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Hope this won't come off as flippant, but YouTubeTV + ESPN+ is my total KU value package. I get every game and I split with several family members, so my cost is about $20/month.

Let’s see if this works...

PHILADELPHIA
The response was out of the ordinary ... especially coming from a Kansas point guard.

Devon Dotson stood outside his team’s locker room following KU’s 56-55 loss to Villanova when he was asked — from his vantage point — what had led to Villanova’s Jermaine Samuels freeing himself for the game-winning three with 20 seconds left.

“They switched out (Collin) Gillespie, the point guard, on Tristan or McCormack or somebody,” Dotson said. “I think he got by him a little bit, forced help, and we didn’t get back to him on time. He made a tough shot.”

Before looking at these words with a critical eye, it’s important to give some necessary caveats first.

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Dotson was likely overextended against Villanova. He was forced to play 37 “can’t-lose-your-focus” minutes against one of the nation’s toughest offenses, and he also had to take on a greater load after Marcus Garrett left in the first half with an ankle injury.

So some of the physical errors that happened for Dotson in the final 71 seconds when KU blew a four-point lead with the ball? Understandable. Things you can shake off.

This type of response, though, is not something KU is used to — especially when that player is considered a team leader.

Let’s go back to the three-pointer in question. Dotson is right that teammate Tristan Enaruna was switched to Gillespie after a screen, but Enaruna does a nice job of staying in front of him. Gillespie might have a half-step on the drive, but not enough to create a major advantage — especially against Enaruna’s seven-foot wingspan.

The mistake appears to come from Dotson. He’s the one that steps into help on the drive unnecessarily, leaving Samuels open for the game-deciding three that put Villanova up one.

“All you’ve got to do is make them shoot a two, then you get the last shot to win the game. Instead, we just let them shoot a three,” KU coach Bill Self said. “And it wasn’t like the first three they shot today. They just shot 40 other ones, so that was disappointing.”

Again, mental lapses happen. But if we’re comparing Dotson to the standard he’s set for himself here, there appears to be lots of room for improvement.

Let’s go back to June. When Dotson announced he was returning to KU, he said he had a particular goal in mind.

“This year I’m looking to lead,” he said then, “and just be that guy on the floor that can really help everybody else out there.”

This wasn’t a great example of that.

Past veterans at KU have done more than own up to their own errors after losses — they’ve also often gone out of their way to protect teammates in these situations too.

Dotson was angry and frustrated, sure. But using “we” instead of “I” to describe the breakdown on Villanova’s three, while also not shouldering his own responsibility on the play?

If nothing else, it was a departure from what is normally heard from KU point guards in these situations.

Dotson’s on-court presence seemed like it could have been better Saturday too. He was noticeably unaggressive early, before finally asserting himself more midway through the second half after being challenged.

“I noticed the first half, there wasn’t a lot of driving lanes or opportunities to attack,” Dotson said. “I just tried to stay in attack mode, stay aggressive. Teammates were on me, and Coach was on me to play your game, be aggressive. That’s what I was trying to do.”

Dotson was better in the second half ... but again, it took a boost from others. Self has talked a lot recently about Dotson doing better when trying to lead, saying the team energy can naturally dip if a point guard is exhibiting bad body language.

Fortunately for the Jayhawks, this hasn’t happened often. Unfortunately for them, it has seemed to occur in the most trying moments of the season, with losses to Duke and Villanova serving as the two most notable examples of when Dotson failed to galvanize those around him.

Self after the game spoke a bit about this to NCAA.com’s Andy Katz when talking about how he still loved his team and players while remaining disappointed with the finish against Villanova.

“In games like this, your best guys got to perform in the most critical moments,” Self told Katz.

Dotson obviously struggled with this Saturday. He allowed Gillespie to take away the ball on a crucial possession, then didn’t foul him while giving up an uncontested layup. He then didn’t get out to Samuels on a three and later missed the front end of a one-and-one.

All those could end up as learning experiences. All could easily be waved off as opportunities that should help Dotson the next time he faces similar situations.

The bigger and more pressing question is this: Does Dotson want to be a leader for this team, both in good times and bad?

KU’s NCAA hopes — and potentially Dotson’s NBA future — could hinge on how he answers.

Gutsy take from Jesse. I didn’t see the post game so I missed the “we” deflection statement. Not a great look.

The pressing question KU’s point guard faces following Saturday’s loss to Villanova https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article238620458.html ↗

The wide open looks from 3 bothered me the entire game. The final wide open look, with Dotson watching and kind of throwing a hand up, is the kind of defense I tell my 8th grade baller "doesn't count as defense." Maybe it was poetic justice that it went in, although I expected more effort from Dotson after he got his pocket picked at half court.

I do think the 3D philosophy is a big Achilles heel. It's agonizing to watch a team miss open looks, knowing if they catch fire with, say, 8 minutes left, the game will be up for grabs even if KU is ahead.

@BeddieKU23 Having lived in downtown KCMO for over a decade I have lots of recommendations...too many! If you like barbecue, Jack Stack, Slap's (just over KS state line) and Joe's KC are at the top of my list.

Anton's, LuLu's, West Side Local, The Rieger, Blue Bird Bistro, Room 39 are a few restaurants I recommend.

Loads of breweries if you're into that. Boulevard, the KC anchor, is worth a visit. Torn Label, City Barrel, Casual Animal are a few more favs...and there are more.

Feel free to shoot me a note if you're looking for something in particular. Coffeeshops, distilleries, specific cuisine, there's a lot.

@HighEliteMajor I find the distinction pretty blurry, maybe because I'm not taking the time to parse the definitions involved ("booster," etc). What irritates me more is how the Wiseman judgment happened in a matter of days while Silvio had to wait months.

Comparing this to the Silvio situation makes my head hurt. Such an obvious double standard.

Guess Penny is realizing about now that he’s not Coach K.

@BShark His handlers must be losing their minds about now since the goal was to rehabilitate his PG image.

@BShark Not running the show? Shocking...

@BShark The Athletic is a class act. Their coverage of anything sports is usually the best I read anywhere. Now they just need to sign Jesse Newell.

@BShark Great pic! Is he in a wheelchair?

@KirkIsMyHinrich I'll be really curious to see if Self tries to go with the two-big lineup for awhile. I'd be surprised if he doesn't throw it out there for at least a few minutes.

Do we really think Moss is going to bounce back from the hammy injury to play more that a handful of minutes?

@approxinfinity @wissox funny story, ESPN crashed and kicked me off the site for my 3rd & 4th picks. I’d queued Devonte for late in the draft, so I got him at #3. 🤷🏻‍♂️ (Ja Morant at #4) Oh well. He’s playing great, though!

Happy I put him on my fantasy team. :)

@drgnslayr I have youtubetv and love it. Best value for the money I could find. Unlimited dvr is great for set and forget NCAA ball. A nice bonus is you can share your account with up to 5 other “family members” which allows for cost sharing. I currently pay $17/month for mine...

@stoptheflop I had the same thought.

@rockchalkwyo The NCAA is already doing their best to come down hard...Snoop doing his thing (not that I liked it) really has no effect. They've already pulled out all the stops.

@bcjayhawk That one will stick with me always as one of the worst tourney exits of all time.

I like him embracing the role of NCAA bad boy. When they force it on you...take it and run with it.

@Kcmatt7 Very well said. Feel like this sums up the way I feel about the whole mess as well.

Can’t imagine how pissed off they are being made the example...after previously being the example for NCAA compliance.

So the NCAA is coming after KU for one player who never played...and another who’s already sat and won his appeal. 🤔

@mayjay No joke. What irritates me is the NCAA knows exactly how the never ending black cloud is affecting KU recruiting, so whatever happens, they'll get their pound of flesh. While for Duke, UK, etc. it's business as usual.

@HighEliteMajor I’ve got a soft spot for Josh Jackson, but agreed...not top 10 material.

No Paul Pierce? Man, loved watching him play. Other then that, I’d fill out my top ten with players already mentioned.

Nice analysis. I could see Self throwing a zone out there now and then as he’s done in the past but agree, “real” change would almost definitely be tweaks to his beloved man to man D.

If there’s a feed for the star’s KU stuff (esp Jesse Newell), that would be a good add. They may make that difficult with their subscriber system though.

I was excited for this game, all the more since EJ was building it up on his new podcast, Foul Shots. What a bust.

Who knows what would've happened if Perry had played, but they came out slow and without energy. No bounce, no fire. Gave up easy baskets and lost the battle of the boards—both energy categories. I'd love to see Withey in this next year, and Trob, if he hasn't caught on with an NBA team.

@Kcmatt7 If you can answer all those questions after an exhibition game, ESPN should be paying you $$$ for color commentary! 😉

@Crimsonorblue22 Can't say I've ever wanted to watch Tharpe play again...

@Texas-Hawk-10 Hope your wrong but that’s a strong take. I have the same concerns.

We haven’t seen Silvio play in what, 10 years? I’m hoping he’s added to his arsenal and gives Doke a run for his money in the post...and further out.

I read the Athletic article with quotes from NBA personnel and the consensus seems to be that Dotson’s a late second rounder at best.

Shooting and distribution need to improve dramatically for him to stick in the league.

That said, it’s hard to see D leaving unless he desperately wants out of college ball. Guess I don’t understand why the decision is going down to the wire when it’s apparently a no brainer.

Agreed. Would rather watch him for year two than Hampton for year one.

I think Dotson is the difference between a 2-3 seed and staring at the NIT.

@Crimsonorblue22 RJ in Lawrence and Rod in Australia sounds good.

IF we land Hampton, he’d better unpack his bags and be a helluva OAD to atone for this never-ending, stupid drama.

@BShark That clip re: Grimes 😂

@FarmerJayhawk Rod is a piece of work.

@Crimsonorblue22 🤢

@approxinfinity I’d say yes, but who are these three guards you speak of?

I’m not worried because SILVIO! but the bigger question is how we’ll guard the 3 with Silvio/Doke both out there.

Too early to start discussing how Silvo and Doke will coexist when they're on the floor at the same time? My hope is that Silvio's secretly developed a trey and the foot speed to guard on the perimeter.

YES! Biggest 2019 recruit?

@Marco Don’t we think Self has a handle on this scenario as others have suggested? Sure hope so.

Eating up double digit rebounds a game, single greatest dimension he could add IMO. Since I’m not holding my breath on the free throws.

@Crimsonorblue22 Totally, I think he had the ball in his hands plenty of times.

@Crimsonorblue22 You mean the quotes in the KC Star?

@Hawk8086 Now that Grimes it talking about coming back all of a sudden after a pretty crappy combine, I'm more worried he would affect Hampton's decision.

Now that's he's talking about coming back and having the ball in his hands...please tell me this won't affect the Hampton recruitment.