🏀 KuBuckets Archive

@mayjay So, market and sell the "Complete BS Calendar" -- one the Kansas coach (BS) would love, and those who shovel loads of it (BS) desire.

Or we could do something like a snowfall contest. We all predict the exact minute and day of the Preston decision, and the DeSousa decision. Maybe like the Price is Right, if you go over (or too far in the future) you automatically lose.

I'll start. Preston - January 22, 11:00 am CST. DeSousa - January 17, 2:00 pm CST.

This is like picking a very deep scab. Actually like sticking a finger in a very deep and infected wound. Nothing good comes of it.

Oh, come on ... 78-72 KU.

@kjayhawks "Minutes away .."

@mayjay Perhaps the greatest first baseman of all time, Rafael Palmeiro, was listed as 6' tall. He wasn't that tall. I stood next to him. His arguable competitor for that throne, Lou Gehrig, was also 6' tall (different era). And of course, another Royal, who made that exact same move, and played an excellent first base, was George Brett. 6' foot tall as well.

Further, players that have played third at the major league level are generally better infielders than first basemen. First basemen get moved there for a reason. Many times it's range. I'd bet on Moose have more angle range and having a better "ground ball" glove. Hosmer is a very good fielder (this last year some said he wasn't to his prior level), but he is also very good digging the ball out. That latter area is area that is important, but others have made the move. I also thing the lateral diving would favor Hosmer. No doubt a 6'3" first baseman is preferable, and Hosmer is a stud.

Price is the issue vs. value.

But height is no limitation. The AL MVP is of course not optimal for shortstops at 5'6".

If we look at why it's taken so much time, @mayjay's suggestion of the difficulty getting paperwork from disinterested and unmotivated third parties is the most reasonable of the benign explanations.

"Innocence" of course is relative -- meaning, the NCAA rules determine "innocence" so to speak. That doesn't mean we like it, or that "innocence" equates with the kid having done absolutely nothing wrong on his end. If Billy was driving a car that his mom gave him and told him was his from her, but she accepted money from someone she shouldn't have, without Billy's knowledge, Billy is "innocent" in our eyes, but not to the NCAA. We are all prejudiced (or benefit by) our parents. Parents, as in Cliff's case (as @BeddieKU23 mentioned), seem to have caused Cliff's issue. Life's rough.

@Barney He had the freak ACL deal. And yes, he gets a bit more nicked up. The other problem with Moose is he's not a workout warrior, meaning he's pretty soft, not in high-end "shape." I'd certainly rather have Hosmer at first.

However, money is a big, big issue. The value for the buck seems to me to favor Moose considerably. Basically half the price for perhaps 80-85% of the player.

@Kcmatt7 Don't forget Bonifacio .. I think he's a lock to start somewhere. He seemed to prove he can play last season. Also, I have always wondered why they did not explore signing Moose and moving him to first base. Perhaps Moose wouldn't want to move, which is a possibility. But for the cost, I'd rather have Moose, assuming we could get him in the range that has been discussed for him.

@BigBad Ok, makes sense as a possibility.

Self said "any minute" last night, I think. Decision should come soon. Now, I will puke.

@BigBad Something you said, I want to clarify - Are you saying Sam thought he was in a "nothing to lose situation" and that somehow affected our perception of his play?

@mayjay .. so you're saying @JayHawkFanToo is right, correct?

@justanotherfan You're choosing to play in the NCAA, you deal with their rules. Insert "mentor" for average joe, and you see the enforcement issue.

@JayHawkFanToo You've made number of posts on this topic, and the NCAA. I could not agree more. You've hammered this issue perfectly.

It is quite easy to demonize the enforcer of the rules, and to whine about rules, but that usually comes from folks that don't follow the rules (or even with notice of the rules, with everything on the line, still don't take even the most obvious steps to ensure compliance). Excuses flow like a river. And the whining ignores the reason that there are so many rules, and so much specificity -- because if you don't have rules and specificity, the rules collapse under the pressure of the exceptions, as noted by good lawyers.

It may sound stupid that kid can't accept one lousy meal from a KU alum, but that meal turns into a weekly event, a daily event, to twice a day, to stocking his refrigerator; then if it's food, something that's a necessity, why not clothes, or pizza money, or whatever. Everything is a slippery slope. That's why on the edges, rules enforcement sounds petty. But it's that "bright-line" that eliminates the slippery slope. That's how the integrity of the game is protected. And the reality is, the integrity is in very large measure actually protected.

@BeddieKU23 I’ve been pleasantly surprised by Cunliffe. He seems more than capable of being a real contributor and I suspect Self’s confidence in him will increase. He has done well defensively which is big starting point.

@BeddieKU23 I am a bit surprised that Newman isn't Self's answer. He obviously seems to handle the ball adequately from a dribbling standpoint. But Self likely has his reasons there, some of which we've all discussed. Garrett seems the natural guy to give DG a blow. I do fall in the camp that these guys are young, athletic, and can play and bounce back. I don't worry about lack of rest as it relates to the season. They only play twice a week. But I more focus on peak efficiency during the game. And rest during the game can make 33 minutes better than 40 minutes. All options, absolutely, should be on the table.

@BeddieKU23 We do have to rest DG. Have to. Can't play him 40 minutes to get peak performance. But the question is why we don't have another PG then on the roster that Self would be comfortable with?

@mayjay So, with the game on the line, last five minutes, he wouldn’t go with what he thinks will win? Because he only has two post players? That makes no sense. There’s no logic to your statement. Mitch was not in foul trouble. Even if he was, the game was in the balance. Heck, he played 5 guards which we haven’t seen. The reason he didn’t go with Doke and Mitch is because although playing conventionally might have created the close to the basket chances, Mitch is the worst option to have in the game.

And of course he’ll play Mitch a bit in the 3/2. Maybe those entire 8 minutes he played last night.

What is truly "fool's gold" is being a one trick pony. When your trick goes wrong, you have nothing else. We may be witnessing that right now. And we saw the peak (Texas) and the valley (TT). But as Bill Self said after the game, a team can't rely on shooting.

In fact, Bill Self seemed to echo a bit of what I have said for a long time about not blaming shooting for losses - “The thing about it is with ball, it shouldn’t matter what we shoot, especially at home,” Self said. “The worse you shoot it the more you grind. Do you give up in a football game when your quarterback’s having a bad game or he gets hurt? Well, you’ve got to rush it then. We didn’t do that. That’s what concerns me. It’s not as much, ‘Well, you’re 0 for 12 or you did this or that.’ I hate to say this: It’s going to be hard to win if we don’t shoot better offensively, but that’s not what turns coaches on. So you missed the shot. Big deal. They’re 6 of 24 from 3 and they found some ways to score when the ball didn’t go in the hole too." He also said, ”When you have to make shots to play good because you’re a pretty team and you’re a finesse team, that’s a formula for getting beat when you play tough teams, and that’s certainly what happened tonight.”

Further, we had the discussion about Mitch Lightfoot before the TT game. The Lightfoot fan club was pronouncing him a bonafide rotation member and a player that will have significant role, even if DeSousa/Preston come on board, supposedly based on Self's words. I wonder, though, in a game where we needed depth, Lightfoot played 8 minutes. That's all. One rebound. Self said, not exactly supporting the idea that Mitch is a guy he can turn to - “When you’re playing with little depth and guys don’t play well or perform, execute or whatever and you’ve got nowhere to put ’em, then because there’s really not depth to put back in the game it makes it hard ..." No depth. Mitch was surely not tired, or worn out. But no.

In fact, he could have gone "conventional" with Doke and Mitch to try to shake things up. He didn't. Why? If Mitch is the wonderful four, why not go conventional? Hmmm.

This isn't definitive. It's just real evidence.

@kjayhawks This team, as composed, not going .500 in league? Not winning more than three more games? Seriously. You truly are on another planet. It's an easy comment to make because it's really likely we won't move forward for entire season "as it currently is." So we'll never know, so that's you're out. But when has coach Self ever been .500 or below in anything? I think you posted before really contemplating what you have said. I'm trying not to be harsh here, but this might be one of the truly reactionary, outrageous, and baseless comments made around here in a long, long time. Feel free to retract and we'll forget this ever happened.

NEWS FLASH: Bill Self on Hawk Talk said he thinks the Billy Preston situation is “really close” to being resolved. Groundhog Day.

@nuleafjhawk The selfish thing that you're referring to is the guy that's selfish because it benefits the team. Not deferring. I JJ passing, and creating, and never had one hint that he was not a team player.

@BigBad Do I think practice action is akin to game action? Kind of funny you ask me that. The guys who may recall prior debates would chuckle. So no, I don't. I do understand your point. Games forge a player where practice cannot. No doubt. But Newman's issues are mental, his thought process, his approach. This I think is more controlled by conscious decision making. It's not a comfort thing. It's not a "get used to the environment" thing. It's not a speed of the game thing. It's not a "crazy crowd, big arena" thing. He's already played an entire season as a starter. His is quite simple it appears. He wants to be "the man" but his production is much less than the normal "the man."

He has had zero assists in the last two games combined. Let this sink in ... 2.2 assists per game as the second ball handler. DG was 4.4 last season. Josh, as the 4, was 3.0. Good grief, Svi is at 2.6.

And if you think the 2.2 is an aberration, based on a new environment, guess again. His assists per game at MSU? 2.2.

But I have absolutely NOT given up on the guy. Things can change. We need him.

@Texas-Hawk-10 I think that is a very friendly spin. He's had over a year in Self's system. That seems like enough time to purge -- unless we have DNA issues.

@KUSTEVE I was not super optimistic on Cunliffe coming in, but I really like what I see. In fact, I think he's hustled and done well on defense. He has a very nice outside shot, and has some bounce. I hesitate to appear this critical in a question, but does Newman look like a Bill Self player on the court? I don't see it at the moment. I see a guy itching to "get mine", to quote the former point guard you refer to.

Newman has had zero assists in the last two games combined.

@mayjay Right on point. OJ Simpson is searching for the real killer. All these folks complain about injustices, and they are actually guilty. Maybe Preston's mom, whose twitter handle is @bartenderchic78, should just shut the he** up.

She sounds like the idiot she obviously is.

For those interested in rebounding effort, go to 1:20 of first half. We take a shot, and everyone stands and watches. This happens too often.

The issue of kids "figuring it out" has always been, in large part, a red herring. Coaches at every level and in sports using a "system" adjust their system for the relative brains and talents of players. It's simply the degree to which a coach is willing to adjust. In an extreme circumstance, if a kid only knows how to run an iso to the 5 hole, a sweep left, and swing pass, then a coach can decide whether to use the kid or not, given those parameters. It's called, aptly, dumbing things down. Athletically, if you don't have kids that can dunk, you don't throw lobs. If you have kids that can't remember to L-cut after the downscreen on the wing following a drop pass to the elbow, well, you have to decide what's more important.

Some coaches are at fault for having too complex of a system to properly utilize their talented players. Focusing on the system, not the players. Of course, system can win. It's a balance. Though I think the general consensus around here has been to always to immediately blame players, coaches all of over CBB, and at varying levels, adjust to their players. We should always look to the coach first. But a coach may be very reasonable in his demands.

So it's up to Self as to how much dumbing down he'll tolerate, balanced against our ability to succeed under those circumstances. There's a tipping point where it's not worth it to play a kid. And, of course, necessity determines how much a coach will tolerate.

@dylans - I believe the rule is once you enroll and attend classes, it’s five academic years to play four seasons. There is the medical exemption to play four seasons in six academic years.

James Sosinki, a tidy PER of 57.2.

@JayHawkFanToo No way it's more likely. So you think that Mitch would play over Svi, Vick, Newman, and Garrett (and now Cunliffe)? All five are better players at the SF spot (which is really a guard spot in Self's offense). He was recruited as a PF, always listed as a PF. Even the KU athletics site calls him a power forward, who can play "some small forward." Possible? I guess, but not this season. With a thinner group of perimeter guys? Maybe.

Easy to ignore reality when convenient. It’s like saying Jeff Hostetler was Bill Parcell’s choice, when Phil Simms injury was the only reason Hostetler played. Of course, I’ve been very supportive of Mitch and his hopeful development. But this is about the planned reality.

Some of the cheering section knows only what is, and ignores what was intended. It’s really laughable. Here’s further comment about Whitman - “We think Jack can certainly play the 5 but is a guy that can move away from the basket and play with a 5. He’s a great fit for what we need because we’re going to be so young up front and he’ll add some experience, hopefully like Tarik Black (during the 2013-14 season) did for us.”

Sure, Mitch would be playing over Preston and Whitman.

@Jayballer54 The fact is you have no idea whether Mitch would be playing at all if, for example, Preston could play and Whitman was still here (or Coleby). Please tell everyone that you think Mitch would be in the rotation if that was the case. You can't. That's the threshold of telling us what Self thinks. The fact is, Self had those players lined up as 1) a highly ranked recruit, and 2) a pair of experienced upper classmen.

Here is what Self said about Whitman (does this sound positive for Mitch): "We were thin up front and looking to add somebody that would be eligible immediately and was experienced," Kansas head coach Bill Self said after Whitman committed to the Jayhawks, per the Kansas City Star's Jesse Newell. "Somebody that is a little bit older, that understands the game and can come in and play a role with us in our big positions."

Of course, I assume we can all agree Preston would presumptively be ahead of Mitch.

And I'm assuming we can agree that if Coleby were here, he'd fit the 5 spot much better behind Doke than Mitch.

That should tell you what Self thought of Lightfoot. Whitman (or Coleby) + Preston = Mitch on the bench. You and the Lightfoot cheering section conveniently ignore inconvenient facts.

Of course, Mitch could have beaten both of them out. I acknowledge that possibility. It would be reasonable if the Lightfoot cheering section would acknowledge the much more likely and reasonable possibility that if Bill Self had it the way he planned, Mitch would not play much of a role this season.

@Jayballer54 So what specifically about Self's comments gives you the precise insight into what he is thinking?

And what makes you think that anything Self says has anything to do with reality in two weeks?

@BShark What is a real possibility Is that Mitch can hit the 15 footer, can drop the high/low pass, and can allow us to play bigger with athleticism. We don’t know yet. Of course, the opposite could also be true.

@BShark Correct. We will really see how Self views Lightfoot when there are other options. When I only have water and milk, I can’t drink orange juice.

@JayHawkFanToo If one values education, wouldn’t redshirting be an attractive option? Graduate in 4 years and get a fifth year of graduate school paid for? Further, it would be very smart if PT is in doubt during the redshirt year. A redshirt year would also make a graduate transfer available for year 5 if the lack of PT made it reasonable.

@drgnslayr I think Self incorporates all that is best with our perimeter game. He, I'm sure, is salivating over a team with 3 point shooters like DG, Vick, and Svi, with the possibility of diverse "easy" baskets down low. All of that can hide defensive deficiencies.

@KUSTEVE By the lack of weapons on the perimeter, I presume, you are referring to the reliance on Reed and Morningstar? Did you know that our team rebounds per game are more this season, and last season, than in the last five prior, including 2011-12? Ah, but stats can be deceiving -- our possessions per game were up, so rebounding percentages down. Mason and JJ were great last season. But given our scheme, I'm not disappointed in our rebounding. Rebounds come differently. Also, on our shooting vs. Texas, I don't get real excited about making high percentages of shots, nor bad percentages, game to game. That will happen. Within a certain range, it's not what will win or lose you a title.

@BigBad What do you see as "significant" -- 20 minutes? 15 minutes? See my suggestion below. Is that more what you envision?

@jaybate-1-0 Doke plays 30 minutes, and plays 5 with DeSousa. DeSousa plays 10 more minutes while Doke is out, and plays those with Lightfoot. Lightfoot plays 5 minutes with Doke - Doke 30 minutes, DeSousa and Lightfoot, 15 minutes each = 20 minutes on the floor conventionally. That's how easy it is. And that's the top end minutes wise. However, there may be times when playing big is required. Under your suggestion, DeSousa spelling Doke, it can work just this way. But it will be a progression, not an immediate thing, of course.

You said, "Self fears the team shooting slump looming." I would say Self knows what he doesn't want to experience, and he (like any other coach) would like options.

Breaking in DeSousa will take time; or if the hologram appears and is real. Gearing everything to March.

Question - Do we think Mitch can hit the 15 footer? Elbow to Elbow? Or DeSousa? And how good of a passer are the pair from up top? Bragg good, or just passable? I don't know.

@KUSTEVE The possible return to a more conventional 3/2 is absolutely the biggest story moving forward. Great topic.

A while back, discussing next season, I had mentioned the return to the high/low -- looking at our roster next season, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to make that leap (thus my ability to do so).

The main reason for my complete excitement is that Bill Self now knows precisely how to coach the 4/1 effectively -- see the mish-mash that was the end of 2015-16 as the polar opposite. Why does that matter on the return to the high/low? Very importantly, that gives us the ability adjust mid-game, or whenever need to, and utilize a structured, competent, and effective 4/1 -- and that can win you a game -- in March.

But the thing I am most excited about, more than anything, is the possibility (and probability) that Bill Self has now embraced the three pointer as a primary weapon, and that primary weapon can be employed more often as part of a more fundamentally sound offense. To co-exist equally with the feed the post, easy basket stuff.

I know some folks here have argued for the apparent dynamism of the three point gunning, less conventional, approach, citing the NBA (which is not comparable). But coming from a guy who was perhaps the loudest voice around here for change in our offensive approach in years past, all I ever really called for was "tweaking." Self's 3/2, high/low is a thing of beauty. It is in my opinion the best offensive scheme in all basketball south of the NBA. But when you force feed and demand and do not take into account with an open mind the other options on the floor, that becomes unreasonable -- and in sports, in can cost you (and it has).

But we are in a new day, a new time. I believe Bill Self is free of the the dogma that held us back offensively. And in my wildly optimistic look ahead, I see a coach and a program that can dominate. Like three titles in 8 seasons. Five final fours. Not an expectation of course. Simply something I truly think that this coach and this program can attain.

It all starts with competent, effective, and skilled bigs.

@mayjay I know what you're saying -- be patient. I agree. But I don't think the recent hurt foot has anything to do with what we've learned from Newman so far. What we have with Newman is one year at MSU, a full year to practice and assimilate within Self's system, and nearly half a season playing games in Self's system. Newman has not had a hurt foot all season. This was just an issue.

And more importantly, what Self has learned -- and Self has chosen to start a freshman over a guy that has nearly 2 1/2 seasons in college ball. Whether its temporary, or permanent, I think that tells us something.

Does Newman performance warrant this change? Maybe not. But I suspect the word "selfish", or some derivation, is a discussion point. Or, perhaps, it's completely benign and it's all about Garrett's defense. But I doubt it. Selden's Jr. season is a reasonable expectation, but I don't see a guy on par with that, at the same point in the year. But there is lots of time to go. He could of course break-out at any time.

@BeddieKU23 I think you’re right. It seems that the decrease in rebounding and steals, possession changers, may be big contributors, plus shooting %/scoring decreasing. He should be a 16-17 PER guy by the end of the season. I liked hearing DG talking about how he was encouraging him to be aggressive. But I also appreciate the freshman taking on a complimentary role.

It is interesting that Garrett starts and Cunliffe plays zero minutes.

@DoubleDD What is “alright” to you when it comes to Newman? What you’ve seen so far?

@BShark @BeddieKU23 You two speak the truth. Good, old fashioned Red Pill stuff. It will be interested to see how a 3/2 look might play out.

@kjayhawks I think at the time we all agreed or discussed there were 5 or 6 wide open, uncontested misses. I may be wrong but I recall that I believe. I really just don’t think we were prepared. Short turn around. Marcus running his mouth. We looked incredibly tight, which seemed to be a reflection of our coach. VCU played much more confidently. Bad day all around.

Almost 7 years ago. I have truly moved on. All that matters is tomorrow and we have the best coach for tomorrow.

@kjayhawks Right, the “they made shots” thing.VCU shot below 40% from the field. But under your theory, Self deserves no credit when we win. Self got smoked. VCU was a step ahead all game. It’s intersting that you don’t give any credit to VCU for their three point defense. But that is actually a major focus in many game plans.

@BeddieKU23 I've been in the Garrett camp as far as starting him over Newman for a while now (no secret there). Given our four out/one in scheme, the ability of the other three guards to score, and the luxury then of having Newman off the bench, I'd have Garrett as the starter. Makes perfect sensse.

Garrett works in a lot of lineup contructions -- but let's fast forward to next season, playing conventionally (3 out/2 in). Let's say we don't get Langford. Doke and Vick turn pro. We start Lawson/DeSousa down low. I would have to really think about starting Garrett with Dotson and Grimes. If the other choice is Newman or Cunliffe (assuming he might score better), I'd likely go with Newman or Cunliffe. Another way Garrett might work in is if we are a bad a*, defense first, possession valuing team -- what we might say is a real Bill Self team. I think Garrett has a higher upside than Releford, but it's a possible comparison. I expect Garrett to be one of our best players by his junior season.

However, as we saw last game, Newman was in late. Game situations will dictate. Newman's a much better free throw shooter than Garrett. And he seems to handle the ball better, at least from my eye.

Another thing to note -- Garrett's PER has continued to go down. But his box score +/- is still high, and solidly higher than Newman.

Did anyone see the quotes from after the Texas game? Self saying we might shoot 40 3 pointers; DG saying Self is telling them to shoot anytime they are open? Who is this Bill Self, anyway, and what did he do with the real* Bill Self?

So looking at TT's schedule, this is their first true road game? Interesting.

@mayjay I think it was clearly a swipe at KU. The type of comment a 20 year old might make without thinking. It told me a lot about Smart. Comments like that don't project confidence to me, they project insecurity. Like you, though, I wasn't offended. I was just hopeful Self would jam it back down his throat, which he has.

The fact is Shaka Smart outcoaching Bill Self cost us a national championship. Nothing we say, or do, changes that. We had a national title before us, on a silver platter. And we lost. Smart ran his mouth coming into the league and he's in over his head against Bill Self. Still, he's won the biggest game of that match-up.

@BShark THE BEST SPORT.

@KirkIsMyHinrich It all matters -- Conference titles. Getting to the dance. Seeding.

Rant -- CFB has a faux-playoff. Four teams is a joke. No real champion has ever been determined. What sport does not determine its real champion by a playoff? Somehow DII, DIII, NAIA, etc, can all have a real playoff. But boy oh boy, seeing Ohio St. and USC play an exhibition in the contrived Cotton Bowl is sure some great entertainment. Rant done.

Doke is really skilled in the post. Soft touch. Great footwork.

@jaybate-1-0 I kind of just think that it was a 2-3 that flexed given the floor position of the opponents, and the open space -- ex., if no opponent in the corner, the lower/outside defender can guard the wing; or if Bamba was near the key, Doke would move to get face up on him (at times). If we go conventional, with say DeSousa in the lineup at the same time, I wonder of we go 3-2 with our longest guard in the middle, up top like Brandon Rush? The zone was great.

@Fightsongwriter Correct, you did not. I was incorrect for implying it, posting right after yours -- there were other posts before yours that also led to my post. Interestingly, I heard that Doke had soreness before the game, and was actually a game time decision. So, oddly, it could be a stress fracture that is causing Doke's pain; and, oddly, could be the exact same thing as Joel. A stress fracture that was aggravated by a traumatic incident. Please no.

I'll hit on this press break thing in a little more detail.

1. Premise 1 - Self has stated on many occasions that we need to make teams pay for pressing. That we have not attacked.

2. Premise 2 - Self has said on many occasions that we need to play faster as a team, based largely on the guard based composition of our team.

3. Premise 3 - That you want to get the other team to stop pressing.

4. Our Press Break - As mentioned, slow and methodical. Passive. Did we get the ball stolen multiple times? No. Did we win? Yes. But we all know, as with prior years, simply winning doesn't mean that the problems apparent in winning go away. They rear their ugly heads when it matters most. When Landen Lucas played well, should have still been concerned? Of course. He simply did not have the ability to rim protect and control the paint with Lucas' low talent ceiling -- Oregon dominated us inside. Wichita St. destroyed us. Villanova won the title that should have been ours. Obvious issues that all reared their heads when it counted most. We should not look at this only from the perspective of winning the game we just played. That's too simplistic. We're trying get better. This is a phase of the game where we can easily get better.

5. Press Slows Us Down - We play four guards. To be at our best, we need to play a faster paced game. Self has mentioned it. When teams press, what happens? It slows ... us ... way ... down. That hurts our game, and impacts how we play best. If we're a feed the post, win 62-56 type of team, sure; matriculate the ball down the court. But we're not. The press, and our methodical approach, takes us away from what we want to do. If we're the better team, which we are in most every case, more possessions mean a better chance to win.

6. Press Can Speed You Up - Of course it can, if you do not have a plan. It can make you take dumb shots. I worry more about that with a team of inexperienced guards, that has more of a conventional small forward, power forward alignment.

7. Why Attack? - If you don't attack, and make the opponent pay, then the opponent can press with impunity, and control the pace of the game -- and continue pressing. We've seen Kansas over the years fall victim to opponents dictating pace. It's even more critical now when playing fast, with four guards, is necessary due to our interior inadequacies.

8. Game Situations - There could be game situations where a methodical press break is the best strategy. However, my comment is more based on what I've seen year in, and year out. The same passive press break. I did not see Self say anything about not making Texas pay for the press, so it's possible Self thought slower was better last night. But I'm talking more on a macro level, on how we always deal with the press.

9. Ball Handling - This team has one very good ball handler in DG and Newman (who is a tick below DG), is effective dribbling; and three good ball handlers in Vick, Garrett, and Svi. We don't have a ball handler as good as Mason was last season, but we have wide ranging competence with the ball. Good passers, decent dribblers. We have nothing in the backcourt that approaches the on-ball incompetence of Selden or Wiggins, for example. Interestingly, with on-ball incompetence, the quick passing is the tool you desperately need, and it's part of the reason why that group was just horrible against the press. Remember Atlantis?

10. How Is The Press Most Effective - First and foremost, when it is organized. If a team is running a classic 1-2-1-1 press, the first four players (situated in a diamond) have to be set up. this permits traps to the forecourt corners, and allows the player in the back of the diamond to be in position to intercept or slide to stop sideline dribbling, which this press invites. A zone press is designed to encourage passing and dribbling in certain patterns. The 1-2-1-1 is designed so that the "1" at the back of the diamond has opportunities to intercept. That player has to be in position to do so, with respect to the ball position. If he's not, the press breaks down very easily.

11. Get The Ball Inbounds As Quickly As Possible - Why Get the ball inbounds quickly? This is the most important item -- whoever is closest to the ball, get it in NOW. By doing so, this does not give the defense/press time to get set up. This is critical to destroying a zone press. When they can't set up, they can't trap properly and they're not in a position to intercept. All zone presses are designed to trap in certain areas, and intercept in certain areas -- by inbounding quickly, you can attack the less dangerous areas. This is very basic but critical to attacking the press, and making them pay for pressing. How quickly do you get the ball? If you can, before it hits the floor after a made basket. It was comical on one occasion when the ball went through the rim, Marcus Garrett was right there, and he avoided the ball like the plague, holding his arms up in a "not me" fashion. Texas set up their press when the designated inbounder, Svi, got the ball to inbound. But that's how Self has done it. Guys run away from the ball as it falls out of the basket. One designated inbounder. I understand if there is one guy you say "you never inbound it" because he's just horrible, but no one on this team is careless with the ball. It's even easier because we have only one non-guard to inbound the ball to. The only rule might be, don't throw it in to Doke. Every player on this team, but for Doke, is capable of receiving the inbounds pass and then making the next pass.

12. The Second Pass - That "next pass" is critical. The second pass has to be delivered quickly so as not to allow a trap. If the player has the ball in a non-trap area, he will have a bit more time. After the inbounds, the receiver of the pass quickly locates a teammate moving down the court, delivers the ball, and the race the basket is on. We've all seen it before -- by other teams. And against us. One terrific strategy is to deliver it immediately back to the player who inbounded the ball, and he takes off -- he's unaccounted for as the press traps the inbounds pass. Everyone floods down the court in specific lanes. You create a fast break -- 2 on 1, 3 on 2. How many times do we ever do that? Big dunks breaking the press, going to the hoop; or pull it back for a three. This team would thrive on that. Nothing gets a coach out of a press quicker than giving up easy hoops. It's exactly why Self waits until the last minute (sometimes maddeningly) to press -- he fears the easy hoop.

13. Basic Press Break Strategy - One big rule, unless you have an elite ball handling wizard, is to pass quickly to break the press. Pass quickly. We imploy a hold the ball until the pressure arrives and then pass. This is slow, risky, and really, pretty easy to counter if one wants to take some risks. Breaking the press with the dribble is much the same as attacking a zone defense -- you can attack the seams on the dribble. With a press, attacking that seam and looking to hit a player moving down court is a killer. Why don't NBA teams employ pressing regularly? In fact, why does pressing decrease as talent increases? Easy -- better players can break the press and make the pressing team pay with an easy basket.

14. Inbound Spot - Texas press was asking for us to inbound exactly where we did .. we used a three man scissor to get open with our guys moving to the corner many times (right where they want to trap). Saw a few comments on this item. This is hard to avoid -- when you methodically allow the defense to set up. Moving quickly when the ball comes out of the net helps defeat that problem.

15. Tactics of the Pressing Team - Think about this .. how many times have you seen the pressing team hit the basketball after a made basket? Tip it away? Grab it and throw it to the ref? Or even strategically get their leg under the ball as it comes down so that it bounces away? If you're looking, quite a bit. Why? Why do that? To give them time to set up. It's age old tactics that pressing teams employ. It's why refs warn and can give technicals for interfering with the ball after a made basket.

This is an aspect of the game where Kansas can get better and more aggressive. This team needs advantages. Being more aggressive in the press break is one of those advantages just waiting to be exploited.

Joel hurt his back because he was compensating for his knee injury, and returned from that injury too quickly. His fall was not the cause of his back issue. A stress fracture does not occur due to a traumatic incident.

@mayjay Very nice. So, I do like Bilas as an announcer. Don't agree with his anti-NCAA stuff, and really don't like the general anti-CBB diatribes (wanting to always change the game/NBA preference). But even if I didn't like him as announcer, I would still side heavily -- very heavily -- with Bilas. Higgins let Shaka talk a few times. But Bilas was exactly right. Refs should never pursue a coach that walks away. Refs should get suspended for that. But as long as the powers that be permit refs to be too large a part of the game, we get that. I will never understand it.