The past 2 games we have done a poor job of putting the ball in our leader's hands. If Devonte is to lead this team he needs to have the ball more. He's our most capable passer so we have to figure out how to run more set plays with Graham initiating it. Too many possessions he hands the ball off and never gets it back. Again this is just my observation of how badly we've looked on offense the past two games. We don't have a secondary ball handler to turn too like we did last season. Malik is non-existent in that aspect and asking guys who are supposed to score to fill that role is making it worse. There was a reason Self was after point guards so heavily in the 2017 class but we whiffed for whatever reason. Fundamentally I think the offense KU has been running this week and executing has been piss poor in part because we are taking the ball away from our most capable play maker.

The dribble drive weave offense is unraveling. It just looks and feels so non-aggressive even on replay of the game. We predictably make life harder for ourselves with the lack of aggressive nature to the hoop. Instead of putting a defender in a position to help or foul or make a close range shot we pass the ball out to the perimeter before the defender even has to make a decision. Lots of work to be done with this team.

The lack of sense of urgency was really what alarmed me from yesterday.

The defense is one of the fears we had coming in. We lack guys that want to stop anyone. One could say we have even more work to do on that end.

SOFT

Tired legs already

We certainly suck right now. Why sugar coat things.

Arizona St didn't make anything they normally wouldn't. If anyone has seen them play this is how Hurley has instructed his team to play now. Their guards are seniors and they know how to make people pay for any little mistake. They shoot freely and from any distance. Looked a ton better then what we have been clouting as the best perimeter in the country.

Having more bodies will help depth and maybe bring this team together. Those are wishful thoughts.

@jayballer54

I think we deserved the ranking until we played last nights game. At our best there isn't 3 better teams. When we have a game such as last night our margin for error is so small. We can't play any more games resorting to Clay Young for minutes. If we don't get Sam, Billy & Silvio into the rotation we have some glaring realities to face going forward. We are who we are until help comes and we figure out how to plug them in.

We won't face a ton of Zone defense going forward I think. We have some glaring deficiencies against it currently with our roster.

Can't predict what the future holds but a game like this in March will send us packing 100 out of 100 times.

Nobody was a first round pick last night. Doke has improved and a zone defense really limits getting him into an ISO situation. If Doke thinks he's currently ready to leave, well I wish him the best. I can't imagine many scouts will agree with that decision.

De Sousa probably thought Preston would be gone after the year. I have no idea at what point Silvio was aware he could join the team early or if this was always a possibility. It seems more likely that Silvio's situation and KU's situation is more coincidence and timing related. We really need him.

McCormack will be a nice 4 year big at KU. I don't think Dave is the type that's in a rush. I think he'll be the type of person who would thrive learning behind Doke for a year.

It's clear not everyone will be back next season. We have signed 7 guys for next year. Someone in the Newman, Vick, Doke, Preston foursome will not be in uniform next season. The only situation where everyone could be back would be if a commit backed out or someone transfered. Currently Vick is the only player that's done anything to put himself in a position to leave early and be drafted.

Let it all out @jayballer54 don't hold back (kidding of course).

It was me that said Vick was a black hole and he was, I stand by the statement.

He's just not cerebral enough in the middle of a zone to make teams pay for giving him the ball wide open. Against Cuse he was able to make one simple pass out of it that led to a basket or some sort of ball movement (many of them back to Devonte for a 3). Last night it was 1 on 5 offense the entire game!

Of course he had an exaggerated 28 points last night but it had ZERO impact on the game. Why was Washington giving up the middle and 5 foot shots? Simple, Vick did nothing to change the outcome. It was great game planning by their coach to take away what fuels this team.

3's, dunks, transition those are things that change momentum and things KU lives on this season. We got none of it in any consistent fashion so Vicks game looks so much better then it was. He either made a bunny, missed a bunny or passed the ball out for a turnover (the one late in the game was the signed, sealed and delivered L).

I would have much rather of seen balance from this team last night, balance as we see in most games likely is the difference in the game in spite of the dreadful effort overall. Of course we had 3-4 guys playing the worst game of the season so far so there really isn't much to discuss in what could have been. Washington was happy to give up meaningless 2's that didn't make them do anything on defense. We made their job so easy being baited into exactly the offense they wanted us to play.

So many things for this team to work on. Self may hate losing but this might be one that was needed to get everyone's attention. 4 days comes an even tougher test against a team that plays a very similar approach to us. Good thing its at home

Same Song and Dance every time we lose. Missed shots, lack of effort on defense. They need to pull a 180 for Sunday that's for sure

I don't believe we've seen A&M's best basketball yet. Remember they started the season down 2 starters and they are just now getting into game action on a regular basis. I still think they look like the best team in the SEC and by the time they come to Allen Fieldhouse this could be a team well equipped to give us a serious challenge

We should be mad if this game is within 20 points

@JayHawkFanToo

That was funny.

I agree Davis is the best player on their team.

Williams hasn't looked the part of a lotto pick so far in his 2nd year. He might have stayed a season too long stock wise

If the guard from A&M could have made all three of his FT's this game might have ended differently in OT. Ayton fouled the shooter with just a few seconds left in the game. He missed one and that sealed their fate.

We've seen better offensive performances from A&M this season. Any casual fan could have tuned into KU's game against Kentucky or Syracuse and seen that KU hasn't exactly lit up the world against better competition either

These were two teams that could be bound for the later stages of the tournament. I thought A&M did an excellent job of limiting Ayton to quality shots because Zona played two bigs primarily A&M was able to leave the other big alone and trap him. Against KU A&M probably doesn't get that luxury if they try and double/triple team Doke down in the low post. A&M's length will bother us though especially pogo stick Williams who's a bigger version of Jordan Bell.

Let Young play some tonight we should be in a comfortable situation to get him some minutes.

KUSTEVE said:

JRE = Robinson-Earl?

yes sir

Nova looked like one of the best teams in America last night. Mikal Bridges has grown into a potential lotto pick. Having Spellman in the middle really helps them on the boards and protecting the rim. They just look like a typical smart Nova teams with plenty of options. They lack a true go-to guy like they had last season but they may avoid situations for much of the year where that's going to matter much. It looks like most nights Brunson & Bridges can carry the team and everyone else just fills their role. Jay Wright continues to put out a high quality product on the court despite losing multiple starters. The Big East will test them this season which should be an ultra competitive league this year.

As for last nights game with Gonzaga I thought it was a bad matchup for the Zags. They don't have the talent they had last year and Nova was a more complete basketball team and it showed big time for large stretches of the game.

Once Alkins returns for Zona look out. Gives them that 3rd scorer alongside the Trier/Ayton combo. Takes a lot less pressure off their freshman guards to produce. They will be really tough to beat once he's full go which is going to happen soon according to reports. I expect to see them rounding back into preseason hype over the next few months.

KU & Arizona are two teams that have the chance to improve a good amount with mid-season additions

@jayballer54

I'm pretty sure JRE is already a commit just going through the motions and enjoying being recruited by others like Iowa & UNC before making it official. I would be absolutely stunned if he wasn't apart of our class. I think he'll pop for KU well before next season's signing period

@HawkChamp

I agree Zona slowed the game down and used their pack line defense to limit A&M from scoring.

@BShark

Agreed JRE is going to play as a freshman. He's going to be a good College Big

@kjayhawks

I would imagine not this soon.

@KUSTEVE

Off game for them. Hogg didn't shoot the ball much and he's their best perimeter player and shooter by far. This was also practically a home game for Zona. But I agree A&M didn't look as good as they did early when they thumped West Virginia and others.

@BShark

poster on phog went to the game, said he had to sit most of the 3rd with fouls. Took over the 4th for the win. Everyone that see's him has given a glowing report

@BShark

Yeah Chandler is someone that we have to give a long look based on the family. There isn't a ton of video out there on him but his early stuff looks like he has a while to go before becoming a finished product. He feels like one of those Kentucky athletes that has no clue what's he doing yet. But you take him because he's got a ton of potential and with what we should have back he won't be forced into a pressure situation.

Forgot about Wilson. Another good wing we have a chance with. I prefer Hall a little more from what I've seen of both to date.

Robinson-Earl if De Sousa's timeline is less then 4 years we are talking our Starting PF by Soph year.

Will be interesting to see how this class shapes up. A big positive is we are already looking ahead instead of being consumed with 18 kids still.

What's everyone's general opinion of the 19 class so far?

I think it lacks star power right now but has more post depth then the 18 class has. The Top 10-15 in the 2018 class are rock solid and I don't see that with this 19 class just yet. Of course we are talking kids that are just now becoming Jr's but usually by now there are a few standouts and I'm not sure really anyone has separated themselves at this moment.

@jayballer54

Yeah I'm not surprised he's dropped some. I view him similarly to Lightfoot in that if he gets into the system and sticks around he could be good in the later part of his career. You need those guys in your system. There will be opportunities for playing time down the road for him especially after his freshman year. We are looking at Cunliffe & Lawson graduating & Garrett will be a Sr if he makes it all 4 seasons here. Of course this is down the road but if we are projecting what players might be joining in our 19 class its important to look at who's potentially going to be starting/leaving that year.

I see Vick with a NBA future. He could be a 1st round pick this year or next season.

Svi can shoot but his limitations will make it hard for him.

Devonte will make a team especially if he continues to shoot the ball and rack up assists the way he is. He's at best a late 1st round type, more likely a solid 2nd round pick at this point.

Can't imagine Newman or Doke will make the combine currently

Realistically in 2019 we could have 8 guys back. We have Jacobs signed so far. That's 9.

So how do you fill the class up.

We will have two small guards (Moore & Jacobs). Dotson, Garrett, Cunliffe, KJ Lawson makes 6 potential Guard/Wings.

Lightfoot, De Sousa, McCormack in the post.

We could get away with a Robinson-Earl, Harvey, Hall trifecta if the 8 returning have developed. Otherwise I'm sure Self will be prioritizing guys ranked higher then Harvey & Hall to fill out the rest of the class. Unless those two continue to climb the charts.

I don't see it with Harvey yet but if he's willing to develop for a few years then he should be a take.

Robinson-Earl is in a different league compared to him.

I would love to see us land a 6'10-7 foot type in the 19 class. I know we are after Wiseman but he's a longshot. Hopefully some other bigs pop up on the screen.

I don't think we get both Lawson & Robinson-Earl. Especially if we have Lightfoot, De Sousa and at least 1 Lawson still around. I would take Matthew Hurt's versatility over Lawson right now and I think Hurt is way more ready to contribute to a team as a freshman. Of course the Lawson connection is hard to turn down and I'm not going to complain if he's apart of the class. What position is Chandler going to play. He's got those extremely long arms and can shoot a little bit but needs to put on some weight if he's going to be a post

If we had the need Ashton Hagans would be the PG I would target in that class. Seems like Kentucky has put in work for him though.

KU is still recruiting Achiuwa & Christian Brown I believe. Longshots but both can play

Stanley is a stud, an absolute want if Grimes is a OAD.

Malik Hall should be a take no matter what. Size at the wing position is a great thing to have.

jayballer54 said:

jay Wright is a pretty good coach. - - Jaylen Brunson - -really solid guard - I truly didn't think he would stay all 4 years nothing flashy -- just gets it done. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

Kid will graduate after this year and head to the pro's.

Juiston is really good. Saw the Zona game as well. wow

Good to develop chemistry for the Red team as 4 of the 5 will likely be starters/rotation pieces next year

Would be nice if he can spell Doke in end of game situations where we have a comfortable lead.

I mean anyone would be useful right now.

@BShark

A few things. I agree the situations with Maxwell and Whitman were bizarre. Maxwell ended up in some banjo bible club and Whitman has apparently fallen off into Witness protection. It's always interesting to see where guys land after they leave KU. It looks bad when you look back on it.

The Bragg situation definitely is a black hole in this whole thing. We've seen a lot of snowball effect since. From Ayton going to Zona, to getting Billy to Maxwell leaving, to Bragg being forced out, to Coleby leaving, to Whitman joining and leaving and now Preston's current situation. That's a lot of bodies in and out from one position group in a single year.

2018 and beyond feels like it will be an over-correction to the issue at hand. It helps when you can present recruits playing time especially in today's recruiting. Will we run into similar issues going forward if we don't have immediate PT to offer these big guys? Will we be more selective of who we actually go after? I think its been a bit sloppy to target what we have recently. Maybe going forward the staff is more selective in who they target and potentially get.

Whitman left us with little chance of replacing him especially when you don't even make it out of the summer before leaving. Timing was key with him. Of course, taking Whitman in the first place was a gamble. Why did we have to gamble on a 5th year transfer to be a rotation piece. Why couldn't we have found someone earlier? We could have pushed for another fall commitment but we didn't. We left ourselves scrambling for spring scraps. We had a reputation for recruiting slow in the fall. 2018 class is a change from that. 2019 could be as well if reports are true about the staff changing things up.

Why did Coleby up and leave?

Why was Maxwell even on the team and then all of a sudden vanished? His exile opened up the door for Sam Cunliffe who's still a major TBD.. At least he gives us a 6th guard to use in our 4-1.

I hope the revolving door of taking in transfer post players is over. We should be able to recruit starters and rotation/development pieces at KU in the post. The Lawsons we hope work out. They bring a ton of experience and talent but we've seen them making headlines before playing a game. Suspensions, drama back home, maturity issues exist with them. So the door is open that they become just like Whitman, Coleby, Maxwell instead of a Tarik Black. We'll certainly see.

FarmerJayhawk said:

As an aside, how great would it have been to get Mitchell Robinson? He had a decent chance at getting eligible after Braxton Beverly.

That was something I meant to bring up a while back and forgot. I think we dodged one there. Heck of a talent though.

@justanotherfan

Agree on all points.

No doubt we're thin because we failed in the recruiting front with Big's. We targeted a lot of guys we probably had no chance in landing. There might have been a few we should have landed (ala Ayton) along the way.

Whatever the case may be we might not have the offense we have currently if we didn't miss on post players and adapt our team to a perimeter attack. Winning cures everything and so far winning is all we know.

Next year we shouldn't have that issue. Heck we might get rid of the issue coming up if things fall our way

Good to see Frank getting minutes. He's just in a bad spot to succeed. They always do the wrong thing.

Sounds like Grimes team isn't that great.

Having to sit through Q's painful pre-commit video it was clear it was Grimes and a bunch of dudes on his team

BShark said:

Somehow we have the #3 D but I think that is in large part due to our schedule.

D has been much better this year I think.

It certainly could be schedule related but if you have seen most of the teams out there, I haven't seen 5 teams defending better then them to date

BShark said:

If it's just Cunliffe it's really going to be a battle all year. Not every coach will be as dumb as Boeheim if and when Clay Young goes out there.

At least we'll have 5 more fouls with Cunliffe. Taller, athletic. Self will have to get creative with Marcus and Sam

BShark said:

137 Kenpom and the #204 defense. WOOF.

204 defense is too put it lightly a glowing endorsement of them.

They like to play fast too, recipe for KU scoring 120

If Cunliffe is the only mid-season eligible player to play coming up man that's going to be some depressing crap!

All that anticipation for Preston and then De Sousa and then nothing?? Obviously we expect both situations to have clarity and positive outcomes. Waiting sucks

FYI Washington is terrible.

There is nothing annoying about their zone besides the fact that they run it and run it poorly.

At least Cuse was perfect practice for this cupcake defense

@justanotherfan

Sounds about right.

KUSTEVE said:

@BeddieKU23 He was sped up. He was shooting too quick. He was firing off shots before his feet were set. He was thinking way too much during the game.

He did look sped up. Really shouldn't be an excuse for him but apparently Malik is as new to situations as our freshman at this point.

I have to rewatch the tape but I really do think on multiple shots he had this nervous hop right before catching the ball. The shots didn't look good leaving his hands and I think his whole motion was off for some reason.

They all have off games and I applaud that he didn't give up despite the bad shooting night.

Kcmatt7 said:

@BeddieKU23 I'm wondering if the lack of depth is what is keeping Doke from chasing after rebounds more aggressively. We can't get a silly foul over the back from him right now.

It could be, however I find it hard to believe that his coach will be happy with his effort in that area on Saturday. This is more then a 1 game sample as well I don't think generally he's rebounded well this season to date. That's a major weakness for his prospects of the next level if he can't at that size be a + rebounder.

I wrote this in the game chat. If someone can go back and notice Does Newman take a slight hop in the air before catching the ball and going up with it? I swear I noticed Malik taking what I think is a nerves type hop and then going through his shooting motion after. Seemed to affect his shot.

We know he's a better shooter then Saturday, he just couldn't make anything. His turnovers were worrisome and his defense left a lot to be desired again. Might be a player like Svi was earlier in his career where if his shot isn't falling he's going to struggle elsewhere as well.

Great posts all!

First half was a struggle. No way around that.

Man can Devonte shoot lights OUT when he wants to. I think he sensed his team needed a Senior moment and we got one.

Vick was awesome. Once he got a little more comfortable figuring out what to do with the ball in the high post that changed the game for us.

Doke was brought down to earth. He seemed off. His lack of urgency to rebound is troubling for someone his size. Self has to light that beast up. This was a great game for him to learn some things.

Clay definitely earned his keep Saturday.

Great Team win. Great individual performances

@justanotherfan

Completely agree.

Iowa st has resorted to a wing to run the point because they don't have a good option right now to run the team.

A thought reading through your post. We will be relying an awful lot on freshman next year to run the team. Dotson is everything hes been talked up to be but still he will be going into every situation as something new. Moore isn't a point guard but I think he will develop in time to be an option. I wouldn't be surprised to see Grimes and Dotson splitting pg responsibilities next yr. I wouldn't be surprised to see Grimes getting time at the position because his game looks like it's advanced enough to be relied on

Syracuse guard Geno Thorpe has left the program. This is only about the 5th one he has left..