at the start of the 2018-19 season based on its current information in the case. Auburn officials announced before the season opener against Norfolk State on Nov. 10 that Wiley and forward Danjel Purifoy were being held out of competition because of concerns about their eligibility. They haven't played in a game for the No. 22 Tigers this season. It is alleged in the federal indictment that Person received $91,500 in bribes from financial adviser Marty Blazer, who was a cooperating witness in the FBI's clandestine probe. Person allegedly gave $11,000 to the mother of "Player 1" and $7,500 to the mother of "Player 2."

Found this gem on another board. Bad luck or a legitimate issue?

If Preston isn't cleared Self will be looking at his fifth year in a row with no contribution in the NCAA tournament from his top recruited big in each class

Embiid (injured)
Alexander (ineligible)
Diallo (coaches decision)
Doke (injured)
Preston (ineligible)

@Jayballer54

And Silvio by all accounts will be here for years to come. We'll get to know him unlike Preston

@Jayballer54

I figured so, I just wanted to clarify to others that would read your post and assume the rumor was he's done for the season.

He very well could be ineligible whenever there is a decision. And if the intention is to fight this to March means 1 thing, there would be an appeal to being ruled ineligible.

I'll settle for having Silvio in a perfect world. I haven't considered Billy apart of this team since Game 1 and its been easier to enjoy the season looking at it that way

I expect it will be a close game, its what we do. However we have some overwhelming advantages at certain positions. A Freshman PG coming into Allen Fieldhouse is usually a bad situation for any team.

If Oklahoma St can put up 82 on them it sounds like a nice matchup for KU to control the tempo and simply outscore them. Unless Brown goes for 40 and Wade goes for 30 KU isn't losing.

Kcmatt7 said:

@BeddieKU23 It definitley was. But even still, not groundbreaking information. If KU wasn't Romeo's lean, he would already be committed to one of the other two schools.

My thoughts too. Hopefully we land him

BShark said:

Barry Brown is NBA jam on fiiiiire lately.

Someone has to take shots they are extremely limited at guard

Good to see him make it. Keep up the good work DG

Kcmatt7 said:

@BeddieKU23 Found it. Yea really no insight, other than we would continue to pursue adding him all the way to March if we had to.

The News about Romeo was encouraging. This guy did back up his talk with the Dotson & Grimes recruitment's. Of course none of it was groundbreaking. We will see

Jayballer54 said:

Well just seen from another site , they wouldn't get into a lot of detail saying that THEY were told to say nothing BUT from what they DID SAY - -ummm ya - -sounds like for sure that Billy is DONE. - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

"done" isn't what the person said..

But if his info is to be taken seriously the resolution could take all the way to March.

@DCHawker

Went and looked at Kenpom to freshen up on that stat. I did the last 5 years.

17- UNC - D #11, runner-up Gonzaga #1

16- Nova- D #5, runner-up UNC # 21

15- Duke- D #11, runner-up Wisconsin #35

14- Uconn-D #10, runner-up Kentucky #32

13- Louisville- D #1, runner-up Michigan #37

12- Kentucky- D #7, runner-up KU #3

Teams can make the finals with D Efficiency ratings outside the Top 20 but they don't win. If you think KU has problems check out Duke at #91. They were over 100 until they got the Duke Bump for giving up 52 to Pitt, the worst P5 team in the country

Fightsongwriter said:

Dors anyone else feel like we are overusing the weave?

Can't stand it. Self must love it though for us to run it so often

BShark said:

You can see the signs with this ISU team. They are gonna be pretty good the next two years after taking their lumps this season.

Wigginton is a stud that I never understood why KU wasn't pushing for. I guess some kids just go where they feel most comfortable. He did however have a slew of turnovers that cost them dearly late. He'll be one of the best players in the league next season. I don't see him at ISU all 4.

@drgnslayr

He helped win us the game as Mitch did the previous game. I'm happy he finally had a game where he looked comfortable in his own skin and with his teammates. Without his heroics on both ends KU loses. I respect and applaud his effort and play in last night's game.

Looking at this outside my KU blinders I would say this was the type of game that Malik should have played well. ISU isn't a good defensive team, ISU doesn't have long athletic guards to bother him and for good chunks of the game ISU was guarding Malik with a 6'9 freshman. Newman benefited greatly from playing ISU and being able to get by a big man who had no chance of stopping him.

I think the talk that Self mentioned with him was more then just positive reinforcement. I think Self hit a cord about his effort, he was a completely different person last night. There was spring in his step, he didn't hesitate to take shots and seeing shots go down gave him confidence. His junkyard dog moment of the night was that block on the 3 pointer at the end of the game. Not easy to do without fouling and requires great instinct. That was the one play I would be congratulating him about. That was the best play he's made all year. I almost mentioned a few rebounds he got in traffic or the nice step back 3 he had in the 2nd half but the block stands out with me. Scoring has always came easy for him but effort and being a complete player have always been things coaches have been searching for him to find.

If the ISU game was the light switch going on its possibly the best thing that can happen going forward. I hope we see the same effort Saturday, I know I'll be watching for it

I knew when they didn't want to say why he was out with an illness that it wasn't good. Prayers to the Jones family.

"Texas star guard Andrew Jones was diagnosed with Leukemia and has started treatment, per a release. Terrible news out of Austin."

KU recruited Andrew.. Wish him the best with his treatment

@Jayballer54

Crap if we pay the separate shipping and handling it will be an impermissible benefit.

@ajvan

I missed that. He wants Marcus to have confidence out there. Tape don't lie, I'm sure they have seen how badly defenses are sagging off him. He had all day to think about the 1 three he did make, I could have whipped up a pot of coffee in the time he had to eye that one down. But I get the point, we were so used to Self acting the opposite - yanking kids for taking shots he didn't like and now we have "greenlight Self". Where did old Bill go?

Seems more likely Silvio will be cleared before with his paperwork in now

@KUSTEVE

I agree he rebounded with purpose and energy last night which was something he hadn't shown in any previous game.

The biggest thing with Malik's shot is he has to hit open shots. I feel its been his biggest struggle offensively. Our offense gets him open. He had that "free mind" last night and he was able to make some big shots and some nice looking drives. He's got to continue it, that offensive approach is what Self expected out of him from day-1, not game 15

@cragarhawk

Oh that's a perfect idea. Those deals where you have 10 minutes to claim the bonus prize are the best. Maybe we get a +10 rebound advantage package included and someone to take over Svi's body after he hits a 3 and runs back on defense.

Newman last night? His effort stood out

@BShark

He's better then the two guys in front of him. Bazley does have a ton of long term potential though at his size. Jones still gettin that Duke/brother hype I see.

Nice to see Dotson at #17

SO KU holds serve at home.

Oklahoma beats Tech putting some air in their tires.

West Virginia holds at home over a poor Drew Baylor team that yet again can't close the deal.

Someone needs to beat West Virginia. It's gonna be KU on Monday

Newman is the type that gets 25 on 25 shots, just who he is.

He was terrific last night though. Certainly shut up some of the noise. I have been very critical of his play but last night was Malik's first game as a Jayhawk where he played to his ability. He rebounded, he battled for loose balls, he took shots in the flow of the offense.

I challenge him to do it again Saturday. He needs to channel whatever it is that him and coach talked out and find that motivation going forward

Is defense something you buy at the store?

Or do you buy a subscription online, or need to see a doctor in order to get it...

Wherever defense is, we haven't found

which game was Svi super good defensively?

@drgnslayr

Excellent stuff.

Self is still trying to toughen this team up. The Tech loss fueled the TCU win in my opinion. I think we saw Devonte toughen up in that TCU game and a few of his comrades fed off that energy (Svi & Mitch). As you've been stating all year Devonte has to lead by example every game. We lose when he doesn't set the tone for the game. We lose when we don't defend, we lose when we don't rebound as a unit.

Now in regard to the guys we don't have. It's hard for the players to see it how we do when they are with them 24/7. Preston and De Sousa are battling in practice. Self said those guys took a majority of the reps last week under the assumption they would be playing. Miscalculated move by Self? Shady dealings by the NCAA making false promises? Whatever it is this team is still in transition. There's no closure until the NCAA provides it. We don't know what life is like with them.

I still believe we have yet to see this team gel. Last years squad it was easier for them. Guys knew their job. We have so many guys still trying to find their way and that's created the flaws we see. We thought we had the best collection of guards, they still haven't proven that. Those guys have more to give. When that unit clicks that's when this team improves the most. Here's to Self battling to make this team what he wants it to be and what it needs to be

@drgnslayr

We have some really bad fans. It's everywhere unfortunately. I get the frustrations but some take it too far.

I get his mom was fed up but she just had to become the 1% that speaks up and makes the headlines. That's my issue with the matter. I don't believe Preston will be playing anywhere but in the USA. He's a really talented player and we have missed seeing how good he could have been here. We got some glimpses in those exhibition games and then nothing.

I want the distraction to be gone from both the team and the players. The NCAA can help us in that regard. Winning games helps cure everything, at least to some extent in the meantime. We are a team with flaws, maybe more flaws then we are used to. I'm still excited to see how Self gets this group to play every game and see if there is more we are still searching for. We haven't peaked and if the players can get to that point we might all find some satisfaction in this season.

If Vick drops 20 tonight that would be great. When was the last time Graham, Svi & Vick had good games against a P5 team?

Lets look.

Kentucky- Vick-9, Svi-17, Graham-11- Win, not pretty from the gang.

Syracuse- Vick-20, Svi-11, Graham-35- Graham & Vick beat up the zone.

Washington- Vick-28, Svi-8, Graham-3- Vick played hero ball and lost.

Arizona St- Vick-25, Svi-14, Graham-19- Statistically all 3 did fine, defense from all 3 was horrid.

Nebraska- Vick-9, Svi-14, Graham-18- Okay from all 3 got the win.

Stanford- Vick-13, Svi-14, Graham-14- Doke had the big game

Texas- Vick-21, Svi-20, Graham-23- Statistically the best all 3 have played in one game.

Tech- Vick-2, Svi-11, Graham-27- Poor games from 2/3rd's, defensive letdown again

TCU- Vick-8, Svi-20, Graham-28- Graham & Svi were $.

So just a few games where we've seen our 3 main scorers all have good games..Maybe tonight adds to the total. The thing that sticks out is Vick is struggling with consistency averaging just 10.6 pts in his last 5 games against better competition.

@chriz

I'm sure Billy feels slighted by the situation. Who wouldn't if your innocent as his mother is claiming.

cragarhawk said:

Well I don't believe I'll ever grab a donut again without thinking twice.... Could be a terrific dietary plan

Krispy Kreme will never be the same. Watching those donuts coming down the line knowing a few of them are gon get cha

Crimsonorblue22 said:

@BeddieKU23 it's like he (Vick) disappeared!

Hopefully that was the last of that. Self, I'm sure he's addressed it

BigBad said:

I get everyone being concerned about Newman but what about some consistency from Vick?

Definitely concerned about his play last week. Something had to be up. Last week vs Tech was by far the worst game he's played as a hawk. Hopefully its behind him.

mayjay said:

@HighEliteMajor He will get it going any game now, really soon. It is imminent, any minute.

I heard it was on the horizon, forthcoming and just around the corner

@BShark

You mentioned the key to the game, guard play. ISU is dependent on its guards. Jackson, Wiggington, Babb. Weiler-Babb has been playing PG for this squad and putting up Triple Double numbers which I never expected. Lard is good, athletic but he's giving up a ton of brawn to Doke inside. ISU has little depth. I think they will play us tough until their talent deficit kicks in (mid-2nd half)

@BShark

As unpredictable as this team has been at home I'm confident we see better from these guys this week. I think the TCU game could have been the mental break this team needed. Big road win with Doke saddled with foul trouble and getting valuable bench contributions that have been lacking. Of course its better then believing this team sucks and we won't win home games. We'll see I think some home cooking is just what we need to start seeing better play as a team

@Kcmatt7

Well the two matchups for Newman are positive this week. Not facing athletic guards. Self said "they have talked", wonder if that makes any difference. We'll see tonight. Not holding my breathe there

@BShark

Bird Jr will have a big game, he's a mismatch for us. It's his annual David vs Goliath motivation. K-St down to a freshman at PG. I'm sure they will try and slow the game down, defend and pray.

BShark said:

KSU is very tough this year. Mostly the same players as last year, but a year better. Had to travel last year to beat them. I think this team will be fortunate to go 1-1 this week. I think 0-2 is more likely.

Wow debbie downing it just a bit.

Kansas St's point guard is out indefinitely if not the season. That's their 3rd leading scorer, best ball handler, best passer, best perimeter shooter gone.

ISU has always played us tough but this isn't the ISU that came to Allen Fieldhouse last season. Last years ISU squad would have run laps on them. I expect KU to get back on track at home. TCU game can be a springboard for better things

Devonte Graham started the season 45th on the all-time scoring list.

He's currently in 29th place, likely to pass Marcus Morris, Adonis Jordan & Richard Scott tonight if he scores 21 putting him ever closer to the Top 20. Devonte is currently on pace to crack the top 15 all-time depending on how far the season is extended.

At min: 16 regular season games left, 1 conference tourney game, 1 NCAA tourney game.

Current scoring avg 18.6, current scoring avg in conference 26. Current all-time point total- 1,354. Devonte will be in with some good company by season's end

This weeks slate favors KU. Could see no unbeaten's after Saturday especially with the big Tech-WV game.

Tech- @ Oklahoma, home vs West Virginia

West Virginia- home vs Baylor, @ Tech

OU- vs Tech, vs TCU

KU- vs ISU, vs K-St