@brooksmd Oh he has an awful swing. He completely drops his back shoulder every swing and then he uppercuts. Just proof that talent can overcome poor technique.
In fact, many of the Royals players swings drive me crazy. Makes me wonder what the hell we do with them in the minor leagues. Or why we even have a hitting coach.
I like Gordo leading off because he makes pitchers work at least. Esky has a horrible approach for a lead off. Personally, id love to see Cain be the lead off. He's shown he has a great eye, can hit .300 and steal bases. No idea why we put him batting 3rd. If he gets a lead off hit he immediately puts pressure on the pitcher and is a distraction for the entire inning.
@Crimsonorblue22 people were saying the same thing about Morales last year when he had that terrible start as well.
Keep letting him hit. I would maybe just start doing every other day with him and Cuthbert until he does snap out though.
@BShark my manager friend said he's just incredible. I just hope he can bring it into games. If he would have shot a better percentage last year, I think he would have been drafted. But just watching that highlight tape I can see why his percentage was so low. He was always getting the ball at least split second late and instead of having a wide open look he has to make a move to get his own shot.
I think he will be a stud.
But he has one very major thing he needs to work on. Going left. He either doesn't have the confidence to go left or can't finish in the lane left handed. If you notice, anytime he goes left it was either a jumper or a pass. Easy to scout and guard if that is the case. Josh Selbe had that problem. He couldn't use his left hand. Something a summer on CBB would have helped do. For a lot of these guys, they are so much more athletic they don't have to ever use their left hands to score. Not saying he won't be able to ball, just saying that is a major hole in his game.
Lo Cain is going to be a hot commodity at the deadline if We aren't in it...
@CostaRicanHawk or a confidence in Coleby. I mean Bill has done more with less... Justin Wesley comes to mind.
@chriz I expect them to trade him at some point. Give him a few more showcases like this and then flip him for a first rounder or as a package for a veteran guard. Pelicans need guards, and Cheick happens to be at a position they have a surplus of. I hope that just means he gets more PT.
It also bring up the question, what could KU have been last year if Self would have just let him play through his mistakes? Forced the guards to learn how to play with him. I think sometimes HCBS gets too competitive during the regular season... maybe one of his few faults as a coach. If you could call it that. His NCAA investigation not allowing him to practice will always be a major question about last years season. Which is sad. The NCAA legitimately hurt us last year, and if it wasn't on purpose, I don't know what it could be. It was an extreme investigation that lead to an end result that didn't seem to be apart of the reason he was not allowed to participate. I still feel like we got robbed of a potential game changing player. One that team could have really really used.
@BShark oh Wow! Season really depends on what Ayton turns out to be though if you as me... They will have as good of guard play as anybody. Or at least they should. I think they'll probably have to play a 4 out though. Going to really miss Markenen's ability to stretch the floor, rebound and guard a larger player.
Not to mention that Stumps still has to break through that elite 8 glass.
@BigBad Oh thanks!
And meh, nothing sitting out a year won't blow over.
@BigBad link?
@BShark Justin Wesley would be a walk-on that comes to mind. Although I believe that was only when there was an open scholarship and KL wasn't paying for it. At least that is what I recall.
@drgnslayr Can you believe that is what taxpayer money gets wasted on?
@dylans Lawson brother somehow becomes a "self pay." Not encouraging an alumni to do it. But Idk, if 3 years from now their dad gets his tuition refunded, let's just say it wouldn't surprise me.
@approxinfinity Haha yea... thats my screensaver on my phone.
There is a better high quality one of this somewhere I just can't find it
Either of those will work for football at this point.
@Crimsonorblue22 I think he ends up at Mizzou... Idk what Cuonzo is putting in the water over in Columbia, but it can't be legal.
If anything, this article at least reaffirms where the best home-court advantage is.
Anyways, I personally think Duval is just hoping that Grayson declares for the draft hoping he doesn't have to play with him. I mean I wouldn't want to practice with that guy. NBA dreams could end with one "accident."
@BeddieKU23 I think if we can get him on campus its a done deal. If only we could have like Ben McLemore there during his visit to show him around.
Cuonzo has that connection with Tilmon because Cuonzo is from East St. Louis too.... We need something to really put him over the top and make that connection. Ben had to spend two years here and I'm sure he could be a major influence on JT.
@BShark I think that anyone who was forced out basically had a less than stellar attitude or role. One that people saw coming from miles away. But Svi is different. He is a legit player with experience and real NBA interest.
We don't NEED another ball handler. I think Self would like to add one so we have an experienced one to lean on next year if things get rough. And I don't expect some of these kids to sign anywhere until very late May or June anyways. They want to wait to see where things fall.
@BeddieKU23 Has he been on campus yet?
@Blown Those are two completely different scenarios.
There is a huge difference in saying "son, you aren't going to get minutes here. It is probably in YOUR best interest to transfer" than saying "You are good enough to go pro. Test the waters. But if you do, you can't come back."
It could be a nudge by Bill, but I very much doubt that is the case. It is more of a "you have a chance to make millions. Go do that. If you don't get good feedback, you can come back. But just keep me in the loop."
@Blown I think it would make us look like a heartless program that only cares about basketball and not our players best interest. I wouldn't send my kid to play there if there was a risk of his scholarship being taken away. Especially when it is a kid entering his senior year that could come out of his last year with a degree.
And 4 pros in one season is pretty stinking good. I'd say that would leave the program in a very strong recruiting position. Open scholarships and a track record of developing pros.
@Blown I don't think that is fair. Not if we are in this for the best interest of the players.
@BShark You really think he's gone? He will have to have an amazing combine. And we already know some of his stats will be bad. Like his reach and wingspan. I wouldn't expect much out of his lateral quickness numbers either.
Maybe he can shoot his way into the draft though. He definitely is the perfect draft and stash guy. Bring him back over when he turns 24 and is built like a man and is over his mental issues. He would probably even be more than ok with that.
@drgnslayr The only thing is, taking money punishes the fans and students because all UNC will do to make up the revenue is charge more for everything.
I would even be open for a future punishment. In 5 years, you will have 3 less scholarships for 5 more seasons and be banned from post season play during that time.
That way all future recruits know what they are getting into.
@drgnslayr What would be a harsh punishment in your eyes?
To me, at least 3 scholarships should be taken away for as many years as they know that they cheated and the same number of years of post-season ban.
Football should have 10 scholarships taken away for as many years they know they cheated and the same number of years on a post-season ban.
@elpoyo dig a little deeper... why aren't we landing top 10 recruits? It isn't because HCBS can't recruit...
What would be the point of the NCAA clearinghouse too? I mean the NCAA is so hypocritical I just don't understand it.
Well, besides the making a crap ton of money and being able to dictate the sports.
@dylans They need to drop the hammer. If they let academic fraud slide than it truly isn't about academics anymore. Why would any major program even make their players take real classes anymore if the result of this case is absolutely nothing.
KJ might get to play in the exhibitions because he won't be using a redshirt. But if Dedric uses a redshirt than he can't play. As much as I can understand it.
@dylans Oh you are right about the scrimmages... I just looked up the rules. Now I have no idea.
@BeddieKU23 Should be able to. And the exhibitions.
@BShark mostly curious on what we sell his role to be if we ever get a visit.
Would it be a switch everything 5? And offensively a 4-1 pick and roll/pop where we let him dominate the middle and drive? I feel like that is what he will be doing a lot of in the NBA.
@BShark Yea just because he isn't a freak athlete doesn't mean he wont ball out in college. He is freaky long. 6'7 with a legit 7'2.5 wingspan. Good passer, good free throw shooter and good rebounder. What's not to like?
And his brother is a solid pickup if you ask me. 6'6-6-7 with a 7' wingspan. I'm sure Self can tap into that length defensively. Not to mention he shot 33% from trey and rebounded extremely well too. One year with Hudy and practice and I expect these two to come in and be great pickups.
On another note, we could be freakishly long in 2018-2019.
And with Cunliffe 6'7 coming off of the bench.
@Lulufulu I think it was started before Roy got there. And, even if he didn't know about it, it was because he didn't want to. Those coaches know everything about their players. They know if they skip a class. They know who their tutors are. What they got on a test. Whether or not they wrote something themselves, Etc. They know. And if they don't, it is for a reason.
I just don't think Roy fixed it because he knew he could get away with negligence. And at his age, he doesn't have to deal with the backlash.
@jayballer54 I haven't been high on Juiston at all. I'm not a fan of 6'7 post players with no outside game. And especially one playing at the JUCO level before he would be coming here. So I would prefer Kanter. But that is just my opinion...
I also kind of think Juiston clogs the 4 position when we have players like Bagley or Zion out there. Not saying landing them is likely, but Bagley is the type of player you keep a spot open for just in case.
@BeddieKU23 I think Garrett will run the show when Graham isn't in the game. If you think Graham could get 4 minutes a game sitting just before TV timeouts that already knocks him down to 36 mpg. He played 35 last season and Frank 36. And then I think this team will really blow the doors off some teams early in the year. We have depth that we didn't this last season. That should bring his average down to 33.
I think Doke will play 25 mpg on the high end. For two reasons. No matter how in shape he is, he can't change that he will be 265lbs to move up and down the court. And, he will just be too foul prone. He is too big. Lucas could only average 25 mpg and he was much less aggressive defensively and offensively than Doke will be.
When conference play starts, I don't expect Garrett to see but 4 minutes a game. So my point really is that it isn't like Cunliffe, Vick and Svi won't have minutes. They are there to be had.
The only thing that changes that is adding another big. Which we desperately need. I am just wondering who would be more valuable at this point. Juiston or Kanter. We need a good backup to Doke more than we need another 4.
http://d3efjls8gnbg8i.cloudfront.net/1642062/118993764.mp3?rhihttphost=wmfs.hosted.cx ↗
If you want to hear an interview with their dad. I don't think he will be as bad as Memphis fans made it out to be. Especially since he won't be involved in the program.
@BShark Idk. I think there are minutes to be had for all. I kind of expect all 3 to manage 25-30 mpg depending on who is playing better.
When HCBS has had depth he has used it. DG might not make it to 35 mpg. Sherron only played 33 and so did Tyshawn. So I expect his minutes to come down from 35 when we had no depth to more like 33.
If I was putting money on it, the next dominoes are JJ anouncing, Juice announcing and then either that fills out the roster or Coleby transferring if that happens. Followed by a Duval to Duke announcement and an Allen to KU.
But all of that depends on what Svi decides as well. I just don't see him leaving... But maybe between Cunfliffe and Vick he is worried that his minutes will be limited.
Could see one of the Lawson brothers being self-pay as well. Their dad has made around $600k in the past 3 years. And it would be a small investment if it means his kids develop into NBA players...
@BShark Anyone in a situation to go self-pay for one season?
@HighEliteMajor I would have been worried if he committed in the Spring. But we have had 4 months to look at his transcripts and sort them out. I would bet that he is taking online classes right now to make up any core classes he is missing. And then he can finish up whatever else he is missing this summer.
Diallo waited until the Spring to sign. That created a huge mess because we didn't get his transcripts until May or June. Not enough time to 100% get him cleared. I mean $100k later I guess it worked out... But to me this means Preston has had plenty of time to get eligible.
Here are the core required classes to be eligible:
- English: 4 Years
- Math: 3 years of Algebra 1 or higher
- Science: 2 years of science classes
- Social Studies: 2 years
- Additional: four courses of either Math, English or science class. And 8 courses of either English Math, Science, social studies, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy.
We KNOW he will get at least 1 year of English, Math, Science and Social Studies at Oak Hill. He probably will have gotten another year of all of those somewhere along the line at his former high schools.
So, if he has 2 years of English, 2 years of Math, 2 years of science, 2 years of social studies than he is at the most, missing this:
If he got to Oak Hill and they knew he had eligibility issues, they would have enrolled him in the easiest credit earning classes that also count. So he would be taking 7 courses that he needed to count just at Oak Hill. In theory, he would also be enrolled in an accredited online school, taking an extra 2 classes.
If this is what they did and he was serious about being eligible he should only have 1 year of Math, and 5 or 6 other courses left to take. It would be possible for him to pass all of those classes. But tough. If he had ANY other classes at any of his previous schools count, he could very easily qualify with a few classes this summer.
@BeddieKU23 I love the grad transfer route to fill holes, personally. Because, like you said, you get an experienced player that doesn't mess with the next years recruiting class.
@BShark @BeddieKU23 Knowing you have DG back, do you test the waters with... Waters? Isn't he likely not to qualify academically his first year?
@AsadZ Yea for sure. it isn't like he doesn't have options.
@brooksmd I lost my parents DirecTV login... I'll start getting on more soon.