🏀 KuBuckets Archive

@nuleafjhawk Type? Probably. Read? Well...

I noticed during Diallo's first game he attempted to block EVERY shot around the rim. This occasionally took him out of position and allowed an offensive rebound. So my question is do we want him to continue his all out aggression trying to block everything he is even close to or does he need to learn a little restraint to minimize mistakes?

@KUSTEVE Really one bad 3pt shooting night from being ranked #1. At this point I'm almost glad we lost. I don't want this team to get complacent and being #1 has the tendency to do that to teams.

@DoubleDD Except Graham and Mason. One of those guys needs to be on the court at all times are we are clearly best with both in the game. But agree even then they should be at 25-30 in blowouts. Rest em now while we can!

Losing hurts. Winning feels normal.

@drgnslayr I picture Vick and Graham hounding opposing guards in the future and get giddy!

My 12 best players so far this season would be:
1. Selden
2. Mason
3. Graham
4. Ellis
5. Bragg
6. Traylor
7. Svi
8. Lucas
9. Diallo
10. Mick
11. Green
12. Vick

But if you want to say most important to the team or base it on what our team would look like without the player it would be:
1. Traylor

(just kidding)
1. Mason
2. Selden
3. Graham
4. Ellis
5. Diallo
6. Svi
7. Traylor
8. Bragg
9. Vick
10. Mick
11. Lucas
12. Greene

And just to be clear the above discussion regarding Traylor was not painful, nor did it make me uncomfortable, I just don't see the point. Traylor didn't play! Isn't that what you wanted? Why pick apart and bash his four minutes in the second half.

I also think HEM tends to discount the value of experience and mentality. More often than not, (and certainly more often than Hunter or Bragg or Diallo at this point) Traylor is in the right place at the right time and will often explode (as jaybate has mentioned) beyond his position to make plays. I agree Bragg and Diallo are better players with more talent. But that doesn't mean Traylor no longer has a place on the team or is worthless in the pursuit of a national championship.

@Jesse-Newell But you did rate him as your 5th best player! I think I saw HEM had him at 12 which is "just untrue" and probably a "myth."

I think we learned Graham might be our lock down defender. His play on Alford is what made our game with UCLA a cake walk. Alford was getting anywhere he wanted with the ball against Kentucky but couldn't even GET the ball with Devonte hounding him. Belated pat on the back for that kid.

@HighEliteMajor and @JRyman As I was watching the first half of the game I was doing exactly as JRyman suggested and was looking at every negative thing Hunter did. I noticed when he failed to seal on a drive. When he botched ball screen defense and allowed easy buckets. Twice. How he went the wrong way on a set play and blew it up. I could go and document every mishap in the first half if I thought that would be productive but I just don't see how it would be.

Most importantly for me, I watch KU basketball for entertainment. I have fun watching the games. I have fun analyzing the game during and afterwords. But what I realized watching the first half with a similar lens as HEM watched the second I realized it was not fun. It is not entertaining to find every mistake a 20 year old makes playing a game he loves for probably the last year of his life (maybe over seas for Hunter with his height and touch). I don't see the enjoyment in taking to a blog to then tear that kid down.

If you want to blame Self, do it. He gets paid to take the criticism and bear the burden. But what did Self do wrong? He played Traylor 4 minutes which is just about exactly what he should have done on Diallo's opening night. So he wanted to give a kid he cares about and has watched grow a pat on the back. It even sounds like HEM agrees with the purpose of the comment. So I guess I can't handle the truth? Or maybe I just don't see the point.

Don't forget Rick Pitino who is currently being investigated as well!

Let's not!

@ralster Self definitely seemed flustered and tight in the Davidson game in 2008 and the relief after the win was evident. The Purdue and NC State games were similar though not as blatantly clear as Davidson.

But with that I agree with your overall point that comparing tournament records is not the only way to compare coaches and even if you do Self's success speaks for itself. I think he is mostly a victim of his own success. We go into every March thinking KU either should win it all or at least have a shot and that just isn't always the case. Add in the crazy variability of the tournament and you have a recipe for odd looking upsets and disappointed fans.

Izzo I think is the only coach who has noticeably better tournament success than Self since he's been at KU but I could be wrong. Thought this was an interesting chart: http://www.dbwoerner.com/basketball/coaches/hof.html ↗

That clearly doesn't take into account seed or show recent trends etc. And it obviously neglects the fact that KU is always in the tournament even on down years where as most other schools just go 0-0 on those.

@KUSTEVE It's almost like winning in the tournament every year is hard or something. No matter who you are!

@Red.Rooster I was ready to disagree when you said Self was the weak link but your reason and evidence are both valid. He looks tight in March and his teams have a tendency to play tight in March. I'm hoping these guys will have enough swagger and toughness accrued over the course of the season to be immune to his big game jitters when the time comes. He has quality leadership and experience this year to be able to let them play a little more this year without his influence dominating their psyche. At this point it's on Wayne and Frank and maybe Devonte to take charge of this teams mentality.

I say we add Frank to the committee at 5. He can rebound with any of them! (even if he can't clear the rim in the second half)

And think about it. When he body's a big where does his shoulder naturally end up? He may not be snapping necks but could double em over pretty easy! He surely isn't scared! Send him in!

@betterfireE I was most intrigued by Graham-Selden-Svi-Diallo-Mickelson. The length of that lineup is crazy. They were altering and pressuring everything! To me this was the all-disruption team for KU.

But FM-DG-LV-CB-CD could be the all-futures! Though don't know how long we will hold on to all of them.

@5541-james and could Wayne at the 2 keep up the ridiculous assist/turnover ratio Frank and Devonte are putting up right now. Plus Perry at the three would likely reduce the tempo we are currently playing with. We are cooking right now. If it ain't broke don't fix it!

I think we have to temper all of our attitudes toward BG. His biggest fault? He wanted to play more to help the team and handled that situation poorly.

No, he isn't going to transfer and has said as much. He will get his chances this year and will likely have big time opportunity next year.

He clearly hasn't figured everything out yet, and yes his actions hurt the team by him not being able to be there for him. But he is a Jayhawk. A pround Jayhawk. Check his social media and he will tell you the same thing.

So has he been the model citizen no and he is paying for that, but neither has he betrayed his teammates or even taken a me first attitude.

He'll be fine.

I'm not usually a huge advanced stats guy but the one that makes the most since to me is tempo (number of possessions per game) and right now according to kenpom.com KU is 16th in adj Tempo (whatever that means).

I take that to mean KU is playing fast! This team is showing the ability to run overmatched teams out of the gym. We haven't always seen that here. It will be interesting to see how much these stats change as we get into the conference. But it seems to me Self is using his speed and depth to his advantage this year.

@justanotherfan Yeah pretty much. I think the biggest thing for Wayne's leadership is his confidence he is gaining through this hot streak. Hope he doesn't lose it when his shooting comes back to earth!

Perry didn't have a good game, scored 15 pts and grabbed 6 rebounds in 20 minutes. The team looked its absolute worst when Wayne was moved to the 2.

@BeddieKU23 Agree 100%. Let's leave Perry where he is.

How about that Graham to Mason to Wayne fast break off the made basket?! Wayne gets the points, Frank the assist, but Devonte made the play! There is a reason those guys are getting 30 min a game.

I'm worried where BG is going to fit in after his 6 games. Especially with Svi showing some ability to drive to go along with his tre gun.

I think this is huge! It's also the reason Wayne's play is going to be so important. The leadership role on this team needs to shift from Perry to Wayne (I think it already has). Self has been begging Perry to lead for 3 years at least. He has the talent, he's a natural scorer, and can do everything on the court. Except fire up his teammates. And that is what leaders do. Inspire.

I can remember ONE time last year when Perry got his teammates going after he "blended" someone in the post and made a little gesture. ONE! In FOUR YEARS! He is a great player and a key piece for this team. But I think it is becoming clear that he's a piece, not THE piece. Self's teams generally lack a traditional go to guy as he emphasizes balance and sharing the ball, but the best team always have strong emotional leaders.

Rush was the best player but not the emotional leader. That was either Mario or Darnell with so many others bringing fire to that 08 team.

TROB. Enough said.

To me that's why losing Embiid was so tough for the 14 team. As much as his play was needed, his emotion was missed.

Did you see Wayne after Vick's dunk? That's a leader.

@ralster Bragg is so good and we aren't really even talking about him! He, along with Traylor, were the guys to really go out and get offensive rebounds to get us rolling in the second half.

Is Bragg included in that?

I think this game showed how tough Self's job really is this year. Every one of those players bring something the others don't. This was a great game to let everyone get some minutes.

But what happens when Lucas comes back?

Did people see the first half last night with Traylor on the bench? Self praised Jamari for his energy because when he wasn't in the game in the first half, the TEAM looked awful! I thought if anything this game proved why Jamari DOES deserve playing time. His rebounding has greatly improved this year and he is up to over 5 a game in about 19 minutes a game (That's 10 over 40 minutes for those of you who like to do that).

Hunter played big minutes in the first half and did what? Yes his second half was better after the team got rolling with Traylor on the court. Energy is something that can't be overlooked but will rarely show up in a box score and Mickelson didn't have it when he was given the reins. Hunter is a good player. Don't get me wrong on that. He showed he can have a positive impact on the game with his length defensively. Plus he had easily the best straight up post move and 1 we've seen this year with his drop step spin to the basket. He has earned some minutes for sure. But can anyone say the team played well with him on the floor in the first half?

The ability to teach is almost wholly unrelated to skill or knowledge in a content area. That is why the college dropout rate is so huge. You have a lot of professors who know their subject inside and out but have no clue how to engage and inspire others. Teaching is it's own skill. The old saying "those who can't do, teach," is not entirely false, however many who do, can't teach. I can get kids to learn calculus and physics by simply asking the right questions and letting them figure out better than some professors who prepare highly specific and detailed lectures.

@drgnslayr The more unfair the better for me at this point. Heck yes they are targeting Kansas! Even if they aren't, we better believe they are! And what better way to show them than beat them at their own game, the tournament.

Just keep adding weight to that chip to the point where the Hawks will turn superhuman just to carry it around. Use that giant boulder to help us roll over any team foolishly standing between us and our goal.

Do you think Frank puts up with this kind of disrespect in any aspect of his life? Is anyone allowed to treat his family this way?

What about Perry? They don't think he is smart enough to see the injustice and want to rise up against it?

Greene is so fired up by it he is exploding all over the place even if it's wrong.

Devonte is already trying to take on the world based on his shot selection last game.

They are all feeling the frustration boiling out of their coach and teammate. Let this be the moment that unifies them.

Just wait for the gauntlet that the NCAA will throw at us come March. Bring it on!

I wonder if Self is trying to use this as motivation. Is this the chip we've been looking for? This is a narrative. The team has been treated unfairly, given a lack of respect, purposefully handicapped against the rest of the competition. Now, what do they do about it?

I imagine the will come out swinging this week. Somewhat because they just played poorly. Also, because they are playing an inferior team. But maybe they can carry this chip on their shoulder for the rest of the year. If they believe the NCAA is out to get them and KU is being purposefully targeted, than it could work.

My one concern? If Diallo is cleared, does the chip fade away?

I think this is Self's biggest job this year. Keep the players thinking that they aren't just competing with an opponent each game, but instead fighting the entire system. Every win without Diallo should be viewed as a middle finger to the NCAA telling "the man" they won't be held back. Every win with him should be viewed as vindication. A contempt "told ya so" spit in the face of the oppressors.

The shall be no thank yous, nor sighs of relief if and when he is cleared. Something has been taken from this team and they must use that disrespect each and every time they step on the court.

@drgnslayr I don't know that Perry would show emotion even in your gun to the head scenario. Which in so many careers would be such an amazing skill. To be able to control your emotions so well, to stay even tempered, etc. are all assets, but they don't necessarily lead to success in his current role as team leader.

I was really hoping that the WSU loss last year would serve as the chip but has anyone heard players or coaches bring that up as motivation? It was the narrative all year for the Royals.

In '08 the narrative was that Self couldn't make a final four.

What's this years teams story? What makes it them against the world? With Perry as the leader will they even have the voice to tell it?

@drgnslayr We ran a triangle and 2 for 1 possession. Just one though. Went right back to man to man after it. If I remember right, we got a miss on a tough shot but couldn't rebound it and ended up giving up a 3.

But to get to your initial post instructions, What is wrong with thinking positive?

I saw another thread on this board talking about giving up on KU bball. That's terrible and if this loss ruined any fan's week than maybe he or she should stop watching. It's basketball. A game. And unless you are in the gym with the coaches and players, or have a gambling problem, it is for entertainment. Analysis and criticism are fine. They make everyone think and they make everyone better. So let's stop whining and start looking forward to the next game.

Anyone a little nervous that Self will "send them out flat" or let them "labor" against Chamanade? Or even worse that we will waste another 56% three point performance against them?

@drgnslayr I hope you are right. We surely can't complain about Self using the early hook on him and wrecking his confidence that way. I wonder if playing through some early losses could be a benefit for this team. Will we have a better chip with a mediocre season and a 3-6 seed for the tournament?

A chip is usually developed after going through or overcoming some form of adversity. I'm not sure whether it is fortunate or unfortunate that these early season games (especially against good teams) end up mattering very little for us most years. Will this early season loss be enough to build that chip or will we need to suffer a few more setbacks?

I too worry that constantly trying to recreate 2008 is the real fools gold. That team was special and times have changed.

So I just checked the box score and according to ESPN Devonte had 38 minutes! 38! That means he was only not in the game for 2 minutes! The only other player on the floor that much was Valentine! And what in the world did Devonte show that game to cause Greene to sit? Or move Perry to the 3 to help the awful rebounding? Or play 4 on 5?

I love Devonte. Last year he quickly grew to be one of my favorites. But ask him if he had a great game last night. Even a good game. Was he the best player on the floor? No way he says yes! And this is not on Devonte. He did not show a lack of effort. He made some bad decisions early that plagued his mindset for the rest of the game. Did he ever have a chance to think about his decisions? Reboot his mindset? Bad coaching decision.

That said, the players should have won this game in the first half and never allowed poor coaching down the stretch to matter. KU was way better all half and left up 6 due to poor execution of a solid game plan.

Second half adjustments? Odd substitutions (or lack there of)? Those are questions for Self. But again, none of that should have mattered. This team didn't "crack it open" as Self likes to say when they had many chances to do so.

@ralster I read Greene was held out due to injury. I think Jesse reported his hip locked up pregame.

Carlton is great and I am very excited to see him play this year. I hope he doesn't fall in love with that high low pass though because teams with real bigs will pick it off most of the time. He showed some nice range and just moves like a good player. He always seems under control.

Anyone else notice that the first play was a Wayne Selden post-up? Is it Jaybate or drgslayr who has been begging to see that since we signed him?

I also think a big part of the perceived sloppiness of the first half was deliberate by self. He substituted liberally whenever KU got too far ahead or started a run.

I'm going to hold out any positive or negative judgement on Svi so far. He made shots one game, didn't the other. That's about the long and short of it there.

I do think the offense is running a little better than usual to open the season. Don't know whether that is experienced players or Korea.

@drgnslayr I disagree. The biggest stat is the steals. It seems like Mario Chalmers was the last guy to even have his steals per game mentioned. That is one thing we have seriously been lacking sense the departure of Chalmers and RusRob. Oubre had quick hands but for some reason it did not translate into a ton of steals. We need someone with the ability to anticipate a pass and go get an easy 6 points a game just on that. Obviously Vick won't be that right away. But that would be my hope for him. Can't really tell much from the video above. Nice to see the guy play but catching lobs and selected pull up jumpers that go in don't tell a lot about a player. Definitely a wait and see type guy. But he is an uninjured american guard which we sorely need for the WUG.

@Crimsonorblue22 I certainly hope so. I'm always just real reluctant to give incoming freshman too much credit based on games against 15-17 year olds. We got exactly what we wanted and needed with this class. And I could not be more thrilled. But I'm not expecting either of these two to be the next Wiggins and give us 17 a game. 17 Minutes maybe. I guess I'm just a debbie downer trying to do some hype management! I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than disappointed. I hope we give these kids a chance to be successful at what they are good at and not complain about how good we thought they were supposed to be.

The other thing historically to remember is that even Joel didn't start right off the bat and he ended up the third pick in the draft, injured! I just don't think Diallo will start day one even if he is as good as we think he might be. If he is, what is most likely is that he will get a few random starts in November and lock it down by December. That is how Self works. Start with seniority, give the youngins a shot, reevaluate. If the freshman plays well in his starting ops, let it ride. If he struggles (quick fouls are not something we have even mentioned yet!) he sits.

I don't think there is any way Diallo won't end up playing more than Cliff. I think Self feels burned enough by that whole debacle that he will demand more out of his blue chipper, just not right off the bat.

The other intriguing question is will Bragg be able to displace Traylor or Lucas? He is a less touted recruit and it often seems like Self does not differentiate between 4 and 5 unless a significant height difference exists. And Diallo and Bragg at 6'9 are not a significant height difference from Perry and Jamari's reported "6'8" (ha!). Obviously Perry will play but I've seen some people assuming Bragg will be the first big off the bench and I doubt that. Juniors and Seniors play unless a OAD takes their time and is Bragg OAD? I really haven't seen enough on him to know but from what I've read people think no.

If the No. 3 recruit in the country this year couldn't displace Lucas/Traylor, I'm not sure we can count on the 2 freshman bigs this year to do it. I sure hope so, because we need an upgrade in size (Traylor) and athleticism (Lucas) at the 5. Diallo does both, being taller than Traylor, and more athletic than Lucas. He doesn't look like he has "motor" problems, but to think there won't be an adjustment period knowing Self's history would be foolish.

I think day 1 Lucas or Traylor starts at the 5 to hopefully be displaced by late December. I also assume with Greene, if he is cleared to play Self plays him. Again, history shows Self brings youngins along slowly but does not hesitate to play players the minute the Dr. says go. Mason, Selden, and Ellis are locks.

They certainly are playing with a "chip!" They take every opportunity to feel slighted. They find every moment they can to use their emotions to up their level of play. It seems to me like they figured something out during that playoff run last year.

Someone on MLB network (I don't remember who) was commenting about all the drama and compared it to when Tampa Bay came on a few years back. He noted that they were clearing the dugout every game vs. the red sox and others. He likened it to a little brother making sure big brother knows he's here to stay now.

I kinda liked that comparison. It gives them space even as the returning AL Champs to feel like they have something to prove every game.

Our hawks could take a note or two about the fire it takes to win when it matters (not that it really matters right now for the royals but you get my point).

Sorry everyone. I feel like this is my fault! I put out the 162-0 stuff, then backed off talking about how they will handle a losing streak. Perfect jinx. Make a bold statement, then back off. Weak sauce. I apologize.

Third in homers, second in batting average, fourth in stolen bases. This is a different offensive team this year. Added power plus confidence all around has let to bunches of runs.

Only problem is Detroit is off to a hot start too. They top KC in almost all those categories above. It will be interesting to see how this team handles a losing streak. Because it will happen at some point.

@JRyman Good point about Kansas not truly being back to the basked. The typical post feed and basket for Self is really to have the big seal his man up the floor away from the basket. The entry feed is thrown over the top to "the corner of the backboard" (we used to hear all the time). This lead to uncontested lay ups which are very high percentage baskets for players not named Landen Lucas.

Lucas was the only player on our team this year who could consistently seal his man. However, he isn't really strong enough to hold off the defender on the entry pass and then go up and score. We saw him losing ground usually to @drgnslayr 's no mans land under the basket, and then either get blocked by the rim on the way up or even step out of bounds after being moved so close to the baseline.

Perry is pretty good at finding that angle but the entry has to be fast once he gets there because he cannot fend off the defender even as well as Lucas. He is also more adept at getting up a shot from under the basket but even these are more difficult than a simple slap the back board lay up or dunk which led to dropping at the rim %.

@crimsonorblue I saw it! They sure are hot right now. Wins now count the same as they do in September so I hope they keep it going! I do think Ventura might have been the instigator today. He seemed furious that anyone would dare to hit a pitch he threw solid! Gotta love the fire though! Plus he was throwing 99 in the 6th! We need some of that fire on the hawks. I think @drgslayr would like the Royals' attitude right now. Having fun but with a definite edge (or chip as he likes to call it).

162-0?

Seems like they are picking up where they left off. They are playing with confidence now so I think this year will be a little different than last year. They may still end up a wildcard due to a tough central division. But I don't think we will be seeing a one game playoff. I don't think they will surprise anyone this year if they do well in the playoffs.

@jaybate-1.0 UK is losing all 4 of their footers and right now only have one committed. So even if they get Zimmerman and Maker, that is still 3. Not that that is a whole lot better but I think the platoon system from this year will not be feasible again this year for Cal and the boys. This year was Cal's 2012 repeat and he blew it. How did 2013 go for him? Because that will be the best comparison for this years team. If they stay healthy they will win the SEC and be a probable elite 8 to final four team. But they will not survive an injury like they did this year.

Jaylen Brown has alluded to an adiddas lean so he is possible. I really hope we get Diallo. Thorne would be a pleasant surprise in my opinion. Perry is staying. Just like Rush, he has to come back and prove that his knee can be at least serviceable. He may suffer a few more bows though with Weber in desperation, Huggy being Huggy, and Smart looking to make a name at a Big 5.

@drgnslayr Just think about how every challenge is an opportunity.

Maybe Hunter will figure it out. He showed flashes. I think we know what Landon is at least that is consistent. Maybe Svi grows 2 inches and puts on 30 pounds (it happens to 17-18 year olds!).

There is still a lot of hope for next year. We have strong guard play with FM and DG. Selden, Svi, and Greene round out a not terrible five man rotation at the 3 guard spots.

Perry is coming back. He is. I know it. Or at least I think so. He probably will be here.

Go OUTSIDE! Stress is your body preparing itself for action. It is a good thing! Use it!

As far as I can tell there isn't a whole lot available outside the names we all know. Maker, Diallo, Newman, Brown, Zimmerman, Raab, and Ingram. We are in the mix for those guys but all are keeping it pretty close to the vest right now. Brown, a wing, has mentioned wanting to go to an adidas school. But other than that it seems like everyone is waiting. I would think it is highly probable that we add at least one of the big men available but a strikeout is possible. To me it seems any of the bigs would start beside Perry next year, if not at the beginning of the year, at least by the end.

I'd like a true 5 shot blocker to IMPROVE our perimeter D. Think if Devonte could feel comfortable applying a little more pressure or even gambling in the passing lanes a little more often. He has great instincts and quick hands. He could average 6 pts a game on fast breaks alone! Remember when he picked VanVleets pocket? He picked a couple of passes late in the year too. Just think if he knew that even if he got beat, there would be someone behind him to back him up. How aggressive could he be?

That is my dream. I don't follow recruiting enough to know if that guy exists. I am thinking though with our more experienced perimeter our D will be improved. Self always talks about helping the helper, and I think our guys were maybe starting to figure that out at the end of the year, even if they were a bit slow with it.

Did I just read 17 of 18 McD AA in the final four were on 2 teams? I knew it was bad, but dang...

I think the deal with Self and OAD's is that he goes for the best talent no matter what. If that talent shows up and makes the player capable of leaving after one year so be it. If not, than he gets to use some of that "potential" that everyone talks about with high level recruits. Rush was a border line OAD who we got 3 years out of. We got 2 from Arthur who was almost assured OAD coming in. Selden was borderline and we are probably going to get at least year 3 with him.