We have really come to touch on something very pertinent and essential. Is Self luring newbies with the promise of playing in these Games? Or not?
REHawk
1583 posts
@drgnslayr Maybe that is why we aren't yet gleaning a footer out there on the recruiting trail?
@Crimsonorblue22 Well, I'm inclined to postpone such an announcement until I see how the numbers actually pan out. But I do predict a big decision eventually to be made. If I'm not wrong in the count, we now carry 11 scholarship players. Svi can't play with us in these Games, so that makes 10 remaining (and returning, supposedly). If Oubre leaves, Self has 3 open schollies. He fills those, and already there is a numbers crunch...that is, if Oubre or TRob or Ben Mac should return. We just have to wait to see how things turn out. Hunter might declare for a transfer. Who knows?
@Crimsonorblue22 I'm not so sure. The publicity and possibility of international disgrace lies HUGE for KU. We can't afford to come home dragging our fannies.
@Crimsonorblue22 Let's say that our Junkyard Dog, Oubre, posts fantastic numbers in several categories throughout the next 7 weeks. He leaps to Top 10 lottery on all the draft boards, so makes the leap. Would Self prefer not to pursue his services for such a Jayhawk Bounce on a World Stage? (If there should be a numbers crunch involving incoming recruits....)
Okay, I'll fill the role of contrarian for tonight's matchup. I am not comfortable with our squad's ability to handle such a frenetic press as it will encounter in Morgantown. Mason now playing on tired legs. I notice times when our recieivers don't naturally spring open for passes. Gonna be tough to slash to the rim, what with WVU's plethora of stealmongers. Unless Fools Gold weighs in as, at least, silver or polished bronze, we could be in for a long night. This is a contest where Svi's passing might have been a huge plus. However, his game has gathered rust and cannot be counted upon. I predict a 1 pt. loss.
@JayHawkFanToo Evidently you, too, were under the impression that we could enter only 12 players in this tournament. Pessimist that I am, I can foresee major repercussions for Bill Self if newbies and former players get the call while other current players get left out. Depending on attrition of potential NBA draftees, a logjam might not occur, unless pro teams are willing to free their CATCH for this early opportunity on a world stage. I would imagine that Self will make the most of the whole deal, not suffer substantial backlash if his squad should face a numbers game. Sometimes it appears best to flush the disgruntled...although the only current player who might fit that mold could be Hunter Mickelson. If he should finish his degree he could transfer anywhere and be immediately eligible for his final year (as did T. Black). Unless we recruit a topflight footer, Self would probably like to hang on to Hunter. By 3rd season in the program he should be mighty savvy re the system.
Someone might have access to the rules for World Games participation. Did I read that a team could enter only 12 players? Have also read conjectures from posters that TRob and Tyshawn might rejoin Self's unit. My concern: If we take only 12 players, who gets left behind? What might that do to team unity, 2015-16? Or a tendency toward transfers?
@jaybate-1.0 jb, I have posted a bit of humor about the Snacks Situation, too. On more serious note, I have not a clue as to details of arrest, or of Self's prior knowledge (or no). I have calmed more than somewhat in my initial serious stance re the impact on KU Basketball and the likelihood that Jerrance will depart sooner than later. If Self can digest and process the incident without a knot in his colon, and if Snacks is sincere in declarations about future actions, then the issue will probably wither on the vine. Already, JH has gleaned recognition as one of the best recruiters in top level Div. 1 Hoops. An even brighter career awaits him. I would imagine that his arrest and media exposure has shaken him to the very roots. Heck, most of us have at some time in our lives been as daring or careless in personal conduct, even though we might not have suffered arrest or been in position to affect adversely such a colossal public entity.
He is relatively young...but this past week, became about twice as old!
Would be advantageous to LL if he should grow another inch; but he must be about 21 years now, so that is not likely to occur. Another offseason with Hudy should help his hops (see Perry). Minutes such as those vs. Baylor are bound to polish his game and confidence. Though a sophomore in eligibility and 2 seasons more practiced than was Aldrich (whose breakout NCAA game vs. T. Hansbrough astounded all of us), I can envision Lucas giving us a super performance, in just the right matchup. Saturday's contest vs. Rico Gathers offered glimmerings of very proficient play, esp. against a big man of more girth than height. Rico sure as hell did not snag any personal record breaking 28+ rebounds in AFH. And LL had lots to do with limiting Rico's numbers.
Well, the season still stretches into 2 more months, so it is a bit early to project. Based on numbers Cliff has posted to date, I can't see him as a June lottery pick. Perhaps injury has limited his playing time more than we know. But ict3 is probably right on in declaring that Cliff is advancing about as well as could be expected for any frosh big man in Bill Self's system. Unless his game really shines in the next 7 weeks, I think it would behoove Cliff to return for another year with Hudy and the coaching staff. Given time, he should probably reach lottery level, probably a year sooner than TRob, Cole or Marcus. The only reason for him to jump would be for a fairly safe guarantee of top 10 lottery. Marcus was really sweating it during the draft!
Nice article about Lucas, esp. Japanese experience, and a bit about his parenting: Friday's KC Star.
Heck, for me, a portion of entertainment for gamecasts is looking at mannerisms and listening to the inane commentaries of such courtside comics as Doogie Gee and Dickie Vee. That tie of Doogie's was a bit over the top. At least he did not tie it backside forward!
@KUSTEVE WVU defense (Something wicked this way comes!). Good stuff, Steve.
Bill Self really is expert in his savvy to plug players into his lineup. Lucas rose to the occasion in this contest. KU fortunate in housing such a variety of player options. Speaks well to our recruiting at this juncture of Self's tenure. Mickelson, a freshman record setter at Arkansas, three years later and more practiced, can barely glean a minute during crucial court time. We sometimes forget just how talented many of our bench players really are.
@wrwlumpy Lumpy, you have really outdone yourself in dredging up these spectacular pics on this thread. Terrific stuff. Please keep it coming.
@wrwlumpy No, that's not "GREENE with Envy." That's Okie State Bill, beriddled by the BLUES.
@wrwlumpy "Blinded by the Light?" Heck, lumpy, we are getting a visit from Scott Drew. Open that door and we're BLINDED BY THE BLIGHT!
@Crimsonorblue22 Ah, now I've got it: The 12:30 announcement was East Coast Time. Bill to be highlighted at 11:30 Central. Regular CBS, I hope, as I am sitting in a site with rabbit ears. (Twitch and tickle....)
@jaybate-1.0 Well now, jb, if J. Howard were to meet M. Jane somewhere in that stationary orbit over Watson L., we must needs alter that title to Remembrance of Things PASSED. (no malice....)
By golly, by golly, smile, Bill, for Ms Holly!
Dreadful Drew. Fools Gold 101: Hey, Coach, watch THIS! SMOKE BAYLOR all the way to Peoria!
@jaybate-1.0 Snacks: Is it going to end here, or will there be more drama at a later date? I would imagine that if Jerrance delivers a footer who fits into Self Ball much more quickly than Miles Turner has adjusted to Barnes Ball (whatever THAT might be), diehard fans will cut Jerrance and Bill lotsa slack. Matter of fact, if Cliff should take a giant step up the ladder before midMarch, Snacks will glean a whopping fine boost. Coupla huge IFs....
@bskeet I saw that announcement. Wonder how CBS will work that 12:30 pm airing of Self alongside the 12 pm game vs. Baylor? Maybe halftime?
2 week suspension. Well, we might not see the rest of the story until fall...if, indeed, there will be further maneuvering. The thing that bothers me perhaps most: Has Snacks hidden other illegal actions from his head coach? Perhaps recruiting entanglements? This hoops program is colossal; much grander than the judgments or misjudgments of those currently placed in charge of maintaining its face and continued well being. The program has been burdened with a few player blemishes during the Self Years, but no more than on any other topflight Div. 1 campus, and fewer than most schools, it appears. (Heck, just take a look across the Kaw, current turmoil at MizZoo!) But a compound mistake by a second or third year assistant? YIKES! The World of Hoops is broad and expansive. Lotsa sites for Snacks to land with uncluttered runways; sites w/o the reputation or historical significance of Kansas Basketball. I understand that it is in timely best interest of Bill Self, the athletic dept. and the university to move quickly in an attempt to leap beyond this breaking news. Gonna be interesting, watching for further crescendo or denouement. I will be surprised if Snacks is still in Lawrence by June 2016. But for his longstanding relationship with Bill Self, he has stepped close to filling J.R. Giddens' dusty Adidas sneakers.
JoJo, on the frontside of that t-shirt you might print, "Jayhawks, 2014-2015: THE MISSING LINK."
Re World University Games: TRob, come on home! We don't know which Tyshawn might make a show. But TRob, we KNOW!
@drgnslayr Be very careful in posting such conjectures. Some poster from LA is likely to jump yer butt!
@wrwlumpy I've that same inkling about Traylor's mindset. Does he feel that the starting job is his? And that he won't play with the same effort if assigned to the bench for the tipoff? Or maybe there is more to it. Perhaps an undisclosed Traylor injury caused Self to change his starting lineup?
Bye-bye, Jerrance. I am certain that Bill will help you land on your feet; but elsewhere. Thanks for the recruiting contributions. Good luck with readjusting your career path.
@KUinLA Please don't allow my simplifications to grow too complex or befuddling. My wife declares that she views tongue in cheek as among my most irritating qualities. Sometimes I do seem to squeeze a bit too much juice from thinskinned lemons.
@jaybate-1.0 "...banging the Tub," hell! What about that dance team?
@jaybate-1.0 You have opened one of the funniest threads I have ever read on this BUCKETS site. Buchenwald...O MY!
@HighEliteMajor "...haven't seen it in 2 games." THIS is where I see Self donning the mask, both in his game planning and in his public commentary. He dumped that 4-out offense at Stillwater and lost the gamble. At Lubbock, he figured he could get by without it. Then he blathers about Fools Gold. I think the guy hopes to slip up on everyone, like a big cat in the dark.
@BeddieKU23 I have posted some mighty tuff love re Wayne recently. I do recognize and appreciate that his game appears to be on an uptick. If Frank Mason should lose a wheel, this squad will lean heavily on Wayne to take charge in the way of leadership and driving FORCE. I still shudder when he drives to shoot, but his occasional drive to pass seems to be on the road upward. Obviously, the potential exists for him yet to rise to the level of his early promise, in matriculation to Lawrence. I fully expect him to be around for a third and very spectacular season.
I gotta think that Bill Self KNOWS that he is shooting some blanks in such post-game comments. Granted, the strengths and weaknesses of his current squad probably gives him ulcers. But I'm not buying his wolf tickets. Fools Gold? Ha! He's going to compete against a team like Kentucky with a game plan welded to "inside-out" offense? Ha! The Guy is almost sinister in his donning of masks.
This team is not going far with his customary inside-out insistence...esp. not if the likes of Wayne Selden continues to drive to shoot rather than drive to pass. Cliff ALexander can score effectively off rebounds, but how in whatever hell can he (or Perry) receive an inside pass and score from beneath the limbs of Kentucky's swaying trees? If this current Jayhawk squad advances past the Sweet 16 it will do so because Bill Self slithers into a determination to free his "other-worldly" troops to perform in the manner they do best. Down deep, HE KNOWS IT. Will be a rude comedy of errors if he does not ADJUST. Lull, then unleash! Surely, that is the scheming, conscious or unconscious, fermenting in Bill Self's coaching genius.
Well, in league play it does appear that Traylor and Selden are the two weakest links in our starting lineup. Is easier for must of us to understand and live with the minutes of Selden, although I predict that Self is running short of patience. The Jamari thing is more of a mystery. I think that Bill really likes the kid and is supersensitive to Traylor's emotional state as a nonstarter. But, in regard to both players, facts are facts, and the hourglass now is more than half empty. We are bound to see changes implemented this week...or we must bite bullets in respect to our mentor's seemingly shortsighted motives. Self's record speaks for itself (although that record has come up against some persistent glitches). Still and all, he and his Jayhawks continue to offer fans some splendid seasons, as well as individual battles. We are engaged in our own games, here on this board. Competition DELUXE!
Getting back to the lead post, asking for comments re tomorrow night's game at Tech. I can see the team rebounding well from the loss, but am concerned about Bill's game plan. No surprise that he insists on playing the inside-out offense, often at times that are detrimental to his squad's chances for a win. I envision his commanding his troops to Belly Up!, try to perfect the offense which has carried former Jayhawks to such high percentage in the win columns. For certain, he will not expose any major adjustments if his troops are able to build a huge lead. Gotta save that stuff for the bone crunchers. I hear myself saying that we will defeat Tech w/o undue stress. Would be interesting to see something of a non-plan, allowing his 8 or 9 players to flow as they might best....
A very fine and timely presentation again, Lump.
@KansasComet No Problema, mi amigo. I was merely burbling.
Mizzou suspends 2 more; now down to 8 available scholarship players; and 4 of those 8 have served suspensions earlier this season. Welcome home to Columbia, Kim Anderson.
@icthawkfan316 It isn't just "shots inside the arc." I am traveling, so don't have access to my DVR for reviewing; but it seems as tho Wayne flubbed repetitively, either shooting or trying to bull into the paint today. Maybe I have merely grown gun shy of his EVER taking the ball to the hoop...so my mind automatically flips into panic mode.
Well, I tried thrice to edit my "Yeah, I know..." posting, but was not allowed to do so. Some kind of glitch on this thread, I suppose.
Maybe I am just too grumpy, should probably wait until tomorrow to comment; however, six minutes into the second half I declared to my empty bottle of Bud Light, "I think our man Self got outcoached at halftime by one of the league's weenies!" Either that, or we are working too hard at practices. Okie lads outhustled us all to heck in first 12 minutes of second half. (I feel like Ol' Roy every time I print that work HECK. But I usually manage to keep my exclamations fairly clean, in tribute to the quality of this fine site.)
but for moving in and out of the paint on the defensive end of the court, please, please, please stay away from the basket with the ball in your hands! You have shot your feet all to hell with so many bullets, I can't imagine any toes left hanging from the stubs of your arches. You are absolutely slaughtering your squad with missed dunks, layups and bunnies. Congratulations, however, on your long ball. Not exactly a saving grace, but a very significant and recently dependable contribution.
@Crimsonorblue22 It begins to look as tho every member of this Jayhawk squad will have to shoot off his mouth in a crucially volatile moment when refs are pumped with blood racing all the way from ears to testicles. Except Gentleman Ellis, of course. Freshmen and sophomores represent powder kegs, just waiting for explosive moments to shoot off their mouths and turn the positive flow of a series into sudden reversals...tsunamis, if you will. I suppose that Graham's technical last week was to be expected, as he is still green about the gills. But Mason? HOLY F. MOLY! Chowderheads!
Other than the largesse and deep pockets of T B Pickens, the most lucrative wintertime boost to Cowboy Hoops is when Bill Self and Co. come back to town. Another rowdy house to taunt and test our young Jayhawks. RAWK CHAWK!
@Crimsonorblue22 If Weber's tenure is left in the hands of Manhattan Media, the job is secure. What better front page or nighttime TV sports coverage to rely dependably upon than bi-weekly grousing about the PurpleKitty Hoopsters?
@Crimsonorblue22 Nick has aged so much on this thread, he's got ivy climbing his trunk.
@nuleafjhawk Man, just imagine Bill coaching Durant and that super talented point guard who played alongside him!