🏀 KuBuckets Archive

@KUinLA I agree that as KU fans, sometimes we get a little caught up (more than most fan bases) on winning the league. Other than our unprecedented dominance as of late, league success isn't recognized on a national level. We get bragging rights for another year against our conference, and a better tourney seeding. But that is about it.

But I am buying what @JayHawkFanToo is selling. It shows that we have been relevant year in and year out. And that we show consistent excellence. When you win the league, you are always a threat for the Final 4 and we have seen that over the past decade. The early exits is another monster that would have to be discussed on another board, but you catch my drift.

Was it the fact that Manning left that our bigs don't score on the block efficiently anymore? Ellis should be dominating on the block with his skill and ability like Marcus Morris. But the difference is Morris was under Manning's tutelage for 3 years.

This team reminds me a little of the 2012-2013 that would look prolific and smooth and slump badly for a lot of the game. Remember, that team dropped 3 in a row and labored before that after a big win over KSU. I expect us to labor again tomorrow, come out with an ugly win 62-52. The only question is how much will it hurt us before we stop the bleeding? We will snap out of it. Self will have this team playing hard and running smoothly the last couple games of the league. That I have no doubt in.

Self has a very good record against big name teams in tourney time. With all the down talk of Self lately (a lot of which is deserved), give us the big name schools and watch Self work his magic!

@drgnslayr said:
" Because Cliff isn't getting enough minutes to establish his game. He still doesn't have an identity. He isn't being prepped for March."

Reminds me a lot of Perry his freshman year. He would show signs of brilliance. Even in the Michigan game, he tore them up on the post toward the end of the game. But Self had his rotation set and took him out the final minutes and we all know how that played out. I would like to think that Self develops each player differently on what they need. The quick hook obviously isn't helping Cliff. We need to keep him in there and let him work through it.

@nuleafjhawk My son was wearing a KU shirt at their games. BTW, he is not used "KU basketball fan", we have been to many KU spring football games and track meets!

@DoubleDD I was in the same position. My son got a 10,000 dollar engineering scholarship and to be honest, KSU was the best option for him to go. But there isn't a better feeling then seeing your boy on T.V. during a KSU game and him wearing a "Decade of Dominance" shirt. Proverbs 22:6 "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." :D

@nuleafjhawk passive aggressive at it's finest!

@KUinLA I think the question that you haven't answered is where were you after KU blew out Texas, ISU, or any good game this season? If there is a legitimate reason, then sleep well with a clean conscious.

What I believe rubs @icthawkfan316 and others the wrong way is you treat this site like dog who gets beat after a bad day at work. I will assume the best and think that you actually enjoy this site and the Jayhawks and only feel the need to post when you can't take it anymore. But maybe try and venting all your thoughts and not just the negative one. In the end, you are a KU brother (or sister) and I hope you are enjoying the ride as much as everyone else. Have a good day!

Still sticking to my tourney predictions. If we were to go back 2 months ago, and look at the standings and say we lost to OSU at their place, and we are still one game ahead, I would have taken that in a heart beat! Flat games happen. Even though I was extremely frustrated, lets put it into perspective.

The thing I noticed is why Mason is getting a free pass for this game? His shot looked better with his 3s, and got a nice steal, but that was it. He came out flat. Missed important free throws, didn't push the tempo, never beat his man off the dribble but when he did, missed floaters. Frank is still a stud and will continue to drive this team. However, tonight he was not himself. Him and Perry had games that killed us.

@drgnslayr I personally do not want to engage in a yearly game with WSU. The biggest snub you can give a team is saying "You aren't worth out time' and not scheduling them. It is the same thought that gave KSU fans fits. Talk with a Wildcat fan and they hated that we didn't care about them nearly as much as we cared about Mizzou. Likewise, they will always be looking up at us because we won't let them on our level, and I like that.

@jayhawkfantoo You are right my friend.

I am not selling this team short (keep in mind, I have stated that I am optimistic to a fault). I say this team makes to to the elite 8 and maybe a final four! Let me break down my overly optimistic view.

What teams have lacked in recent years that led to an early exit:

1.) 2013-14- 3 point shooting, toughness, offensive flow. We saw all three on display against Stanford. They packed the paint and took away our only offense (Wiggins). We were not ready to take on a solid team without size (Embiid's late injury), and our point was not able to get into the lane and crash the zone.

2.) 2012-13- Lack of point guard play plain and simple. I have never did bash on EJ because of how grateful I was that he waited his turn and he played a huge role in making it to the NC. But he just was not a point guard.

3.) 2011-12- Maturity. Yes I know, we made it to the elite eight. But that was as heart breaking as an early exit. The Morris twins were not models to the under classman, and Taylor was a late bloomer. He was not ready to lead a team.

Now fast forward to this season, we do not have the luxury of the past teams but have the essentials the past teams didn't:

1.) A point guard whose in control with a bulldog mentality that has a contagious toughness about him. Couple that with the talented young gun in Graham, we are in good hands. No one will be able to do what VCU or Michigan did to us.

2.) 3 point shooting. This one is self-explanatory. We have a zone buster in Greene and all the perimeter players are capable of making open treys.

3.) Opened up offensive system. The offensive doesn't go completely stagnant when you take away one player. Focus on the perimeter, Ellis will face us and take it to the hole. Double our bigs, dish it out for the trey. And when all else fails, Mason gets in the lane and creates shots for himself and others.

4.) A toughness that has our back up point guard get in the face of the leading scorer for KSU.

We don't have size but scheming can reduce the effects. We don't have the awe-inspiring talent but i'll take toughness in day of the weak. And lastly, this is a new year filled with the unknown. So why not fill it with fill it with the best case scenarios! :D

@Jayhawkfantoo That would not a solid resume on the surface. But with the talent level that we all know UT has gotten, to make it past the sweet 16 only 3 time in 16 years is inexcusable. Under performing in the chaos that is the NCAA Tournament is normal. Kansas and Duke lose earlier then they should too and no one in their right questions coach K or Self as coaches. But do it in alarmingly consistent fashion with talent similar to us is clear as day. Barnes is not a good coach.

I was one of the people in Armageddon mode with Texas this year, and thought we shouldn't count them out just because of Barnes. But to much of my enjoyment, they forced my foot in my mouth. If he couldn't win with Augustine, Abrams, James, and oh yea DURANT, how will they be able to do damage with anything else?

One thing we cannot do is recruit over Greene. A shooter like this doesn't usually come to KU. But he have him, he gaining confidence and playing more minutes, and we are seeing the benefits of having a prolific shooter in the game. With Wayne's shot coming on, can you imagine if we had a back to the basket big who could draw double teams? We haven't seen that since Arthur throwing it out of double teams, making the defense scramble and making the extra pass to hit Mario or Rush on the wing.

My friends, this year is not over, and I am excited to what we are going to do in March. But next year with Cliff developing a better skill set, only to have Mason, Seldon, Greene, or Svi (better shooters with another off season under their belt) to pass back out to, that is a magical offense that has me giddy.

Get a shot blocker to come in 15-20 minutes a game (I prefer Diallo. Reminds me of a Baylor Acy if he hads some muscle) and that team will do baaaad things.

@RedRooster I am one of those fans who must budget out at least one game. I make sure that the whole family can go, so it gets quite pricey. The cheapest seats, if you get them early enough for a conference game (depending on which game) ranges from 60-150 bucks. I was able to get tickets to the Oklahoma State game for 65 dollars a piece. And when you buy 7 tickets, gas (I live in Iowa), and concessions, we are easily looking at over 500 dollars for the night. But it is well worth being apart of the atmosphere!

@drgnslayr My thoughts on BG exactly. I don't know about centering our offense around him but I would love to see the dribble handoff a few times a time like OU and ISU does to guarantee a couple good looks.

Living in the Middle of Cyclone nation, I don't know if my ego and pride can take anymore trolling from ignorant, little dog syndrome ISU fans.

@drgnslayr We both must have consulted the Rock Chalk oracle!

@benshawks08 My fear is still his shin. Self has always made his players play through nagging injuries rather than giving very limited minutes for a couple games or sitting out one completely. (Reed his senior year, Langford his senior year, Selden last year, Selby, Traylor this season, Elijah is junior year, and probably many more we haven't heard about.) Granted,he probably leaves the decision up to the players, and they want to play. But I would rather not have someone for two games then have them play the rest of the season 75%.

And now we have ironman Frank starting to show signs of wear and tear. I would take my chances on dropping a couple games in the league to have a 100% Mason. I know every player has some nagging stuff by the end of the season, but I would like to prevent it as much as possible.

@jaybate-1.0 Self has ultimate job security at KU now. I doubt he hires people based on if they can or cannot dethrone him as a head coach.

Didn't see this thread and created one. Feel free to ignore mine!

This will be a close game. KU jumps ahead by 8 or 10 early in the first half but ISU will make a run. I see us controlling the game for 30 minutes but there will be a 10 stretch to where we labor and let ISU make a run.

No way ISU beats us the same way they did in last game with transition. To beat us, they will have to hit at least 13 treys and Niang will have to have a stellar game with his driving to the bucket, kicking out, and usual flopping. Ellis will have his way with the new isolation package Self has installed but don't expect many looks for Greene. They will be in his grill all night and since their game plan is to get shooters open, they will know how to neutralize ours.

KU simply is slightly better in almost every aspect. KU wins 81-73 because of late free throws made by Greene and Mason. Rock Chalk my friends! Let me hear some of your bold predictions on how the game will play out!

Geez, I believe @JayHawkFanToo was just describing why the RPI ranked us above UK. He might have thrown in a little Jayhawk bias but there is nothing wrong with that on a KU board. I want to talk about KSU tomorrow rather than UK two months ago, but if you don't think KU would put up a fight if they played them again, then I feel sorry with your outlook on this season. Even if we were playing the undefeated 1973 UCLA Bruins, I would think we had a good shot if we pull Walton away from the basketball, doubled him in the post, and roughed up Wilkes. There is nothing wrong with @JayHawkFanToo and his outlook!

I needed those positive comments after watching that game. I thought we turned a corner but with young team, it's always two steps forward and one step back.

As a man who also started balding in high school, I understand the desire to drink to forget...

@drgnslayr ^^^

@drgnslayer I rarely agree with an entire post but yours is spot on! I was one of the many that was affected by the Armageddon complex with UT but I gladly put my foot in my mouth. But from the beginning, I have never saw ISU as a threat to win the Big 12. They are a threat to beat us because they shoot 30 treys a game, and would hate to play them in the tourney because they can beat anyone on any given night. But to last a 18 game tourney is impossible when you live by the deep ball. I am more uneasy of KSU in the league because they simply beat people who they are supposed to beat and might sneak out a win here and there against a top contender.

And sorry numerous grammatical errors. Like "here" instead of "hear". I am in a hurry but that is nonetheless inexcusable! MBA was for nothing I guess!

@HighEliteMajor

Maybe a tad bit harsh for my taste, but I agree with a lot of your points. I have always enjoyed your analysis and somewhat fair judgment of HCBS.

I feel as though your perception of Wigs is a little off. He was at first "selfish" but that turned into "offensively selfish". But isn't that impossible to compartmentalize? Name one extremely hard working, unselfish defender who is just trying to get his own on offense? You mentioned Tayler as being selfish yet worked hard on D. But if you remember his first 3 years, he may have gotten some steals but almost NEVER worked hard off the ball to deny his man or to make the opposing player catch it a few feet outside to where he was comfortable. Even in the beginning of his Senior year, that was a major problem (ex. against Duke in the final two minutes. Got screened, didn't fight hard over, and jogged to his man on the wing. The result was a killer 3).
Sure he would get his steals, but not like Wigs who would deny, push the defender out, and fight over screens. Little things that don't show up in the stat sheet shows how hard someone works on D. It's the equivalent to a post taking pride in good solid screens or a wing boxing out the shooter knowing that he won't get the rebound, but is making sure his man won't.

As stated above, Self told him to shoot. His usage of him may not have bolded well for the team but I don't blame wigs. How many times did we here Self say in a postgame interview "Andrew had a good night but he only got 11 shots. If he puts up 15 or 16, then we are talking about a great night". Damned if he tried to force his will on the team and damned if he pass the ball up.

Second, you reference 2 key aspects of Wigs game that are good points but I believe you came out with the wrong conclusion. The first of which is that you never saw him go after a loose ball Like Oubre. But this is a mentality that some people have naturally and some have to learn. As I have said before, Self always talks about players simply not knowing how to play hard but it doesn't mean that the player is intentionally not playing his hardest. Look at Cliff this year and Embiid last year. It took some butt chewing for them to figure out how to play hard. Give Wigs another year and we see a different player. The other one was his lack of dishing after he beat his man. This again doesn't mean he is selfish but hasn't learned to pass when he is in attack mode. Mason last year drove us ALL crazy for this reason. I don't believe very many of us would call Mason selfish. The ability to take a two hard dribbles, stop, and get the open man the ball is a new concept for many players who are used to scoring 30 a game in high school. Again, give him another year in a Jayhawks uniform and we would see a different player.

How Self used him is definitely up for criticism. But to call him selfish for getting his shots and in the same breath criticize him "checking out" of the Stanford game with only 6 shots seems backwards.

I meant more interested in the process of developing a responsible adult. Sorry!

I look at Self developing his players similar to parenting.

With two children out of college and one in 5th grade (Whoops!), we don't raise children to make them to be the best 5 year old they can be, but look to the future and have the presence of mind to make them the best 25 year olds they can be. Let me explain.

Jackson (now in secondary education) was eight years old, he started mowing the lawn. There were times on Saturdays where he would throw a fit because it was "to hot" or "Saturday is supposed to be a day off". He was always a good student and got along with everyone. It would have been easier in the moment to mow the lawn myself. But as parents, I was less interested in the process of developing a responsible adult then making a happy eight year old.

Now back to Self and Alexander. He is more interested in developing a mentality beyond what the stat sheet says. Cliff had 6 points and 6 rebounds with very limited playing time. If Cliff plays 10 or 15 more minutes, I believe we probably win against ISU. But Self, like a parent, is more interested in Alexander being relentless later in the year. If Cliff didn't sit, maybe he only gets 9 rebounds instead of 13 against OU. Maybe he doesn't snap the ball out of the air on Kelly's missed FT, then we don't get the big trey by Greene (which was a crucial for the win).

HCBS is doing a balance act of the now AND future. Is Self divinely inspired and without fault? Of course not. Doing this tricky balancing act could end up hurting KU more than helping. But we saw the fruits of benching Alexander the next game. It is an art more than an exact science and we will find out at the end of year if we can reap the rewards of Self's "stubbornness".

@KUSTEVE So were you content with his Stanford performance? That D was ran specifically to take away Andrew and his shot attempts showed. If you were fine with him taking what the defense gave him, and passing when he was guarded and a packed lane, then we are on the same team. But if you got frustrated with him because he didn't take over, well it might appear a bit hypocritical.

@drgnslayr

You say "Andrew was about Andrew. He wanted to be a team player, but his world forced his focus on himself." I wonder if he was in a no win situation with us fans. We yelled at our TV when Wigs wouldn't take over. But when he did put up his shots, we didn't like the offense that stood around and watched him. We said he was all about himself when he put up 20 shots but crucified him on the Stanford game for playing team ball and taking what the defense gave him.

Wiggins had his faults. I am not making him out to be perfect. But Wiggins could not win unless he went 12-15 with 8 assists.

I have heard many people talk about Wiggins saving himself when he was in college. But it honestly has to stop.

Did he put up 25 and 8 like he was capable of? No. Did he disappear at times? Yes. That is product of not having the right mentality but not lack of effort. Self has mentioned time and time again that just because a player lacks a motor, doesn't mean he isn't trying hard. He has said that thinking to much, and simply not knowing how to play hard all the time. A player thinks he is giving his all until a butt chewing occurs, then they explode (like we have seen in the Big Red Dog this season). I believe players like Ellis always plays his hardest or what he thinks is his hardest.

If a player is going to slack off before the NBA, it wouldn't be on the offensive side of the ball. He would fill the stat sheet with points, rebounds, and assist but would not play the type of defense needed to save his legs. But when we look at Wiggins, he was the only lock-down defender on KU last year and was arguably the best thing he brought. We would routinely guard their best player and do it very well. Wiggins was not half-a**ing it like so many have proclaimed.

We can pick apart how Wiggins was not the bull-dog he needed to be and didn't us his superior athleticism to finish above the rim. All those are fair critiques. But to blast our best defender that year on effort doesn't fit.

@JayHawkFanToo Agreed. Although I would like to think that I would have waited it out and been honored to play 15 minutes a game as a sophomore in a Jayhawk uniform, can't blame a guy who wanted to play more minutes in the game he loves.

Svi's father told self "He can be a little up and down". Self said "Not too many have realistic expectations about their own. It doesn't happen often. It’s refreshing." Makes you wonder if he had Conner and his parents in mind when he said that.

Does anyone remember the KU lurker "turkeysub" on KCsports? I miss that guy! Where did he go?

Great insight fellas. I stand corrected. I just hate having players like Greene who have been patient, payed their dues, and worked hard but are left on the outside looking in.

@KansasComet sad day.

Sorry for the multiple topics started recently, I promise to slow down. There has just been so much good stuff going on lately.

With the recent add of Bragg, I saw some posters write about not wanting another recruit for the development of Greene and Svi. And the more I ponder that thought, the more I agree. With the exception of Zimmerman, I would rather not sign anymore.

As of right now, we have will have experienced wings next year (I am assuming Oubre enters the draft). Next year, we will have:
1.) Mason/Graham, 2.)Selden/Graham, and 3.)Greene/Svi. And we know Svi can bump up to the 2 guard position rather easily.

The positive side in having another talented wing is an injury (which wouldn't be devastating unless it's Mason). And the apocalypse I believe @HighEliteMajor pointed out with an unexpected draft entry and Svi plays ball oversees. The college game is so unpredictable that Self would almost have to cover his tracks with a recruit. But if everything stands, I would rather have experienced players who can run the Self offense over another talented wing that leaves after one year and disrupts ego's, roles, and development. Another talented wing assures someone transferring.

What do you guys think would be the best situation to the Hawks? Self has talked about the simple strategy of just trying to get the more talented players, but I am not sold because of the complexity of team dynamics.

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What do you guys think? And it has been reported that he has gotten more explosive since last year.

Rock Chalk!!!

Big time sign and maybe a domino effect. What are you predicting for this young fella? Overall signing thoughts? I know we are in need of a 6'11 post, but having an uber athletic post never hurts! How should we use him? I predicting a Robinson sophomore year. His PT will be like Trob his sophomore year. Come in, rebound, dunk, and block.

I have no contacted Long lines directly. I was relegated to watching last game on a glitchy screen through firstrowsports to where I could only makeout the player if it was Greene (for obvious reasons) and was forced to spend hours after the game removing all the filth that website downloaded on my computer for me. I will attempt to contact Long Lines directly.

But ESPN3 works fine. It is only ESPNU that will not let me access games. Thanks for the fellas and I am eagerly waiting the announcement of Bragg as I'm sure you are doing as well!

Very well said.

Two types of offenses are grasped easier for freshman. A set play offense (Old Self) and a drive and kick offense (see UK offense). We see new players in the beginning of Self's era succeed like J.R. Giddens. No one in their right mind would say Giddens was smarter and had more of a basketball IQ than Selden, Henry, or other new comers. He simply played in a system that was more concrete and easier to grasp.

Maybe Self needs to change it again with the incoming talent expected to put up big numbers game in and game out. But when a team as a whole stays together for 2 or 3 years, something magical happens. Of course 08 and 12 comes to mind. However, lets not forget about the season of '10 and '11 with a flukey Northern Iowa loss and an overconfident team against a scrappy VCU. Those teams would torch defenses.

Good news is I can only see one player gone in Oubre after this year. Next year, we will have the core back and ready to make a serious run. I am not ruling out this year of course, but next year, I predict the Self offense will be back to pretty passing and easy buckets like we are accustomed to seeing.

Yes sir. I live in Ames, Iowa. I am way to superstitious and the last game I went to a bar in? The UK game. As much as I would love to stir up the cyclone fans (as I have a habit of doing) in the bar, the thought of losing to Tech surrounded by the most ignorant/obnoxious fan bases in the country really ruins as man's buzz.

One day my good friend. A better opportunity to provide for my family came to I had to move out of the beloved Spring Hill area.

Is there any way to watch ESPNU games? I live in Iowa and have LongLines as a cable provider (which ESPN has as a partner). However, it still says "User Not Authorized". What can a man do?