🏀 KuBuckets Archive

So evidently our limit for consecutive games in a few days is 2. Luckily we never have to play more than 2 in a weekend moving forward.

Wasn't this what happened early in the year when we faced Tennessee? Except we didn't just give up.

And the biggest "no show" was Juan. Our two best defenders were a no show with Texas.

What it really shows is how little real defense we get out of everyone else. Kevin and Juan keep us in games. For us to win moving forward we need the rest of our guys playing real defense.

Why we lose games? When we have no defense. In case there are fans still thinking our loses are based on not hitting shots... in our losses we always count specifically on JWil to carry the load. JWil is our only player who can create his own offense. He doesn't need us to push pace off of us playing good defense.

When we push the pace off of playing good defense everyone scores because we don't allow our opponents to set their defense.

@Texas-Hawk-10

This was KU waving the white flag in the first half.

In my 50+ years of following Jayhawk basketball, I can't recall a worse defensive effort.

I can't ever recall players surrendering like they did today. They should all be ashamed. Losses will happen.

This isn't about losing. This is about quitting.

First Beard, then Adams... now Dixon?

It's getting ridiculous... I put "tt coach resigns" in a Google search -

!Screenshot 2023-03-10 at 10.54.12 PM.png ↗

https://247sports.com/Article/TCU-basketball-Eddie-Lampkin-leaves-team-mother-alleges-verbal-abuse-racial-remarks-by-Jamie-Dixon-206035073/ ↗

I expect him for round 1 of the NCAA tourney.

@FarmerJayhawk

I've always thought endowment funds were largely collected from alumni estates at the time of death.

How many billions do we have in the endowment fund now?

@bskeet

Good points. I think the exclusive part relates directly to fundraising in the future. Seems like we could always use large general spaces that enhance the AFH experience to everyone!

Just how much do we need to raise our "bottom line" when operating as a state-governed not-for-profit?

I've questioned for many years the structure of big university endowment funds. Tuition rises, program cuts, while the actual "wealth" of the university goes out of the roof! I know it is a different area than operational funds, but where is the transparency in how those funds will be used?

Does the Kansas Board of Regents have their thumbs on these funds?

So is it our belief that he received a stint or two?

If so, not sure that impacts his abilities to coach in his current style. I think it relates more to him improving his lifestyle choices relating to his health... meaning mostly diet.

This is as likely to extend his career... maybe it's a wake-up call and he puts more focus and energy on his lifestyle health choices.

I hope Kevin improves quickly. Back in my day, I suffered back spasms that put me out of commission for two months. I'm pretty sure he will be able to continue playing but it can hinder his performance.

Even Syracuse doesn't portray Boeheim in a total positive light. Impossible to do so.

Gossip now is he was fired.

https://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2023/03/jim-boeheim-steps-down-after-47-seasons-red-autry-named-next-coach.html ↗

It's official now:

https://texastech.com/news/2023/3/8/mens-basketball-mark-adams-steps-down-as-texas-tech-head-coach.aspx ↗

@Jethro

!interestingman.jpg ↗

@kjayhawks said in Jim Boeheim's Corpse Retires:

@Jethro “The F word is best word in the English language” - Bob Knight. I use the F word often lol

Bobby Knight.... ahhhh.... the good ol' days! Maybe this brings HEM back from the dead!

But I will hand it to Bobby... he introduced new safety issues in college basketball. The idea that players should wear helmets! :beaming_face_with_smiling_eyes:

🐦 View Tweet?cxt=HHwWloCz0ejDwastAAAA

Wow! I miss the old days when it had the dirt track inside! lol NOT!

This looks like a big-time facelift and I applaud it... just so we keep the original AFH spirit alive!

After this... emphasis on "pay HEED!" will change to "PAY heed!" :beaming_face_with_smiling_eyes:

Thoughts?

I think Drew has come a long ways over the years. I used to slam him and call him the "Rolex coach" saying he would start a recruit visit with a handshake while sliding on a Rolex.

I've watched a lot of interviews with him over the years. The guy showed some humility and was open-minded to improving his knowledge of the game. Add that in with the Baylor administration making a big "spiritual commitment" to all their programs and it does add up to success.

We can't say Baylor is just a flash in the pan anymore. Their environment is built for success. For that, I give Drew his hard-earned kudos!

I do wonder if they dip somewhat from losing Tang because I think he is popular with players.

@Jethro

Yep... I hate the idea of not getting all teams home and away. This current conference shuffle SUCKS!

It will stay this way until college basketball is beat down to low viewing #s. Someday a marketing wonk will value regional games again and a full round robin and we will be back in business again. Someday teams like UCLA and USC will play west coast again.

Trading one of our current games for a game with UCF is a pretty good start to kill interest.

Should be a great fit for Self's "positionless" squad! (even though we are aging some good bigs for next year)

Self mentions adapting to a 4-1 lineup (4 guards, 1 big).

Our current team is a 1-4 (1 pg, 4 guards)! lol

Yes... I consider KJ a guard now because he definitely isn't a big and we've phased out the "forward" position and a wing isn't a small forward, but a big guard.

Vernacular has changed, just like the game!

Someone help me out here...

Originally... wasn't it -
2 guards, 2 forwards, 1 center

Then...
1 point guard, 1 shooting guard, 1 small forward, 1 power forward, 1 center

Then...
1 point guard, 1 guard, 1 wing, 1 forward, 1 center

Then...
1 point guard, 3 guards, 1 center

It seems like though the 1 point guard, 1 shooting guard, 1 small forward, 1 power forward, 1 center was the most-defined concept, it was hardest to master because the roles were more specific and it was rare to recruit such perfect players to fit the roles.

Since we have several guys who can handle the ball in backcourt pressure, and we don't often run specific plays through a pg set, we can sometimes define our team as 4 guards, 1 big.

Self speaks more about positionless... and with a small big like KJ... I'm okay calling our current team a 5-guard lineup.

Our latest commitment.... Class of 24, possibly moving to 23.

Big wing... 6'8"... strong wing! His legs are already a match with JWil!

!marcus.jpg ↗

Guess it won't be Calipari -

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2023/03/08/john-calipari-kentucky-112-million-compensation/11250681002/ ↗

Lol... so many UK fans thought they had it made signing him into perpetuity... now they feel like suckers!

@Jethro

I'm not so sure our schedule with lighten up after a few years. All these teams are being promoted to a better league and it should make a big difference on their ability to recruit.

Like I said before... no school wants to stay at the bottom every year (even KU football)! lol

I thought the Big 12 was the basketball power league this year?

Now I see this...

Conference breakdown in NCAA Tourney

Multi-bid leagues: Big Ten (10), SEC (8), Big 12 (7), ACC (5), Big East (5), Pac-12 (3), Mountain West (3), American Athletic (2), West Coast (2).

I know the Big 10 and SEC has 14 teams. Still.... what about SOS? If SOS counts... shouldn't we have all 10 in?

I've already accepted the future position.

I promise not to hit my wife/girlfriend.

I promise not to hit or spit on any players.

I promise not to say racially-disqualifying comments to anyone on the planet.

I promise to never ever say to anyone, "Are we cool?"

I promise not to loan a recruit money so he can attend a family member's funeral.

I promise not to run zone except on occasion.

I promise I will recruit on the East Coast, West Coast, South, North, and Midwest!

Fun old read:

https://chapelboro.com/uncategorized/that-ku-comparison ↗

@Jethro said in Who would ever replace Self?:

I don’t want a cheater like Tang:
🐦 View Tweet/photo/1

He's innocent unless in one of those calls he said, "Are we cool?"

lol

@approxinfinity

I don't know. My response was on the @BShark comment expanding the master/slave context to all people.

I learned a long time ago that I had to try to see the perspective of others.

I have color in my skin and I grew up fighting (both physically and mentally) to defend myself from various kinds of assault. Through it all I learned to grow a thick skin while learning to empathize and have compassion for others. The result is I am very hard to offend and things bounce off of me today. I'm grateful for this strength.

However... just because I have my shield from things I realize other people may not. And I also realize this has nothing to do with anyone's color. White people can be sensitive, too, including derogatory comments made to attack people of color.

Sometimes people slip up with no bad intention. The slip up can be rectified by communicating a mistake was made and a humble apology with it. Usually... it is what happens after the slip up that matters most. Most people will accept a real apology and communication of growth in awareness.

It is important to show humility in life. If I have offended anyone in here, I am truly sorry. It is never my intent to offend anyone.

See how easy that is to do?

The first thing that came to my mind was the gratefulness we have Self. His abilities beyond the court also make him a very special coach. I can look back at many of our past coaches, and none matched him speaking off the cuff (or even close). Going all the way back to Owens, each one of those coaches got into hot water on occasion.

I'm sad about this whole situation. When a Big 12 school faces something we all pay the price, too.

@BShark said in Mark Adams Suspended:

You can’t say master and slave to a black kid. Pretty cut and dry. I can’t get even slightly upset assuming he is fired.

You can't say master and slave to anyone. Have to admit this Adams situation caught me off guard.

Texas brought big fight to the game.

Three kinds of teams exist:

1. Most teams - most teams roll over and submit to a team that brings big fight.

2. Good teams - good teams bring a big fight back when facing a team with big fight.

3. Great teams - great teams step up and bring even bigger fight than the team they are facing with big fight.

We played like most teams in that Texas game. We rolled over.

I hate to hear comments where players and coaches don't take on accountability for how they played. Yes, Texas brought fight. That isn't enough of a reason for them to win. We had to play the role of rolling over for it to work. We rolled over and lost. End of story.

@DCHawker said in Bright Points From The Texas Game...:

I like it more when we play with intensity

Precisely!

We hustle... we win... anything else is a high chance of a loss, by being a close game against a completely inferior team to smoke by any team that is legit.

I'd really like to see KJ start applying himself again. He was soooo "getting it" early on in this season. Now he gets fed the ball around the FT line and pretends to drive then kicks out. He needs to take EVERY SINGLE BIG MAN IN THE COUNTRY to the hole! He's strong and quick and can score on anyone! That not only provides offense... it helps bring in the defense to open up the perimeter more. And he should be fouling out most bigs! No one in the nation can prepare to play KJ because they don't have a KJ in practice!

We will make more 3s when we pull in defenses. It all starts with KJ.

@Kcmatt7

You are right that we need to make 3s.... But in the broader picture, we just need to bring scrap and fight to a game. We barely broke a sweat in this game. 50/50 balls? Few or none. Defense was a shadow.

We have to play both sides of the ball but it starts with defense. Yesterday showed that. We started a push in the second half with a few Gradey 3s and they just punched us back with ease. Even the announcers mentioned we needed to get stops after those 3s.

Good defense creates offense... it also lifts the team up. I think hitting some 3s helps lift up our guys, too, but it doesn't create defensive stops by themselves.

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I think it's a bad idea to play starters when they clearly weren't up for being competitive. It can't do nothing but hurt our seeding while it still risks injuries.

Once it was obvious we were flying the white flag we should have yanked our starters.

Perfect time to give extensive minutes to the bench!

That performance was pathetic.

Must be a heckuva struggle to be a Baylor fan. All those good guards and their big guy back... then ZERO defense!

I can easily see them make an early exit in March.

@Texas-Hawk-10

What are your thoughts on why Shaka didn't make big success at UT?

@kjayhawks

It just shows how much KU rules the Big 12. Anytime any of these teams has a possible bragging point they go overboard because they know it will be brief... the rare time we don't win the league then suddenly another team OWNS the Big 12 after only winning one. If another coach does well, then he's the best. It's laughable.

I like Tang and I like his attempt to purify the nasty farm boys... I think he should be recognized but that doesn't mean picking him over Self.

@kjayhawks said in Other games:

Big WSU shocker fan tonight

Hey... they were close in the Roundhouse. You never know... Houston is suspect... even with their record.

@Texas-Hawk-10 said in Other games:

If I was Gard, I would’ve gotten T’d up on that play for not making that call and I’d have been willing to get ejected.

100%!

@dylans said in Big12 strength:

@drgnslayr gotta love the irony in lowly Baylor being drug along into the Big12 by the other Texas teams and then turning out to be better than them in basketball and football after a decade.

I don't think anyone expected Baylor to suddenly become a powerhouse basketball school. So much has changed at Baylor and they have completely capitalized off their private school, Christian, status. I've mentioned this before and how Tang is part of this philosophy of bringing "spirituality" into the program as the main force for recruiting.

Here is part of where Baylor formalized their approach a few years ago and I guarantee you they are reaping the rewards in all of their sports -

https://baylorbears.com/news/2018/11/30/mission-statement.aspx ↗

My question with Tang and why I do think he would best fit at Notre Dame... KSU is state-funded and governs through the Kansas Board of Regents. I can see Tang push the envelope on what is allowed... even in a conservative state like Kansas.

I still can't stop laughing that one of his first tasks at KSU is to stop the "F-KU" chant!

You just can't make this sh*t up! Not even in an alternate universe! :grinning_squinting_face:

Impossible to say what the long-term impact will be. Maybe the weaker schools we add will focus harder on lifting their basketball programs. Who wants to join a league and live at the bottom?

I feel great because it's March and we have a legit team for March. How that plays out is on the backs of our players...

We can beat anyone in the field. We can smoke anyone in the field. We can lose close games to anyone in the field. And.. we can get smoked by anyone in the field.

I don't gamble, and I'm careful in how I project because I'm a natural-born jinxer!

I believe in our guys and it may not sound it here, but I am optimistic for our guys and early tulip blooms this year!

How many games has Kevin now solidly won for us this year?

@StLJhawk

I agree... having the ability to flip our 5 to a very different game should be a positive for us. It would be great if KJ accomplishes a few more big games before March. His confidence is in question because he hasn't been producing as much lately. He had many opportunities to finish at the rim in the TT game and he kicked it out instead. I'd like to see him be more aggressive again.

Because of KJ's strength, he is a very unique weapon in the paint and we need to exploit that. I'm not sure there is another 5 in America like him. His strength and speed is so unique because he does have the ability to play through low post contact.

My biggest fear is having an injury at this point. It is easier to get hurt when you are already beat up and tired. Might be the case with Juan at the end of the WVU game. Maybe he would have been a little more focused on not getting caught in that exchange.

I have mixed feelings about the Big 12 tourney. I think it could be important for us to win the first game to lock down our NCAA seeding spot especially since we will play a lower-ranked team. Beyond that... ?

I'd say have the fellas go full-tilt to win it all. What does that do to our momentum going in to the NCAA tourney to go on cruise control in our game before the real tourney.

I think our guys are hungry to win games, at all levels! They may still be having their moments of softness... but I think that is just a few tweaks and does not represent a flaw in the character of this team. Winning is important to these guys and they bear down as the game ends to close out well.

I hope we prepare some secret sauce for the NCAA tourney... one of those ingredients would be that half-court press! We did something sort of like that when we came back against Memphis in '08 title game. BRush suddenly put at the top of the key to disrupt their flow and it worked! We may not have as good of post-defense as that team, but we definitely have a group of guys who are bought-in and capable defenders.

I feel like in order for us to win it all this time we will have to make a huge statement and be defined for our defense. This is where we can go out every game and play hard D and not really worry so much about hitting shots to just keep up with an opponent. Opposing teams can prepare for our offense... they can't really reenact how Juan and Kevin play D... and having some time ahead of the tourney, we can develop one helluva half-court press that will make it next to impossible to allow teams the ability to run their normal offense.

Kevin is a huge weapon. That dude can make up so much ground quickly and can defend everything well!

Are we wearing down? Or are we doing what we can to not wear down?

That was an odd game yesterday.

I know it was a win and I'm grateful we got the win. And there were some key positives from that game.

But there were also negatives that stuck out enough to make me wonder if we are really on that end-season drive for another national title.

Was it just us or was it WVU playing much better than they did the first time? As far as getting the cakewalk victory it was definitely WVU bringing more game. They were nowhere near this level of play the first time. We are a more polished team than back in January... they brought a totally different game from the first time. Granted, they are scraping for an NCAA birth and they knew winning one in AFH would put them over the bubble.

We still looked somewhat flat. It was a game of short spurts... as in, one or two possession spurts. Self mentioned how our defensive play fluctuated.

What went wrong?

1. Defensive intensity fluctuated. On one possession we steal the ball, the next we gave up an easy basket. Sometimes it even seemed like we fluctuated our intensity within a possession. We didn't make them feel uncomfortable running their offense.

2. Horrible rebounding, especially on defensive boards. It was clear to everyone what WVU was doing. Sending all 5 to crash the boards. How did we react? We either needed to all crash the boards with them or prepare for a fast break because all of WVU's players are under the basket. We did neither. We definitely didn't fight hard on the glass.

3. Did not control the tempo. We played equal to WVU all day. We should expect more from our team than just playing equally to one of the bottom teams in our league, especially on our home court. I'm surprised we didn't shift our defense to play hard D right at half-court, including traps. This is a sure way to make our opponent struggle on offense and it turns our guys up, playing with more energy in the game. I think our "half-court press" is finally giving us the answer for when we want to press. Self is never going to go to running a real full-court press because we aren't putting the practice focus in that direction. I hope we put serious energy into mastering this for March. It could easily be the difference!

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What is glaring on the stat sheet? It is the low production from the bench. The +/- is alarming. We can say it relates to our guys not getting enough minutes in this game to get into a flow. But could we afford to keep them in? Their negative results in such a short time explain why their minutes were low.

Why did they produce so little? I'm not going to point all of this at them. Maybe it shows us that we can't count on our bench to fix the problems our starters aren't able to fix. We didn't play with great energy and our offense wasn't so great, especially if you pull out some of those 3s. I am willing to bet if we are playing well then our bench play is also lifted. And when we play poorly, our bench will usually play poorly, too.

So right when we were starting to feel this team come together, and a big part of it was seeing contribution from the bench, this game crashes our optimism! Is that warranted? We did get the win... barely. And how about that win? It was different than most where we pull away at the end. In this game, we looked like we were dead if the game had one or two more possessions left in it.

I've got to give a big thumbs up to Juan and Kevin in this game. They stay focused on D and it is D that counts for more as we go into March. How could we lose a game where our PG scores 17 on 7-of-9, has 6 assists and 6 steals with only 1 turnover?!

I'd like to have that on a t-shirt, then appropriately priced at t-shirt prices instead of game jersey prices!

Didn't mind the jerseys in the game but agree with @Texas-Hawk-10 about the bad match with shorts.

Playing soft as a baby's bum...

Sun Devils beat the overrated Wildcats!

Keys today:

1. Win

2. Avoid injuries