🏀 KuBuckets Archive

@HighEliteMajor

Another one of your outstanding posts.

I think we all need to attend practices to understand how minutes are awarded.

I don't think Self cares which post players will play in March as long as it gives us the best chance to win. Having said that, it sounds logical to give season minutes to the players with the most upside (or who already offer a high ceiling... like Perry). Cheick and Carlton have the upside. And it looks like both have plenty of REACHABLE UPSIDE to help us this March.

I just think there is plenty of other dynamics involved right now. Self has been crystal clear that the post minutes are up for grabs, and how guys perform in practice as well as in the live game, both will determine who is on the court.

I imagine right now, in practice, our post guys are fighting competitively every bit as much as in a real game. This IS the way to develop players as quickly as possible. I think we have the very best developmental situation going on right now. Cheick and Carlton are making big gains daily. Eventually, this will transform into more PT. And then the game experience will propel them further, too.

Take a look back one year, and Kelly Oubre was not receiving a boatload of minutes until B12 play got rolling. He was rough... but not as rough a Cheick, and probably Carlton, too. He became motivated to fight for his minutes and it did pay off.

I'm hoping we see at least the level of improvement in Cheick and Carlton very soon. Carlton may not jump up quite as fast because he has already been partially polished by playing all summer and fall.

Cheick hit two nice shots in the SDSU game. He is working very hard on his offensive skill set right now.

Carlton... I remember most of us didn't even think he would play minutes this year several months ago.

The bar for both of these guys is to clear the "Hunter defensive bar" height. They both need to be able to impact the game like Hunter can on defense. It is most crucial for Cheick to reach that level (without fouling out). But the same can be said for Carlton.

TaranWHOno?

Just exchange "Wildcats" for "Nazis" and it makes perfect sense as the Bill Self pregame speech -

Before the season started, I recall Self being asked who his most-improved player was and he said Frank and Perry. Looks like he knew what he was talking about!

@Texas-Hawk-10

They didn't pass my eye test... but as you said, looking at just a single game is flawed.

I'll be extremely surprised if they can keep us below 80 points, and I will be extremely surprised if they can score 80 points on our defense.

I know the world is all hyped up on the Big 12 this year... but I just don't see it. I see Kansas, and I see everyone else a very distant second.

I think it will be another year where the Big 12 doesn't show well in March.... except for us!

I appreciate you setting me straight.

Merry Christmas to all KUBucketeers!

May your stockings be stuffed with basketballs.

@Texas-Hawk-10

I wasn't comparing SOS... KU with OU. But historically, Kansas is known more for defense under Bill than Oklahoma is under Lon.

My comment was based on watching OU not able to contain Hawaii. And we all know their players from last year. We scored 75 on them in Norman and 85 in AFH. And we weren't always catching the world on fire with our offense last year.

You are right... basing opinions on one game is flawed. But I also remember most of their team from last year and their defense didn't impress me last year either. It is pretty hard to imagine OU being able to win often in a grind game.

I think OU is capable of getting hot and beating anyone. But they will have to get hot (and stay hot) to beat the top teams.

They may prove me wrong this season. But I doubt it. They just seem way too focused on offense.

!inglourious-basterds.jpg ↗

January 30, 2016. Allen Fieldhouse. Lawrence, Kansas.

It is time we do to Calipari and UK what we did to Pitino and UK back on December 9, 1989.

Forget getting even.... it is time we get ahead!

I think OU has several good defenders, while some of their other guys don't hold their own. You can't be a top defense and have holes. Eventually the entire defense breaks down because the holes leak points like cracks in a dam.

Okay... they played Memphis at Memphis. And Villanova in Hawaii. Games like their home with Washburn surely helped their stat line. This OU team likes to run, and many of their games were against opponents that couldn't keep up, especially in Norman.

How freaky is this.... they have now been to Hawaii TWICE this year!

I can imagine OU fading out later in the season. Their production is pretty much from all veteran players and they don't seem to have a bench. And their game is a fast pace. All those guys are going to wear down and some will face injuries or at least nagging injuries.

If March Madness was today, I can more imagine OU being a contender.

I have been proven wrong many times before... That's why I'm not a gambler!

@Texas-Hawk-10

Have they played anyone?

I spoke on that based on my only experience watching OU this year... last night's game. They definitely didn't look like a tough defensive team to me.

I question their post defense, and also the ability of their guys to stay focused for 40 minutes. They seem more like the team that needs the Self sermon on "fool's gold."

@Lulufulu

"That being said, Perry and Traylor were our best bigs last night."

Self recently dropped the hammer on our seniors. In a nutshell, Self said: "it is time our seniors play like seniors."

And they did. Perry and Jamari brought their big boy games to San Diego.

This is outrageously crucial. The focus has to be on our senior leadership, not our potential OADs.

Self is pushing on our experienced players to play their best. And our underclassmen are supposed to REACH UP to the level of play provided by our experienced players, instead of our experienced players FALLING DOWN to the level of our rookies.

I am always critical of Self. It isn't his fault, it is me. I'm just that way. But I have to say that I can't find much criticism lately. He seems to really be on his "A-game" including his energy on the sidelines for games. He seems more perked up lately. I see him standing and shouting on the sidelines compared to some of his recent years where he mostly sat and quietly conversed with his assistants.

@wrwlumpy

"Self was quoted when talking about the C5 that if you spoke with, Ellis and Frank, they would rather have Jamari on the floor, but Self said that we have to find minutes for Diallo and Bragg to play."

I think Jamari probably offers the best team chemistry. Besides Perry, he is the guy that has plenty of game experience and half a decade to learn the system and players.

Cheick is a work in progress. He is starting to learn a few low post finishes now. He has to start fusing in better with team play on both sides of the ball. I'm sure he isn't a selfish player, but team chemistry typically takes time to develop.

Carlton brings a total different skill set, including the ability to hit midrange. And his low post passing is the best I have ever witnessed from a KU post player. The chemistry seems to be starting to click more with Carlton than Cheick, but Cheick is playing catch up.

We can clearly see how Cheick's NCAA punishment hurt him and hurt us.

I wonder if Cheick is a sure OAD? It seems that if he is, Self would be making public statements about that to show potential big men recruits so they would be more certain and sign with KU.

I wonder about that.

@Lulufulu

I'm not sure about OU. They are a bit like us in the fact that they have most of their talented guys back.

But I question their depth and their defense. Gosh... a team like Hawaii hangs almost 80 points on them.

Lon is a great coach, I really respect him. I'm just not sure he is as capable as Self on building top notch defense.

I think I'll use one of Self's phrases when talking about OU.... "fool's gold." They live and die by their offense, and their offense relies heavily on treys. Some day those treys aren't going to be there, and then what?

The same goes for Kansas but we can buckle down on defense and win grind games.

I want someone who can bang in the paint.

I am 100% pulling for Udoka.

"WHICH OF THE C5 WILL GUARD MAMADOU?"

ALL 5... we suffocate him with our composite 5. We cover him with fiberglass fibers and then coat him with our composite adhesives.

Sets up fast, remains light and doesn't break.

I may not have the new name of our C5 guys... but I do have their new motto:

"Sets up fast, remains light and doesn't break."

Or... if we want to think "old school"... how about we call the C5:

"Tar & Feather"

I had to laugh at that one west coast announcer guy that had a comment to Cheick that he would have to really learn to hustle to get minutes on this team.

Just shows what he knows (and doesn't know). Winding up the motor on Cheick is NOT what he needs to do. He needs to slow down enough to be in control and execute.

I'm with many who want to see Cheick get more minutes so he is ready in March.

However.... what Self is doing is rewarding the group of guys on the floor that are getting the best results. The first half he throws everyone out there, and the second half is the reward for the best combinations. As soon as he sees Cheick as the best option, Cheick will get those second half minutes.

This is smart. Make these guys earn their minutes every game. And we have several bigs who are seniors, so he doesn't belittle them by just benching them and playing for "potential."

This is the way to keep all of these guys working hard in practice and fighting for minutes. And it should keep the guys happy because it is up to them to perform well enough to get those second half minutes.

I get the feeling Self is rethinking his recruiting. Sure, he wants the top players. But ALL recruits will have to earn their PT on his team. Every once in a while we will land an elite that isn't afraid of working hard and fighting for his minutes. Self can't change the mindset of the elite masses. He has to deal with a bunch of unrealistic kids.

BamBam brought energy, and call it what you want... pace? BamBam and Perry stayed busy and it helped prevent our entire team from slumping. Wayne did a lot of nice things with the limited minutes he had.

Energy is always going to be the issue on the road. We didn't bring it in the beginning of the second half, while the Aztecs came out charged. We all know our game this year is defined by "fast pace" so at times we have to put guys in that will help us keep the game moving.

The beginning of the second half... we had guys standing around... especially on offense. We missed a bunch of bunnies and just couldn't put the ball in the hole. All of that helped charge up the Aztecs.

Wayne was huge in the second half. So was BamBam... pulling down some key rebounds that kept possessions alive.

Perry.... this was definitely one of his better games as a Jayhawk! He maintained very consistent energy. He shouted out to his team constantly. His body language looked better than probably any road game he has faced as a Jayhawk.

There are so many areas of this team that are starting to shine. Imagine the struggle of our opposition to properly scout us? Who are they going to try to key on to stop? Wayne? Well... he does tend to captain the ship, but our skipper was plagued with fouls and watched the first half from below the hatch.

I thought that was impressive how our guys built a lead in the first half largely without Wayne. I am all for Wayne's leadership and spark and guys keying off of him.... but it is also great to know that others can step up when Wayne has an off-night.

This was a very impressive victory. Can our guys maintain this same focus and energy the rest of the season?

How about...

"The Pentagon"

"Department of Defense"

"The Bang Gangers"

"The Pain Gang"

"The Rim Gems"

....

I kind of like "The Rim Gems"

How about "Inglourious Basterds?"

They've got a tough job to do, and when they do it, their competitors are surely cussing...

Wait.. that name has been taken...

WARNING TO KUBUCKETS PARTICIPANTS:

Drgnslayr has an itchy finger and can't stop pushing all the "like" buttons!

You guys post so much amazing stuff... both basketball and non-basketball.

Murray and Ulis are both outstanding players.

The guy I really fear this year is Murray. He just seems to have 'GREATNESS" written all over him.

Yeah... chances are we will end up a 1 or 2 seed and we will draw WSU first game this year as they barely make it into the dance.

That's what I think.

If WSU was Duke and in this situation, they would still be ranked in the Top 10.

@Crimsonorblue22

Women went nuts for Dan back in his playing days. He is still a good looking man.

@wrwlumpy

"Hotel del Coronado (also known as The Del and Hotel Del) is a historic beachfront hotel in the city of Coronado, just across the San Diego Bay from San Diego, California. It is one of the few surviving examples of an American architectural genre: the wooden Victorian beach resort. It is the second largest wooden structure in the United States (after the Tillamook Air Museum in Tillamook, Oregon) and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977[3][5] and a California Historical Landmark in 1970.[4]

When it opened in 1888, it was the largest resort hotel in the world. It has hosted presidents, royalty, and celebrities through the years.[6] The hotel has been featured in numerous movies and books."

Wiki

@Crimsonorblue22

Ha... I liked him a lot as a player on that old Suns team. He hasn't quite made my "man love" list yet.

@Crimsonorblue22

Me, too.

If we don't come ready for this game, why would we think we will come ready in March on the first weekend when we play Watchamacallit State?

...or in a later round against our supposed "little brother" in-state university that has beat us TWICE in March now?

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You know the story...

My point with this thread is that we should never be intimidated because of height. We are bound to face some tree-like teams and post players this season.

That doesn't mean we think the way we were thinking when we were smoked by Kentucky last year. We gave them just what they wanted... a shorter opposition who never used a shot fake or created scoring space... just took it up right in the teeth of their big guys.

I would like to think we can be just a wee bit more sophisticated this year. Stop focusing on our disadvantages and focus on our advantages. We aren't going to overcome physics. If we bring shots in on a 7'6" player that can dunk flat-footed we get what we deserve.

But if we decide to look at these kinds of match ups as the "glass is half full" then we quickly realize what a huge advantage we have by going up against guys that are 7'6". Like... how the heck is that guy going to fight through an off-ball screen?

I hope UCI runs at least two 7-footers at a time. We should focus off-ball screens on these two. They'll either foul out immediately, or they will be way too late on the switch or jump out.

Maybe we will even see Perry use another shot fake! Wouldn't that be something!

The only way these footers can be effective is if they go straight up and down to defend. Anything else should be ripe low-picking fruit for us drawing fouls.

@Texas-Hawk-10

Here is the read about UCI. It may have just been a stunt to gain attention. But what do they have to lose by coming in to AFH and pulling another stunt?

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/12/uc-irvine-assembles-the-tallest-starting-lineup-in-college-basketball-history ↗

Personally... I really hope they do run the big lineup. Our guys need to get over this idea of intimidation when playing a taller team. Our coaches should dedicate a practice or two just to focus on how to create scoring space. At times, most of our guys really can't handle being closely guarded, especially by taller players. Of course I am talking about Perry, but all of our guys struggle when being defended.

@Texas-Hawk-10

Who guards their 7'2" PG? Who guards their 7'6" center?

This should be our fastest game all year. We should murder these guys in the open court.

@Texas-Hawk-10

Hard to imagine this.... but with Svi at PG, he is still at a 6" height disadvantage (or advantage for those who have bought into x-axis basketball).

Tom Keegan, over at KUSports.com, posted an interesting story today. He focused on the 5 post players for Kansas NOT named Perry Ellis. The majority of his interest was on Hunter Mickelson, and his recent rise in earned PT. Hunter was asked what parts of the game he would take from his post teammates if given the chance and he nailed the strengths of all our post players. All of our post guys have specific strengths and weaknesses that make them unique and also give us plenty of options to deal with the uniqueness of players competing against us.

Will it be enough?

Will we continue to parse out enough minutes to each of our bigs to keep them from rusting out?

Is this just a temporary situation until Cheick learns enough to be a solid contributor?

Or has Carlton got so quick out of the blocks that no one can catch him for his minutes and he will be our go-to guy in March?

How about we just keep running all of these guys every game, and focus on them pushing the pace while on the floor? Hunter mentioned this in his interview with Tom.

We have an interesting challenge for us still left to face this calendar year. No... I'm not talking about those pesky SDSU Aztecs that ruined our home winning streak last year. I'm talking about our challenge in AFH against the tallest college basketball team in NCAA history, with an average player height of 7'! A 7'2" PG? Uh.... yes.

!ucirvine.jpg ↗

I can easily imagine Frank Mason leading us in rebounds with 10. Devonte and Wayne combining for 10 steals. Perry being scoreless.

Once again... this game will largely be determined by pace. Not many footers have big motors. And when they do, they don't play their college ball at UC Irvine. The opening minutes of this game might be a little rough for us because we will have to adapt. But we better have a game plan of running these footers all the way back to Irvine. If we do that this game will turn out to be every bit as lopsided as the height advantage for the Anteaters.

7' foot anteaters? I can't even imagine this experience on the Discovery channel.

@DoubleDD

KU fans struggle to catch Jayhawk basketball, but it is easy locating Kentucky practice sessions now on the tube.

How ridiculous is that?

The Montana game, once again, showed us all how important Wayne Selden is to this team.

This is Wayne Selden's team.

Whether or not that was the intent, Wayne has emerged as the key force in swaying our outcomes.

Wayne's previous reputation often labeled him as "streaky" and I doubt many in here would challenge that. Well, that was then and this is now. There are still areas of the game Wayne needs to improve upon, but he seems to have made big leaps in his outside jumper and also with his ability to maintain a positive aggression even if the game is not going his way. The Montana game showed us that. His trey wasn't clicking, so he found other ways to impact the game positively. This is what needs to be Wayne's "calling card" from here on out, even more so than being a "dead eye" from treysville. Shooting %s tend to be streaky, but there is no reason why Wayne can't make a huge positive impact on the game, every game, regardless if he is torching our opponents from trey.

!wayneSelden2.jpg ↗

I know I am very happy that Wayne has been bringing his best game night in and night out. He seems to realize how important his play is to this team. And it is. This is the Wayne we've been waiting for.

But there is a lot more basketball to be played this year and I don't think we are seeing near the capabilities Wayne still has to offer. His biggest hurdle left is defeating his own mind. He seems to have made gains in staying positive even when he misses some shots. But he still needs to let go some ideas on his unselfishness. When he starts to take over a game he eventually backs off a bit because he desires so much to be unselfish. What he has to learn is that when he is dominating a game, backing off is actually the selfish move. The goal of the team is to win, not to equally distribute shots.

When any of our guys are having a hot hand, they need to want the ball and keep going after their shot. Sometimes guys just get hot. Other times, they just match up well with the guy guarding them, or the opposition defense (as a whole) just can't stop him. In these situations, we have to take advantage of our biggest opportunities. We need to put the challenge to the defense and make them adjust to a hot player, instead of just giving up on a big advantage.

Wayne is a man, playing a basketball game with boys. His physicality is extreme, and he should be taking advantage of his football-like body.

I do believe Wayne is holding himself accountable for our success moving forward. I believe he is ready to wear the leader badge on this team. He surely knows his play is vital to this team, more so than in past years.

@approxinfinity

Lets think outside the box for a second.

When was the last time Bill had this much guard ability? Not just shooting... but protecting the ball, penetrating and creating offense, control of the game, etc.

2008 was the last time.

We all know that your PG and your SG are the head on the team... the brains. They make the team go or stop. Succeed or fail.

Maybe this is the first time Self can step away just a bit from the duties of micromanaging his perimeter guys (especially the PG).

I'm thinking the strength of our play from Frank and Devonte is loosening the leash Self usually has over his team. They have more capabilities, so the team has more capabilities to advance their play with different sets, different wrinkles.

@ralster

I still remember Sherron's farewell speech in AFH. Did anyone maintain a dry eye after that?

There are plenty of guys out there who have skills to bring to the Kansas bench, but who could bring more heart for being a Jayhawk? That is a very tangible plus that can't be artificially generated. Sherron is the real deal. I believe he could bring heart to every Jayhawk team... and with heart comes an easy path for building drive to win, and sometimes even a big chip.

@jaybate-1.0

I think what holds Scot back is the same thing that holds many creative people back. Scot doesn't fit the stereotype of a typical coach, player... etc. so most people discount his ability. Scot tends to be whimsical but he has a great creative mind and for the most part, a winning attitude and drive for success. I can't attest to his ability to coach, but I can imagine him to be quite effective. He is very personable and communicates creatively, sometimes that is what it takes to reach some players.

"Polly" was our nickname for him going all the way back to KU. I don't know how many people caught on to it.

@jaybate-1.0

Here is a nice read on the Menninger Clinic... gone from Topeka.

Famed Psychiatric Clinic Abandons Prairie Home ↗

My grandmother had a few stays there. She said she "hob-knobbed" with Clark Gable and several other huge celebrities. It was THE psychiatric clinic for the rich, elite and famous (and many that weren't, like my grandmother). Probably because it was in the middle of nowhere (spoken like an east or west coaster).

@jaybate-1.0

True... and imagine the Hollywood lore that would have followed him.

Centralia has never been the same...

@JayHawkFanToo

True...

I never understood the fascination with most of those programs. Big Brother was one of those that started in Holland and then was copied in the USA. Why do people want to watch it? Why not just look out your window and watch your neighbors closely if you need to "experience" more "people moments?"

It just tells me people have too much time on their hands.

@Texas-Hawk-10

I have to agree. No one on GS could contain Jordan. And the Bulls had plenty of speed, which is helpful defending on GS.

And these days... the whistle would protect Jordan from getting smashed. Jordan caught the end of the true rough housing years in the NBA.

Here is a good shot of "The Diesel"

!John_Rigginsx.jpg ↗

Pro Bowl selection (1975)
AP First-Team All-Pro (1983)
PFW NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1978)
1983 NFL MVP (MX)
Super Bowl champion (XVII)
Super Bowl MVP (XVII)
NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
2× Jets MVP (1972, 1975)
2× NFL leader in rushing TDs (1983, 1984)
10,000 Rushing Yards Club
80 Greatest Redskins
Redskins Ring of Fame inductee (1990)
Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (1992)

"Riggo" was the talk of Lawrence back in my days on campus. There was (and still is) plenty of lore about him including the infamous story about him lugging full kegs of beer on his shoulders up the hill from The Hawk to The Wheel (on icy roads). He definitely has "legendary status" in my book.

@wrwlumpy

Great job!

Hard to compete with those awesome nature shots you posted.

But when I think of Montana, the first thing popping into my head is Butte-born, Robert Craig Knievel. The infamous "Evel Knievel."

I have several scars because of Evel... his influence was big on dumb, young guys like myself, flying high off of ramps and hills on my first dirt bike.

!3431099x.jpg ↗
!EVELcrash2.jpg ↗
!article-123629CAA11000005DC-196_634x485.jpg ↗
!381886_1081398_100003288035135_37799_250196412_n.jpg ↗
!Evil-Knievel-Bike-Jan-98x.jpg ↗
!Evel-Knievel-007x.jpg ↗
!evelx.jpg ↗

@JayHawkFanToo

I think it is impossible for "reality" to come out of Hollywood. I recall a few years ago seeing something about a reality show (or single program) made about reality shows. It looked every bit as fake as the shows they were focused on.

One of the executive producers of Survivor is Jeff Probst... born in Wichita.

@Crimsonorblue22

Me, too... except I know someone who used to have a working relationship with Survivor. It's all scripted and a manufactured fairy tale.

They'll probably have a 90 lb weakling outperform Scot on a physical task just to up the ratings.

Polly has a fun personality which often masks over how physically dominant he is. Polly is a beast when he wants to be.