🏀 KuBuckets Archive

I know... the grass is always greener on the other side.

Even in Iowa? Ames, Iowa?

It looks like ISU has now landed their third commitment for 2016... it is PF Emmanuel Malou, the Australian prospect that also had an offer from Kansas. Malou also held offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, West Virginia, Oregon State, Marquette, Oklahoma State Texas Tech.

I wonder... will we even get anyone early this year? November signing is just around the corner. Or... how about a verbal?

It sure doesn't appear that recruits are lining up to sign with Kansas. It looks like they just like to list us in their lists to make themselves appear as a target by another blue blood.

I'm convinced that we must do things a bit different than most schools, including most blue blood programs. Maybe Self doesn't want to sign players early and would rather go get his team in the final seconds?

Iowa State Lands JUCO Power Forward Emmanuel Malou ↗

Ouch! That is bad news.

I hope he recovers well and soon!

@JayHawkFanToo

Excellent!

Or if the NCAA burns us on his eligibility...

"We got CHEICKED again!" (F@#%ED AGAIN)

I think the biggest key in recruiting is to maintain a proper mix every year of talent coming back with new studs. We can afford an OAD here and there, just not a team of them. I know it must be tough to accomplish this. Things happen unexpectedly, and sometimes it is just tough filling a particular slot in a given year.

I don't think we have a lot to complain about... we may not get as many big recruits as UK or Duke. So what.... They definitely appear like complete failures every year since they have teams stacked with McDs AAs (when they don't win it all). That is a lot of pressure... and then to always deal with a team driven by youth.

I like the idea of always going after a PG that will stick it out for 4 years but also be at the top. You get that with little guys because little guys don't tend to go high in the lottery.

My memory is about as reliable as a British sports car....

But didn't we have real military drill instructors run boot camp a few years ago? Or something with the military? And it helped our team concept, leadership and execution?

Would be nice to continue that situation....

Yes... the Royals need to join the Big 12.

I know they aren't considered a "school of higher learning." But surely they could pick up some tips from "Our Savior" on how to appear like they are a legit school.

The Big 12 could then OWN college baseball. Then we have another sport where we dominate. Hmmmm.... basketball, baseball, track and field.... THEN can we cut football? ;)

Seriously.... a big SHOUT OUT to our Kansas City Royals for clinching their division last night! First time since '85!

Go, Royals!

!Screen Shot 2015-09-25 at 10.23.27 AM.png ↗

@Crimsonorblue22

"I think we’re all that way!"

Well... not me! I bet I've been able to break away from my keyboard sometimes for up to 30 minutes at a time to water my garden.

My motto is: "Tomatoes Over NCAA!"

;)

I don't think the Cliff thing will linger in our program for long (or even now). We've put way too many bigs in the league that clearly developed while in Lawrence. Even Cliff made strides in his few months here. We had the #1 and #3 NBA picks a couple of years ago.

I don't know what goes on in Bolden's mind... but I think a lot of young studs think unrealistic thoughts. They think they want to go to a blue blood program and then be completely "the man" in the program. That works for the very very top players. Guys under that, sitting in the 5 - 20 or so rankings, either have to go to a smaller program or SHARE the light (and possibly, the PT).

It might feel odd to Bolden that he is being recruited to Kansas with a herd of other bigs. At times, that situation doesn't always feel special. The same thing is happening around him at all the blue bloods, and even non-blue bloods.

The recruiting process itself should be one of the first steps for young recruits to get a taste of manhood. When they are no longer singled out as "the man" and "the superstar" gobbling up 100% of the spotlight. From here on out for these young studs they will be sharing the light. D1 and then NBA...

"Kansas vs Rutgers: Worst Game Ever?"

The bleeding is killing me.

This is purely speculative, but I wonder if we are close to getting a commitment from Udoka. If so, perhaps Marques is being kept in the light and wants to see the outcome of Udoka before coming.

My thoughts for quite some time is that Udoka wants to commit early.

@wissoxfan83

I think a big part of the thrill for students is the waiting in line part. It is a big social event.

I think Cheick's hustle will help him fill out a stat sheet.

But I think the biggest loss would be in team energy. Cheick brings huge energy 100% of the time while on the floor. That means a quicker pace and also a different mentality... one of hustle, hustle, hustle and FOR EVERYONE!

I see Cheick and I see Kevin Young x3!

@HighEliteMajor

If we consider an expansion I'm sure football will have the emphasis on who we select (or should). FSU sounded like the right choice... for one.

I think it is absolutely VITAL that we bring in a Florida team. It ain't gonna be the Gators... so.... Having a Florida team gives us Florida exposure. That would make a huge difference in recruiting... especially for football, but also basketball, baseball and all other sports.

I never understood why we added WVU. That was a colossal mistake. I know TCU is ranked high in football, but will they stay a powerhouse? I don't believe we needed more Texas schools and view them as a mistake, too. Would have been nice to be more diversified in other key states... like Florida.

My radar is 100% directed towards Udoka.

He is the perfect Kansas recruit... somewhat still under the mainstream radar. A commitment with Kansas and Self then suddenly he flies to being one of the top in his class, just like JoJo did. He will get the "Self bump."

He is absolutely vital to sign NOW! With his commitment, and the subsequent build up in his ranking, and we have a real bonus in our corner to help recruit other prospects.

Isn't BG being held out of Boot Camp?

He must not be 100% if this is the case. He could at least do it without being pushed quite as hard but still get the needed bonding with his teammates.

@Crimsonorblue22

You see... Tharpe DID need an education from an older woman. He messed around with a young one and it cost him dearly.

@JayHawkFanToo

If they needed to verify his overseas education.... didn't that already get done at Our Savior? Didn't he have to qualify to attend HS? You would think that they would already possess all his paperwork.

I was under the impression he did ALL his HS work at Our Savior. Surely, the NCAA wouldn't go back further than HS....

You are right, and I am hasty. My anxiety is from a long life of dealing with bureaucratic institutions that were broken and I had to suffer the consequences.

I know, as you say, that if they are awaiting documentation from abroad it could take a while. It could take years. Especially to African countries. I do have that experience through a friend of mine who had an African step-mother who couldn't receive her dual citizenship because she didn't have a proper birth certificate from Africa. She went back to Africa, with her husband, and they still couldn't get it done. Years upon years... and still no birth certificate. Turned out that her village did not issue birth certificates. She was (and is) S.O.L.

@JayHawkFanToo

"...social work is better than social media."

For sure!

A friend of mine when I was growing up always got into trouble. He ended up departing the rest of us kids and headed off to military school, and also to a Catholic school.

I later hooked up with him again and asked him which one was tougher.... he said... "hmmmm, about a tie!"

What I like about both of these types of school is the discipline. They really straightened out my friend and I think most kids can benefit from it.

@JayHawkFanToo

I can't really say, but I can vent!

100,000 applications? Makes you wonder how they pick and choose? So how many are left now?

@Crimsonorblue22

Sometimes just what a young buck needs. An education!

@Crimsonorblue22

"—Drug testing: “We need to do more with regard to performance-enhancing drugs. The testing has been almost completely left to institutional prerogative, and there is wide variance as to how the policies work and how often they’re tested and what they’re tested for and the like. There is also a fair amount of variance in how the NCAA testing program goes. and I just think it’s an area that we probably need to spend some more time on. … I think we can probably do better.”"

This right here is enough of a potential problem to give an outrageous advantage to some programs... letting drug testing slide and reaping the rewards from their players being "enhanced."

And what about recruiting? These kids all want to be pros someday so when you tell them your school has an easier path to get there, I think this is an advantage. I could see slime like Calipari pulling this. Or how about Drew?

@Lulufulu

I am really the wrong one to ask. My guess is that the classes he has taken would influence his eligibility next year.

@JayHawkFanToo

So as a "school requirement" does it take away from "academic requirements" that may impact NCAA D1 eligibility?

I'm not against kids getting real life experience as part of their education. That is probably a great idea. But not if it comes via dilution of the academics.

Did you follow the links over to their site? As a responsible parent, do you see any red flags on this school on if your child would receive NCAA eligibility?

@ajvan

Yes it was! Luckily for me, it wasn't my personal experience, but from one of my friends who later shared it with me.

@justanotherfan

Outstanding post!

I think part of the problem is that we consider it a "right" here. It is addressed in the Constitution, no doubt about it. But, mentally, we think it is a right, just like we think driving a car is a right. If we thought of it more like a privilege (that could be taken away) perhaps we would respect our ownership more and enough to realize that we need proper safety courses and actions in order to safely own a firearm.

Too many people own guns that can't be responsible with anything in their lives, let alone a weapon that can easily kill. They will end up ruining it for people like me that has always been responsible with the privilege of owning firearms.

I just don't see a way we can move forward constructively to reduce gun violence. Both political sides are wedged in tight. No one wants to give an inch.

I see this thing as something that will continue until one day we have a violent situation so so bad, that it turns the public towards a ban. Evidently, Sandy Hook didn't quite have enough impact to make that happen. I have to admit I was surprised. That tragedy really made a huge impact on me!

I wonder what it will take? No need to guess... just wait.

This is something to give to one of those investigative TV shows, like 20/20. Have them setup fake student/athlete admissions and see how the qualification process works. I bet they would find huge, huge problems. Wouldn't surprise me if the NCAA has an "office pool" and they wager on who gets their eligibility or not and sometimes the decision is made from a coin toss, or by an employee falsifying or leaving out key info.

There is just NO WAY this is run to any kind of prudent standards. I'm sure their standards are about equal to the Tijuana court system.... the judge likes your belt buckle so your fine for their trumped charge is your belt buckle and the $38.23 in your pockets. It would have been higher if you hadn't lied and said you have no living relatives in the USA who have credit cards....

Our Savior Varsity Basketball ↗

"Jesus Never Stops" ..... perhaps because He was found ineligible and had to flip burgers at McDs because his D1 ineligibility screwed up his NBA potential...

"Our Savior New American School (OSNAS) is a private Christian School that offers a strong academic approach to education in grades Pre K- 12. Some of the distinctive features of the school are: the teaching with an evangelical Christian Perspective, a strong Phonics program for reading, small classes, and an orderly peaceful environment that is rooted in love of Our Savior Jesus Christ.

Hi, I’m Pastor Ron Stelzer. I have been privileged to be the head coach of the varsity boys basketball team at Our Savior New American School, a school I helped found over twenty years ago."

*I can see how players and parents might think this school is legit with the NCAA.

Our Savior HS Academics ↗

"Our Savior New American School is registered and approved by New York State Regents. Our High School curriculum offers general academic and college prep programs. The curriculum offers courses in core subjects, lab science, computers, advanced math, and fine arts. Electives are offered in Foreign Languages (Latin, French and Spanish), American Experience, Criminal Justice, Drama, Music and Choir. In addition, OSNAS offers Honors level and Advanced Placement Courses in: United States History, English Writing Composition, English Literature, American Government, Calculus and Chemistry. The courses are taught at the college level and present a challenge for the advanced student."

*If this is true... then why is the NCAA potentially not satisfied?

Our Savior Graduation Requirements ↗

28 Credits and 3 Christian mission projects are required for graduation.

The required number of credits per subject area for graduation are listed below:

4 Credits
Bible
English
Math
Social Studies

3 Credits
Foreign Language
Science

2 Credits
Electives
Physical Education

.5 Credit
Art
Comparative World Views
Computer
Health
Logic
Public Speaking

*Maybe I can't count... but I counted that to add up to 29 credits instead of 28. Is this curriculum typical for HS? "Christian missions?" Do you get HS credit for handing out doughnuts to homeless people?

*Here are their REAL accreditation standards:

!Screen Shot 2015-09-22 at 3.23.02 PM.png ↗

Here is what the NCAA requires for eligibility in D1:

http://www.ncaa.org/static/2point3/ ↗

*My question: Why doesn't the NCAA set up their standards and accredit High Schools (and promote that with an accreditation symbol) so players and their parents aren't hoodwinked into making a mistake that could cost them dearly?

Here is a photo of their campus. Looks more like a small church...

!Screen-Shot-2015-09-22-at-3.56.jpg ↗

@JReyn

"Wrong0 on the “more guns in Canada” thing. "

I heard that somewhere and regurgitated it.

After your comment, I did the research... and you are right!

Number of guns per capita by country ↗

Though I'm not sure if this one statistic is the right way to measure it. I know we have so many people that collect firearms, owning several hundred firearms. Perhaps that distorts this statistic. I'm not trying to say we don't have high ownership per household, just questioning this stat to tell us what we want to know.

Like I said, I enjoy my gun ownership, but I don't clutch firearms in my hands and hold them over my head screaming "over my dead body" like Charles Heston did. I clutch onto mine for family protection and will do so unless we have a massive gun sweep.

I've always got my poison darts backup... ;)

@HighEliteMajor

"I wonder if they could split the baby and make him ineligible for just the first half of the season (that would suck too)?"

It MAYBE would suck. It also could be a case where we get Diallo for 1 1/2 seasons instead of just 1. Imagine having him for an entire season next year after getting some "seasoning?"

I can see that happening as a possibility.

I think we need to look at what year is our best shot at a NC? Is it this year, or next year? (with or without Cheick)

For next year, we will lose Perry and our backup post guys, but that is about it. We may lose Wayne. Maybe. I kind of think Wayne will have a much better year this year if we have Cheick for the full year and he gives us another potent weapon that other teams have to focus on, so they can't entirely focus on Wayne.

Imagine another year of experience for all the guys who will return?!

It is hard to say because we know we can't predict the future accurately. Injuries, off-court stuff, elite recruiting.... so much at play.

@Crimsonorblue22

Notice how hush-hush Notre Dame is. They all look like choir boys but there is no disclosure from campus police, where most stuff goes down.

Vegas stole it from ND: "What happens at Notre Dame, stays at Notre Dame!"

I know one thing... down south, football is king. Don't mess with the king! Players are treated like Gods. Don't mess with the Gods!

And who bails these kids out of jail when they do go down? Perhaps a guy in a $10k suit, secretly hired by BigShoe? Many of these guys claim to do it on the cuff... but there is no payout coming later from the players.... these guys are fronted the $s.

Hot Tub Time Machine.... I sense it!

@approxinfinity .... come back! Or maybe invest in some Google stock and then come back!

@nuleafjhawk

Ah.... Nuleaf!

You are now diving into my world of double-jinx superstition!

All the gun violence in this country worries me. But is it the gun or the people pulling the trigger? In Canada I believe they have more guns per person, but very little violent crime.

We have a problem with troubled people that turn to violence for whatever reason. We can end gun ownership and put life sentences on those who later possess one illegally. It wouldn't take long before guns would be a part of our past. But will that resolve the violence? I'm sure there will be less murders, especially from guns... but how much less? Won't the violence still find an avenue to happen?

Why do some other countries have high gun ownership but don't kill like we do? That seems to be the magic question.

I've always owned firearms and have enjoyed hunting and target shooting. I can live without them... but in our current state of affairs, I sure enjoy having the added protection for me and my family.

This country does everything in drastic fashion. I've always thought that we'll flood America with guns, then later make them illegal. Why? Because this country seems to not like gray decisions. Everything needs to be black and/or white. And that is a pity. There is no need for military style weapons available to any adult without a felony record. That is insane. I don't own one or need one. If some nutjob comes at me with one of those he'll be through his clip while I bead in on his forehead and get the job done with one shot. Assault weapons are for amateurs. These are great weapons for committing acts of terror and that is about it. So why are they legal? Nothing in the Second Amendment about that.

@konkeyDong

Yep... I can do some photoshop when I'm ticked off enough! ;)

Cheick Diallo is now the richest herder in Mali.

He recently signed a shoe contract with Adidas, in doing so he cancelled his eligibility possibilities for playing D1 basketball.

The contract amount has been kept in confidentiality, but speculators estimate it to me in the "10s of millions" because Cheick bought cattle instead of goats.

Seen in this photo back home, Cheick poses with his herd and an ABBA vinyl record (he apparently is an ABBA fan).

!Cattle-herder.jpg ↗

Really.... if I hear one more bogus Cheick rumor, I'll explode into a million fine particles of drgnslayr.... I'll atomize into a dark cloud and will cover the earth and bring us into another ice age!

Hey "Twitheadverse"... chill out!

@BeddieKU23

I'm taking a stab here, but I think Thon is attempting to develop himself into a version of Kevin Garnett. At least, that is what they seem to be selling the press (and scouts).

You hit it on the nose when you said he has to develop for strength more than weight. As far as defense goes... he is all about reach, quickness and timing. If he has those 3 things than he can be a legitimate post defender at the next level. There aren't many thick post players left in the league. The game has moved to the perimeter and teams want more athletic bigs that can run the court, and maybe even hit the long ball.

But as I said... imagine him playing a position outside the low post? Let's put him at the 4. Defense wise, he needs to move his feet well, be quick and have timing.... use his reach... and he can defend. I still see him having monster potential, especially on defense. I salivate to have him wear a Jayhawk uniform because of the defense he should bring (notice I said "should" instead of "would").

Anyways... I felt like posting a new thread and the only other things on my mind right now are the Royals and Chiefs.... two horses I've already beat down too much!

@BeddieKU23

"Will his body be okay with that kind of additional jump up."

Yeah... to me, I think this is where his risk is. So he bulks up to 250 lbs... how does his joints handle the load?

Personally, I think it would be a mistake for him to add too much weight. Better stay a gazelle and try to focus on where his strengths would be. Clearly, that wouldn't be having him fill the role of a traditional 5. But this is where people screw up in how they think about him. He has good speed and agility. Maybe his shot is coming around. Why not have him somewhere else on the floor? If he can move well enough and handle the rock equally... why couldn't he play on the perimeter? He would be able to shut down the competition on defense, snag pretty much all of the long ball rebounds, and he could pass over the top on anyone, including other bigs on switches.

I wonder what the thoughts are from coaches on his "little" brother, Matur?

The problem with fitting his game to D1 or the NBA may be more a problem for coaches that can't think outside the box.

In the very least, he is a curiosity to everyone. He could be a big hit or a big bust in D1. It really matters on his development and how he is used.

@JayHawkFanToo

If it is true that he put on 27 lbs of muscle over the last year, chances are he wouldn't be 227 when he suits up for D1. I would expect him to continue and add on another 20 lbs this year.

Even at his current size... he should be extremely dominant on defense.

I look at defensive potential first.

Self and company should be able to turn both of these guys into monster defenders within the year.

Let's not forget "2 for 1" possibilities.

Matur Maker is 2017.... looks like a clone of Thon.

[link text](

!1575504.jpg ↗

I'm pretty sure most everyone in here is sick about Thon talk. Thon's guardian (illegal agent) Ed Smith, did such a great job of frustrating all of college basketball.

But that was "then."

What about "now?"

Thon is playing in Canada and, I guess, remains a 2016 prospect.

But to who? Kansas?

Rumors mostly tilt towards Arizona State. Arizona State? And then there is Indiana and Kansas... Now add Notre Dame to the mix.

Evidently, Thon has added 20+ lbs of muscle and went from playing like Manute Bol to more like a Kevin Garnett (rumor has it).

It just so happens that Kansas has a post hole opening up next year that you could drive a Mack truck through... or... make it a 7', 227 lb warrior.

Is Thon still being sought after by Self? I don't think any of us knows or will know unless he commits somewhere. Thon is an "ace in the hole" and "Riverboat Gamblers" don't like to tip their hand except on a bluff.

What if Kansas lands a very solid 5-star (or 4-star moving up) big soon? Doesn't that take the pressure off and allow Self to be more flexible in his recruiting? Might he turn back to Thon and say, "Udoka is our power post player, and you can be our finesse post player."

Discount the earlier comments made by Ed Smith. That is the past. We now must plan for the future.

@Crimsonorblue22

Fitting for Halloween!

!coachk.jpg ↗

I'm keeping an eye on Prince. He looked good in the Pan Am games. But Drew will find a way to blow his talent.

@Texas-Hawk-10

"I’d love to see them go head to head..."

Me, too!

@wrwlumpy

We need to give you the award for most hilarious thread of the year! Bravo.

I played in junior high first. Then I made the mistake of sitting out my sophomore year in HS, then went out my junior year. Never could get great traction with the coaches probably because I didn't go out the year before.

My position was defensive end and outside linebacker.

@jayballer54

We have a lot of post slots to fill for next year, and then a lot of perimeter slots for the year after.

I break it down like this:

OPTIONS:

1. Throw down the field - There is risk of interception or fumble, but if you throw it down the field far enough, you are out of the red zone and probably out of FG range if you turn it over. This is the best option for trying a last-second score before possible OT. RISK LEVEL: 2 REWARD LEVEL: 3

2. Quarterback to one knee - Very little risk here! RISK LEVEL: .01 REWARD LEVEL: 0

3. Run play to Charles - Some risk because Charles has reputation of fumbling and the defense was going to hit at the ball to force a fumble. Even with the most ball-protective RB in the league, there is some risk. Chance that he breaks it for a TD or gets it far enough for a FG, very unlikely. The big problem is if there is a TO, the Broncos are already in FG range. RISK LEVEL: 4 REWARD LEVEL: 1

That is how I look at it.... before, during and after the play!

@jaybate-1.0

"Why Did Charlie Weis Gut the football Program?"

So he would look like the right candidate for the new HC job opening up with the Chiefs!

ha... couldn't resist.