I am supportive of a "Go Fund Me" account to send @Crimsonorblue22 to all remaining home games!
CRH107
239 posts
"Consider this: In Cunliffe's 57 minutes so far this season, the career 36 percent field goal shooter has taken more shots per minute than senior point guard and leading scorer Devonte' Graham."
~Matt Tait
Not a formula for more playing time.
WOW...Thank you @dylans and @BeddieKU23
Agree with you...meant my comment only as an inadvertent benefit of a bad loss.
Sam had what????
Is there an Ophthalmologist among us who would be willing to visit the dorm and offer an eye test (wink wink)?
A survey was conducted of the most admired trait in others. I would have guessed: money, fame, power. But, the leading answer was "the ability to overcome adversity". Go Doke Go!
"The only way to make losing okay is winning." ~Molly's Game
Thank you, Ralster. Hundreds of posts later and you identify the "elephant in the room"... presently a "flawed team" with a razor's edge margin for error. I wonder how excitable any of us would be if we weren't chasing 14.
Doke may be accepting some aspects of coaching but not others. I agree with you that he has come very far this year on other parts of his game which makes his free throw situation all the more perplexing.
So which is it: Has he not been taught technique or has he decided free throws are not his priority?
Regardless of the answer, KU is not likely to go very far without Doke acquiring a serviceable free throw percentage and teams will use it to their advantage until he can prove otherwise.
If our answer is Mitch then I suggest that we are in serious trouble. He is a wonderful role player and could possibly have made a difference last night. However, with no hope of another big on this year's roster, our dreams to continue a streak and possibly go deep in the tournament are tied to Doke's wagon, whether we like it or not. As the race tightens and the season continues, the option of taking him out will be as likely as taking Graham out when he is having a poor shooting night.
I do not disagree that Coach Self's approach last night was very harsh and costly (he is not a coddler) but his players present as boys and leave as men. I have faith in Doke.
@Big-Clyde52 Ouch! Had not considered that angle. Thanks for sharing.
@mayjay After reading your post I was reminded of this recent quote from Malik:
“Coach's motto, every time the game gets close, is players make plays, coaches don't win games,” Malik Newman said after the Baylor win.
Yours is an interesting thought.
@blown Fair argument and I agree that regardless of strategies/tactics employed by others, Coach Self's job is to make adjustments.
If this loss yields another year of Doke, I will take it.
My two cents:
--Coach Self did not fail to make an adjustment. At heart, he is a basketball purist and he made an entirely conscious decision to allow events to unfold as they did.
--Coach Kruger's strategy, while entirely legal, is still a pitiful display of tactic and smacks the face of everything that is beautiful about the sport.
--OU was outplayed, plain and simple, and it required a late game "gimmick" strategy from their coach to pull off the win. (National Player of the Year Frank Mason would not have stood for it.)
--Over the years, I have watched Coach Self put individual players in the "toughening box". This year, I believe he has put the entire team in it.
--Reasons for losses are multifactorial. While it is necessary to find the root cause, attention must also be given to the many other factors that contributed. Otherwise, the next loss will be because of one of them.
--I believe Coach Self said in a pre-conference interview that he believes a 13-5 record will take the conference outright this year. He is a low risk gambler -- gambles when the probability of success is highest. This team's current formula of squeaking out wins coupled with their struggles in AFH requires too much dependence on "luck" for Coach Self's taste. He is trying to motivate them to find their next gear. Historically, a loss often helps.
--I am very encouraged by the team's play last night. They made progress. Selfishly, I want KU to wrap the conference up as fast as humanly possible but I have to constantly remind myself that every season is a marathon not a sprint.
Doke's last free throw was at 1:56 and even with the miss KU was up by 1. Point taken about Doke and his free throws but in fairness, a second look at the final 1:56 is also relevant -- a missed 3 by Graham, a missed 3 by Svi, and a missed switch on defense that cost us 3...to name a few.
23rd
WOW! These lists put Coach Self's success and winning percentage in a totally different stratosphere.
I do believe this team is wired a bit differently than teams in the past and the pressure to succeed at AFH seems, at times, almost palpable with this group. I often wonder if we miss out on some recruits simply because of the non-negotiable expectation to win and continue a streak; especially with the "me first" mentality that frequently permeates high school basketball.
In December, I came across an article about Trae Young and learned that God is evidently an OU fan this year, as well:
"I want to break Kansas' [Big 12 title] streak," Young said then. "It's not going to be easy, by any means, but that's something that I'm going to be hard on all year. If I would have [gone] to Kansas, I would have been a little bit different, but I wanted to break that streak. That's my goal. We're gonna do it. I have all faith in God that that's what his plan is."
Source (for @mayjay and @Jayballer54 since I am referencing God): "With Trae Young in the mix, Kansas' Big 12 streak could be in jeopardy", ESPN Myron Medcalf Staff Writer, December 22, 2017
I once had a very wise and gifted mentor tell me that humans can handle any pressure we put on ourselves but not necessarily pressure we allow others to put on us.
Seeing the camera pan the AFH fans late, it was evident that their expressions were far from optimistic (some expressions to the point of agony) even while we remained within striking distance. Thank goodness this team stays focused on themselves, their coaches, and each other. I think this group can readily dismiss noise and distractions from others (including articles like the one above) but I do think this team has a very large soft spot for the KU fanbase.
Perhaps our tentative play in AFH this year will be a harbinger for better things to come during post-season play on neutral courts.
Flat but a W! Saved "amped up" for OK.
A little post locker room celebration...and so well deserved! I award the "junkyard dog" to the collective...
https://www.facebook.com/KansasBasketball/videos/10156059584449532/ ↗
Vick not starting...Coach's decision. What?!?
In an interview this Fall, Coach Self named Tom Izzo and Bob Huggins as the two most challenging coaches he faces.
Still...not Rihanna (sigh)...
I thought Doke's presence of mind to heave the ball down the court with a handful of seconds remaining was also impressive, even while Graham was calling for the ball. Doke likely didn't want to be fouled either. Vick sprinted and time ran out...game over.
@Crimsonorblue22 You raise an interesting question...
Excerpt from Love and Basketball: Top Recruit Billy Preston Taking Family Values to Heart by Jason King (July 28, 2015)
"As long as he (Billy) does what he's supposed to do, I'll run through a wall for my son," (Nicole) Player said. "I know the move was tough on him, but Billy does not make a decision in my household. He's still a minor.
"A lot of things can go awry when kids start making decisions for the household because they're supposed to be the breadwinner eventually. He's not making a dime today. I'm just a parent trying to put my kids in a good situation."
CRH107 said:
@jayballer54 nailed it.
From Jesse Newell:
"As far as Silvio De Sousa goes, his potential early enrollment at KU appears to have hit a speed bump this week. De Sousa will need a better score on a standardized test Saturday to be eligible to join KU this month."
Not the news, I was hoping to receive.
In the after game interview, Self was addressing the current equality of minute distribution and stated, "...hopefully, if we can get some pieces back then it won't be like that, that much longer." The immediate follow up question was about Billy's status.
Perhaps grasping at straws but seems like the first glimpse of optimism in several days. Fingers crossed because as the season and competition progresses, Billy is needed.
I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it. ~Mae West
Certainly agree that Billy has culpability if this event goes wholly south. However, let's not forget the ADULT "role models" (i.e, agents, coaches, parents, alumni) who squarely and knowingly place these kids in harm's way.
Gobble til you Wobble!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to all. I am thankful for the hours of entertainment and wisdom that this site provides!!
In today's speak, I think Coach Self is being pragmatic and attempting to manage expectations. He has noticeably dropped the "confident" word which connoted a likely positive outcome (from November 15) and instead is focused on a 'resolution' - which may or may not be in Billy's favor. Regardless of outcome, I will not feel "led on"...these situations tend to take on a life of their own and change directions with chameleon like speed.
1,750,000 reasons to play today...($1,750,000 check made payable to the Relief Fund presented at halftime by the Head Coaches and ADs).
Great for Tyler and Lauren (sister) is also a current Texas resident (Dallas area). Hopefully, that's enough family in one State.
GO. FRANK. GO.
Seems tall people and 'young' people make more money...Though Mason is 1/4" taller, Evans is 3 years younger (age 20 vs. 23)...but I believe Frank's grit and determination are his greatest assets. Go. Frank. Go.
@brooksmd
Maybe...but Frank did 'Retweet' the pic on his 'Twitter' account. :simple_smile:
Summer reading list:
Golden: The Miraculous Rise of Steph Curry
by Marcus Thompson
'Overlooked by the college blue bloods and at 6'3" and 180 pounds deemed too small and too short by NBA coaches around the league' ... until he wasn't.
Someday, I hope to read a similar book about Frank.
Go. Frank. Go.
Considering how Bell manhandled Lucas and Colby, Bragg, a very distant third option in that scenario, was likely saved the humiliation. Sometimes it is better to leave things to our imagination than to remove all doubt.
At the 7th Annual Ladies Night Out in October it took Frank only three letters to respond to the question of where he would be next year: "N B A". It came across as a simple statement of fact with absolutely no hint of braggadocio.
Tough ending to a stellar season but I am resolved to be completely satisfied if Frank can just make it to the next level. So please, please basketball gods continue to pile on the individual accolades for Frank (which I know he would have traded away in a nanosecond to compete for the national title tonight) so that every GM in the NBA has to hear his name repeatedly.
Sometimes even though you may want it more for others you have to accept that it may just be your time to shine.
And Bell wasn't called for his second foul until 8:35 in the 2nd half...amazing for as physical as he plays.
My daughter parlayed her KU "Art History" degree into a lucrative career with an architectural lighting firm in Chicago. Signed herself up for interviews at the business school and convinced one employer that lighting is art...the rest is history.
A few comments that hit me wrong:
“They sleep on us, man. Shoutout to Long Beach, they sleep on all of us out there … Ain’t nothing sweet about us, man.” ~Bell
“We’re not done. We wanna put a banner up. We want a banner in Oregon. They sleep. They sleep on West Coast, man. Wake ’em up! Wake up!” ~Dorsey
"We wanted to send their fans home." ~Dorsey
I don't disagree that these are exuberant remarks but in my view in stark contrast to how KU players typically respond in post-game situations (regardless of how lopsided the win). The self-centeredness of the comments seem arrogant to me but agree that they are not disrespectful.
Seems to me Altman, et. al. began scheming against KU on Selection Sunday. Rolled the dice to include risking a loss to prepare for a KU takedown. To me, the arrogance of the after game interviews was the tell. No way do I believe the players looked at scouting reports for the first time 48 hours before the EE game. I think NC will handle Oregon easily and will have KU to thank. A week of preparation would have made a world of difference but that is obviously not the format. However, it does make me long for the days when we prided ourselves in beating teams playing whatever style the opponent wanted to play.
Lawrence PoliceVerified account
@LawrenceKS_PD
Well, at least we have a lot of experience dealing with fans after an #Elite8 loss. Get home safely Jayhawk fans. #DriveSober
I know, too soon BUT I am very proud of our fans for an uneventful, lawful, night.
Jackson. The absence of program history/weight is a huge (mental) advantage for all OADs
Do recall reading that Self said he wasn't going to 'tweak' Josh's shot at KU...would let that up to the NBA. Another year of college ball with the same shooting mechanics may not be in Josh's best interest.
In hospital jargon, we call the process ("to dissect, evaluate, and give our view") the 'blameless autopsy'...when things go terribly wrong (as they so often do in life), it is a great experience to step back from the histrionics and emotional arguments and take a deep dive into causation. What we inevitably discover is that most situations are multifactorial (many symptoms, few root causes) . What I most appreciate about this board is that this dynamic is occurring independently and interactively (without benefit of a facilitator) and 99% of the time the comments (even those at odds) are very insightful and respectful. What a wonderful 'learning lab' @approxinfinity has created for all of us along with contributors so willing to share.
Makes one wonder if Bragg violated curfew, set his mattress on fire at the Westin, or gave Bill the side-eye before Saturday's game. Coach took pains to compliment Bragg after the Thursday night win when reporters were trying to focus on Coleby. Maybe he just felt Bragg was too soft for the likes of Bell that given day.
I think Self can live with it because it was in the flow of the game. Had Vick missed I think we would have heard Vick, boneheaded, and play in the same sentence. Regardless, nothing like Self's disdain for Greene's time expiring dunk:
"Brannen Greene, we've put up with him doing some stuff in the past, but that was probably the biggest d*ck move I've ever had a player do during a game," Self said. "To dunk the ball like that when the other team — even their players are going, 'How disrespectful to the game.'"