🏀 KuBuckets Archive

@Crimsonorblue22 Testosterone RULES!

@jaybate-1.0 That "magic" of which you speak is a very elusive element. Some appear to be born with it. The wad of money can indeed become a huge factor. Power of position, too. Take D. Trump, for example. Why else would an attractive woman named Ivanka wish to snuggle close? (Or did I get that last sentence in reverse order?) Shucks, if Hunter Mick eventually should make it bigtime, become a multimillionaire starter in the League, Withey might lose his current squeeze to a younger, richer, more powerful man!

That scenery near Missoula is absolutely fantastic. Returning from spectating the US Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, 1976, I observed and spoke with dozens of bicyclists who were peddling the Bike America Trail from West Coast, many of them heading to Canada for the summer Olympics. I exchanged my daily running shoes for a 12 speed bike, did lots of research, then headed westward again the next summer for a 2400 mile bike ride, Winchester Bay, Oregon, to KC. Spectacular scenic memories, even tho I did not tote a camera. Lumpy's photos stir recall.
If I were possessed of the chance to rewrite my years, I would probably opt for graduate work somewhere out west, most probably U. of Montana. (As a side note, a famous American who at one time was known as Bruce Jenner won the decathlon in those Olympic Trials.)

Among the array of men's and women's collegiate sports I rarely watch anything but men's basketball. But if that game is available on my rural Dish network tonight, I will be glued to the game. Volleyball women have provided a real shot in the arm for Kansas Athletics.

@HighEliteMajor Very substantial and fine research. We must not overlook the factor that many of Withey's minutes were "tired minutes." Hunter's stats glean an edge from lively legs. That said, Hunter rarely has gotten the opportunity to adjust to the flow of a game. His limited minutes have baffled me these past two seasons. What is he not showing in practice sessions?

@Kubie Thanks. I'll have my grandkids set it up. Finally bit the bullet and bought a smart phone recently. In terms of electronic savvy, my 196 hours of college credits appear to be net negative!

@Kubie Thanks. I will check it out. Also, am hoping to find a better means of fetching clear radio broadcasts, as I am 100 miles and a few tall hills from 610 am signal. I enjoy the Bob Davis broadcast, but receive it with considerable static. Am attempting to receive 610 sports via internet, but no luck, to date. When guys like Fran choose to adopt the Dickie V style of droning on and on about matters other than specific game situations (a la Fran's Harvard garbage this season; Sooner garbage in previous years) I mute the tv volume and listen to Bob Davis. Man, do I ever hate to see that guy join Max in retirement!

Speaking of Ridley, from the most recent internet photo of the current appearance of Embiid I'd like to see Ridley once again lay his hook on Joel, trying to yank him backwards to the floor!

@jaybate-1.0 I'm not certain about the heart valve replacement, but your other medical queries regarding Jamari might ring true. That kid has tossed his body into some howitzers. Here's hoping that he retains enough musculoskeletal impact to hold up another season vs. Ridley and Rico.

Speaking of "eye test," was our second half press a fluke in that Oregon State matchup, or can we employ such pressure vs. topnotch opponents? Man, was I ever excited to see Bill Self toss that heat into his defensive tactics in the second half comeback!

Might seem like heresy, to some, but I envision late February situation in which Bragg/Ellis split evenly the 40 minutes at the 4; Diallo and Mickelson split minutes at the 5; Lucas, Traylor, Svi and Greene earn an occasional 10-15 minutes, depending on opponent style and game situation, playing to the concentrated energy factor. If those 4 occasional subs can manage to keep their heads up and positive teammanship alive, this squad can blitz some heady opposition come late March and April.

At this stage, I admire Bragg's inclinations. Those 3 consecutive assists were stellar. That GP2 dunk over Diallo will turn into a most motivating lesson in the development of an earnest young player. Granted, Svi got in the way of a possible Diallo block. I envision Cheick's determination never to allow a brassy guard's ever doing that to him again without determined physical payback. He really needs 2 years of Hudyization. That drag-assed pair of Emmert and Luck have deeply throttled Cheick's progress.

@BeddieKU23 Am curious. Is that ESPN app on your phone a free app? If not, what is the lug?

Team struggled. Team won. Darn shame to see so many major minutes eaten up, at this early and developmental stage of the year, by 7 players vs. a team with such a pitiful season record. Harvard was very well coached, and Crimson players rose just shy of the upset occasion; but, jeez, their much shorter squad slayed us on the boards?!!! Frank looked tired, but was forced to carry a 38 minute load at this stage of the season? Much more of this, and we are headed for the same ol' same old injury plagued March. Svi, Hunter, Carlton and Cheick were offered a marvelous opportunity to step up and show their stuff today. But took a pass on the opportunity. This Jayhawk showing looked to be a giant step backwards. Hats off to Harvard coaching and valiant effort in the crowded clamor of AFH. Grapes must taste even more sour for their losing crew than for our weary victors.

Bill Self has an entire team to think about. He displays a great deal of appreciation and respect for kids who don the jersey for 3 years or more. I'm hoping that Cheick Diallo bears the maturity to wait for his moments, maybe even come back for a second season if he is not a sure thing as a top 4 lottery pick in the June draft. Bill Self has manned up, stuck out his chin in a big way, both for Traylor and Diallo. I look to see them repay his staunch esteem.

Regarding yea or nay, Diallo in starting lineup, I have given considerable thought to my suggestion, a few days ago, that if he started we might have a much better chance at winning the opening jump tip.
I have arrived at the conclusion that Bill Self really does not care to win that specific action. Bill's mantra relies on DEFENSE. So, right from the get-go his players are to win a stop. Psychologically sound, if they indeed do, without assistance of the 7'4" wingspan. Also, why show a winning hand when nothing but pennies of ante are on the table? Hurl Cheick Diallo into the contest at a moment when the team and the crowd needs a giant boost. Like harnessing an energetic blue heeler until the cows begin to wander through the open gate. Or a wily gambler holding his cards until big money strikes the table. For as long as possible, I should think Bill will go with seasoned defenders, especially until he determines how the opposition intends to play the game. When opposing coach and players become comfortable in their game plan, SWISH! Number 13 pops off the Jayhawk bench. (That is, unless #14 gets the first nod.) Just my idle thoughts on a quiet Thursday morning, some 52 hours from Cheick's next appearance.

Of utmost importance at this crucial stage: TEAM CHEMISTRY. ESPN's Seth Greenberg (sp?), at halftime of the Maryland/NC game last night, pointed out the need for Roy W. to begin whittling his game players down to a manageable 6/7/8 major contributors. Bill Self is dealing with 11, not counting Vick. Will be a gradual Jayhawk process, sorting out those minutes while attempting to keep all 11 players on target and upbeat. Terrific upside of so many talented players on this KU squad: time for rehab of injured individuals, as in the case of Landon last night. It is to be hoped that such a surplus will insure against our going into late March with kids playing at only 75% capacity because of major or lingering injury. At this juncture, very important to keep everyone happy and alert, competing for minutes, not hanging heads or tossing in the towels.

@globaljaybird Here's a dandy tip for a 1 ounce addition to your mug of beer and tomato juice. Visit the WalMark to purchase a gourmet bloody mary mix labeled 5 PEPPER. No more than 1 ounce to your beer and tomato! That plus a bowl of popcorn, my Jayhawk gametime delight. Sometimes I go all out and throw in a big handful of chipotle cheddar ZINGS. With Diallo coming out in uniform tonight, maybe two hands full of Zings....

@wissoxfan83 Thanks. I might dare to give it a try.

Seems as though Time Warner could have cut a deal with some channel on Dish Network to outlay this broadcast of Cheick's coming out. Here I sit, down beneath the hills of W. Central Ozarks, strapping a metal clotheshanger to the antenna of my radio, trusting that 610 am won't drop signal power until after the game. Ears and eyes open to any suggestions other than ESPN 3 which I have never had luck obtaining??? Maybe a connect where I can fetch better radio off this Toshiba?

@drgnslayr One good reason for starting Diallo: Winning an opening tipoff!

@ralster In at least 2 of the next 3 games I would look to see Cheick on the court for at least 15 minutes. He has lots of catching up to do prior to important league competition. Bound to be a tight squeeze, however, because of so many Jayhawk players at the 4 and 5 positions. Cheick's hands might become a huge factor, coupled with his super enthusiasm. Can he quickly adjust to the speed of the game without fouling? Fortunately, he has been allowed to practice most of this season.

@jaybate-1.0 Therein lies the essence of this situation. Beneath the vague and passive explanation of myriad petty "complexities," WHY?

NCAA owes KU $100,000. NCAA president owes Cheick Diallo a huge apology. And if this "initial eligibility" bull hockey continues, national college roundball coaches should petition university presidents and athletic directors to begin drawing up paperwork to withdraw the sport from NCAA jurisdiction. Set up a new national organization separate from other sports, and establish clearer and more open judicious guidelines for initial eligibility. If coaches and administrators haven't the balls to move forward, then it is approaching time for athletes to organize for their own protection and best interests. Federal courts outlaw unionization of athletes. HA! Just look at the recent sudden anti-establishment shakeup and consequences at that miserable institution across the eastern state line. These guys Emmert and Luck might suddenly find themselves standing out in the cold shuffling their hooves in bewilderment and dismay.

Speaking of the Purple Pride, they were up 8 on North Carolina with 4 minutes to go; NC went on a 21-3 run to whip them by 10. Somehow, Weber has brought K State hoops back to plausible expectations. I notice that one of his several defectors, Angel Rodriguez, is earning some nice press coverage at Miami.

@drgnslayr Oh, I think this Diallo eligibility issue could easily turn into a court case. In hiring outside evaluators, investing nearly $100K in pursuing the eligibility, deciding to push forward a somewhat defiant public agenda, KU might be distancing itself from inclusion of legal proceedings against its "partnership" organization by representatives of Cheick and his guardian. Lots of recent saber shaking by attorney Don Jackson, Bill Self and his athletic director. Surprises me that as of noon today (Monday) the ruling body has not yet responded to one of its topflight coaches and satellite powerhouses. Unless ESPN gets smothered by Big Shoe, announcers most likely will help our cause tonight and/or thereafter. Not an issue to die a quiet death if allowed to continue unresolved.

@wrwlumpy But surely Nike wields no influence in NCAA initial eligibility determinations. Just a meager soda bottling operation "partnering" with NCAA to tilt a table on a big stage....

@Crimsonorblue22 Well, my spouse, a much more level headed Jayhawk fan than I, and who, by the way, is a topnotch cook, has just offered, in rather vociferous clamor, to bet me $100 that Bill Self would not play Cheick until he is cleared by NCAA. Not wishing to jeopardize good eats by inching forth even to consider taking her up on the wager, I must back off my bold prognostication. I freely admit that most usually SHE IS ALWAYS RIGHT!

A couple of big IFs, but here is how I see this eligibility struggle playing out. If we churn to the Wednesday Championship Game, and if this issue is still at a Tuesday night standstill, Bill Self is going to poll his players regarding their vote on inserting Cheick into Wednesday's contest regardless of NCAA clearance. Probably about the 5 or 6 minute mark. The game might be vacated, but the national uproar will reach a reverberating crescendo.

HA! In customary fashion Jaybate has set the dogs to barking. I opened this thread with the image of Bill's legs dangling into a boiling cauldron. Insanity ensues....

I am very pleased to note that Zenger and the university are pressing the issue, standing firmly behind Bill and his recruit in this case. In praising KU one of the LJW posters suggested that unless cleared to play, Cheick Diallo and the University will present a dynamic infomercial throughout the Maui Tournament, esp. if Jay Bilas is in the broadcast booth. If this situation is not quickly resolved, and in Cheick's favor, I expect to see all hell burst forth.

Breaking news. Self opens up, goes after partnership organization. Read NBC Sports, LJW, KC Star.
My prediction: Diallo will play before team returns to Lawrence.

Northern Iowa 71-North Carolina 67. A blown lead.

@Crimsonorblue22 Probably hid in a shower stall.

Thanks for the upvote, Crimson. I have been involved in a similar locker room situation, parents and all. This scene is very vivid, and just leaped forth from my long buried memory bank.

I figure that when his parents were called to the locker room Brannen was on verge of getting the thumb, packing his bags to head back to Lawrence to clean out his locker. So, maybe the 6 game suspension was the very best that the coaching staff could offer? Not a first suspension or serious misjudgment for Brannen. Patterned transgressions. Jayhawks had just lost a crucial contest, the 4th in their 5 trips to the Champions Classic. Brannen's attitude after the second half quick yank interfered with forward movement of the game for coach and fellow Jayhawks. The locker room blow up must have been cataclysmic. Tough minded super winning coaches are bound not to put up with such disruptions. If the kid really cares to salvage his season, I would imagine that he is fortunate not to have been booted out the door.

@jaybate-1.0 WHEW!!! As usual, you are thinking a jump ahead of most of us, peering over the rim of the box. I have been thinking Self to Spurs; but Popovich does not look ready to chuck the towel yet. Self might not be the man for an NBA coaching job. A huge tussle of egos.
Of course, there is probably a heap of oil money back home closer to Edmond. That can't be completely ruled out, esp. if Kansas fan base turns on him big time (maybe after Kentucky departs AFH in January). In a very miniscule manner I, when much younger, experienced much of what he is going through. Damned sour taste at the time; and some of it lingers. I was a confident determined guy who was locked into doing things which had led to my success; and I stood defiant in the face of heat. Did not view myself as a quitter, but chose to walk away while I retained sanity. Bill Self is a winner. In so many ways, right now he is up against formidable, even somewhat outlandish odds. I will follow the guy with a sense of empathy, whatever he decides, wherever he might eventually go. He has been absolutely super for the Jayhawk program; a class guy. Stubborn, but true to his beliefs; perhaps too inflexible, as most champions are. Larry Brown probably has been telling him these past 2 years: Hey, ol' buddy, you are living on borrowed time!
I don't look to see Bill Self let the thing turn too ugly. Am certainly not suggesting that he close the Lawrence door. But if he decides to leave, I certainly understand. And will always revere his Jayhawk records.

You damn right there is insanity. You don't hire a sane man who is willing to accept a multimillion dollar contract when he knows full well that eventually his legs will be dangling knee deep into a boiling cauldron. That is the very nature of the job at hoops powers like Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky, UCLA. Just ask Roy or Bobby or Tubby or Ben. Or now our very own Bill. You think Bill and Cyn aren't thinking about packing bags and the golf clubs to escape the flames? They gotta be a tough and very solid family unit to weather such a current firestorm. If I were Bill Self I am dead certain that the moment Tyler accepts his degree, I would wave a hasty goodbye. And I speak from experience. Bill is a tough hombre, a lockdown believer in his methods and understanding of The GAME. Man O Man, is he ever coming up against some fierce obstacles. Give me 3 to 1 odds and I will lay a twenty dollar bill on his departure, come May.

The kid's a junior now, still has the maturity level of a gnat. He and family should have realized long before now that Brannen's game is just not cut out for a Bill Self system. Fabulous free throw and 3 pt. shooter, but not much else. A bundle of Division 1 coaches would probably gear an entire offense to Brannen's strengths. Not gonna happen under Bill Self at Kansas. Returning this season was a Greene family mistake. Two years of remaining eligibility at a totally different program might have led to super stardom for Brannen. Now his future looks more dismal. If he transfers he will have only one year of play elsewhere, after sitting a year. His sideline blow-up helps explain the collapse vs. MSU. Bill Self livid and distracted; teammates jolted with doubts.
I have gotten a kick out of his demeanor, but this is an ugly twist. A gifted player, but a poor fit at KU. Why drag this out for another year and a half?

@VailHawk Definitely more than the Tuesday night combined misses of Selden/Lucas/Graham.

I would imagine that Bill Self has never been more frustrated or disgusted with collegiate basketball. Recruiting nightmares, eligibility nightmares, behavior nightmares, key injuries at crucial moments. What next? Another assistant gets arrested? Snowballing criticism of fan base churns into canon shot?

@jaybate-1.0 I'm buying in. 1000 shares.

@jaybate-1.0 Oops, way off in the tree line behind a broken tombstone didn't someone catch sight of Kelvin Sampson, juggling a handful of unregistered cell phones, excitedly waving a somewhat smudged purple application for that job?

@jaybate-1.0 To do that he's really got to learn from and improve upon that .179.

At the moment, I stand with VailHawk in his thesis to Free the 3 and to Play Mick and Bragg. Gotta devise ways for Greene to wield the difference.

@KUSTEVE Hey, Stranger, welcome home! Just yesterday, someone on this site was asking about your whereabouts.

On a night when assist totals look drab and Mickelson and Bragg sit we miss something like 14 bunnies? What's going on? Are those guys just too skinny and defensively inept to play top level Div. 1 basketball?

@Texas-Hawk-10 Man, after last night I don't know what to say about that Graham as Leader business. About the time he clanked the 7th of his 8 or 9 misses, I was screaming for Self to give him the hard yank; inject Evan into the lineup with firm instruction to FEED ELLIS! Our two guards combine for 2/3 the assists of Valentine, who isn't even a point guard? Jeez! Hell, maybe Self should have slipped a singlet onto the student manager, sent him out there to create some assists.
Mason is a hardheaded straight A to Z mule, and Graham, last night, played dumb and selfish. Self confidence can be a good thing...until you keep batting your head into a brick wall.

What O What could be going on between Bill Self and Hunter Mickelson??? There is hardly one poster on this Buckets site who does not believe that, given court time, Hunter Mickelson could play circles around Lucas and Traylor. The cautious insertion of Bragg last night I can well understand; altho the way MSU played the game was perhaps conducive to Carlton's gleaning more minutes. But the real enigma so far this season has been Mickelson's limited duty. If not due to injury, there must be some serious disciplinary stuff going on between Hunter and his coach. His inactivity appears to be snuffing the chances for this squad to develop into a top contender.

Late last night, again this morning, I am nearly struck numb and dumb by this loss. I'm losing track; what are we now, 1 and 3 or 1 and 4 in this CHAMPIONS Classic? Another loss and we will probably be replaced by North Carolina. PHOG and the HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM can only carry us so far.
My inclination is to seek out responsibility for such collapses. Coach. Players. I run down the list. Guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty. guilty, guilty. Redundant negativity. The sky ain't fallin', but what an overcast day! Unfortunately, this appears to be an extension from the Stanford game, well over a year ago. This coach, this system, this group of players are not meshing well. Will there be a more rewarding turning point before the Jayhawk Faithful choose to abandon fervor for the source of their annual (if not daily) pulse of excitement? What a downer, watching Izzo and Valentine smother our euphoria in those final seven minutes last night. Not a happy harbinger for the challenges which lie ahead.