nice sequence of plays, mason with the hustle

selden has to be the worst shooting guard at FT's ive ever seen

@wissoxfan83

unless these kids play better when the lights are brighter next tuesday will be a long night

@Eric

jjust as poor as last time

defense is a complete dumpster fire again

one made and one bad shot

@Crimsonorblue22

KS st is really going to struggle which is great by my standards

I would gander to say this FH St team is a lot worse than the one we played last week.

regardless everything has looked better, made shots make everything look better

I guess we aren't the only school or player being punished!!!

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14096496/ucf-knights-freshman-tacko-fall-prepared-sue-ncaa-waiver-not-granted ↗

Wow is all I got to say...

@REHawk

Nice post...

I would suppose we are spoiled having the conference dominance and then expecting the holy grail in March as well, not just the Big 12 Championship but the whole schbang as well. I think what previous coaches built and what Self has done to elevate the program even more has set the goal to where its winning everything or nothing.

I think the focus has changed now that winning the league every year has become almost as common as waking up in the morning. The drive for more, championships which fuel recruiting and all the trickle down effects from being on top of the mountain. Our recent losses really hurt, they are the lasting impression from those seasons. We have just as many wins in the NCAA Tournament as any team in the last 10 years or so but its how you win or eventually lose is what sticks out.

I'm going with Wayne to have a turnaround effort.

@ParisHawk

Maybe that's how he feels with the circumstances that have been playing out in this situation. I think he believes the NCAA is picking on a good kid who is innocent. I bet this frustrates him more than anyone, there was a lot of time invested into this guy to get him here.

He wasn't brought here to sit the bench.

If the report is true about homework & pre-high school this is extremely out of bounds from what should be going on.

Boy us fans get called out for overreacting to everything and anything, does anyone think Self is overreacting just a tad after 1 exhibition game.?

I understand the defense was poor, it would be unacceptable to any coach. Let's wait and see how the troops do tonight. Last week was a perfect example of trial and error. Less than stellar play contributed by poor practices before hand. Since the game, better execution in practice will lead to a more focused performance overall?

I also get that Perry at the 3 is good for his future, & could be good for the team in some situations. If that means Bragg gets onto the floor with Ellis & Mickelson I'm all for seeing what kind of possibility that brings. I'm not for the other lineup possibility bringing Lucas & Mari on the court with him.

What does this say about Wayne, Svi & Greene. He's clearly calling them all out. Get healthy Wayne and use this talk from your coach as motivation..

@Statmachine

We may have been led in the wrong direction from the start. Diallo was at Our Savior the longest of his teammates so its likely his issues differ from theirs.

I believe the Mali stuff was asked for as part of the appeal to a negative ruling (or advisement from the NCAA that he would be denied if he didn't gather all of work from his time there.)

We know that the standards to get past the NCAA are remarkably low. The fact that this has taken so long, its got to be a serious issue & probably not just one class holding him up. Nothing about this is normal, the kid from Pitt said they asked him for Homework.. REALLY

@justanotherfan

As I was reading #3, I was waiting for the but... and sure enough you mentioned it.

4 would clear up #3 a whole lot easier..

Figured I'd get the ball rolling about the last tune-up game for Friday.

Self has said practice has been better since the 1st exhibition which I expected after the team gave him plenty of ammo to use in practice going forward. Some things I'm interested in seeing Tuesday.

1. Can the perimeter defense stay in front of anyone?

2. Will Svi & Greene continue to knock the rust off & make some shots. It's critical one of these guys can become a solid scorer off the bench.

3. Bragg & Mickelson, can they become the 1-2 punch that Black & Traylor were a few years ago?

4. Wayne, Wayne Wayne. Show us some moxy that you showed this summer.

5. Will the team put an inferior opponent away quickly or let them hang around.

Any others I missed, comments?

@ParisHawk

True, usually Self team's are very good % wise on offense/defense.

But last year we weren't, and basically have the same team back.

Overall this team was tied for 136th in shooting which is a good 100 spots below where a typical Self team finishes. 2pt % we were a horrendous 245th in the country at 46%, but in the top 60 nationally in 3pt %.

We are again a team with a strength in the perimeter but we still want to chuck the ball inside to our 245th ranked 2 point scoring team.

Even in a game to game variation the results say this team was a much better team scoring from 3 then from 2. We didn't make half our 2 point shots last year, didn't even come close to half.

Self just doesn't want to ever admit that sometimes your roster is built to do things differently then how you want them. If you can't make them what you want & this year is a prime example where we have practically the same roster from a year ago, you adjust to what your strength is instead forcing what is not.

@Crimsonorblue22

I agree, I just don't generally agree with him continually saying this in the media. You want them to focus on defense & using their athleticism then teach them how.

But 3 point shooting to his offense is just as important as having the posts to play the hi/low.

over/under on how many times we hear "fools gold" from Self this year..ready goo

@Lulufulu

As far as I know it's not a serious injury & he's been playing regardless. Maybe just some tightness, slight strain who knows. He will be fine.

@joeloveshawks

I don't watch the NBA either, unless I get a chance to see fellow hawks on tv. But I do look at the box scores of Wiggins games and read the recap's. There was already articles saying he was slumping and struggling.

The Bulls game should put that too rest & hopefully his back injury has worked itself out, he sure didn't look to be bothered when scorching Chicago.

I'm not sure Wigs will be able to avg as many points this year without being more efficient statistically. His team is healthy & Towns has played great so far so there is less emphasize on Andrew scoring on every play. His skill level is undeniable & I love seeing how he is doing.

@joeloveshawks

I don't know if you had seen his other games so far but he was shooting 29% from the field until that Bulls game. Adjusting to his teammates, switching to SG & dealing with a back injury didn't help. He's far from polished shooting or dribbling but he sure is fun to watch when he's on.

he's got all-star written all over him

@jayballer54

Agreed, I think we have a shot if he does commit early. Nobody knows nothing though..

@Crimsonorblue22

yes 3-9 will not help his cause for playing time or the 0-4 from 3.. Maturity is a big thing Kelly will need to understand in this league

Well he did get drafted by a playoff team that didn't need a SF. His Pre-Season was very inconsistent so he's not going to play too much unless injuries help him out. He's going to have to really work hard to stay with this team regardless of being a 1st round pick or not. I don't blame him for leaving but clearly he could have improved his game more playing for KU another year..

@HighEliteMajor

1. I worry about Greene too but we have to give the kid a break and let him get back into shape. His d is never going to be great and remember we said the same things about Perry's D and he made a big effort to improve that last year. I don't consider Perry to be a weak defender, I would love to see him just once shut down Niang for a game. Greene should not transfer, I don't agree with that notion.. Next year he will be a Senior & if he keeps his head down and works hard he will be important to next years roster which is losing a ton of experience after the year.

2. I really don't understand the fools gold remarks. I really wish he would cut the crap with those remarks. 3 point shooting is the most important equalizer in games. You don't see too many teams that win marquee games going 4-19 from 3. We lost to Wichita St in the tournament because they bombed 3's and made them. They are momentum plays, and they spread the defense to open up lanes. In an offense that wants to blindly chuck the ball inside wouldn't making 3's be the biggest impact to our offense being efficient and effective? We Shouldn't shoot 30 of them just for the heck of it but this team thrives when we make perimeter shots, I see the confidence players get when they are making them. So what's the answer to that, having your players step up in games and making them. I wouldn't take Tuesday's game as the tell-all of where our season is going from the 3pt line.

3. Vick should play but he won't unless an injury or circumstance forces him in there. He's a guy who can play now and score but with Self we all know that's only a small part of what makes Self trust a freshman. Defensively I'm sure he can outshine Greene, but the trust isn't there yet. Hopefully in some of our easier games he will get enough minutes to show out to the staff. I think by Jr year he can be our leading scorer I have that much faith in the kid.

4. I'll give Selden a pass because of the ankle. But in the first 5 games I do want to see that nasty streak he had this summer. And the offense must run through him just as much as anyone for him to have the impact we need.

5. Ellis at the 3 sounds scary defensively. Not sure he can keep up with the quick SF's but Self says he's leaner and quicker this year. Offensively Ellis is most effective being able to operate in the post.

6. We don't have a post who can just go to work with his back to the basket. Mari had 1 nice move but against a small defender which he won't get when the real games start.

7. Don't worry the officiating will be just as bad or worse as in the past. I expect it to be especially puzzling early & any road game we go on. Nothing changes

@jayballer54

If Bragg is here next year he's pretty much guaranteed to play the 4 & start, if Bolden's desire is to play the 4 then Bragg is in the way don't you think? I think Bolden would be interchangeable at either position in the KU offense but he seems to want a school that will showcase him as a 4 for the next level. If playing early, starting & needing to play PF, how do we sign him if Bragg is here.

In the scenario that Bolden is wanting to start right away at PF then the only schools that could offer him that is Alabama or Oklahoma. He'd walk right in there as the big catch at both schools. At KU Bragg potentially is in his way, Duke has Giles, Kentucky has Gabriel, Killeya-Jones etc.

If Bolden is okay with being the quote on quote "5" in the offense then he's got a starting job at KU immediately.

@jayballer54

the other KU site is reporting Udoka will be a spring Signee. Maybe he commits in the winter or waits.

Allen sounds like the most likely to sign early.

Bolden had said in the summer he was a spring signee. If what's gone on with Giles doesn't force his hand I can see him waiting.

Jackson- spring,
Monk- spring

New Guard interest Jones- spring will watch KU closely to see if he would fit with the team. Think of another Vick, long, lean, quick, athletic.

Sounds to me we will be waiting until the year is over for anyone else, AGAIN

@Texas-Hawk-10 @joeloveshawks

You both made great points. We have a disadvantage in recruiting because of the lack of top talent in the area. Tough to beat Duke for kids in the NC area. Tough to beat a lot of teams when the home schools put the pressure on. There's clearly a pecking order in schools and we have clearly fell just short of the top right now. Each & every year that can change.

From the exhibition game, it sure didn't look like we had any less restrictions in scheme. Looked like the same ol Self offense.

@FarSideHawk

Boy that's a tough one, none have given an exact date.

If I had to guess Bolden could be a winter or spring signee. If the Giles Announcement does anything to speed up that time-frame we will have to see in the next week.

Allen could sign this fall but I'm not sure he's done taking visits.

Good luck getting anything on Udoka.

@drgnslayr

I'm Biased too, I absolutely think Bolden has the best chance to play right away here & keep himself relevant for a future in the NBA. It would be insane if we missed on all that talent out there. But it could happen, I even think its a good possibility the way things have gone. I've been in this funk where I'm expecting the worst, hoping for the best, would be ecstatic with good news. But my gut says no right now

I think Certain players he's given the keys to car immediately. But even Oubre sat early which we have all thrown around as maybe a negative that recruits see with Self.

Vick is a guy that I'm really high on. I think fans will be happy with him.

As far as this year goes, unless someone gets hurt there's little chance Vick plays more than a handful of games or gets more than mop up minutes in blowouts (if we have any).

He might get some burn here in the non-con due to foul issues early on which would be his only chance to gain the trust from Self. It he lights it up on both ends of the floor who knows. But I consider that a major long-shot because there are so many mouths to feed. Maybe he could beat out Greene if Greene is just not able to come back from the injury the way he's supposed to. I don't know for all the issues Greene has he knows the system & has been in big games before, he has trust with Self.

@drgnslayr

That could be right, I think Herard wanted a guarantee on playing time which we know he didn't get from Self. First thing he said about committing to Miss St was about having a chance to play right away.

Staff valued Lightfoot more when comparing both as long term prospects.

Staff knew taking on another big before knowing the fates of Bolden, Allen & Azuibuke would negatively affect getting 1 or more of the above.

@drgnslayr

There has to be more too it than that. There must be a lot of issues with Diallo's classes.

I've seen something posted somewhere else that Wilson (signed with Pitt) was asked for evidence & information about his homework for the classes he took. That would indicate to me that the NCAA is trying to discredit or prove the curriculum is not up to standard, maybe even the school entirely or at least certain classes (maybe even core classes) that they have took at Our Savior.

@Crimsonorblue22

Me too! I just don't have any confidence that he will.

Nothing about this years recruiting can give anyone confidence

I think Bolden wants to play with Giles and the rest of the guys they signed. Minutes will work themselves out, they always do.

The answer should be easy that Bolden would go here now where the playing time is but the fact is nobody knows what he wants to do. So many conflicting reports from each camp.

@Lulufulu

I think we made Pitt St look better than they are, but they definitely look to have a team that will do well at their level.

Notice how most of us have praised the bigs for their performance but the real strength of this team is supposed to be its back-court. Really shows how poorly we did play on the perimeter. And the bigs will always look better playing against smaller non athletic players.

This whole thing has just dragged on way too long. The closer its gotten to actual games the more anyone would feel upset or frustrated about there being no decision. If he was just another player, there's no issue, but he's a potentially very important player to the team.

I know its not the perfect analogy but like the Tom Brady situation with the NFL, it dragged on forever for no reason & upset a lot of people whether fans of the Patriots or not about how the NFL handled things. There was a real chance he was going to miss those 4 games, without any resolution & that would have been an even bigger issue.

Whether this slow played process will end up helping us in the end or not, not knowing all the facts has created this perception that the NCAA has no idea what they are doing. I have a very biased opinion against the NCAA but I have listened to what others have said like @JayHawkFanToo about seeing the other side of things & not blaming the NCAA for doing their job.

The Tea Leaves say they are in an appeal. Why else would Self have to be in meetings all day on a game-day. This has nothing to do with Bill Self other than him being the coach of Diallo.

Friday's have been a popular day for clearing kids, we may get a decision today??? IF not maybe 2065..

@Crimsonorblue22

I'd still like to know why Coach Self is involved anyway. The fact that this isn't a normal thing that happens suggest to me that there is some serious issues with the whole situation

@wissoxfan83

Great post by the way.

We will see if Tuesday is any different, especially when Self brings to practice all the ammo from last nights ugly game with him. I expect some individuals to improve especially one's who've played little in the past year.

@HighEliteMajor

Spot on assessment. I think from now until Tuesday & until next Friday Self will get these guys to buy in a little more. We really didn't play like we wanted to beat them by 50, team was just going through the motions a lot of the game. We know Self will dial them in & get on them for the poor play.

Svi & Greene just looked very rusty. Svi looks so active on defense until his man beat him, then he just gave up. And his shot was not even close. I think we need to take almost everything in the context that it was the first game & the team had been practicing terrible.

If Bragg brings that kind of game on a consistent basis he has to start with Ellis.

@Crimsonorblue22

The wings were horrible, as we joked about last night BG couldn't guard my grandma. He looks very rusty and it shows with him missing the entire off-season. I do expect him to get much better but last night was not that game. I'm not going to give up on him yet.

But I think besides Bragg's play, as a team played how poorly Self said we were practicing. I don't remember us looking that bad in previous years when we've had a stacked team. maybe some others can chime in on that

@Statmachine

He was good offensively. He can block shots but he was facing a bunch of 6'6's out there. I thought his defensive awareness wasn't good, I didn't think any of the bigs did a good job defending the post or negating drives to the hoop. Still the same issue from last year & without Diallo will be magnified when we play much better and bigger bigs.

Had to get my 1 pun out..

I know this was a glorified scrimmage but let's take a minute to praise the Freshman Big Man for having the best game of all the Hawks last night.

Energy, hustle, rebounding, scoring around the basket all against those giants of Pittsburgh St. The end part was a joke but seriously Bragg was the last big off the bench & had earned the 2nd half start by the time the 2nd 20 had started.

He won't be the last big off the bench going forward, Self will learn to trust him, he has to he's just too talented

Boy Self's post game talk about Diallo Didn't sound promising from how I read it.

Couldn't comment on the question about appeal. Sounds to me they are, why else would Self be interviewed all day for a academic matter at another school.

@Crimsonorblue22

Euro reputation.

we know he's better than he's showed but making shots is what he needs to prove & he's done anything but that

so much for hoping for a 2nd half blowout...

BG & SVi don't offer much if they don't make shots.. both lack defensive awareness

that post move by Mari was impressive, would love to see that in games we need