🏀 KuBuckets Archive

There is actual talk of McCullar having a chance in this year's draft. He may go unsigned, but he's been gaining attention as of late where he might entice someone in the 2nd round or get one of those 2-way deals.

Has the Covid year to use so NIL could be a factor here along with potentially having an even bigger role on next season's team. Perhaps he gets feedback again that pushes him to grind another year?

I'm not expecting he returns at this point but would absolutely love if he did. I think this one will be worth monitoring.

Latest updates to team health

Zach can play, not 100%.

Zuby can play, closer to 100% then Zach.

Joe has been out the last few days, sounds like he's sick/cold. Didn't practice Thursday, hoping he does Friday.

If there is anything that would make Gradey think twice (and its a longshot at best), it's the fact the 2024 draft class could be a historically bad one. A lot will change in 12 months from now but its already being talked about in this way.

Is officially redshirting this year. Helps clear the air if he decides to look elsewhere after the season.

@Kcmatt7

Great work here!

@dylans

Defense has also been one of the main criticisms of Gradey at the next level. I agree physically he'll have to grind it out to get much better.

@drgnslayr

Gradey already has the rep as the best shooter in this draft class & the feedback on him has consistently been lottery for him. It's always a risk coming back another year when your stock is this high. Selfishly I would love to see it but it's really a no brainer for him right now.

Yes, there is a big difference in $ between say the 14th in 5th picks on the rookie pay scale. Over 3 years it's about a $9 million difference.

He's been the best freshman since Josh Jackson came through with 100% less drama attached to him. IMO, he's got a great shot to go down as the best freshman to play at KU under Bill Self. We've had good one's & he's trending to put his name at the top, if he's not already there. He's really been the perfect fit here and selfishly I wish we'd have another year.

I mean Alabama could have gotten ahead of this a month ago. They brought this on themselves. A player (former now) charged with murdering someone last month and they didn't think these details would get out to the public? Beyond stupidity. The coach's initial statement, beyond stupidity.

@dylans

And Self will be advocating and pushing him to go.. The one guy that could take a selfish stand and try and change his mind is very unlikely to do so.

@drgnslayr

Yeah that trio doesn't defend a lick, especially the freshman phenom supposedly going in the Lottery before Dick. We all know Gradey will have to improve defensively but he makes up for a lot of things with effort and winning plays. All those tip outs for boards and transition plays are a nuance to his game that isn't brought up.

@Jethro

OMG this is hilarious. Somehow CB is going to get his revenge, we can book it

Some more Stats. Who doesn't like Stats. Stats! Stats!

KU has 2 remaining home games. Under Coach Self, KU is 38-0 in the final 2 home games of the season. Pretty good win record for the next two!

KU in conference play- leading the Big-12 in 2 pt field goal defense and 2nd in defensive rebounding.

Baylor's defense is currently the worst defense in the Big-12 in the last 4 years. Keep doing what you're doing Scottie.

Marcus Adams Jr, 4 star wing from California is taking an official visit to KU this weekend. The 6'8 wing recently dropped a top 5 that didn't include KU since KU and a whole bunch of others offered after his list dropped.

UCLA is the rumored front runner here. Free trip?

For those wondering what kind of game Marcus has. He's the modern 4, has great size at 6'8, listed 200 but recent film would suggest he's probably a bit more than that. Physically stands out, strong looking player already (mix of J Will & MJ). Shoots the 3, not crazy about his shooting motion and could see issues with that when closely guarded. Handles are not great, plays above the rim, not a crazy athlete but one that probably will get more explosive with legit S & C program. Really intriguing player wherever he goes

Oates later released another statement to clarify his initial response. He's still a complete idiot

@drgnslayr

Don't get used to Fran being that way.

Fran often has complimentary things to say about Self, its players etc but his in-game diarrhea to coach against us is what drives us up the freaking wall. When that happens it's easy to forget the 1 or 2 nice things he said.

KUSports site is better than it was, that's for sure.

Good idea on a stats section.

You know I think this team has formed its identity. We have our starting 5 all playing at a high level (besides Jalen's recent downtick in scoring). We have established a rotation off the bench that is working. Udeh as the backup C is not just exciting but an x-factor. Everyone else has a role or a specific matchup where they become more important.

I think it's all about maintaining the level of play we have reached now. The defense has improved a lot and because of that the offense has come easier for the most part. This is one of, if not the toughest teams Self has had and I trust Juan, Jalen & Kev to carry that torch the further along we get. These guys just get it. Then you add Gradey, the true x-factor for this team. Him being able to be that other go-to guy kills an opponent's ability to matchup.

@Jethro

KU Record, tied the Big-12 record, ways to go for the National

@rockchalkjayhawk

Agree, that's part of why athletic departments have compliance officers on staff.

@mayjay

What about Miller and his teammate parking their car in such a way, blocking the road from the victim's car potentially leaving where they were. That part hasn't been explained on why Miller/Bradley did this. Did they just coincidently drive down to where Miles was and coincidently left their car in such a way where the victim and her boyfriend couldn't exit? Miles & Davis had some discussion with the Victim and her boyfriend that led to this outcome. Miles then asked Miller to bring his gun to him. This smells awful fishy

@stoptheflop

It was Miles gun and he wanted it brought to him via text from Miller. Miller brought the gun to the scene and left it in his car while blocking the victim's car from exiting the road. His teammate also parked his car blocking the road.

This article runs down some of the details.

https://www.al.com/news/2023/02/darius-miles-texted-brandon-miller-to-bring-gun-used-to-kill-jamea-jonae-harris-police-testify.html ↗

@Eric-san

Wait did Miles say Miller wasn't at the scene & that later proved to be a lie?

@rockchalkjayhawk

Knowing what we know about the NCAA would you want to report anything to them? Certainly not justifying Alabama here, speaking in general of how strained the relationship between Universities & the NCAA is right now.

I have a really hard time understanding how Miller is off the hook here, currently.

I have an easier time understanding Alabama trying to make this a nothing issue since it involves their star player. The statement from Oats is horrific, like it didn't get proof-read by the Athletic Dept etc., whoever would make sure he's not being a complete idiot. I have no idea why they let him say what he did.

@benshawks08

Now that you mentioned how the world might see Self vs KU fans, Self probably won't win the award if the discussion of the unresolved NCAA case becomes part of the narrative. He did in fact take a 3-game suspension this year because of it. I'm not expecting he wins the award but he should based on what's he's done this season. I'm expecting it goes to the guy that's overachieved the most for one season like usual.

@wissox

Last night was pretty mild for Fran or I was really good at tuning him out. I didn't see anyone covering this yet but it's a pretty cool achievement. It gives me a lot of hope that Udeh is going to be a lot like Doke with his efficiency in future years.

@BShark

You betcha, the skeletons there I'm sure have their own field.

It's Alabama. Expect it

This is pretty crazy. Will the media make this a big deal?

Ernest Udeh now has the KU record for consecutive field goals made without a miss, multiple games. He's now at 20 straight FG's without a miss. He is tied right now for the Big-12 record. Crazy!

KU's record last 5 years against Big-12 foes.

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@Jethro

For some reason the WVU home game with Devonte sticks out more than that Road Game in my head but when I was collecting the data that game was a definite outlier.

Down 13 at half, outscored them by 18 in the second half.

Here's some stats on KU/West Virginia last 5 years. 14 games.

First half, KU +2.5 pts avg ahead

Second Half, KU +8.5 pts avg ahead

KU has beaten West Virginia on average by 10 points in their last 14 matchups. 12-2 record in this span, both losses on the road.

ESPN putting UNC on the first four out is nothing but fabricated bullcrap. There is no way this team is even close to a tournament team. Lunardi is one of the worst rated bracket predictors out there and this shows why.

@wissox

Yep 3 wins with their big goon back at Center so the committee will be forced to judge them with a few lenses, the team before him and the team after. They have 3 winnable games with the KU one the only real longshot. 7-11 going into the Big-12 tourney playing for their life, yeah lot's to play out here

@StLJhawk

Best thing that ass-hat has said in many moons.

@Kcmatt7

That 21 team seemed to be the fuel for 22 though according to that Ochai/Mitch/Teehan podcast they did. Sometimes sacrifices are made for the greater good:beaming_face_with_smiling_eyes:

UPDATE. GRITTY WIN ON THE ROAD

Points-

Jalen's off game keeps him in 33rd place 7 points off 32nd place.

Kevin approaching 1,000 points for his career with 970. While he didn't earn a bulk of his points here, he's a Jayhawk forever. That dude bleeds here.

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KENPOM-

Now a Top 10 defense, finally catching on Ken. Their D is better then 9th too FYI.

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@benshawks08

100%. He has a narrative they can play up which is important at the right time since Football is over.

Change my mind.

🐦 View Tweet?t=TkBAwccoIe361Bli0G3lCQ&s=19

Billy Eugene. Bow down

@wissox said in Dajuan Harris Cooks Lizards In Fort Worth Game Thread:

This team isn't lucky, this team made defensive plays all night. That's how they won this game.

I'm only talking about the final play there

Wow we are so lucky

Come on j will

Clobbered

Omg

1 and 1 wtf

Gn laughable

@jayballer67

Make fts if we ever get a call

Redic no call on that gradey layup

@Kcmatt7 said in Dajuan Harris Cooks Lizards In Fort Worth Game Thread:

Harris has been awesome tonight

The magician comes through again

Dogs

Baugh is 28% from 3. Absolutely just making them

Another missed layup