🏀 KuBuckets Archive

I know some will pick on this player and that player breaking down their game. Even some will attack the coaching, they should of done this or that. Maybe they are all valid points.

Yet we should thank this KU team. They came out so aggressive on the defensive side of the ball that it left them vulnerable. They wanted to beat down this team so bad, that it hurt them. Yet they regrouped and played their game.

I know some of you thought, "OMG KU is going to lose" "be honest". However I wasn't. I knew they would come back. I don't know why? Just something about this team. They've had their beat down. I'm not saying they won't lose again, but you have to bring it, all game. If you're going to beat them. What more can a KU fan ask for? b)

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@konkeyDong I have a bone to pick with you. --------------- Where the hell have you been?????

;) Love your comments.

Don't stay away so long. Besides we need somebody to keep HEM and Jaybate in Check. b)

Ok don't laugh at me. :) However I had a dream a couple nights ago. The only way Bowen gets the HC job is if he marries a Japanese woman. I know right?

Maybe I should stop drinking. b)

I'm starting to believe the OAD craze is really a failure. Yea it creates a lot of hype and gives all those with a soap box to stand on, to speak of the great things to come. Just like an snake oil physician.

Now hear me out. Just look at UK. Yea they've made 3 final fours, won a championship against our beloved Jayhawks. They also didn't even make the tournament one year, lost in two final fours when they were clearly the best team, and they wouldn't have won that lone championship if there would have been a few more minutes on the clock. KU clearly had there number coming down the stretch.

Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to down on UK's recent success with the OAD's. Even though I just did. :) However what I'm trying to say, is that a level expectation comes with these OAD's that they rarely ever live up to.

That's why I wouldn't be surprised to see the NBA owners and the players union push for at least a TAD's requirement. These kids aren't just ready to make that leap.

I believe HCBS is going about it the right way. A mix of OAD's and 3 to 4 year players, even though the success hasn't really been there so far. :(

@justanotherfan At first I would agree, however with a second thought I'm not so sure. After rewatching the game. I come to the conclusion that KU just wasn't prepared. I blame the game blame and the coaches.

When things go bad sometimes it snowballs. The one thing that stuck out to me was this current KU team never stopped going to the rack even though it was futile. Why is that? I also noticed that UK just killed KU on missed free throws.

They're are more than a few ways to win a basketball game, than playing big. Correct me if I'm wrong but you were more willing to trade recent success of KU for UConn's success. Um UConn didn't beat UK last in the championship game by playing into the UK strength. Just saying. HCBS needs to adjust, because this current KU team does have potential of being a champion.

@drgnslayr ((((Swagger)))) Thank you. That's it. That's what has been missing. KU didn't win all those conference championships because they were the best team. Besides the last two years. KU had a swagger. They were almost mean.

It's like the old saying, "What you believe you are therefore you are". If you believe you're a champion then you will play like a champion. You will overcome adversity because you believe you're the best.

Thank you for clearing my jumbled mind.

I've been laying back and reading all the great info being posted by KUBuckets finest. I have to say it's all great. Well except one thing. The UK loss.

It seems almost every topic has some mention of the UK loss. I don't know if this is a bad thing or just fans venting?

I'm not a great man by any means, however I know dwelling on the past brings nothing good. I get it I was shocked as any KU fan to see UK just dismantle a pretty good KU team. I was mad and upset as any. However replaying the game I was able to put some things in prospective.

Believe or not KU played some good defense in that game.

UK just killed KU on missed free throws. I mean killed them.

I wouldn't say HCBS was out coached but he didn't coach. UK bigs just stood around the rim.

KU was woefully unprepared as they had no rhyme or reason to their offense game plan. It was like they were all waiting for somebody to do something.

Sometimes in life we need everything to crash so we can reboot. Understand? The last few years I felt the KU teams lacked something. Though they were good, ranked high, and respected something seemed to be missing. I wish I could tell you what it was but I'm not sure what to call it. Chip on the shoulder? Some backbone? I don't know.

However watching KU play Michigan St I saw what was missing. I don't know what you call it, but I knew KU wasn't going to lose. Maybe somebody can help me with this? :)

Guys and Gals who knows maybe that UK loss is the very thing KU basketball and it's fans needed? Just saying.

@Crimsonorblue22 I kind of figured Frankamp to Wichita St. was a no brainer. I'm not so sure this wasn't the back up plan all along.

@ralster I was thinking the same thing about 2 platoons.

Now if we can get Hem to give Oubre a little love. :)

Stop being a KU fan?????

I know you're kidding, but seriously I just couldn't do it. Hell I keep hoping the Jayhawks will play some football.

@Blown Sorry I disagree. Anybody can coach that UK team. The Robert Morris loss means nothing, as many of these kids weren't there to experience that loss or season.

UK has talent that I'm not even sure the NBA could match. In fact UK couldn't have this team in the NBA as there is a Salary cap. If you want to believe that Cal is the greatest coach of all time then knock yourself out. There was no coaching in that game. That was taller and greater athletes taking it to another team.

The only way UK loses with this team is if Cal doesn't coach. Give this UK team to HCBS and I'd bet every thing I own that he goes undefeated.

@ralster it isn't coach Cal getting those kids to come UK. Cal wasn't getting those recruits when he was at Memphis, and UK was getting those recruits before Cal showed up at UK.

About 10 to 15 years from now we'll get and Espn special on how Coach Cal and UK cheated the game. However not right now business is good.

@bskeet no KU isn't that bad and yes UK is that good. No Cal isn't a better coach than Self. A guy off the street could coach this UK team.

Think of it in these terms an NBA team couldn't assemble such talent with the salary cap. UK put a team on the court that is taller than any team in the NBA. I don't want to say this but it's obvious. NOBODY is beating this UK team. Nobody. If this team loses a game it's because of Coach Cal.

However I have hope. Many championships have been won with one or two players. I know neither SVI or Oubre had great games, but something about those two stuck out to me as this massacre unfolded. I can't put my finger on it, but it was something about those two? Svi seemed able to find his shot from three land even tho the shots weren't falling. Oubre for a split second seemed to know how to attack the big boys in the paint.

Maybe I'm reaching in my thoughts but something about them said they could take over in game like this. However they are so young.

So many are concerned about the height of this team. Relax no really Relax. Here lets blow the dust of this old relic of a saying. Ah here it is.

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog that matters.

Rebounding and defending is more than just height and size. Sure it helps but Rebounding and defending is mostly about heart. The willingness to do the dirty work. The desire to rip somebodies arm if they even try to take that ball from you. KU is going to be fine.

Dwayne seeks out Wiggins ↗

I'm glad to see that some class is still on display with some NBA players. I was beginning to think they were all like the King LeBron.

If KU is to win this game The heat seeking Mason is going to have to be nails in the paint. He can't shot off not knowing where he going to land. Meaning he needs to be under control when he drives. The Bombers are going to be need quick and precise and ready to strike from three land. Hit the three and it opens up the paint. Bring in the tanks on missed shots to crash the boards. Let them know they are in a dog fight. Assassins are always needed in warfare. Perry Ellis needs to be quite and swift. In any war a secret weapon is needed. One the opponent has know idea about. The secret agent Svi will need to be deadly and stealth. Here then there. Finally we need some chemical warfare. We need the Hulk Cliff Alexander to get mean. Really mean.

UK better be ready :)

Cliff the Thunder Alexander.

Who's this Mizzou you speak of? b)

@globaljaybird Don't mind a Nicaraguan cigar. Used to love a Cuban but anymore they are quite dry and harsh. Myself I like a little Templeton Rye. (gangster style) B) Lets go Royals.

It's all fun and games until you don't get the recruits.

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Lets go Royals.

@nuleafjhawk maybe we can go back to the leather helmets?

Leave the Jayhawk alone. I happened to like the new Helmets. It lets me know there is sponsor money and they care about what's on the field.

I wonder if Adidas had anything to do with the firing of Weis. I wouldn't blame them.

I wander how bad he messed up the floor. I bet there is some deep scars in that wood.

To whom it may concern. As a man that has bounced around in his life and worked in many different fields. I can tell you a college education is more than just the paper it's wrote on. It's hard to explain but it's like a brotherhood, and brothers help each other out.

Yes the education is one thing but the experience, the sense you belong to something bigger than yourself can't be bought with all the lottery money the NBA, MLB, and NFL offers.

A college education is priceless.

That was very interesting stuff. I was blown away that he had never fouled out of game. That's just crazy.

@Crimsonorblue22 I take in few games a year. I would love to get some tickets to a world series Game. I was telling my wife tonight after the Royals won, that you have no ideal how crazy this is going to get. I remember 85.

@Crimsonorblue22 are you kidding me. The Royals are undefeated in the playoffs and just took two on the road from those media darlings Orioles and coming home for a three game series. Hell ya I'm partying. :)

@Crimsonorblue22 I know dude. I was just having some fun with you. You're still my brother or sister. :)

@Crimsonorblue22 I was being sarcastic. LOL

@Crimsonorblue22 quite complaining my brother. They're two games from being in the World serious with 3 games at home. Just enjoy the ride. LMAO ;)

@brooksmd Yea I know what you mean, but they are capturing the hearts of so many by their never give up mantra.

Man I love these Royals. B)

Thought you would like this Jaybate. B)

Rick Pitino ↗

@drgnslayr I can't speak for nobody but myself. I just don't see how losing the conference will inspire a NC?

So if KU loses the Conference Championship this year and then doesn't win the NC? Then What?

You win the games in front of you. One game a at a time.

@justanotherfan you know this and I know this, however a lot of people and I mean a lot of people only see the title. The content the meat is foreign to them and they have no desire to eat and digest what you and I really know. They see the title and that's enough for them.

This is how great empires fall. It's starts with perception. It doesn't matter if the perception is true or not. The perception is Danny Manning and the Demean Deacon's took a swipe at the overlord Wildcats. Though not a fatal blow by any stretch, it still left a wound. It showed that UK can't just have anyone they want. It showed that UK can indeed be defeated regardless of all the East Coast Basis. Remember perception is everything. NO don't sweep it under the rug or put it up in the closet, but instead paste it, tell your friends, For crying out right article and put it in the KC Star. Let the world know that Danny Manny our KU Danny has raised his sword and took a chunk out the Wildcats.

That my friend is sweet music to my ears. Ok I know I went a bit over board but that's how it should be. :)

@justanotherfan ok my brother I'm going to pick a fight. :) I think you might be missing the point. Danny Manning at a school like Wake Forest just got a recruit that Coach Cal and UK wanted. Pretty impressive if you ask me. Wake Forest hasn't been good since Duncan. Sure UK won't miss him by any stretch, yet It's a score for Big Man Danny Manning and KU faithful. B)

@drgnslayr I get the feeling HCBS doesn't care much about he conference tournament. Not saying he doesn't try to win it, but maybe he doesn't pull out all the stops for it. Maybe it's because KU has already won the conference championship and has pretty much secured a #1 or #2 seed.

I'm no expert so take what I say with a grain of salt. HCBS seems to me as the coach that hits his stride when he has a team that sticks together for 3 years or so. He's a true coach and a master of the game. However College Basketball is no different than any other sport. Get the best athletes and they are hard to beat, no matter how old they are. That KU team that lost to UK in the championship game was a great team. They had everything you wanted as a coach. However UK a big man (Anthony Davis) that could block anything that went at the rim, so much that in the second half even KU's guards where scared to even put it on the rim.

It's like a double edged sword. It's hard to win with nothing but oad, but it's hard to beat a team that has nothing but oad. I don't have the answer, I wish I did. However I will say this I have a pretty good feeling about this years team. Yea we lost Wiggs, Embiid, and Black, but the rest of the team is coming back. Another year older and wiser plays right into HCBS's wheel house.

Hope this helps?

@drgnslayr I've always been confused why so many want to compare KU's conference streak to their lack of success in the tournament. It just doesn't make sense to me. The tournament though being the most exciting thing to watch is really nothing but a crap shoot. Sure the cream does rise to the top for the most part, but it's not a giving. So many things can go wrong to derail a good season.

Yet so many think if you don't do anything in the tournament well the season was a failure. Yet to increase you chance of having a good tournament run depends on getting a #1 seed. Getting a #1 seed usually means winning your conference.

The crazy thing is some will say the Big 12 sucks because KU wins it ever year, but they'll be the same ones saying KU sucks because they didn't win the Big 12. Go figure.

@jayhawkbychoice To me the round robin is what makes the Big 12 so tough. There is no ducking anyone. You're playing them at home and at their house.

@KUSTEVE actually I'm not mixing up anything. All I said was the Big 12 is tough, and winning 10 consecutive conference championships is quite impressive. You're the one trying to apply rocket science to has the best conference. When did you become an expert on which conference is the toughest?

@KUSTEVE you can believe what you want to believe. However I think it's quite sad that you want to take away from what KU has accomplished. You know winning 10 conferences in a row? So if UK, or Duke wins 10 conferences in a row are we going to dismiss their conference. Ah hell no they are east coast baby.

Maybe that doesn't mean anything to you? Are you going to demean a KU championship if they don't play a east coast power? Nah right?

The Big 12 is pretty tough. Don't forget everybody has to play everybody in a home and home. That doesn't happen in these other conferences. You know play at home and then play them on the road?

Your whole argument is based of tournament success. When are you people going to realize in a one and done lose one game and go home tournament the best team doesn't always win.

If you want to crown all east coast conferences and teams as the best then by all means, but know this I will be rooting against.

@Kip_McSmithers I don't know what KU would have done the last ten years in another conference. Mostly likely they wouldn't of have won 10 consecutive, however it's not a fact they wouldn't. Also as we agree, no other school could have done what KU has done playing in the Big 12. Not saying you, I just don't understand how somebody can come to the conclusion that the Big 12 is weak because KU wins the conference title every year??

As for who is better the ACC or the Old Big East? Well they're kind of one in the same to me.

@Kip_McSmithers why is it drinking the KU Kool aide? For crying out loud KU has a won 10 conference championships in a row. Enjoy it.

That's like well you won the NC but you didn't play Duke, UK, or UNC so it doesn't really count.

Whether you want to drink the kool aide or not The Big 12 is pretty good, and I be willing to bet not one other school in the country could've won the last 10 big 12 conference championships in a row.

Something KU did. b)

@Kip_McSmithers Sorry dude but I feel the ACC is way over rated. Wait till the season starts and ESPN starts it's the ACC is the greatest. I have no doubt you will join me.

I know you guys are going to think I'm crazy, but I knew Moose was going to hit it out of the park. I was talking to him while he was at the plate. :)

@HighEliteMajor You're on the money on this post and topic. However Let me be the first to say I do actually like the new uni's.. :)

I know there is now value in it, but it makes me glad the Adidas values it's relationship with KU.

@Wigs2 These young players can have their likeness and get paid it's called pro ball. You know professional players? Persons that get paid to play a sport. They don't have to go to college. Yet for some reason they do wonder why?

You pay college players and you upend the very structure of College Sports altogether. However if we are going to go down this rode then there needs to be a college draft. You know so one college doesn't buy up all the talent. Hey if players are going to get paid then they shouldn't be able pick what school they go to. They should be drafted. Then after a little time maybe they could create a free agent market freeing the college players to test the market after two years for one team.

I can see it now.

Coach Cal: hey kid come to UK and will give you a candy bar and shoe deal. You'll make millions before you even play a game.

Recruit: Yea but UCLA wants to use my likeness for a franchise of fast food joints. They're promising billions.

This is a slippery, slippery mess. Be careful what you ask for. The grass isn't always greener on the other side.

@justanotherfan Yea but Actors and musicians don't get free rides in college. You're not fixing the problem, and your just passing the buck unto colleges. You want to put the financially responsibility of the poverty on colleges because they make a little money off some of those kids. You say a college player can't make any money of their likeness, which is true. Let me ask you a question who makes who? Does the player make the college or does the college make the player? Some thing to think about.

I could understand if the colleges were just sitting back collecting and rolling in the money. Yet they don't. Every cent that is earned or made is reinvested in the college education or experience. It's not like they are hoarding the money. Not to mention most colleges live and die with the amount of money they received from alumni.

Ok so I'm going to college I'm not a ball player but my family is poor. I get a call that the lights are going to be turned off. Is the college going to give me some money? Why not? What because I don't make the college money? I disagree to play basketball at a college like KU is a privilege, not a right that comes with a salary. In fact any young person that can receive help with their college education should be thankful instead of greedy.

Besides as somebody already pointed out. If these kids need the money so bad and right now, because his family who raised him in poverty for over 18 years can't live another day being poor. Especially when they see the potential millions that the NBA might be offering. Then go over seas, and get paid. It's not like the education part of the equation is important anyways