🏀 KuBuckets Archive

@HighEliteMajor Garrett has no confidence. He isn’t a threat offensively and so when he is on the floor we are playing a man down. So for 21 minutes if the game we are playing 4 on 5 offensively.

Malik is reminding me of Tyshawns senior season. Everyone is crushing him now, but he will figure it out and have a great conference season. I love @justanotherfan’s reverence to a Jazz musician being off beat if you haven’t read that yet. Once he finally gets back in the same page, he will be a different player.

@JayHawkFanToo Syracuse could finish bottom 3 in the ACC this season. They suck. They have one good player in the entire team.

And playing the youngest team in CBB in November isn’t really an impressive win.

So no I would not call any of our wins so far impressive. And our one loss I would call embarrassing.

Today, KU might be the 10-15th best team in the country. Just honestly. We are a 5 man team, and our 6th and 7th guys coming off the bench really should be the 8th and 9th. Once we start playing real teams and Doke and Mitch get in foul trouble, we have to go to a 6'4 walk-on? Yea that just isn't going to cut it because none of our 4 guards rebounds well enough to make up for that deficiency.

With that being said, an addition of a potential 1st round pick in Billy Preston, and Sam Cunliffe, who I have high hopes for, this team should be a top 5 team come March. Our depth really is an issue at the moment, that could set us up to get beat by literally anyone in the B12. Our 6th and 7th players just aren't good enough. I like Garrett and Mitch. I think they will be great program guys in the future. But this isn't the position I want either of them to be in.

@jayballer54 The biggest problem with having guys like Frank is that it teaches the other guys to lay back. It doesn't let them develop that killer instinct...

There is a reason that Peter's and Kelce fell as far as they did in the draft. The Chiefs have been huge risk takers the past 6 or so seasons, taking extremely risky players. Sometimes it works out great. Look at Houston and Hill. But with the good comes the bad.

Now, I don't want Peter's to be gone. I just want him to grow up, or get a coach in here who draws a line in the sand and players understand and respect that. Same goes for Kelce. There is passion and then there is being a complete moron.

You just don't see these issues with the Packers, Steelers or Patriots. Sure, all of those teams have HOF QBs. But, all three of their careers could have gone completely different directions had they started their careers somewhere else. It is about developing a culture that doesn't tolerate stupidity or distractions. Once that is in place, the rest takes care of itself.

@HawkChamp I said we were outcoached in another post. I also believe that it is hard to be prepared for that as a player. No one shoots that much in a game. Especially a guy who is your 3rd or 4th option a lot of times. Someone who isn't used to shooting the ball 20+ times per game is not going to feel comfortable doing it. It is a subconscious thing. He is going to feel guilty for not sharing the ball and taking 30 to 40 shots, even if it is the right basketball play. Not because he doesn't know it is the right basketball play, but because 99% of the time if you did that you would be called a ball hog and people would get upset with you.

So, it does take an Alpha to have the confidence to hoist up shot after shot after shot without a 2nd thought.

Someone on this team needs to become an Alpha. Otherwise we will hit wall come tournament time. 2008 team had several. 2012 team had 2. This team? I don't see any yet. Which is fine. Tyshawn wasn't one until Conference play his Senior season so there is still plenty of time . And this is the type of game we needed to find that out. This could be the type of game that causes Vick to completely break out of his shell and truly become a college stud.

Now that I have watched this team play a 4th of its season, I personally think we need Vick to become a BRush/Mclemore type of guy for this season to end in San Antonio. Except that he has one thing neither of those two players had. An explosive first step off the dribble. Vick is quick enough and athletic enough to get by his defender and take it to the rack. If he can learn to finish at a high rate, he could be a 20 ppg guy the rest of the way.

Two and half weeks ago, I thought the growth of Billy and Doke would be what we need to take us to a FF. But now with the Billy situation, things have changed. It is going to take one of these guards becoming something special over these next 3 months.

Vick should have gone for at least 50 last night. But he lacks the "Alpha" and that lead to him feeling like he needed to pass the ball and not take every shot. UW won a mind game last night. Vick looked like he was being guarded by an imaginary 6th guy half of the time.

If JJ were that guy in the middle last night, KU wins by 20 and JJ has 50 points, 10 dunks, 10 And 1's and Dickerson has 2 fouls in the first 5 minutes of the game and plays maybe 10 minutes total before he fouls out. All because he wouldn't have been scared to take 50 shots. Hell, he would have WANTED to take 50 shots.

Vick needs to become an Alpha if we want to win.

Yep, Vick looked confused when he got the ball. We should have realized their game plan immediately and come out of the first 4 minute timeout with Vick catching the ball and immediately attacking the rim. Self should have told him that he needs to score 60 points if they are going to give him that all night. Also, we never had a chance at offensive rebounding with all 3 guards above the free throw line. Not to mention they were going for blocks every time someone went up for a shot. PUMP FAKE for crying out loud. Just frustrating when as fans we could see exactly what was going on last night and somehow Bill couldn’t get them to execute. Especially when we just played against a Syracuse team who ran the 2-3 and we have been practicing it now for 2 weeks.

Outcoached tonight. Plain and simple.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/deaaron-fox-may-be-the-future-but-right-now-frank-mason-is-the-kings-best-rookie/ ↗

@BeddieKU23 I'm wondering if the lack of depth is what is keeping Doke from chasing after rebounds more aggressively. We can't get a silly foul over the back from him right now.

It is kind of exciting that we haven't seen it from Newman yet though, right?

Between Preston, Newman, Doke and Garrett, this team has a ton of room for growth as the season progresses. And we already look like the best team in the country.

Chiefs had a bad draft. Mahomes better be Super Bowl good. Because that is what he cost us this season IMO. We essentially wasted our first 3 picks on two players that basically don’t see the field.

@jaybate-1.0 I never thought of him directly to KU. I figured he would go to a major school in the SEC first(Auburn has to be looking for a way to get rid of Pearl). If he shows he can win there, he would then be on my short list. I think he makes the jump from UTA this season to a major program after this season because this is his last year with this core group.

I would define his style of play as a similar style to Hoiberg. He likes to play 4 guys who can handle the ball. His 4/PF is a guy who is basically an oversized wing and then an athletic rebounder at the 5. The guards move the ball well and yet they all have the green light to shoot at any time.

@JayHawkFanToo Did you watch that game? WSU choked so bad...

Well, my picks yesterday went 4-6. Not a great day, but I've had worse. They say you have to basically win 52% of your games to be able to turn a profit.

Losses
- Memphis really let me down. Got smoked.
- Elon game was a 1 point loss, I should have followed my own advice and taken the spread.
- MSSU had a guy go off for 37 I think last night. Rest of their team struggled, but he was good enough by himself to cover the spread.
- If you bought two on the Cavs game, you could have won.
- TTU was very disappointing last night. Gave up too many points. Not a team that is going to win track meets.
- UNCW and ECU went into OT and I just ended up on the wrong side of it.

Wins
- MSU did basically what I predicted. Pulled away with 10 left.
- Temple crushed it.
- Celtics plaid Great
- Missouri ground out a win in a boring game, minus the awe that UCF has a 7'6 player.

Scott Cross
- Age: 42
- Career Record: 210-149
- Resume: As of the end of the 2015–16 season, Cross (a former Maverick player and assistant coach) has the second-most wins in UTA history and is the only coach with a career winning record at the university. He has led the program to its four best season win totals (including a program-best 27 wins in 2016–17), four post-season tournaments (prior to his arrival the program had only one post-season appearance in the prior 46 years of its history) and its first-ever post-season tournament win in 2016. Team is also off to a 6-1 start, with their only loss on the road at Alabama, 77-76.

@JayHawkFanToo Thanks! And it would seem that way, but I have not found that to be the case actually lol.

Beginning of the season is the best time to make money. Vegas only makes money when betting is even on both sides of the lines. So early in the year, people who bet on name brand instead of talent screw up the lines. As long as you are paying attention, you can get easy money at the beginning of each season.

I've been dabbling in Sports Betting for a better part of 3 months now. I started with $250 and am now up to $21k. Now I'm not condoning it or even giving advice. I'm probably more lucky than good.But, I just would like to start a daily thing where I post the lines of games and my picks for the day, and then maybe we can have a conversation. If anything, these conversations will help everyone with their NCAA Tournament Office Pools! There will be several games a day I put with some random teams you would otherwise not pay attention to.

• Seton Hall vs. TTU - Madison Square Garden
• This is a "pick'em" game. Odds are the same. No Money Line.

• My Pick: TTU - I really like their experience and depth this season. Coach has done a really good job with this bunch so far. They can score, but holy cow can they play D! Holding opponents to 55 ppg so far. I like TTU 74-68.

• Notre Dame vs. MSU - East Lansing

• MSU - Spread: -6.5 - ML: -290
• ND - Spread: +6.5 - ML: +235

• My Pick: MSU +5 (Bought 1.5 points) at -180 payout. If you are high on ND, today is a day to capitalize on it. I think MSU is definitely the better team and matches up well against ND though. I personally would take MSU on the spread, and buy 1.5 points. I think it is a tight game for 30 minutes before MSU pulls ahead by 8 or so those last 10 minutes.

• South Florida vs. Elon - Elon, North Carolina

• USF - Spread: +9.5 - ML: +400
• Elon - Spread: -9.5 - ML: -550

• My Pick: USF to win outright, take the +400 ML. I also love for them to cover the spread if you are worried to bet on bad teams. Elon hasn't won by 10 points against a D1 team yet this season. No reason to believe they will blow out a USF team tonight.

• NDSU vs. Miss St. - Starkeville, Mississippi

• NDSU - Spread: +10 - ML: +425
• Miss St. - Spread: -10 - ML: -600

• My Pick: NDSU on the spread. MSST hasn't played anyone, nor have they beaten any of their last three subpar opponents by more than 10 points. NDSU only lost to USC by 10 and beat an NCAA tournament bound Missouri State team. No to mention this game will be played at a very slow pace, making a 10 point spread tougher to cover for MSST.

• UNC - Wilm vs. ECU - Greeneville, North Carolina

• UNCW - Spread: -4.5 - ML: -200
• ECU - Spread: +4.5 - ML: +170

• My Pick: UNCW on the Moneyline with -200. It is a battle of two bad teams with UNCW having more upside IMO. they can score, but are terrible at D. I tend to think D is something that can get better, but sometimes scoring can't. ECU also shoots a poor percentage from 3. UNCW shoots a very good percentage at .363. To be honest, I don't even think this game ends up close and I like UNCW to get much better as the season progresses. But I'm not confident enough that they win by 5 to bet the spread.

• Memphis vs. UAB - Birmingham, Alabama

• Memphis ; Spread: +4.5 - ML: +175
• UAB - Spread: -4.5 - ML: -210

• My Pick: Memphis on the moneyline +175. UAB hasn't beaten anybody of note. Memphis' only loss comes to a good Bama team. If you don't feel confident that UM has it in them, take them on the Spread and buy 1.5 points.

• Mizzou vs. UCF - Orlando, FL

• MIZ - Spread: -4.5 - ML: -200
• UCF - Spread: +4.5 - ML: +170

• My Pick: Mizzou on the -200 ML. Both teams have played Against WVU and SJ, Mizzou played both teams well. UCF played one of the uggliest games in history against SJU and was blown out by WVU. However, expect this to be a tight one and an ugly one. UCF could definitely win, but I like what this Mizzou team has going for them so far this year. I actually really like Mizzou on the spread, but I don't like to bet the spread too often.

• South Carolina vs. Temple - Madison Square Garden

• Pick'em game. ML: -110 for both teams

• My Pick: Love Temple here. Easy travel game. Play here routinely. Beaten both Clemson and Auburn this season. USC hasn't played anyone.

• Cavs vs. Hawks

• Cavs: Spread: -8 - ML: -360
• Hawks: Spread: +8 - ML: +280

• My Pick: Cavs -8. On a roll and I don't see it stopping in Atlanta.

• 76ers vs. Celtics

• 76ers - Spread: +9 - ML: +300
• Celtics - Spread: -9 - ML: -400
• My Pick: Celtics -7 (Buy 2 Points - ML: -180). 76ers don't have Embiid or McConnel tonight. Celtics are rested and 76ers are playing a back to back. This has the makings of a 20 point win for Boston.

Another good day of B-Ball:

• ND vs. MSU - MSU's 1 seed hinges on tonight's game I think. Big 10 looks BAD. If they lose to Duke and ND they are going to have a tough time building a resume. But I do think MSU wins tonight and cruise through the Big 10 to a 1 seed. I think Notre Dame is overrated slightly, but not a team I'd want to play in March.

-Seton Hall v. TTU - Tough test for Tech. Vegas actually favors Seton Hall. Game is in The Garden so crowd advantage should go to SH. I think Tech looks good this year though, and will take the experienced team for the win.

• South Carolina vs. Temple - Both teams are underwhelming this season. Should be a competitive game though. I'll take Temple in the Garden though.

• Mizzou vs. UCF - Don't sleep on UCF. Unlike the football team, they play at a snails pace. This will be a boring game to watch. First team to 70 will win. If UCF controls the pace, they win the game. If Mizzou scores 75 they win the game. I'll take UCF in Orlando though. 65-60.

• Memphis vs. UAB - UAB is a heavy favorite despite Memphis' only loss coming to a top 25ish Alabama team. UAB hasn't beaten anyone of note but played tough in all of their losses. I personally think this is easy money. Take Memphis on the moneyline +175.

@JayHawkFanToo Seems like all of the above. The book is out on how to guard with them. Pack the paint and don't guard Duval from beyond the arc. I think Duke loses 5 or 6 games in ACC play and slips to a 2 seed. MSU should have beaten them by 10, and I think they would if they played today. Duke had to go zone to beat MSU. That won't work in March.

@JayHawkFanToo Didn't say it was done. I just am pointing it out on the Langford thread because it is relevant information to the discussion.

@BeddieKU23 Well since Draftexpress was basically bought by ESPN and turned into an Insider, that's what we get.

Vick is #19 in the most recent NBADRAFT.net Mock draft.

The only way the short bench works with the 4-1 is if everyone on the floor can score at all times.

Lightfoot needs to play similar to Luke May from UNC or Wessel from WSU. He has to be a threat from at least trey-land so that we can spread the floor. Garrett needs to just make the "best basketball play" every time he touches the ball and it will be fine. He can shoot wide-open threes at what appears to be a 35-40% clip. And he is too quick for a post player to keep him out of the lane.

What neither of these guys can do is just disappear and we are playing 4-on-5 or 3-on-5 on the offensive end. That is what we did against Kentucky and the offense stalled as soon as Doke left the floor. I'm not asking either of them to score 5 ppg. I'm not even asking either of them to score tbh. If those two can prove they are capable scorers when they get open looks, this will be Bill's best offensive team ever. And it won't even be close.

@BeddieKU23 take him. It’s apparently only a one game suspension right?

I was fortunate enough to go to the Sixers game last night. Embiid is unreal. What you can’t appreciate is how good his handles are, and yet how good he can be if he can make them just a bit better. He crossed over CJ McCollum last night like a guard. But then he lost his handles on a few other possessions. If he can get that under control he will be a 35-40 ppg player...

On another note, it is hard to describe just how athletic Ben Simmons is. I’m not sure the Sixers believed he could play PG until this season. Have to be regretting the Fultz trade now. Could have drafted two first rounders instead of a hurt Fultz. Could have gotten Tatum and Markennen who would fit perfectly in their system right now instead...

@Gorilla72 Should be able to make up for quite a bit with his wingspan defensively.

Offensively, he seems like a great mismatch. Can stroke it pretty well from the mid-range (and even the outside a little bit) and has nice touch around the basket. He may not be able to get great position inside, but he could be a nightmare in pick and roll/pop situations as well as on the offensive glass.

With that being said, he probably wouldn't have done well at KU schematically and I'm glad to not see him at Duke or UK.

Couldn't be happier Bill has been forced to use a 7 man rotation. The immediate double-team in the post has been a blessing. I'm not sure Bill even knew how quick we could rotate defensively, and that has led to a ton of steals. The short bench has also forced Doke into more PT and a larger offensive role than he would have had (if only by a few minutes and shots per game). Which has already helped being has how he went from a black-hole offensively to a very patient scorer almost overnight. Only player I've seen take a step that big offensively, that fast, was Embiid... This team goes with Doke. Doke is becoming an unstoppable force, and I have yet to see an immovable object.

The progression of Doke is being accelerated due to a lack of players. Sometimes, bad things are blessings in disguise....

@HawkChamp All you have to do is read about the recruiting trips coaches take those next couple of days after we play on the coast.

@kjayhawks Doesn't matter who is back there if the O-Line can't block and we can't get a run game going. Stanley is probably a better option for now with his ability to run a little bit more. But imo it is really splitting hairs.

We will continue to struggle until we get 4th and 5th year guys starting at all 5 spots on the line. One thing that I personally think could help is the offensive line getting outrageously large splits. Like Mike Leach at TTU splits. This would do a lot of things:
- Take away defensive line stunts. No more twists.
- Make a defense think twice about slanting their lineman. You call a slant the wrong way and it is a 25 yard run because the hole is so damn big.
- Give the QB more time to read the DE on read options
- Get our OL out in space on screens quicker
- Spread Linebackers out so we can run the ball 3 or 4 yards easier and stay on schedule.
- Make the DEs/OLBs run further to get to the QB.

It would make us vulnerable to the blitz and good interior lineman. But overall, I think it would benefit us a lot more than hurt us.

@justanotherfan If money were no object...

Don't see Bill playing an in-state game that he has a chance of losing and isn't in conference play. Doesn't make sense recruiting-wise.

I'd love to see this game, but I just don't see the benefit of it. Or where it would be played that both teams would agree. KU isn't giving up a home game every other season, nor are they giving up a trip out to the coast where they can hit the recruiting trail while they are there.

Am I crazy or has WSU wanted the series to start AND it be a Home and Home? That benefits KU exactly none amount. If WSU wants to play, I think it will have to be in Lawrence every season.

@JayHawkFanToo Never said otherwise. Just helping to provide options until something changes.

@Fightsongwriter several workarounds. Some people use their phone as a hot spot. You can also download an application that changes your VPN. Works just fine usually. Games are also posted to ESPN3 shortly after if you can wait up that late or watch them the next day.

@dylans Yep what I said word for word was that I like Zenger. 🙄

Grow up. Please.

I didn't know Zenger made the schedule. Sounds more like Bill Self forcing the players to be responsible from 2-11 and hopefully a little bit tired after the game, instead of getting out of practice and partying with everyone else.

I thought Bill already did this and mastered it last season? Play. In. Spurts.

5 spurts of 4 minutes where we start jumping lanes and give an all out effort on D leading to turnovers and quick 12-2 runs. Follow those up with 5 other spurts of 4 minutes where we sag on D and play a little bit of "bad ball" to work the clock.

You could also call it:
- The Rest-A-Doke - Rope-A-Dope
- Effective Half-assing
- Doke's resting so in goes Billy Preston.
- The Billy Press-TON then Rest-some
- Ball then Stall
- Selfish and Self-Less
- The Hamlet: To D, Or Not to D

No not him.

@jayballer54 Tarik Black?

Langford will be a Spring commit I think.

I do think we will find out a lot on Nov. 10 when Barrett decides. He will be the first domino in what I think will be quite a series. Barrett could basically eliminate Duke or UK from Zion contention. Making Zion decide soon after. Zion's decision could change Langford's if he picks KU. Which will surely change some decisions for some lower ranked guys once the blue bloods show some interest because they didn't land the Zion sweepstakes.

@BShark We should be thanking the Basketball Gods that he could only post a 22" vertical at the combine lol.

I hope Doke comes back so bad. Those two together... Fuhgetaboutit. We are talking a top 5 defense with above average length and athleticism at 3-4 starting positions. 7 blocks per game. Rebounding would be at a level we may have never seen before under Self.

Dreams...

There is potential to have all 3, but I'm pretty confident Dedric is doing his two years and peacing out.

@BShark Lol they are great to laugh at.

I think they end up with O'Neal's kid anyways though. I would bet money he decommits and ends up in Lexington.

@BShark 3 blocks in 12 minutes isn't bad.

@BShark I'd like to put a 6'5 guard on the ball defensively... I wonder what his wingspan is

@BShark No arguments. I guess this is more about who these players will be guarding/starting. Grimes may or may not play on the ball. But he will be guarding the 2 guard unless we see a lineup with him at PG, Garret at SG and Langford/Zion/Vick at the 3.

Self did make some comments during the Late Night broadcast mentioning that he actually thinks he will play Moore off the ball quite a bit. Perhaps he could put Grimes at PG when Dotson is out and have Moore out there as a very good secondary ball handler.

Anywho, I really just like the way the staff has recruited this season so far. Made some guys priorities and landed them. And, it looks like they feel good about Grimes and either Langford or Zion since we haven't really heard a new name pop up besides Herro. I think they are pretty happy with how things have shaken out after landing the 3 guys we have landed and at this point just want to finish out the class. Makes more sense to prioritize the 3 or 4 guys who are left and then see what is left out there once those pieces fall off the board.

At this point, no recruiting news seems like good recruiting news for us.

@HawkChamp 5 fouls in 15 minutes of playing time. He looked very solid offensively. But you can't score from the bench.

!0_1508801123981_Scholarships 10.23.JPG ↗

Still plenty of work to do. Looking out at the future, we really need to land a SG/SF for next season no matter what.

On top of that, we need to either land a transfer guard or a 4 year guard project with one of our remaining scholarships.

We could also really use a project 4 year big man to round out this class. I think we will probably be too deep at the 4/5 positions to land a top end transfer, but I'd also take that if one were willing and available.

I really like the transfer movement we have used lately. Mainly because you are landing a guy who's only option is to bust his ass here because he can't transfer again until he graduates. To me, that is very appealing. I hope Bill continues this trend as I think a Transfer at the end of your bench is probably going to be a better player in the future than a 100+ ranked guy that you aren't in love with and are just offering because you need a body. So, I'd love for Self to keep a lookout for a sharp shooter transfer at SG/SF this season/offseason as well as another Big Man ranked around 60-75 with some upside.

None of this includes Langford or Zion yet, but I will update it when I feel it is necessary and get good vibes that we will land them or another recruit.

I'm glad a lot of these guys are committing early. We should really know where we stand by December it looks like. We will know what guys we are after end up where, and we will see which players look like they are NBA bound and which guys look like they will be back.

If we swing and miss, at least we will have a few months to look for some guys and we won't be scrambling around during the summer looking to take players like Whitman.