I really doubt it's UK for Hagans. My guess is he stays in state. Either Tech or wait to see who replaces Mark Fox at UGA.
FarmerJayhawk
12380 posts
@Gorilla72 well JRE isn’t going. So everyone simmer 😂
I’ve said this from the start. If we’re going down, all of college basketball is going down with us.
Don't worry too much about JRE. He's being smart and keeping his options open. I actually think Lawson ends up at Memphis with Penny Hardaway as HC there. Would be a heck of a coup. His HS team in Memphis is stacked. Both Lawsons, DJ Jeffries (their cousin), and #1 in 2019 James Wiseman is on that team. Don't be shocked if he takes the Memphis job in the offseason.
We’d be the best team out there by far if we had those two. Not sure if we’d go undefeated because that’s so difficult, but we wouldn’t have more than 1-2 losses.
Another guy KU should be on in 2019. Very skilled and versatile guard. Grew 5” in the last year so shooting is still inconsistent, but will get better as he fills out. https://247sports.com/Player/AJ-Lawson-46039513 ↗
Even the addition of depth will help quite a bit. Thankfully the Mitch starting experiment is over, so all our bigs can be more aggressive. Hopefully he can keep it up against a team that actually guards.
Dante from Sunrise in Wichita was great at Basketball Without Borders last weekend. 7'7 wingspan too. KU really ought to have him as their #1 target in 2020, even ahead of RJ Hampton.
@BShark I’ll take it. We had a key guy not be able to play too in Billy.
Doke was my hero tonight. If he can maintain that and we can get Svi and/or Vick going, we can beat anyone.
@BShark In order of likelihood: Newman, Vick, Doke, Sam
Romeo said today he’ll probably announce at or a little after the McDonald’s game. Doesn’t bode well for us IMO.
@Hawk8086 it was senior night there.
Sam Williamson will be at AFH tomorrow. He’s KU’s if they want him. Rivals has him top 50, Scout/247 have him over 200 for some reason. KU legacy too.
@BShark I doubt it affects Jacobs if Hampton doesn't announce a reclass until a year or more from now. If Harvey and Jacobs want to sign early, I think you take them no questions asked and assume Hampton is a 2020 guy and keep recruiting him as such.
Oh jeez I totally forgot someone, like I knew I would. Current 2020 and possible 2019 reclass PG RJ Hampton would be an A+ addition at the 2 if Grimes leaves. Big, 6'4, maybe even 6'5 kid who can really play. Consensus top 5 player in 2020 and wouldn't be far behind that in 2019.
@BeddieKU23 thats awesome. Glad everyone is saying the same thing there. I’ll be really interested to see him over the summer. I think his skill level will really take off once he’s done growing.
@approxinfinity no problem. As of today, yes. Things can obviously change though. Silvio wasn’t close to our radar a year ago too.
Figured it would be easier to make a thread with just 2019 info for now. Anyway, here's what I've heard up to now on guys:
The staff is planning on a big class again. The Vick/Romeo scholarship will be open, Dedric will go pro, and if he returns (which I think he will), Udoka will likely bolt too. Look for the staff to recruit like Grimes is a OAD too. 4 is a really good bet for how many they'll add, but I could also foresee 5 if there's a weird departure.
Jacobs is solid for KU. No worries there. He's also really the only PG the staff is looking strongly at. I wouldn't be surprised at a RS for him. No rush to throw him out there right away. A guy like Cole Anthony isn't coming with Dotson already in the fold.
On Grimes's replacement, it looks like Zach Harvey is really a matter of when, not if, assuming KU continues to prioritize him. However, he may not start. If the staff goes elsewhere, they love Cassius Stanley. He's a plus plus athlete with plenty of skill to play the 2. He'll be tough to pull from SoCal though. He's also a year old for his class, and rumors are he could reclassify. In that case, only look for KU to be involved if there's a mass exodus after the season.
Wing is arguably the biggest need in this class. And we're looking at a ton of them. Stanley could play that spot, but if not there are a ton of options. There are some lower ranked guys like Malik Hall from Sunrise and Josh Green, an Australian from IMG. Jalen Wilson is a fast riser out of Texas who I love. We offered last fall, and he was at AFH in January. 247 has him a 5*, 15th overall. Super versatile kid too. Also closer to 6'8 than 6'6 where he's listed these days.
Speaking of versatility, Precious Achiwura may be my favorite prospect in the class. He's a 6'9 wing with all the tools in the world. He could grow to almost 7'0 and already has a 7'1 wingspan. He's already a good rebounder and terrific playmaker for his size. He needs to improve his shot and get stronger, but he may have the highest ceiling in the class. Look for KU to really get involved over the summer. Norm the lead here. If he does grow to that size, he could easily be recruited as a stretch 4.
Speaking of stretch 4's, Matt Hurt is really a guy KU will pursue. A friend of mine in the Duke world told me they think he's staying in the midwest. That leaves KU and Minnesota, where his brother plays. We can get him. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl or bust. Should come in right away and replace Dedric. Also probably a matter of when. The staff is still looking at Chandler Lawson, but we'll see.
I think Silvio opens the year at the 5. It's a strong class for big men at the top, but KU really isn't heavily involved for any. There's Vernon Carey obviously, but I think Sparty if Izzo survives. Kofi Cockburn, unfortunate name and all, is another guy to watch. He's an absolute physical force, but has a long way to go in the skill department.
Sorry for the novel, but that's where I think things stand as of today. We'll find out where the staff's priorities are with much greater certainty this summer.
The Star is an absolute dumpster fire. I've worked with a couple of their political reporters, and they all share one thing in common: a lack of ability to comprehend basic facts. They're either dumb or willingly biased in "objective" reporting. Anyway, mini-rant over. @dylans Udoka is probably going to declare but not get a combine invite. I know some of his people really want him to go pro, but I don't think it's happening this year. He still needs some time.
Back on topic, I love this addition. He's a great kid by all accounts, and willing to maybe RS if the roster is really stacked like it could be. It doesn't affect Romeo at all. Had a couple IU fans on Twitter argue it last night. Their response was, "How is Billy Preston doing?" so it went well.
@BeddieKU23 is right. Simons will go if he's a 1st rounder. The Jones thing is interesting. We haven't offered yet, so I'd bet we're just trying to build a relationship just in case Langford doesn't work out or we have a surprise departure like Sam. I like his game though. Good athlete, can defend multiple spots, and has a rapidly developing skillset on offense.
We’ve picked up a couple picks for 2019 top 5 guy Matt Hurt. Asked a Duke friend of mine and he told me they’re recruiting like Hurt is leaving the Midwest.
Methinks Sam and Vick are not long for this roster. @BShark is right, Ogbaji will be a Jayhawk tomorrow.
BShark said:
@BeddieKU23 Quickly reminded of why I haven't been on the phog in months as soon as I open some threads. I really can't believe how many people think McCormack is going to start next year. Is it because he is a McDAA? I have no idea.
The Phog is a total dumpster fire almost all the time. Not sure why I even go over there anymore. Anyway, I don't think Newman and Langford have much impact on each other. I think we slide Newman to PG and start Grimes and Langford with him. Grimes has enough PG skills to play on the ball, and Newman can in a pinch.
I haven't heard either way whether Vick is gone or not, only that he's almost certain to declare and get feedback. I could see him showing out at the combine and getting drafted mid-2nd, but the 1st round chatter is toast.
I'd be stoked. If we get Romeo, that's a great small rotation.
The doge meme is the best non-KU meme and I'll fight anyone who says otherwise.
@BShark it shouldn't. Heard today that Newman has at least expressed interest in coming back, as to tell the staff not to give away his spot. What a coup that would be!
JayHawkFanToo said:
I respectfully disagree. I would not be surprised to see Moore start at PG until Dotson gets acclimated.
Ah. I probably wasn’t clear. I was assuming in that case Newman would be back and start at PG, sharing duties with Grimes.
No, if we have all those guys then Moore won’t play much. Same reason I left Ogbaji out.
@Jayballer54 Point being, you don't worry about scholarship numbers. If one of Vick or Newman decide to stay, then Ogbaji commits, then Romeo calls up Self and wants to commit, then you make a spot. Scholarships aren't guaranteed year to year, so Self could pull someone like Sam aside and tell him, "hey, we feel like it would be best for both parties to go our separate ways. Also, you're getting exactly no PT next season with Romeo, Garrett, Grimes, and maybe Vick ahead of you on the depth chart." I do agree with you in that it's more likely Vick comes back than Newman, which at this point I hope Newman comes back over Vick. Could start Newman at PG pretty easily, with he and Grimes splitting time on the ball. Also would be nice to have a veteran presence back there. The possibility of starting 3 freshmen has me really nervous. Also having a lineup of Newman, Grimes, and Langford and all that firepower makes my spine tingle. Come to think of it, that probable starting five is absolutely insane.
@Jayballer54 he’s legit pending Vick and Newman’s decisions. As of now, there technically isn’t a spot for him since we’re full. But we almost certainly will since at least one of those guys will leave, and Cunliffe may transfer again too. So he’s a really nice developmental prospect who I’d love to see RS year 1 if he’s like the 12th man. He won’t be in a hurry. He’ll take visits before making a choice, presumably after we know what some guys are doing. Also, he’ll have no impact on Langford whatsoever.
They definitely do. All are really good competitors.
@BShark I agree. I see some Releford in him actually, but he’s a better shooter.
@BeddieKU23 that very well could he. Self seems like he’s about done with Sam. Ogbaji seems like a better fit.
@BShark for sure. As rapidly as he’s impoved, maybe he has a shot at passing Cunliffe. But he won’t play in front of Dotson, Grimes, Langford/Vick/Newman, or Garrett.
We have an excellent chance if he’s a 2019 guy, as it appears he will be. Would be a terrific replacement for Grimes if he’s a OAD.
I mean if he’s good enough to play, play him. But I thought that was unusual too from Self. But I’d definitely RS him if he was like the 12th man.
I’d love to have him if there’s a spot available. Could be a RS candidate, but projects nicely as a 3 and D wing. And is a plus positional rebounder.
JayHawkFanToo said:
If everybody that is eligible to come back does, including Newman, Vick and Udoka, who do you see being in the starting 5?
As of today, I’d go Newman, Grimes, Vick, Dedric, Doke.
BeddieKU23 said:
This reclassification game is hard to keep up with. I hear Cassius Stanley is a possibility for 18 as well. Maybe he becomes a target if Romeo goes elsewhere.
I'm not a huge fan of the move unless you are really that talented. Stanley certainly fits the bill
I’m good with it if the kid can graduate and is physically ready. A lot of these kids get “redshirted” early in school and will be 19 when they graduate, so might as well move up the earning clock. Stanley isn’t coming to KU unless we’re desperate (i.e. everyone leaves and we have nobody at the wing but Garrett).
@dylans and Devonte, possibly Malik too if he gets drafted somehow. Hampton and a sophomore Dotson in the same backcourt would be insane.
@BShark not officially. He’s definitely working toward it though.
Bump. I believe you can move this kid into the top target in 2019 territory.
I think people are overvaluing Langford. He's much more Oubre than Wiggins as far as impact. He'll take some time to get it all figured out, at least above the neck. He'd be a wing here, he doesn't have the playmaking skills Self wants in a 2. And he definitely won't throw a freshman out there to be the single ball handler on the court. Don't forget Vandy signed Darius Garland as well, who's going to be a very, very good college guard. Vandy will have a much better backcourt than Indiana next season. I suppose if Romeo wants unlimited shots he can go to Indiana, but Vandy or KU is the better basketball fit. Still think KU if Vick goes pro. If Vick returns, I think it's Vandy. Playing with a really talented roster and having a clearly defined role. will be too much to pass up.
We’re so loaded at the perimeter next season (probably) that he wouldn’t get PT anyway. So might as well trade year 1 for year 5 as far as game production.
@justanotherfan I’m good with him redshirting next season. He’s not coming out early and has some holes in his game, so it could really benefit him.
Bossi always likes to bring up local kids, “Finally, after seeing him play last week I’m really intrigued by Ochai Agbaji. His ball handling is a bit lacking at this point, but he’s strong, he can really shoot and he’s a nice athlete. Maybe he doesn’t make the instant impact some of the other guys do, but he’s a tremendous value at No. 45 on the shooting guard list and he’s got a chance to develop into a really good high major player.”
It’s a great win. Plus now we have a game and a half on the Big 12 field. And one of the easier schedules left. Our hardest games are at Tech, OU at home, and WVU at home. If we run the table at AFH, we win the conference.
The grapes also aren't very good defensively, only in the mid 90's on KenPom. We should be able to put up plenty of points.
BeddieKU23 said:
Looking at the Big-12 games during the week tonight becomes a must win game. Everyone else contending has games they are expected to win going into Saturday. Going 2-0 this week is crucial.
If after Saturday KU could be 8-2..
Tech - 5-3 coming in, home vs Tech (likely win), @ TCU Saturday (toss up).
WVU- 5-3 coming in, @ Iowa St (likely win), home vs Kansas St Saturday
K-St - 5-3 coming in, home vs KU, @ WVU Saturday (can be 5-5 after Saturday and shatter Bruce's dreams)
OU- 5-3 coming in, home vs Baylor, @ Texas Saturday (Toss up)
Can't lose tonight
Nice work there. This is huge. I'll be interested in the environment there tonight. Word is there's a pretty stiff directive from General Dick about the F KU chant. If the band hears it, they're supposed to stop playing. No Sandstorm allowed either. And Snyder has a video pregame to ask the student body not to do it. Could just make the grapes angrier.
I like this matchup other than Wade. We're going to need a good night from Devonte and Malik. And Doke can't get into foul trouble. So really, it's our formula for success all year. We're the better team, just show up and take care of business.