@nuleafjhawk Do you remember jayahawkinnebr, then?
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1803 posts
@nuleafjhawk sooobawls, i knew that was you :-)
@globaljaybird I was just thinking Wolf in Wolf clothing :-)
The issue I take with Wiggins is that the ONLY time he is aggressive is when he is driving to the rack.
Seriously, the "most athletic" player in the league, being labeled as a great defender is averaging less than one strip per game? Compare that to the 2.5 or 2.0 from the less wiry Chalmers & Robinson, or even the 1.1 from 5'10 Collins.
What I see from Wiggins is that he is focused on all of the hype he has received over the past 2-3 years and the June Draft. I really don't like being the debbie downer on Wiggins, but that's my take, and I"m a realist to a fault.
hate is bad, mmmmkay.
I saw a lot of good things last night, but our handling of the rock at closing time is still a big concern to me. Every game that I can recall where we were pressured 3/4 to full court Tharpe has had a hard time getting across the time line. What bothers me even more is he has a knack for stopping just before passing the time line, and tries to pass out of double teams. His size, or lack thereof, and inability to see over the double team is leading to turnovers at a high rate. 5-10 is 5-10, we need something else in those situations.
@ParisHawk Nobody. But the good news is that blocking out is the easiest correctable flaw in basketball.
I never would have guessed that our starting 2 guard only has 12 3pt shots downs so far this year. While we are still soul searching, heck, let's try Wayne at the 1 since he is obviously not an aggressive enough scorer. I'm sure Mason has him beat in the handles and dime department, but a 6'5 guard has a lot of an advantage a 5'10 guard does not.
I really think the best line up moving forward is Mason, Selden, Wiggins, Perry, & JoJo. Surely Mason has learned how to break the zone by now, and that, imho, is the reason he lost the 1 back to Tharpe anyway. We need Alpha Mason on the court. It's a completely different team with him out there.
@Crimsonorblue22 Yep. Blowing my own horn, cause I get off on it. I didn't interrogate him, I did not make him uncomfortable. He was all smiles the entire time. We had a simple conversation, and I asked him what most people here want to know. I apologize for my improper journalism protocol and etiquette. I pray some day you will find it in your heart to forgive me and we can remain friends.
@Crimsonorblue22 Now, why did you have to go and lower yourself to my level by name calling ?
joeloveshawks--I will qualify this by saying that I have spent the last 8 years investigating people and situations, which includes a lot of interrogation. It's rarely what people say that you need to listen to, it's everything else that goes into their response. These guys are coached to respond to all sorts of questions, and I can tell that I caught him off guard. I'm probably an ass for doing it, but I really wanted to get a gage on the situation. On top of the body language, he wouldn't say "no" and I repeated myself a couple of times.
One more item, Black cannot continue to get minutes over Lucas. He has an incredible knack for rebounding the ball, and he is really long. But I'm afraid that Self is too stubborn to divvy Selden's time w/ Greene and Blacks with Lucas.
HEM, you are right on the money.
I was court side, so I was able to pick up on a lot of things I never see on TV. The first thing I noticed was we could not get in rhythm offensively, and no idea how to handle the double team. We could not guard their pick and roll at all.
Second, I noticed that Fisher is a fantastic coach. His timeouts were executed with perfect timing, among many other things he did.
Then I noticed Self could not make adjustments to the team. When he tried to send in a three pt threat, he chose the guy that had not seen game time in over a month, in AWIII, instead of Greene who is clearly the superior impact player.
Next, I saw Perry was O fer 6 with 5 of them being bunnies. He was clearly bothered by the length, and the second layer of blocking.
The biggest issues I have that I was able to pick up on having been so close to the action:
1. Wiggins is to lazy without the ball, and I think he has a bad attitude.
2. The bad attitudes are contagious--how many arms flailing could I count ? A ton. Looked like a bunch of sour puss babies out there getting their A$$ whipped and all they could do is pout.
3. Wiggins is lazy, and only puts out 1/2 effort most of the game.
4. Wiggins is lazy.
5. Selden was overhyped.
6. Wiggins is lazy. If I had the time, I;d cut all of the game tape I have and show his lazy arse not working without the ball ALL OF THE TIME. He's worse than BMac as far as not plugging himself into the game.
Due to being super lucky, I have some friends that work at AFH so I get the opportunity to visit with some of the players. Here is what I picked up on last night:
This is a team chalked full of bad attitudes, save Joel Embiid. This is a team chalked full of Prima Donnas, Save Joel Embiid. This is a team 1/2 full of people who obviously are focused on themselves instead of the team.
And I asked Greene if he is going to transfer, even though that probably wasn't right of me to ask. But I asked, and I didn't like his response.
Dang I've been gone forever i guess. How did I miss so many of your posts in such a short time. Nice having you on board, I've missed these reads.
@approx Can you please tell me how to find that live game link for the chatroom. You just posted it last time (thank you). How can I find it on my own if I missed the live game chat. I like to read the comments there afterward.
@jesse_newell No PLUGGING, unless you are going to rotate your Press Pass among us :)
Thanks for feeding us :)
How much in sales revenue would Lawrence give up by moving a "gimme" game they usually play at home, and going down the road to Wichita where their community is now infused with all of the sales revenue? Just a thought...not saying one way is right or wrong....just a thought.
@approxinfinity thanks. I missed the game and live blog. The game ended as the Christmas Program concluded--at least the last song was "Three Little Birds" so I felt good about it all :)
Has Jaybate been posting on the CJ online forum?
I guess they had no preparation for a road game.
I was concerned that the one day of practice between Colorado and Florida would cause problems. But I knew they would play zone (UF). In fact, we knew that many teams would show more zone this year due to the new enforcement of the rules.
A big question that I have, and I have no idea how to run a basketball practice, let a lone a D1 practice. But, if Self foresaw the use of zone more (as he did state in previous interviews prior to season tip) why wasn't this worked on in practice? I mean, it's evident they have not practiced beating any press, trapping or zone right? Maybe Self thought they would shoot better than they have. Maybe they will shoot better upon their return to AFH.
I've been following the board for about 6 years now, and I've read a lot of comments from posters that they would trade 4-5 season losses to get the talent on the floor so they can reach their ceilings by March. Welp, that is what is going on here folks :)
On another thought...
Can Tarik really be the leader this team needs with his performance level? Are the younger guys just gonna blow him off due to his steady regression? I guess the same goes for Naa....I'm really concerned there is no leader to help develop the identity. Mason is the best fit right now, I guess. I'd like to see Perry take charge, but he's too quiet, and it just doesn't seem to be in Wiggy's demeanor.
Seeing Brannen get 14 minutes was a positive sign. If he doesn't continue getting 12-15 minutes a game, I think it's a coaching error on Self. He knows deep down inside that Brannen is the 1 of the 3 he needs to play. He's gone to him in both the Duke game and the Florida game. I think this is telling.
A bigger question to me: What the hell happened to Andrew White? Recall all of the positive comments he was getting from Self in October and early November. Since that has not resulted in playing time, my assumption is that Self was just motivating the team with that gimmick.
The Good: Kansas won the final 23 minutes 47-33
The Bad: Doubled their Turnover Average
The Ugly: Bill has this year and next year to win with Freshman. Otherwise, he needs to go back to 2-3 year guys. His system isn't designed to learn in 2-3 months.
If it was option 2, Self might have alluded to that. He hasn't. Further, Embiid can foul as easily in the second 5 minutes of the game as the first 5 minutes.
HEM, you are a coach--as am I, though I coach baseball. I liken this to the "closer"
Do you bring your closer in the 6th or 7th, when you know he is only good for two innings at the most?
Coach has said the last four minutes of the game are the most important. That's when close games are won or lost.
Lucas & Embiid back--Lucas has a 7'1 wingspan and Embiids length would be nice back there too. Then 6'8 Ellis & Wiggs on the Wings. That's a long, long, defense.
Lucas isn't an actual option though, I'm just day dreaming about length :)
Yes it is. And maybe time to start attempting to run, run, run, and outscore opponents vs stopping them. The new rules are clearly anti-SelfDefense and there needs to be an adjustment.
I think the Zone potentially helps our rebounding as well.
Just some thoughts...have not had a chance to watch the game in its entirety.
We have been seriously spoiled as a fan base to a point of idiocracy. Really? No team should be in a game with Kansas that comes down to the last possession? News Flash: Jay Wright & Tad Boyle are pretty fine coaches as well.
The fact that 80% of the roster are freshman isn't a valid reason for the struggles? Wow. "Youth excuse is wearing thin" is a comment that I keep seeing posted. Anybody who thinks experience does not play into performance is just not being realistic.
I was happy to see Mason continue to jack up Bricks from 20ft.
Was the top of the key not open when they ran the zone? I would think Perry would be lethal from there, but again, no chance to watch game yet...just making this comment based on what I have read so far.
Finally, just as Marcus Smart's decision to return to college after being a sure fire OAD could pay dividends by influencing more high-level talent to stay an extra year or two, this loss is going to pay dividends for this team down the road this year. And potentially, the program even further down the road. Boyle is officially on my "Billy Self Replacement Watch"
How will this affect Team Chemistry?
Embiid is fouling at 3.5 per game. Second worst in the big 12. Considering he is only playing 17 minutes a game, this is a horrible stat.
Self doesn't care who starts so much has who can finish. So having Embiid available for the last 4 minutes of the game is probably more important to Self than having him for the first 4 minutes and gets in quick foul trouble just to sit on the bench. Sitting on the bench gives him the opportunity to see the flow, and how the game is being called. It gives him the opportunity to scout his opponent from 50 feet away. I think its a positive that Embiid isn't starting yet, but when he can keep the fouls down: LOOK OUT!!
It's a toss up. I enjoy both coaches, and their respective styles. Weird how the game works, though: Selfs Style Slaughters Roy, while Roy handles Izzo, but Self cannot. Interesting.
Good Call, HEM. Too bad you couldn't have squeezed in 'so what has Greene done to piss you off!'"
Thanks for posting this! I was looking for this information this morning...
Beating the Dukies gave this team and the coach bigger heads then they could handle. I honestly believe this weekend in the Bahamas will do them a lot of good over the year. Not only should Bill have their full attention, but Bill can't be tricked by his fools gold any longer. There are a lot of good individuals on this team, but they are playing individually and not as a team. I wonder if there might be some rocky tensions going on among the team as rotations are starting to settle in and feelings and egos are being affected. Hopefully it will smooth over by xmas break.
A few other comments...
Frank Mason needs to stop shooting threes. The guy is not a shooter. I don't know how he scored so many points in high school. I guess he's so quick and big he is unstoppable on the drive at that level. I love his aggressiveness, and defensive tenacity, but he's taking shots from deep, and at the wrong times.
I would like to see more plays ran for Wiggins to see his outside game open up the middle. If we are not going to get White or Greene in there (not sure Frankamp can even get a shot off) then we need some volume three point shooting from Andrew & Wayne. Somebody has got to open up the defenses.
Really sad that we won't get to see year 2 of Embiid's development. This is something special--I hope everybody realizes what we have with him.
As the world spins, I have a strong gut feeling Greene transfers out in December. I hate admitting that.
I play pick up every Monday & Thursday still and i'm one of those guys that playing with a different ball throws my (head) game off. That being said, every team there had to deal and cope with the environment. Excuses are monuments of nothingness.
@Konk--thanks for telling me about Hoop Math. That's a fun site to look at. I have a subscription to Ken Pom and plan to start following some of the trends that way. Any other good sites like those two, I would appreciate the heads up on!
@stat-not only do we need a three point shooter, we need one who can get the damn ball off quickly. Brannen Greene is the guy if he can get on the court. Long , long season ahead if we can't score from the outside. The triangle, and any 'packed in' defense is gong to give this team fits for a while.
I'd be curious to see know how many of Wiggins points have come in the paint. Would KenPom have this?
@approx--I assumed Self was running the 2 PG set to beat the pressure. Maybe he didn't trust Selden or White to be that second guy to be able to bring it up?
Does anybody agree there was a huge non-call at the 21 second mark when #32 for Nova traveled? I didn't think one could jump off both feet and come back down after establishing the pivot. I guess I'm wrong, because the ref was standing right in front of him and didn't call it.
KU's game plan worked great the first 5 minutes of the game. Going inside had them up, but then the fouls started raining down on our bigs. The only thing I am going to say about fouls right now, is that refs are not calibrated across leagues and tourneys.
Self making no adjustment to the press is the biggest thing I'm struggling with right now. That 3/4 1/2 press clearly had our ball handlers and flow out of sorts on each possession they pressured on.
Good news is that this is the time for getting better, not going home.
Rock Chalk.
@KIPMcSmithers--I agree with you on Marcus. He is in a unique situation because he is THEIR go to guy and primary ball handler, as I see it. Frank Mason has an arsenal of weapons surrounding him at all time; There is no need for him to not utilize them.
@Jesse Newell Good to see you here. Read your piece this am already, nice work, as always :)
For there being very little information regarding Greene not playing, I am getting the impression the rumor mills are starting to churn and it's painting a negative image of Greene. I don't think it's fair to Greene to label him as a guy with a bad attitude, as I am seeing many posters do already.
Self was clear "he needs to take care of some responsibilities"
Self has also been known to put people in the toughening box, especially if he sees great potential.
My opinion is that Self played Greene over the others in the Duke game to give him a taste of what hard work and dedication could get him--the biggest of stages. Greene is the highest transfer risk, and I think Self knows that--so giving him a taste of the cake might be just enough to hold him over from transferring.
Frank Mason is not playing like the pure point guard he is and someone needs to reign him in quickly.
10 shots in 13 minutes? 2 assists? Out of all of those drives to the basket he was looking to score every one of them except for one in my opinion. I was going to make this comment after the Duke game, but it would have fallen on deaf ears due to his performance alone. Frank is driving to score, and not driving to create, and that needs to change. Frank is not a scorer. I like the aggressiveness, but he would be helping the team more if he has more like 5 FGA and 7-10 assists.
Frankamp is getting tougher. I like it.
Jamari is regressing slightly.
Tarik is still stale. Regardless if he is paying against smaller line ups 1 point and 1 board for the 5 is inexcusable.
HEM, You don't think Miller can coach, or just don't care for him as an individual? Both??
HEM For what it's worth, I don't care for Miller either. I just see him as one of the top 5, potentially available, with street cred already in place.
Wasn't impressed with the 'fakeout' grabbing of UofI hat. That lacked class. Wouldn't be surprised if he does an about face on us, considering he didn't sign his LOI.
I'm having a tough time too, with the white on dark blue. What if you went opposite? Dark on white background for the forumtext section? Regardless, i'm thankful for the site and will continue coming here no matter what. Just sharing my opinion.
Bskeet I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I honestly feel like we are in the last 2-3 years of Coach Self being at Kansas. I see him seeing this years sophomore class out the door, maybe one more beyond that and he moves on to the League.
So finding a replacement is going to be hard. I expect a regression in win/loss percentage from the next coach, but here are the ears I'd like to have when Bill does leave:
- Billy Donovan
- Greg Marshall
- Brad Stevens
- Jay Wrignt
- Sean Miller
Danny Manning as the next coach was set in motion when he left for Tulsa, and we'll have about 2 years to see if Danny has the capacity to run a top program in the nation.
Right there with ya Slyr. I was just sharing it cause I came across it.
not bad, not bad, then. cause I was thinking about a dime :)
"The Final Four will have more riding on it, but it may not have the same caliber of teams as the Champions Classic -- No. 1 Kentucky versus No. 2 Michigan State followed by No. 4 Duke against No. 5 Wiggins on ESPN."
Anybody else notice this on espn?
slyr, is that the speech you gave to Elijah before the Michigan game last year? Kidding, kidding...nice post :)