@Statmachine A durn shame he cannot play for us in S Korea!
REHawk
1583 posts
I think, and really hope, that this is the player I have been waiting for in the BIll Self KU years. I am very rarely excited or impressed with the typical run and gun offenses of the high school senior spring highlight games. But this kid Diallo...WOW! Bill's just gotta play this recruit from the getgo, unleash the chain and let him run. If our veterans can strive to adjust their game to him as much as he eventually will adjust to them, by late March? O MY!
@sfbahawk Thank you for responding, you and Paris and HEM and jb. All of you have offered enlightening comments regarding my concerns. This OAD busines has to be challenging Bill Self to the max. And you are probably on target in surmising that the challenge is probably keeping his head in the college coaching game. Man, do I ever pray that Self's stuff works well with Diallo. I might be misjudging that kid's college potential, but his 2 MVP spring games marked him as a marvelous future talent, a player who can propel TV viewers straight skyward from the arms of their tired old recliners.
Is Bill Self's playbook holding back our freshmen? It does appear that freshmen are capable of thriving and piloting their teams to Final Fours and national title games in other programs. Prime recent case in point: Andrew Wiggins. During his year in Lawrence was Andrew merely putting in B+ Time, protecting the merchandise, so to speak? Not to denigrate his freshman scoring record at KU; but his first year in the NBA was a whale of a breakout season for a player who did not consistently astonish opponents or the Jayhawk faithful in crunch college situations. Perhaps the NBA game is played and coached and officiated so much differently that my point becomes moot. Or perhaps AW landed in a college setting which lacked the essential team surroundings to amp and showcase his athleticism. Oubre, perhaps, faced some of the same handicaps. Did the learning curve become so laborious that their potential was scotched and limited? I bring up this matter because of my current concern for Diallo, a spectacularly successful high school player, a high energy kid who came late to the sport and is projected as another one-and-done Jayhawk recruit. Will he become so entrenched in the playbook that his spontaneity suffers, even though he spends time developing essential skills which will blossom in time, but after he departs the Kansas program? I am asking lots of varied questions here. And, I suppose, my feeling is that freshmen are asked to learn too much too quickly in the Bill Self program. I am a very dedicated supporter of Bill Self Basketball, am on record as admiring, first and foremost, league titles. But I have been more than somewhat disappointed in our freshman one-and-done performers...and, of course, NCAA Tournament disappointments of our squads which possessed potential superstars who did not quite cut the mustard on the biggest stage.
@jaybate-1.0 A bit more than "dating," actually. But I think he's at the verge of giving her up for a relationship with Iseult of the White Hands.
The sooner this lad arrives in Lawrence, THE BETTER! I have recently re-watched his spring MVP efforts. Am pumped to envision him in a KU uniform!
The Selden question would appear to be a very real quandary for the coaching staff. So long as Wayne does not post any selfies with a nude partner, his starting status is probably safe, at least for the first few non-league contests. The job is still his to lose. If his play is still undependably mercurial, then Svi or Graham must come on like a blockbuster to burst into a starting role by midDecember. As potentially good as Vick might someday be, he still has a lot to learn in order to secure some minutes...unless injury to a starter affects his opportunity.
Greene? Who knows? Current mystery man in the equation. Probably a 14-18 minute man, at best. But if he should regain his early 2014-15 season touch, O My! Would be nice to see the head coach forced to bite back the urge ever again to mutter, "Fools Gold.."
Regarding the original heading, GRADING THIS CLASS, I am not inclined to offer a 10 until I see some super play from our current recruits and transfer. That said, if we had gotten no one but Diallo and Colby, I would have awarded us an 8. Bragg and Vick kick us up to a 9. That ranks quite well alongside our returning veterans, whom I rank as 8.5. Hope springs eternal...regardless of el poyo's muddled cloudbursts.
I understand very little of all this, but for #10. Sign me up for supporting #10!
I don't see a happy tenure for Snacks at KU. The negative publicity has to be eating away at the head coach's gut. Alexander family issues exacerbated the negative for Snacks' topnotch 2014 recruiting. Looks to me as though Bill chose not to go to active battle for the kid, leaving the eligibility decision completely in the hands of a notoriously ineffective and foot dragging governing body. I think he was disgusted with the entire combination of issues and was not about to step into the middle of possible legal procedings emanating from that unfortunate recruitment and the subsequent Alexander family hire. (I know, o yes, I know: WHAT LEGAL PROCEDINGS? We shall perhaps see.)
Maybe Otzelberger will end up as head coach of the Tennessee Vols? Or Murray State?
One of the finest among many classy players in the Bill Self era. I hope he settles in Lawrence.
Regarding Diallo's motor, let's none of us forget the Kevin Young exciting impact. The first time I saw Kevin Young on the court in a Kansas uniform, my enjoyment in KU hoops soared. Diallo already has that aura, and with greater wingspan. My current fear is that his game might be impaired by the quick yank. Can the coaching staff adjust to his potential brilliance and freeflow? The only task tougher for Bill Self this season might be the harnessing of Selden to the pine if his play is still so woefully mercurial.
Pollard has not mentioned the mission idea. Rather, says he is looking at Utah area colleges, turning toward the action of playing at a jr. cllg.
As for the Pollard/Chukwu connection, I can't envision a correlation unless money is no object for Chukwu and he should commit as a walk-on (which seems very unlikely, as there appear to be other major programs dangling scholarships for him). He might probably have been a major acquisition for future SelfBall; but Self chose to go with bird in hand Coleby, at this juncture.
Well, there is "forced out," and then there is "nudged out." To wit, Giddens, Giles, Adams more or less got the nudge (if not the BOOT). Several players have opted to depart because of disappointing playing time or coming to terms with their skills not quite fitting adaptedly into SelfBall...starting with David Padget, I suppose.
World Health Organization paints a bleak picture for current outbreak of this serious illness, currently erupting in S. Korea. Will it affect the WUGs?
@Statmachine Thanks for sharing. Enjoyable listening. Frank sounds like a very mature and laid back cool dude.
This Chukwu visit puzzles me, now that Vick has committed. I am happy with our current 13 scholarship players. It seems to me that Mickelson got short changed on playing minutes last season, but I feel good about his senior season. I don't see Brannen Greene as a good fit for Bill Self Basketball, but I can't envision Self nudging him out the door. Now that the 13 slots are filled, why would Chukwu waste an official visit to take a looksee in Lawrence? Or is that term "official visit" and subsequent NCAA ruling a moot point for transfer players?
Unless a current scholarship player is on the docket to leave the program, we come down to crunch time regarding the one open scholarship. Vick or Chukwu? Self knows that he needs another big man for 2016-17. Self, by inviting an SMU guard to fortify our current perimeter play, knows that there is an immediate weakness for 2015-16. If Chukwu flies away without commitment, I think Vick will sign on the dotted line. If Chukwu does commit, then we go into 2015 hopeful that Greene's surgery was successful. Also, hopeful that Vick does not change his mind again before signing for 2016.
By way of borrowing a guard from Larry Brown, to fortify our perimeter lineup, Bill Self is declaring that there is an immediate need going forward...perhaps more of an immediate need than another big man to commit right now for 2016-17. If Chukwu does commit, will we see some other unforseen action regarding the current scholly lineup?
If Chukwu feels comfortable with his visit to Lawrence Wednesday, it is probably in his best interest to commit before a grad assistant is assigned to drive him back to KCI. If the decision is left flapping in the breeze, I'd say that Vick will sign the 13th and last scholarship for 2015-16.
@wrwlumpy Or Thursday morning....
Fred's relatively quick departure from Ames serves somewhat as a reminder to the Kansas Nation as how fortunate we have been to cheer the tremendous successes of two recent coaches with determined staying power.
@wrwlumpy You wrote, "I'm always walking into a room and forgetting why I went into it (a la STILL ALICE)." Heck, didn't you see me, standing on the far side of that same room, scratching my head, wondering why I had walked in there?
In retrospect, my earlier comment on this thread, hypothesizing that Greene might be forced to take a red shirt in order to make room, did not make good sense. Red shirt or no, he would still usurp a scholarship. Faulty speculation on my part. Apologies to the steadier posters.
My opinion, Self has asked Vick to hold off until this thing with the bigs gets settled. Whether the Coleby signing marks the end of recruiting for 2015, we should soon know...if, as prognosticated, Vick does announce his "chosen" year in the next day or so. Chukwu might have just shot himself in the foot regarding chances to develop as an eventual Final 4 player at KU. But maybe not?
@Bosthawk Yeah, those two players are not graduating, just transferring, so they have to sit out a year per NCAA rules. Just like Withey and Mickelson. And HEM is right, if Vick holds off another year, there is still a scholarship for Chukwu or someone else. My bet is that Vick will sign on for the upcoming season, and will join the squad for the WUGs. If that occurs, Self must get creative...or fold up the recruiting lists for 2015-16.
Coleby looks to have decent upside. Probably like Self, I have grown weary of these recruits who are dragging their heels, evidently shopping for max playing time which Self won't guarantee (but for perhaps one or two exceptions). Coleby arrived in Lawrence with an extra bag packed, planning to stay in town. Kudos to his sound judgment! Welcome aboard, Dwight. ROCK CHALK!
Well, Chukwu is certainly dragging his heels in regard to the KU interest and offer. I would imagine that at this stage Bill Self is growing weary of dragass recruits who are shopping or holding out for guarantees for their own best future playing time. In my opinion, an offer from Kansas should be looked upon as pure gold. If Chukwu still wants to come, Self can force a red shirt on Greene to make room and move along.
Though Bill Self admits to not spending much time studying tape of losses, I'm willing to wager that, if The Mayor stays in Ames, the Kansas coaching staff will not neglect to review the way in which the Cyclones upset the Jayhawk applecart twice this past season. Of course, the second loss embodied the "ineligibility" of Alexander and the hobbled knee of Ellis, so....
The guy is a class act and a very savvy college coach. Has been solid gold for the Big 12 Conference and has proved himself a threat to vie with BIll Self for future league dominance. I hope he stays in Ames and that his ticker holds up for several more collegiate coaching seasons.
And I am very relieved that he did not sign Diallo!
I just read a LJW article about our pre-WUGs competition, the Canadian team lineup. WOW!
@Kcmatt7 I don't know where they will come from, but I envision Mickelson gleaning more minutes this season. Might depend on how tough and determined he is; also, on Traylor's health. I'd adjust Svi's minutes to 26, Graham's to 21. If Vick does commit, and does not red shirt, then all bets are off regarding backcourt distribution of minutes. I sure do hope that we see the very best of Wayne Selden on a consistent basis this season. If he fades in and out again I'd opt for nailing him to the pine, activating Vick and tweaking the offense. Am not dead certain, but I think that Bill Self can function within parameters of the word TWEAK.
Well, as I have claimed all along, Kelly's leaving was a gamble. No question that he will be a first round pick with major upside. But might fall out of the lottery and guaranteed 3-year multimillions which accompany it. Bill Self was patient with him, bringing him along incrementally, adjusting his skills to the college game. So, what does Kelly do? Shows impatience by a hasty departure. Yeah, he delivered lots to the success of the 2014-15 Jayhawks, and can hardly be blamed for end of season team failures. After all, he was a freshman, still learning the college game. Now he is putting himself into position to struggle again in a new and very different setting. He praises Bill Self and the program in glowing terms. Thoughtfully appropriate for a player who hopes to catch on as the glowing catch of an NBA franchise. Nice kid who contributed maybe 20% of the substance of a Travis Releford to KU Hoops. The multi-thousands of dollars KU invested in him reaped very limited return, in my humble opinion.
Practice for the WUGs begins June 9. Paschal might consider packing an extra suitcase for his trip to Lawrence; then check out a room key for the long stay. Though foreign born, he could get in a month of solid practice time before his year of Div. 1 ineligibility, then lapse into the arms of Andrea Hudy for some serious strength training and bulking up.
Well, in a legal sense, the most culpable party, of course, appears to be the "tricky" lending agency. The more than somewhat mysterious March, April, May, June silence by both KU and the NCAA on the issue just tends to alert my naturally suspicious nature, signaling that jurisprudence might still lurk actively in the wings. As I best recall, the only statement eventually coming from KU was Bill Self's declaration several days ago that Cliff had been ruled ineligible by the governing body. I don't recall reading anywhere that the NCAA fessed up to that specific ruling; only that an investigation was underway, which led KU to yank Cliff to the pine. Cliff was very silent, too, until his recent revelation that Mom had been tricked. Perhaps I am just warbling like a nitpicking nitwit here in the offseason halcyon days of our sport.
I've a nagging suspicion that the Alexander legal procedings have not been completely abandoned. A year ago Cliff was marked down as a likely lottery pick. When the story broke about the family loan, then a family attorney was hired, it appeared that the NCAA and perhaps the Kansas athletic program might be treading very quietly and cautiously; and still are. I would not be at all surprised to see this situation evolve into future court determination, the case either standing alone or as an essential ingredient of a wider class action suit.
I am still more than somewhat dumbfounded by the numbers posted by, and the success of, Andrew Wiggins this season. Of course, good fortune had lots to do with it, as his body held up remarkably. But the best thing that could have happened for him was to escape Coach James and Co. Cleveland might very well win a title with James, perhaps even two if he should decide to stay in town for a spell. I feel certain that Wiggins would not have developed his current stats, experience and confidence if he had stayed within the hub of the current Cavs system. Now Andrew is a rising star in his very own right, away from the spectacle and domination of LeBron. Not to denigrate LeBron's talent as a player, because I view him as the #1 Player on Planet Earth right now. But he is a dominating force, even among his own program. Wiggins was set free to soar. He is currently spoken of as very possibly the future Jordan or James. Rare air.
Man O Man, talk about being born with a silver spoon. This kid has decided early on to undergo his very own HOOPS REBIRTH. And where better to latch on to the silver utensil? Heck, if he is deadset on improving his stock for extended college game minutes, then playing life beyond, gold is quite likely in the forecast.
@KUSTEVE It must have taken considerable SWAY to lure the likes of Jaylen Brown away from the potential Jayhawk success which you just outlined. But maybe we escaped the scrabbled mindset of a Rio Adams or J R Giddens.
@wrwlumpy Young Nic certainly spewed the right stuff to his interviewer. I hope the kid shines; and that he helps us advance far enough into this summer tournament that our squad earns a wealth of July gametime exposure and experience. Nic has played three years and has earned recognition as one of a handful of top dogs in his league. Maybe his talent and particular patterns will open Bill's eyes to something new for the Jayhawk Play Book.
Just another damn set of rules which serve the literal metaphor of a giant boot stomped onto the throats of the impoverished. NCAA Division 1 Basketball a pristine example of pure amateur sport? BAH! Ignorance and greed? Oh, yeah. Takes the education and support system of Presidential Royalty to pull off the tricky financial machinations and twisted geographical power moves which lead to little more, by way of eventual exposure and punishment than proverbial slaps on the hand and a few scowls from the pulpits or babbling newshawks. Essentially, Bill Self and Associates appear not to have been on top of a situation involving a cherished H.S. All-American whose origins most probably served to wave a red flag involving the possibility of fiduciary impropriety. We live and learn. The mutability of a highly successful Division 1 coach of a major sport is one hell of a work in progress. This Cliff mess was something like two steps back...into the D-Block and Selby situations. Jayhawk Nation probably won't get caught up again in anything like it for at least 5 or 6 years....
@Texas-Hawk-10 Thanks. I forgot about the college enrollment factor.
By the way, regarding the lineup for the WUGs, what's to stop Self from playing an American born h.s. player (Vick), whether he signs in 2015 0r 2016? Of course, if he does not sign for the fall of 2015, he might yet change his mind once again, so it might be a gamble to fill an available slot with him for the Korea trip.
So, we get a verbal commit from SMU de-commit Vick, then Self borrows Moore from Larry Brown. No hard feelings. Just business. Two backs, two pats.
@JayHawkFanToo That said, KU can enter only 12 (?) players in the WUG. So there is still a numbers crunch.
If Self is really forced to bring in a 3 or 5 man from another school, will he step outside the Big 12 to secure someone? Buddy Hield would appear to be a splendid fit.
My take on the WUGs: international recruiting for our program, an opportunity to grease the wheels for 2015-16 Jayhawk Hoops, esp. with Svi and Diallo getting the chance to practice with and against the eligible squad. Graham, Lucas and Mickelson can really use these extra game minutes. Self and Co. can begin to adjust to a shorter shot clock.
@Statmachine Thanks for the recruiting update. WOW! This sounds as though it could be huge for the Jayhawks. Though he would sit out a year, I wonder if he would be eligible to play in the WUG. Or is he a foreigner? (Guess I had best read the articles....)
@drgnslayr I joined you last month in declaring that Kelly was taking a huge gamble regarding lottery selection. He might yet slip in there, but I would not bet a dollar, even at 3/1 odds. Essentially, he played half a season for KU, rarely rose to his heralded billing. A good kid whose early and mid-teen years were uprooted by untowards circumstance. As a Jayhawk he was offered the chance for stability and security, at least on the good luck side of career threatening injury. One more year most probably would have solidified his position as a top 13 draft pick, and might have given him a Final Four stage to enhance his prospects. I wish him well; will always, but perhaps vaguely, remember him as a starting Kansas Jayhawk...on a squad which underperformed in late March and early April 2015. I will watch the June Draft and hold out hopes for him with bated breath.