@drgnslayr
I'm in complete agreement with you about Kensucky. What I saw when we played them and since then, our guys thought they couldn't complete against the footers - they kinda gave up with hands up - earlier in the season. All I wanted from this team was the swag that says "come on, we can take you", and learn/train how to win. Teams with footers have lost the battles as we know, didn't UConn & L-Ville, the recent champs have won without footers and OADs? So it can be done, but seeing Perry and others with their heads down, I was hopeful but dubious. Only if these guys knew they could, and once realized, how much do they want it? First BELIEVE they can, then use God given brain & skill to figure out how (well that'd fall on Self)! As human, we all need to believe in ourselves in life as we chart the unknown (like aging), when doubt sets in, it is our family/friends who pick us up. Believing oneself is harder for 18-22s because they are so young and without experience to build on. Some have it while some take longer, so like you I'm waiting to see which way this team will go (Perry & Mason are on board). It was VERY frustrating to watch Perry doubting himself after Kensucky. Remember how he gave up? Now, he's learned how to win, will he say "hey Kensucky, it's payback time!" Now, what about the rest?
@jaybate-1.0
Well JB, Self sure has his hands tied. I'm not sophisticated to watch for 3 m2m & 2 zone, but know that if Mason keep driving to the net, then I'll know Self hasn't come up with new strategy. If so, we are doomed against teams with footers. Sure hope to see something different against footers. Thanks for the breakdown.
@Crimsonorblue22
Wow. What's happening to college sports? $100 for a game? Realizing this is a do or die type of game, but $100? How can a family afford this? How can Jayhawk parents keep their kids Jayhakws if/when they can't afford to take their kids to games? Self should donate some of his salary to make it possible for Jayhawks families that CANNOT afford tickets to attend games such as this! We must protect our future generation from becoming KStater or Tigers because those tickets are more affordable!!!
@drgnslayr
Thanks for the laugh. Forgot about the loss for min.
@DoubleDD
You're much more patient & forgiving than I. Gotta protect my vein from exploding. Good night.
@DoubleDD
Well I'm done trying to watch this team's pitiful performance - tonight & against WV. Sure I turned on/off the radio, switched channel back & forth, and finally decided tonight I'm done watching this team & it's stubborn mule of a coach. Can't for the life of me figure out how in the h--- Self thinks Greene can just turn on the 3s after sitting in that environment? Just as Roy drove me bananas for not calling time outs, Self is with telling players to drop 3s or putting the cold hand Greene way too late. Mason's 3s are in drought, otherwise he'd have bailed us out as in the past.
Even I - with no knowledge of the game - can see that Self should have been pushing for 3s in the first half when we gave up the lead. Did he not know KState was dying to pay us back for that humiliating loss a few wks ago? Ego & pride can substitute for talent!
Also, am I off thinking that 1) Im not at all confident in Mari's ability to use his brain, 2) same for Cliff given his talent, his brain power is lacking. How could they commit similar or same fouls repeatedly? Mari after 3 yrs? I'll check back in April to see how we did, but I'm done watching Self & his ----- strategy or lack thereof. This is infuriating.
@jaybate-1.0
Great analogy. Here's hoping all the ingredients show up, and substitute ingredients would work just as well - given my taste buds aren't sharp as once were.
@JayHawkFanToo
Thanks for the info. Despite the impressive data on B12, I have a question. Not beating on B12 (love our games, the best in the country), but how impressive were we last year in the tourney? How many survived the first or second week? ISU, KSU, WV all fell flat. Seriously, how many & what years have B12 dominated the tourney? I can't recall, but was left wondering how good B12 really was last year and the year before. All said, I'm still banking on my MASON! That kid is a winner, no other words to describe the kid who scores 55 points to win a championship game! Hoping he'll do that again & get us a W for NC! Ellis will get his, but am skeptical he'll pout when the big boys tower over him. But, I'm optimistic he has learned to play over the footers with confidence! Now I go and pray!
@drgnslayr
Great argument counselor. I get what you're saying, but couldn't we also argue it'd be fool's gold to bank on 3s? We have seen teams fall on nights where their 3s aren't falling. Love to see our guys drop 3s all over & beat the arses of Kensucky, Duke, Arizona, etc. Curious to know how many teams with offensive focus on 3s have won NC. Statistically, will 3s fall for all 5 tourney games? Without data, I'll have go with my gut that says we can't bank on 3s. I get what you're saying. Very frustrating to watch Self team giving up leads, disappearing 3s, grinding outs... Perhaps I'll start watching NBA - 3s fall everywhere!! All said, I'd trade 11th for another NC - God help us!!
@jaybate-1.0
Hi JB. Thanks for your kind words. Didn't trust my brain & fingers at 3am. That said, I LIKE your bet on this team & your analysis of the Brain Power of Ellis (he learned in/out for the past 2 years & that had to be reprogrammed), and Mason (agree on him). I'd like to know where Jamari's and Alexander's BP vs Ellis'. Wondering how short teams won the NC (UConn, L-Ville). What gave them an edge over taller & perhaps even more physical teams? Sheer will power + brain power ( > bb IQ)? Have you ever spent 10 mins teaching someone and he gets it whereas another requires 60 mins? That variance can make or break a winning team. Timing is another element to consider in winning, right? If 1 prayer gets what Self wants to do, but has to wait on 4+ to get on board, that'd be one disjointed team performance until all get it. Here's to all getting it by March!
@jaybate-1.0
Allow me to vent - your words on Perry are too kind, and I can't hold it anymore. Call it his inner being or whatever it is. This is just a confirmation - I've never really thought he was as good as ... Yes, a shining star in Wichita, a great student & darn good kid, but don't see as a NBA. There's no fire or hunger in his belly. Not counting on him to take us to the F4. And I agree our bigs lack the talent (no more inside scoring) that require to beat the arses of Kensucky. We will need more than his conversion from soft/reluctance/afraid of making mistakes to I want it gotta have it will die fighting for it stuff it. It is very FRUSTRATING to watch him play! I won't be surprised if there are some personal issues with Perry vs Cliff for Self. Would Perry shut down if Self focuses too much on Cliff? I don't mind losing but the way he loses is beyond my comprehension. I'd rather have a 3 star who goes at it like a bull dog and leaves his heart out on the court! Like Mason! Your comments stopped the fumes from coming out of my ears that started last night. Appreciate the insights!
Blown,
Thanks for sharing. The major difference between you and Snack is that you were young and didn't know any better. Snack is a grown up who has incredible influence over youth. If I were a pot-head parent, I still wouldn't send my kid to a coach who smokes pot. You know do as I say, not what I do? We all have our stories & mine is NOT rosy, but ended up with 2 degrees. I'm sure Snack's story isn't rosy either - but that's then & this is now. This is the reality. Life isn't fair. A bit of history on doped up citizens. Chinese turned to opium & the emperor didn't & couldn't do anything (Brits played a part in it), and soon China got chopped up & occupied by the Western powers & then became the Red State. The thing was Chinese citizens " living in Opiumed (is that a word?) world" were unable to defend themselves against their occupiers & intruders. You cannot tell me dope is good for the society. Thanks ralster for your medical explanation. Sorry Blown. I still enjoy your comments - go Jayhawks!!
Blown,
If I read you correctly, Snack deserves a second chance, we all do. But he first has to earn that second chance elsewhere. The message to players/kids has to be that there are consequence(s) to your actions & decisions, period. This country & people are on a rampage of no right & wrong anymore. Everything is justifiable & excusable if the argument fits their view - "it's just a little weed". Hell for that matter, thievery can too be justified or excused because one's just hungry or dirsty. That justification of "aahh I feel sorry" or "emotion-based" thinking has ruined our "critical thinking". Snack has to go & Self can help find him another job in unknown city as a way of giving Snack a second chance, but not at KU.
@jaybate-1.0
I don't know Dean Smith's legacy other than he was a KU alum & successful as UNC coach. Besides sending us Roy Wms & telling him not to recruit against Smith, and how Smith didn't want to return to KU to coach, I have no loyalty to him. Would you like to share what your beef is with Smith. All said, may he rest in peace.
benshawks08,
An ethical question on Kensucky for you or anyone. Recently I read that Slime ball Cali had alums pay for their 7-8 game trip to play against international-professional teams. Also it's not NCAA violation. Please explain to me how this is ethical when NCAA controls & monitors every practicing hour/minute? Because the school itself doesn't fund it, it can be done. But the school is indirectly through its alumns. Aren't these alums tied to the school? Exclude the school, and what or who are they? CEOs of shoe cos could fund it? I bet that'd be against the NCAA rules. It smells fishy, and NCAA should change its rules on that. Thoughts? And NO I am not jealous of a shady mind and crooked hands of Cali. One can say he's creative - just like the Enron crooks who got creative. I just know his time on the stage will be over soon - by his own making.
@wrwlumpy
Broke the silence around me with a huge laughter. Good thing I wasn't drinking coffee. Yes indeed, a nice Kansas girl who knows how to cook for Svi. As for his parents, learning English will be a challenge at their age, and Svi will have to be an interpreter for them - too much distraction for his career in development. Good idea though.
Wow. That was just awesome. Couldn't take my eyes off reading it! And yes both of my arms raised up and almost fell out of my chair! Thanks and pray you aren't psychotic, but a KU prophet! One thing though - Mason will score in double digit :) Mason in whom I trust in March. Whew, that was a great game!
JB,
I recall reading your explanation on Self's In/Out strategy to win games that is now better understood and defended by other coaches. Without a doubt, this strategy got us a lot of Ws. That said, now the game has been elevated with other coaches catching on, and I wonder if muscle and height are enough anymore. I go back to UConn & Louisville that didn't have KU's height & muscle, but had one hell of point guard with Brain and/or Will Power. Brain Power + Will Power we need from our guards (as stated above) + muscle + height. Will Power is one variable that can cover team's deficiency, but Brain Power can win us important games (ie NC). We had/have athletic guards, but not sure about their Brain Power (ie - super athletic players with academic challenges would impede one's growth & development in reaching his ceiling). So, here's my request. Would you please analyze our Brain & Will Power of our players? I'm very interested because right now, I'm going with a gut in placing my bet with Mason and his Will Power because I can see his WP, but am not an expert to assess his BP (Brain Power > basketball IQ). As mentioned before, when I saw Mason's eyes last year, I saw something that lacked in others particularly Nadir. There were times Nadir's eyes/eye lids were half closed during games, and wondered what was wrong with him. Looking forward to your analysis! Thanks JB.
jb / nucleaf
Just an observation from Self's comment during his weekly radio show. He mentioned the 2008 NC team was short with only 6'8"s. Then said Alexander needs to get better & also become more efficient when the team's passing improves. He said "timing" of the passing will make it easier for Cliff & he won't have to labor so much. Based on his comments, our coach is gonna make this team score inside without 7 footers.
@jaybate-1.0
Hi JB. Been following this site for sometime & always find something new to learn from you. Haven't commented - until now!! I was shaking my head watching Utes (turned TV off for the UK game). Thanks for showing me the light because something told me something didn't look right. We ran circles around the Utes, and bombed the 2h? Yes, hot hands then cold hands, but to drop like that? Your explanation is logical, sensible & clear as a bell. Our guys' confidence and their manhood got striped away with the UK game. Simple, it was humiliation - man's pride, dignity and respect got stripped away on national TV. They lost it all that day. How would they ever reclaim their manhood? They showed up and found ways to win against smaller teams. But I noticed our players play with FEAR against taller teams after the defeat. Their "FEAR" of another humiliating defeat paralyzed them against 7 footers. I concluded B12 or March run won't happen with that monkey on their back. With their wounded pride & manhood, I wondered how they'd reclaim their confidence, get gutsy with no fear, and hunger for self-respect. I wasn't sure until the Utes, and your explanation. It was a beautiful & gutsy strategy by Self. Thanks for enlightening me.
By the way, I love Mason and Graham, but Mason steel. He has NO fear! I think Self sought out new type of guards and got Mason (& Graham) after watching UConn & Louisville getting their NC with Kemba Walker, and Peyton Siva. I hope and pray that our guys armed with their new identity, and overcome any height, including UK. Yes, you're right - Self is a genius. Often coaches have to a psychologist, right? He saw his boys with their heads low and self-esteem destroyed after UK, and he's gonna rebuild them - and boy we saw some of that - 1H Utes!!! Can't wait until Jan!!! Hope Graham can play, we sure need another Mason. Thanks JB for your insight, always!
@drgnslayr
"Self should play more players and distribute minutes a big broader. That will create better depth for us in March, but will also help reduce injuries for our starters. We can be competitive using more players, and then run them harder with presses and aggressive play. That should counteract any decline in play because we are playing more minutes with lesser talent."
Well said. Otherwise, why have a depth? Plus, if we play more players, wouldn't that mean our opponents would have to spend more time on scouting reports in March when time is limited? Maximizing internal resources for highest return is the coach/leader's job. I like Self, and modifying his strategy a bit won't hurt - UConn grabbed its 4th with lesser talents, 2 NC in less than 5 years ('11, '14) while we got 10 B12? Hopefully Self will be glad to sacrifice the B12 championships for another NC or two or three or more. Think he can do it, if he modifies a bit - like dropping Combo Guards and going after PG! oops, my March memory is coming back...
@HighEliteMajor I agree with you assessment on Self playing Embiid way too soon. Self can see he wasn't 100%, so why risk further injury when March run was round the corner? Also, I do not agree with Self's "toughening" philosophy of playing injured players. Tyshawn, Elijah, Selden all played with injuries and didn't they play 1 & 2 during their career at KU? Is this a reputation that Self carries and perhaps why he can't get 5* PG to come to KU?
Another observation - did you ever notice how Naa's eyes were drooping last year? His eye lids would hang down & cover half of his eyes, and that looked so strange. I noticed again, but as the season went on his eyes looked normal - except a few times. It looked so weird (i.e. those with bad face lift strange) that I made a mental note. Any thoughts on that or is it my vision?
JB,
I was following Jesse's blog during the game last night, and you said 2 things that popped out at me, and would like for you to elaborate. First, you thought Wiggins should/would stay another year - yes you called it first and I agree. Wiggins would be a senior in high school this year, and some maturing (emotionally if anything) would be good for the kid's career. Second, you observed Wiggins' parents may hold him back a year - can't recall exact words. I was surprised to see them last night, didn't know it was their first visit. Why didn't they come on Sat to watch 2 vs. 1 game? It's a long & expensive flight from Canada. Were folks there on a SOS call - Wiggins' 3 pt performance against OSU? His stock is tumbling, and dad jumped on the plane? Dad's eyes were capturing everything on Wiggins. Could his dad be thinking his son should stay another year to develop & mentally prep for a grueling NBA career? Your thoughts?
Hello everybody. Happy Healthy New Year. Missed all the intellectual & analytical basketball minds.
HEM - thanks for the insight, and agree with you. What bothers me the most is that Self got outcoached - that simple. Watched first 8 mins of the game, and turned it off - had a gut feeling we will lose after reading about SDSU - and following the Chiefs debacle. This game reminded me of Florida when our players couldn't find their butt with their two hands under doubled and pressed.
I am wondering (and hoping) if Self is holding back for the conference games. Oh I sure hope and pray he is!!! HEM is right about the short leash - can't expect these frosh to turn it on & off when basketball blood from their heads haven't ran through their cold feet sitting on the bench & their new game shoes haven't broken into yet. I so hope Self is sandbagging otherwise I can't be watching - too stressful.