@icthawkfan316 Saw your comment about Jamari and scoffed. Then looked at the box score and couldn't stop myself from saying, "Really???"
Jamari scored 13 points
FG: 4-8
FT: 5-5
REB: 5
To go with 2 steals and 1 block in 26 minutes. Just like you said, welcome back to the season, Good Mari! That's a man's game.
...I'd also like to pile onto the 'Lucas played terrible and shouldn't start' discussion.
That is all.
@JayHawkFanToo Because we had almost 20 turnovers again. Because I found myself thinking several times, "Georgetown is trying to give us this game." Because we continue to run at the rack hoping to get bailed out by foul calls when the identity of our team could be something more efficient. Because we continue to throw it in the post against teams with size and length when we know we are not effective at all against it. That's why I think it was underwhelming.
But you are right. A good win on the road against a good team in December. I'll take it.
Another underwhelming performance. Up to this point KU, has put together one good half of basketball. We continue to see the 'bash your head against the wall' mentality in regards to our offensive scheme. But we all know who Self is and what he's going to do. The frustrating thing is, a night like that from Greene, mixed in with Svi getting hot...look out! It's games like these that make explaining the Conner Frankamp transfer easy.
Way too many turnovers again. This team has got to value possessions more than it does. Some bad shots early in the shot clock by young guys. I love Frank Mason, but his TT impression is just impeccable...and not the good kind. It looked like Wayne caught the same bug in the second half of just running at the hoop and hoping to get bailed out. I don't like that there have been a few times this year where we have gone looooong stretches without a field goal this year. It's scary to think of that kind of stuff come tournament time.
It was really nice to KO get in there and do some nice things. Gotta love that left handed scoop in the first half. Played good defense as well. Frank also had a good night defensively. And oh Josh Smith. Remember when he was down to us and Georgetown? Got me to thinking, I'd love to get a degree from Georgetown. If I didn't think I could play in the NBA I would've chose GU too. But I think he'll be in the league. But I digress. Jamari has been unbearable this year, but Hunter did not make much of a case for more PT in this one, my god. Also, I'm with @KUSTEVE and a few others on the officiating. Some of it was just awful.
Lastly, I'm still very concerned about this team. We're young still. Real young. But we're capable. It's just a matter of this team being allowed to play to its strengths. Will Self allow it? Or will we go the same way we did last year with the 'bash your head against a brick wall' approach? If we play UK again, or UT right now, I'm sorry, but I think we get beat down. Concerned about us moving forward. BUT, it's not all doom and gloom. Because I think this team has been mediocre up to this point. Average at best. And yet, we're still 7-1 and just picked up a huge road win :). Now, let's go beat up on Utah, and let WSU fans eat their hearts out. PS, sorry for the disjointed post. I've been writing a book for graduate school, and my good writing is spent at this point.
@KUinLA I think you make an interesting point. When you see our big guys (like you said) about eight feet out, they don't even look like they're considering putting up a shot. It makes us extremely predictable and easy to defend. From about 2007-2011, I had no concern that we could hit a mid-range shot. No concern that Arthur, Wright, the Morii, etc. could all hit that shot. Is it a matter of not having the talent or not cultivating it?
I'm not disagreeing with people who say that Self wants to stick with the inside game, that much is obvious, but we haven't always been this way, have we? Remember the Big 12 Championship against Texas in 2008? That was a three-point shoot out. That's all we did. What changed? Not that we relied on it by any means in the NC run in 2008, but we put up a lot of three pointers (if I wasn't in class, I'd look up the numbers) that season. Both seasons of our Final Four runs we were able to shoot the ball well. The last two seasons it's looked like we aren't even entertaining the thought. What has happened? Someone said the other day that losing Dooley may have set us back a lot more than people realize. I think they're right. Of course the same can be said for Danny. Now Bill is all by himself and we continually see this bash your head against the wall result of just continuing to pound it inside for no reason. I liked Jay Bilas analogy the other night: "Like trying to play frisbee golf in the Redwood Forrest."
So I ask, what has changed? We haven't always been this way, have we? Is Self kind of being exposed as ignorantly stubborn without two great assistant coaches? I don't want to get crucified for questioning the 82% win percentage, I'm just asking.
@globaljaybird You're right. But at the same time, if last night was a little preview of what the NBA is going to be like for our guys, they might want to consider another year or two.
@drgnslayr Great post. It's sad, but it's true. And it's certainly how I'm feeling right now.
@DanR That's what I'm saying! He looked like a running back! That was worse than a travel. It was a Walter Payton juke move!!!
@justanotherfan I'm sorry for just now coming across this. But yes. That is exactly what I'm saying. Looking for an academic argument in this is pointless. We're talking about kids here. Kids with short attention spans. I mean, to go with your point, think of how many K-State fans think that KSU has always been a football powerhouse. They don't know that KSU almost did away with football because they were so bad. It's all about capturing that short attention span.
And you're absolutely right about Late Night. It's about tradition. When they show the video of Russel Robinson tearing up on senior night...gets me every time. But what's that mean to a high school kid from California? Very little.
@KUSTEVE You have done nothing to show you are an adult. I'm impressed with your petulance. Still don't really understand what you're so mad about. But then again I've seen you act like this towards a lot of posters. Guess it's just my turn.
Not trying to make any excuses, but did anyone see this ↗?? Travel much???
@KUSTEVE My entire post was about how UK is able to relate to younger people in a truly impressive way. Their appeal to high level recruits is incredible. The videos that recruits saw on snapchat of BBM were very impressive. That's what they saw. It's not about comparing the two events, it's about figuring out how and why UK is such a lock when it comes to getting high-level talent. No need to be internet tough guy over this with your "mouthing off" comment.
@KansasComet said:
Coach Cal made an excellent point in his post game interview, when he asked how many kids of this caliber would give up minutes for the good of the team? (Frankamp)
That's a really good point.
@KUSTEVE No. You absolutely, abysmally, and embarrassingly missed my point. My whole post was about snapchat. You know, in response to the entire point of this post...? Not Late Night.
@icthawkfan316 I gotcha, buddy. That can't be true since so many other schools have their "late night" at different times. Kentucky and MSU had theirs a week after KU, so... I really don't know, but I just can't see that being the case.
@jaybate-1.0 What I'm saying is that Cal has more resources at UK, and it's impossible to pick one reason to explain. SnapCHAT is a new trend for young people right now (and if you can buy their stock, I highly recommend you do). Snapchat is a new thing though. It's been really popular for about a year or two. It's not a big deal. It's just a trend with young people. Like I said, long video series are released every weekend. This is common for large festivals like Austin City Limits, or the Kentucky Derby, or College Gameday. For UK to do it for their Big Blue Madness was huge. NO OTHER CBB TEAM DID THAT. It was brilliant on their part. Every high school and college kid has snapchat and saw that video. For the topic of this debate, I'm saying that all high level recruits saw that video. It wasn't something that was just sent to them. It was sent to every single person that has snapchat (OVER 100 MILLION PEOPLE!) It doesn't matter your interests. I got it too just because I have the app.
This move is representative of the REASONS why Cal gets these recruits. It again, is not just one thing. It's several. UK is also currently using snapchat to send players videos and pictures (in this context, a snap is like a personal video text message or picture), which the NCAA allows.
Then again, if you don't know what snapchat is, it's kind of hard to explain the significance of this whole thing and how it works.
@jaybate-1.0 I was certainly not proposing that snapchat is the sole reason why Cal gets these recruits. It's part of it though. That much is obvious. There is no one single reason. Cal is at UK not UMass. He gets to sell a package rather than just himself or his ability to get someone to the next level. In that regard, he's knocking it out of the park.
@icthawkfan316 My problem is much more so that it was the Friday before Fall Break. Am I the only one that saw Late Night this year? Again, I've never seen AFH so empty.
@KUSTEVE I've never seen AFH so empty. That's how. Check out what UK's Big Blue Madness was like. Then ask yourself, how is that perceived by recruits? It may not be a huge deal, but Late Night has garnered several commitments in the past. Can't downplay its significance in recruiting.
@icthawkfan316 My problem is much more so that it was the Friday before Fall Break. Am I the only one that saw Late Night this year? Again, I've never seen AFH so empty.
You both did not even look at the crux of my point as well...
First row sports is always an option. It's certainly not the best quality, but it works. I stream the games from first row on my playstation. Better than not watching.
I have an interesting hypothesis on this subject. How many here are familiar with snapchat?
For those of you who don't know, snapchat is like instagram, except the picture/video disappears after a maximum of ten seconds. Whenever there is a large event, there is a usually a long series of videos and pictures sent to people who have snapchat on their phone of pictures and videos that people took at that event. For example, every Saturday there is a snapchat video series sent out of the College Football Gameday game. So you see frat boys, tailgaters, fans at the game, and most importantly the players getting ready for the game. When UK did their Big Blue Madness or whatever it's called, there was a video series sent out for Big Blue Madness on snapchat.
This move was pure brilliance on UK's (and Cal's) part. Trust me, every single high level recruit saw that video series and said, "That looks awesome!" Videos of the players dancing and having fun in the locker room, players and fans hanging out with Drake, fans waiting to get into Rupp, etc. This is all from the fans' and PLAYERS' perspective and greatly appeals to young players.
In contrast, our Late Night this year was on the Friday before Fall Break and during a Royals ALCS game. I truly hope whoever dropped the ball on Late Night this year was fired, because by comparison UK made us look bad. Really bad. To me, it's this understanding and ability to relate to younger kids and what they find appealing that all other CBB coaches are struggling to keep with Cal.
All in good spirit @nuleafjhawk ! As someone who got a degree in history from KU (please withhold your history degree jokes) the history and significance of the Jayhawk is not something I take lightly.
But anyways. For as bad as our team is, it's funny how often we talk about our team's uniforms. I'm probably one of the biggest perpetrators too. I'm with @HighEliteMajor in that I don't really care what we wear as long as we can produce. And I would again agree with HEM that I loved how Bowen said we're not going to worry about uniforms anymore, just getting better.
All that being said, KU is a traditional school. We should wear traditional uniforms. The amount of times we've changed our uniforms says so much about the state of our program. Personally, I like the new helmets. But I also wouldn't care if we wore all pink uniforms if we could get bowl eligible.
First off, calling it a chicken makes you come off as a Mizery or K-State douchebag, so...
Second, KU has struggled forever to find helmets that look good. I think we have finally got them.
Don't hate.
@HighEliteMajor HEM, please explain to these idiots at KUSports why Conner Frankamp is not a viable option at PG... They remind of the kind of people that will slam a starting QB that throws 6 TDs but one bad INT in a game and want him gone...
@Kip_McSmithers That post, along with his god awful prediction over the past few seasons, has made me think Matt Tait knows nothing about football. He's a great guy, but I don't think he has a clue. I think any of his advice or predictions cannot be taken seriously.
"I never thought I'd see the day when the conversation on KUSports.com became more interesting than this site..."
--Anonymous
@jaybate-1.0 Incorrect. Texas is a very winnable game. But OU was a loss as soon as it was put on the schedule.
@approxinfinity Hahaha. Great post.
@nuleafjhawk Well, I'm in grad school at OSU, and I did my undergrad at KU. Needless to say, my loyalty lies with KU... But thanks! I'm glad we're on the same page!
As an alumnus (yes, I'm sorry, I'm going to play the alumni card) and a fan idealist, I think if you don't help plan and prepare for the party you don't get to go to the party. 2008 is a great example, all the KU fans that came out of the woodworks to be a part of the celebration had to feel awfully awkward shedding the loyalty of the other teams that they began rooting for instead of KU. And therein lies the problem. How stupid would you feel if KU suddenly regained the swagger that they had a few years ago (I know, it's a long shot)? It's a part of being a fan. I've been a Chicago White Sox fan my entire life. They've been terrible that entire time...but when they were able to put it all together in 2005 it was one of the sweetest feelings ever. That's what being a fan is about. The KC Chiefs are the same exact way. When/if that team ever puts it together and wins the Super Bowl, it will be the sweetest feeling ever for Chiefs fans.
To me, it's a gutless move and it makes KU fans look really, really bad to be so one-dimensional. I go to Ohio State now and when I get asked whether I'm a Buckeye fan, it's laughable to me. I'd never dream of rooting against KU or picking another team besides KU. It seems incredibly gutless to me for some KU fans to root for the Jayhawks during one part of the year, and root for another team during the football season, especially if they ever play each other. To me there aren't moral victories. What I mean by that is, if KU lost to Ohio State in the Final Four or in football for that matter, I couldn't be like 'well at least it was Ohio State." F that! Losing sucks no matter who it is. To me the biggest thing is that It's good for the university to have a football team that can at least go to bowl games. And if you care about KU as a school at all, then you should want the football team to be successful.
To answer the initial question though... I am excited for KU football the same as I am every year. The first game is always the eye-test, which KU usually fails by allowing some horrible D2 team to put up 21 points. However, this year I am cautiously optimistic. The few times that the KU offense was humming last year it was when they were running the spread (then Weis would go to a pro-style offense with subpar talent and KU would quickly go 3-and-out). Now, KU will actually be running an offense suitable for the college game. With the addition of another proven wide receiver in Nigel King to go with Nick Harwell, Cozart will have some weapons at his disposal (provided he can get the ball there). KU has some high level talent, and with the right kind of scheme I think KU can take a big step forward. An element that a lot of people don't realize is that KU's defense was pretty good last year (and that's when they were on the field for 40+ minutes a game). You can argue that increased time on the field led to higher production value statistically, but I was impressed with the defense's ability to keep opponents from running all over us. Think about it, the Texas Tech game was close (we were actually leading 14-3) until Weis went pro-style...and called a fake punt from our own 15 yard line. The game against TCU is won with a competent offense. Simple as that. The game against WV showed what KU can do when the offense can actually get first downs. The game against K-State is another example. Defense played pretty well, but with Jake Heaps and James Sims trying for a school record in turnovers, that game became un-winnable. I'll stop there, but you get the idea.
So to actually answer the question, I'm probably at a 2.5. I'm excited to see the changes and I'm confident they can actually lead to some success. That being said, I'm by no means expecting a bowl game, and I really don't know where to even speculate where we land in number of wins. But I'm cautiously optimistic.
@icthawkfan316 Great post.
I have something (albeit random) to confess...
I can't stand Joel Embiid...
There. I said it.
I've also been following this ESPN poll, and I'm always interested to see who is placed where. So let me throw my hat into this debate.
However, I'm not going to argue the validity or justification of placing Self 6th, Marshall 8th, or Hoiberg 15th because the idea of ranking coaches based on this stringent criteria seems incredibly flawed to me. What I mean by that is, what is the difference between Greg Marshall and Shaka Smart? Pretty much nothing. Yet one of them is ranked in the top ten and the other at 13th. If Wichita St. went out and lost ten games with their garbage schedule and missed the tournament, would it surprise you? It wouldn't surprise me. However, I would be surprised if VCU missed the tournament, but even then, VCU has what, two tournament wins since going to the Final Four? Is that top 15 caliber material? Debatable. The name of the game is consistency. That word is synonymous with Bill Self.
My main point here is to pose the question: "who would you want running your program right now." Let's pretend anyone is available and your school needs a coach. THAT is probably the best criteria for ranking current coaches.
SO! Let's begin...
If Self is sixth, the other five will undoubtedly be Calipari, Coach K, Billy Donovan, Tom Izzo, and Rick Pitino.
Coach K is 70 years old. Automatic dismissal. I would want no part of him. I'm not saying he's not a great coach. I'm saying he's old. Self could coach for another 20 years at KU and surpass Coach K in wins and it would not surprise me. Hell, I'm halfway expecting it. I also can't stand the floor slapping crap on the sidelines. Jumping up and down like an angry chimp. I pass on K. Next!
Let me preface this by saying, I like Calipari. I think he's a better coach than a lot of people give hime credit for. That being said, Calipari is obviously a scumbag. The baggage that he carries works perfectly for UK and their black eye history. Calipari's approach to coaching is...let's call it unique, that you almost forget that Calipari is affiliated with an academic institution (although I do truly love listening to Kentucky fans laud the Jordan Junemans of their program for graduating from college as if it's some amazing feat). Calipari has been extremely successful at UK, and I find myself envying some of their success, but the problem is that absolutely, under no circumstances would I want an immoral man like that representing my alma mater. I cannot imagine the mortification I would feel for having to vacate Final Fours, or god forbid a national championship due to impropriety. Think of the stories you hear about Self in and around Lawrence...helping people push their cars out of the snow, going to the festivals downtown during the summer, taking pictures with anyone who asks. Self, in my opinion, is hands down the classiest coach in college basketball. THAT separates Self by a mile from Calipari.
That leaves us with Pitino, Izzo, and Donovan. I don't really have anything against these three. But I'll begin by saying Pitino and Izzo are in their early sixties, and although that's not that big of a deal, 50 is simply younger than 60.
Billy Donovan is certainly an enticing candidate. But again, consistency is the name of the game. Following back to back titles, Florida missed the tournament two years in a row, then lost to BYU in the first round on their first trip back....we would be calling for his head...
So I'll turn my opinion over to all of you. But I'll end by saying this... The simple question you have to ask yourself as a KU fan is...would you take any of these coaches over Self? To me,...no chance in hell.
RCJH
@nuleafjhawk Hahaha, now I agree with you. It's definitely one of those arguments where it's like "wait, are we really even debating anything anymore?"
Mission assuredly accomplished, sir :)
@nuleafjhawk I can't believe this is still happening. Dayne Crist and Jake Heaps were not good before coming to KU. Heaps had a good freshman season, but then got yanked his sophomore year because he wasn't any good. Dayne Crist was brutal at ND. How in the world did you get "so everyone who transfers from one school to another is mediocre"? I can't believe this is still going on...
The argument over Weis is one of impatience. I'm willing to give him 3-4 years to see what he can do. If we win 2 games this season he probably won't have a job; I'm cautiously optimistic.
Say what you want about Turner Gill, I flat out didn't want that guy representing KU. He was in over his head, unqualified, lacking any sort of success, narcissistic, etc. I by no means am saying that Weis is the answer, but these three guys (which was our original discussion) does not make me feel any different about Weis. That's just my opinion of course.
@nuleafjhawk Yes. They were mediocre before they came to KU. That's why they came to KU. Because if they were good they never would've left Notre Dame or BYU.
@nuleafjhawk Sorry, but that comment was completely clueless. And when you make a post indirectly calling for a guy's job because two very mediocre QBs didn't perform well it warrants that reaction...
@nuleafjhawk What made them turn to mush when they landed in Lawrence???? ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? They were mush before they got here!!! That's why they went to KU! Come on!
I don't know if I've ever tried to be so emphatic in a post, but seriously, that's the reason why they came here. Because ND and BYU didn't care that they left. Heaps has a lot of talent, but again, he lacks the...fortitude to play at this level, at least with this poor of an offensive line.
@JayHawkFanToo you may be right. Cummings does not have the arm that Heaps does. That much is true, but after watching Heaps' timid play over and over again, give me a gamer. Anyone over Heaps. He's a puss. I'm sorry, but it's obvious. If Cummings isn't the backup--which you could very well be right about--give me Milweard and Darling.
@nuleafjhawk I don't know why the departure of these guys would change your opinion of Weis. Do you ever remember Turzilili doing anything? He was part of a pretty awful receiving core and the culprit of countless dropped passes.
Darrian Miller, while showing promise has had nothing but problems since coming to KU. KU has a backfield of 5 running backs with 4 of them more than capable.
And finally, Heaps. Do you honestly mean to tell me that you're disappointed that Heaps is leaving? To me, Cummings is more than capable of filling the backup role. I'm sorry to be so vulgar...but Heaps was the definition of a pussy. He checked down instantly because it was the safe thing to do. That's great. But not when it gets your receivers killed, which he did on a regular basis. He played scared, and it was obvious. Weis certainly didn't help him, but Heaps' timidity straight up frightens me. Heaps and Crist were serviceable fixes to a big problem. Cummings was clearly better than Crist, and Cozart was clearly better than Heaps...as a freshman. Heaps is a pocket passer. There is no pocket formed by KU's O-line. Cozart is our best bet. And even if he's not, we need a mobile QB to cover our deficiencies. Each of KU's QBs are more mobile than Heaps.
I understand the disappointment with Weis. But at the same time, a lack of patience has been a big reason why KU's football program has suffered for years. If Weis doesn't get KU to a bowl game within the next 2-3 years, then yes, it is perhaps time for a change. It would be nice if KU fans could have the patience and understanding to know that you have to give a coach AT LEAST three years before passing judgement.
Just thought to share this with you guys...
@Crimsonorblue22 To be fair, Black did play terribly for a good chunk of the year. How many times did we hear something along the lines of "Tarik Black has as many fouls in this game as he does minutes." Take your choice. There were a lot to choose from.
I agree with @HighEliteMajor , if we had Black from the start, he could've worked with Danny, gotten better infused with the system, etc. The guy had heart. He was a nice guy, sure (as @ralster noted above), but what I saw from him in the game against Stanford especially was enough to wish we had him for longer than we did. It's amazing what programs can (or cannot) do with certain players.
And @HighEliteMajor ...I could not possibly agree with you more about Brady. I remember when I first moved to Lawrence and people trying to convince me that he was such an asset. Saying things like "he's the best passer on the team." I couldn't believe what I was hearing...
@ralster Not to be that guy, but... The year KU lost to VCU, UConn went on to win the NC. Sickening. That season, KU didn't play Tennessee....
And while, yes, UNI is a nothing program (which makes that loss even harder to take!), VCU made a name for itself on that win and haven't gone away. To quote Elijah Johnson...
"I won’t discredit the man (Shaka Smart). He had a good run. I think it’s so amazing that people can make their name off of us, though. Because of our slip up, his name is still relevant.” He went on to say, 'what has he done since?' Which in the grand expectations of KU fans, isn't much for us...but for VCU, it's pretty damn good.
Unfortunately, that pretty much sums up VCU (as far as we're concerned). And to your last point, I'll quote Elijah again...
“My sophomore year (against VCU) I feel we were focused. I don’t feel we were serious. I feel we knew what the goal was and I thought that we played toward the goal and I thought that it was team basketball. But at some point I feel that we broke down. And when we broke down there was really no recovering from it.”
@icthawkfan316 Great post!
I just need to share this with my fellow KU fans. I moved from Topeka to San Antonio when I was a bout 11 years old. Once at school, when I was out on the playground playing ball with some kids, we got into an argument about something or another. A kid said to me, "you're from Kansas, what do you know about basketball???"
I have hated San Antonio Spurs fans ever since.
To me the whole argument about how good Mario is seems kind of pointless.
I know that it's something that people think is fun about sports, but to me analyzing where he ranks in comparison to the likes of Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, etc. seems stupid. Because this isn't an alternate reality. "If you were a GM who suddenly got to pick from the crop of phenomenal point guards in the NBA, who would you choose?" Stop yourself right there because that's asinine. This isn't fantasy basketball. It's like saying if the other team hadn't turned the ball over 30 times, KU would've lost. Ok, well they did. This is reality. Not fantasy world (just a hypothetical example of course). Mario's an average player? Ok. He's an average player with two NBA titles (and possibly another in the near future). As everyone has pointed out, he played a role in winning those titles, and I'm happy with that. How many do those other guys have? Mario's success is most definitely the product of fortuitous circumstances. But again, this is reality. Not make believe. He's not on another team. He plays for, and was drafted by, the best team in the NBA. Sorry.
Maybe Tony Kukoc is a good comparison. If Mario Chalmers is the Tony Kukoc of the Heat, with a few rings to show for it, that's fine with me as a KU fan.
As for whether he should leave, personally I believe he should stay for the sole benefit of adding another NBA title to his resume. That's just my opinion. I can only think of the NBA in terms of how it benefits KU. Personally, I think the NBA is the most heartless and boring professional sport there is. But I digress. So in this case: Titles = Legacy = Legend = Helps KU. To me, I think it's silly for a guy like Albert Pujols to go to the Angels when he was already a legend in St. Louis (and could have win more titles in STL) for a little more money (maybe I just can't conceive how much money $250 million really is, but the difference between say $245 million and $250 million...is it really that much?). Same thing with Robinson Cano. But that's baseball.
"I guess your right an education is worthless money wise."
Ugh. Statements like this make me cringe. You're not helping your argument...
@HighEliteMajor Good post, HEM.
Maybe it's just the biased KU fan in me, but I can't help but think, if it's all the same (White having to sit out a year) why not just red-shirt at KU?
Do you think it's just a matter of the OAD trend continuing at KU in the coming years? This of course leads to a larger debate, but at some point you would have to think that because Self's system just isn't conducive to OAD system, he would eventually see that and go back to the way things have always been ran at KU. White and players like him have typically been the best for KU.
@JayhawkRock78 You raise an interesting point with McLemore. I think it's fair to say that Ben was the best OAD that KU has had. At worst, he's in the top 3.
Ben looked like a man among boys. His game was clearly ready for the NBA. I think few if any questioned him going to the NBA. In terms of his game, the quality of person he was, and his family situation it was obvious he needed to go.
That being said, Ben spent two years in the system. He was on teams that as Naadir said earlier this year "would not let us lose." They were staples of the KU grit. It's hard to argue that he didn't benefit greatly from that.
Ben is the only one where there was more to the argument (to go to the NBA) than the money. In that regard, I find myself somewhat bitter over the OAD situation.
Just out of curiosity, I pose this question to my fellow Jayhawk fans.
What do you think of KU's OADs (in general, not only as people, but benefit to the game, KU, etc.)? What do you think of them as basketball players? As people? Do you like them? Dislike them? Like some, but not others?
@HighEliteMajor Haha, I will forever be remembered for the Tyler Roberson information at Jefferson's. Although I tried to give the inside information on all the recruits Self brought in. I remember when Self brought Jahil Okafor and Tyus Jones in and my friend and I were like "Is that Stan Van Gundy?" We were in shock. And there he was. Stan Van Gundy. Wearing gross shower sandals on a freezing cold day. Okafor looked to be having the time of his life, while Jones looked like a pouty eighth grader. At least that's how I remember it.
But to answer your question, yes, I'm doing graduate work at Ohio State.
@KansasComet It really isn't. In the same way that a two year tournament ban (apparently) isn't.
@nuleafjhawk Went to that same game with a bunch of Ohio State fans. Saw the same reaction. To be fair, most of them were under the impression that KU was the Devry Institute of the midwest.
They were impressed with the whole campus, as well as AFH. And now as a student at OSU, I can say that Ohio State's campus has nothing on KU.