🏀 KuBuckets Archive

And we still have one more scholarship to give.

I'm betting we aren't done.

This is Self's magic time of year. Imagine what we need, and no one is better at going out there and finding it in the last second.

There is a reason for our late success.

First.. Self is one heck of a recruiter. And it you pin him into a single focus, he'll find a player.

Second.. he's recruiting for Kansas... a true blue blood program.

Third.... when it is this late for recruiting, the recruiting picture is clear... crystal clear. Kansas still has a hole for a big post player. One who can block shots. A defensive specialist. Someone with body and can play physical basketball. We could use the brother of Tarik Black!

I know, I know... we have plenty of post players. Don't tell me, tell Self! He's like the dog that can't stop eating. Self will not stop recruiting. If a situation exposes itself (and it will) Self will be the hungry dog beating down the door to that player.

If he does find another big, I hope he finds one who already has college experience. Remember how great it was to find Kevin Young?

Now is the time to plant your gardens... but you better stay in tune to Kansas basketball for another month or so, because there is an excellent chance we haven't closed out the recruitment for next year!

@HighEliteMajor

I think you left out the key reason I'm in on the "Addition by Subtraction."

6 - We don't have to enter March next year knowing the guy we loaded up with leadership minutes all year will choke down the stretch.

That may sound critical and negative... but after this past year I have ZERO belief in Tharpe as a March player.

I'll never forget:

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going!"

I don't want to bag on Tharpe. He was recruited as a backup player. The cards just fell too right for him and he wasn't able to reach the level we needed. I hope he finds the right situation for him to have a good senior year. Maybe it will help lift his self-confidence to a healthier level, too!

Personally, I feel like a great weight has been lifted. It was that same weight I felt going into EJ's senior year. Its one of those situations where you base the team's entire season on trying to prove the critics wrong. Most of these situations don't overcome the critics' doubt.

And I'm glad we will not be putting all of this weight on Tharpe's shoulders any longer. It was clear this past year, that he wasn't up to carrying all the pressure that goes along with being the PG at Kansas. Next year would have been worse. So he would have to overcome even more than what was on his plate this last year. It could easily have ended up a disastrous year, and Tharpe would have taken a far worse beat down from fans than he did this year. That is not what I want to see happen to him in his senior year! Now he has the opportunity to play for a smaller program and have less weight on his shoulders. This is a much better situation for him and the possibility of a positive outcome. Something we all want for Tharpe!

I hope Tharpe has a great year when he is allowed to finish his last year of eligibility, and it is enough to build his confidence to a level where he can continue to play basketball, where he can make a solid living for him and his daughter.

I, also, don't see a resemblance of Tharpe to Taylor. Taylor had more size and a higher ceiling, and improved considerably while attending Kansas. His summer session with John Lucas definitely showed in his senior year.

Tharpe was more athletic than we know, because he never pushed the window on what he could do. Taylor always pushed to his outer limits. That is what got him in trouble until his senior year when he was coached by Lucas how to control himself on his drives, and he worked on his shooting foundation and flow to become a bigger threat from 3.

We rarely experienced Tharpe going to the hole and showing what he could do. And we rarely watched him take on a player one-on-one to create his own scoring space either at the rim or out on the perimeter.

Tharpe didn't have the self-confidence to push his game to higher levels. He held himself back. Such a pity, because he was far more athletic than we know because we never got to see him push himself to the limit.

I think Tharpe is a good guy... but a flaw like not having an ounce of swagger, not pushing yourself to the limit... those things rub off on teammates, especially when it is your PG.

I can't count how many times this year he had the ball on an open court situation where it was one-on-one or two-on-two and he wouldn't try to finish at the rim, but chose to pull the ball out. Once in a while, that shows discipline and restraint, but you typically want a PG who isn't afraid to finish out those plays and either score, get fouled or both. Every time he did that it seemed we were headed for a bad spell because it sent a message to teammates to play soft.

There was no way he was going to have the senior season Taylor had. You can't really build much confidence in players. They have to do it from within, and some players can and other players can't. I've always pulled for Tharpe, but this past year proved to me that he can't.

@JRyman

"And here I thought Al Gore invented the internet.

Who Knew it was Abe?"

No... it was definitely Gore! He invented the internet. He just lied about his age!

@truehawk93

I have a feeling we are still in for a recruitment shock or two.

Self is not done recruiting. Not even after the Devonte decision.

During this time of year, Self must be the best recruiter in America! Transfers, 3-yr grads, miscellaneous circumstances...

I still wouldn't be surprised if he found a PG and a 5. Hopefully, Devonte will be our new PG commitment!

I'm on board with Jesse.

Self's hi/lo is based more on "not letting the ball stick" than any other offensive set. The 3-guard perimeter pass around has to whip around quickly to create openings.

We don't have enough wrinkles in place to take advantage of other opportunities... like when an opposing guard overplays a pass to attempt a steal.

We always score high marks in "team offense"... meaning... our assist percentage on baskets is quite high. On paper, that sounds terrific... but perhaps it overshadows other deficiencies, like the ability for players to make one-on-one moves to the hole, especially on isolations.

I don't think there is any question to the level of predictability involved in our offense. Who in here can't predict almost every shot to come in our possessions?

I'd prefer we think a bit more like Fred at ISU. Take advantage of the opportunities that are in front of us. Most of those opportunities exist from match-up situations. And since we are such a great recruiting school, we should have match-up advantages at many positions every game. By building strategies that are razor-pointed at isolating certain defenders, we also have the advantage of going after certain players to foul more, hence get into foul trouble.

Our offensive predictability really kills our chances in March because our opposition can take one quick look at our scout tape and know exactly what we are going to do, giving them very efficient practice opportunities to execute a winning strategy.

We do well in league play mostly because of Self's defensive talent.

I can't believe the posters who blasted Jesse. Guess we are good enough in their minds and there is no need to have an open mind and look for ways to improve. Guess we just don't have the potential to win in March like a UCONN can. Nonsense!

@KirkIsMyHinrich

Hard to say. He seems to have well-rounded skills, but he'd have to prove himself.

I'm positive he will get the chance to start!

@Kip_McSmithers

"I read it on the internet so it HAS to be true!!"

We are all doomed!

@KirkIsMyHinrich

"I don't know a ton about Graham, but I wonder if Self promised him starters minutes for coming to KU. I think Self would probably start him if he came to KU."

Out of all positions, I think it is tough to guarantee minutes for a PG. There is so much to learn, the chemistry has to develop, and this is the position that really runs the team.

I would think he communicated to him that he will have every opportunity to own that job, but he will have to outperform our existing players. It wouldn't take too much imagination to realize the door is open for him.

In reality, no one is guaranteed minutes when they go to a program. They can always botch that by playing bad, creating team chaos, making trouble off the court... etc.

I'm pretty sure even aggressive recruiters like Calipari state some kind of disclaimer on their 'guarantee'...

I'm not going to delve into the reasons for his departure. I'll accept that it has to do with his daughter.

I hope the best outcome for Naadir and his daughter.

Suddenly... Devonte is Moses and the Red Sea has parted... Question is: will Devonte realize what a great opportunity this is for him to step right in to one of the best college basketball programs in the country and have an immediate impact?!

Can't think of a time during the Self era where a point guard recruit had such a perfect scenario...

I supported Tharpe for 3 years.

His collapse at the end of this year and subsequent selfie session really ended my support for him to stay on our team. That stuff just doesn't project a positive image of Kansas basketball.

He was too much of a crap shoot to start his senior year. Then we have invested (again) in him and why would he be successful this time in March? We've been down that road before with guys, and it isn't fair for Self. Self has stuck his neck out for guys and it is time guys stick their own necks out there.

It seems Self has reconsidered his previous policy of worshiping seniority and cutting extra slack for experienced players. That was always an ill-fate concept. Players with seniority have to be held to even a higher standard than newbies because they've been here for a while and are expected to perform equal to the advantage they have by possessing Jayhawk experience.

This Tharpe situation needs to be the example for current and future Kansas players. If you want to be a jackass, then expect to hit the road! There are plenty of juco schools out there that probably don't care what you do with social media or expect a definite positive performance outcome. But we are not a juco... we are Kansas Jayhawk basketball!

So... I say 'goodbye' to Naadir, but I will keep him in my thoughts and hope he takes the transfer year off to get himself together. Humans make mistakes... and they should be able to better themselves through the struggle those mistakes cause. Hope Naadir does that and comes out the other side a better person!

Once a Jayhawk, always a Jayhawk. So we should wish the best for him, but it is in everyone's best interest that he transfer.

@Crimsonorblue22

" @drgnslayr who starts for Texas, who sits? Could that cause some problems for them? Enough balls to go around?"

I think Myles will be used some, but will also get some bench time. He won't come ready to start in November.

I'm not sure how he would have been used in Lawrence. He wants to bomb outside shots, including treys. But would he be our best choice for doing that?

Perhaps part of the reason why he didn't come to Lawrence is because we have players like Frankamp... a true threat from the perimeter.

Guess the question is... would we rather have a medium-quality big shooting treys (but helps pull opposing bigs out to the perimeter) or would we rather have a high-quality guard shooting treys?

The more I think about it... the more I think Myles made the right choice by going to Texas. Barnes doesn't have a rigid successful structure so he can take these kinds of chances.

But I ask all of you... what is the chance that Texas beats us because Myles is out there bombing treys? I find that chance to be very small and I'm happy to see us play Texas using that strategy any day of the week! Nothing against Myles... but even a superstar Durant couldn't win the B12 for Texas... so why will Myles?!

@VailHawk

Beautiful choice if you are in the right climate (and altitude). I would invest the time in researching transplanting aspens. Transplanting (in general) usually brings it's own set of risks because you are removing an established plant from its environment.

Perhaps make a few calls... like to your local county extensions office for help. I would also search the internet, including youtube.

I'm envious of your situation! Aspens are one of my favorites.

I planted a 4 year old weeping cherry blossom about a month ago and it is doing well (so far). As @wissoxfan83 stated... you want to make a bigger hole so you can influence the soil conditions near your tree. I was advised to use a root stimulant around the ball (and I did use it). I minimally disturbed the root ball by 'scratching' it to loosen roots on the edge. Then I applied the powder stimulant around the root ball just before planting it in the hole. I built a base of cotton burr compost, sand and top soil first in the hole to give it good drainage and water retention (both).

In most situations you don't add fertilizers to the hole. The tree needs time to adjust, go through shock and recover. Not exactly the time you want to push growth beyond just getting the roots to prosper in their new space.

@Crimsonorblue22

Sometime this summer, when my babies get bigger, I'll post some pics!

Just a thought....

But could this Myles going to Texas actually help Kansas wrap up the next couple of B12 titles?

Think about it.... Myles is a nice catch, but he'll be rough this coming year. May not produce much for the Longhorns. But by picking Texas instead of Kansas, he rejected Oubre and Alexander's offer... kind of rejecting them... kind of rejecting Kansas!

I'm thinking our guys won't have a hard time getting jacked to play Texas as long as Myles is playing for the Longhorns.

It's not like Myles is a bad guy... but the truth is he rejected us. And when you are preparing to play another team, you look for whatever stuff can get your guys motivated!

I'm sensing B12 #11 and #12 will be ours!

@Crimsonorblue22

I'll grow about 20 herbs... many are returning perennials... probably about 20 varieties of tomatoes... many of them heirlooms. I think I have about 40 varieties of peppers this year. Most of them are spicy. Many are rare heritage peppers from Native Americans and Mexico. 5 varieties of eggplant. Several cucumbers and about 50 Lebanese cucumber plants (called "mytha" ). 6 kinds of string beans (mostly Asian). Horseradish. Several kinds of greens... Kales, lettuces, spinach... Then I have a berry patch! I'm surely leaving out several things.

@truehawk93

It seems we do better with guys who like to announce the low key way.

@Crimsonorblue22

I'm under the impression he'll announce within a week. Latest... Friday after this one.

I've got about half my garden in. Still have some babies (seedlings) indoors soaking up warm nights.

My total plant count for this year is around 450! Biggest garden I've ever done. Extended my growing space almost X2.

I'll can, dehydrate, pickle and preserve as much as I can eat until next summer and the rest I'll give to friends and a diner for the needy.

@Crimsonorblue22

"Ready to kill these posts? Done w/turner! What do you know about graham?"

I'm pretty sure when it is all said and done Graham is the guy we really need sooner rather than later.

I don't think Self had an answer for Myles and why he should come to Kansas.

From everything I read, Myles doesn't want to beef up and play in the low post (which is where he would have needed to be in Self's hi/lo).

There was this concept floating around that he would play high post in Self's hi/lo. Seriously? "High" as in from the trey line?

I always wanted this kid wearing a Jayhawk uniform, but as time went on I sort of developed mixed feelings. Were we going to try a completely different offense to accommodate him shooting 3s? He could be on of those unconventional players that ends up screwing up an offense more than helping one if the specific right plan isn't used.

I hope the best for Myles. He sounds like a bright, positive kid. But I'm curious how he will work into the lineup at UT. They going to play him as a guard? I don't see any possibility for him going OAD at Texas.

Just joking!

An hour away from knowing... but will be glad when the drama is over!

@JRyman

Drinking and driving have long been out of sight of my rear view mirror.

I'm often the designated driver now! Funny thing is, sometimes the stress of driving around all the drunk drivers late at night makes you thirsty for a drink! ;)

@nuleafjhawk

"Oh, I don't miss waking up underneath toilet stools either."

Alcohol is all about amount. Seems there is a sour spot you don't want to end up in. Either drink light and wake up sprite.... or drink so much you can't remember the stupidity and splash.

I'm thrilled to turn the reins over to the next generation on drinking.... Now I drink for the taste, not the effect. One will usually do the trick. Craft beers, wine, cognac, whiskey.... I'm good for one, and on a big night TWO!

BTW... loved the reference to Sterling.

@JRyman

I used to be a whiskey man... everything from Irish to single malt.

I don't like to make predictions because I rarely drink now! ;)

When I was young and crazy.... my drink of preference was a "Peacemaker."

It's the drink Mexicans and Mexican tribe members had with the Native Americans up north. (legend... factual? Who knows?)

3 shots of Mescal (or tequila) with a twist of citrus (lemon, lime or orange).

It's a shooter... and it was like coffee.... rough to do at first until you get used to them. Then... it became addictive.

Definitely not a drink for married folks!

I like to make my predictions in the evening... with a cocktail in hand....

I hope I'm wrong... but I'm sensing Texas. Here is why:

"Myles Turner used Twitter to invite his Trinity High School classmates to a special ceremony today in Euless, Texas."

Sounds like a party. Would it be as festive if he picks Kansas? Sounds like a Texas party.

The wait is almost over.

@Kip_McSmithers

Right now it appears the NCAA may be on the threshold of exposure; the emperor without clothes.

The NCAA has always been the hub holding the institutional spokes in place. At a certain point in time, the institutions growth in sports revenues has added so much weight and size to the spokes that any rotation out of place could cause all the spokes to fly loose from their hub.

The NCAA will have to start flipping their typical attitude away from fascist dominance to soft ingratiation.

@JayhawkRock78

"Silver hit him with everything he could."

Sounds like it. And he may survive his first test and actually thrive from his actions. That's what I'm hoping because many people around the league view Silver as the right guy to bring big improvements. Stern was just dead weight.

@truehawk93

I give Calipari credit for doing the right thing and (I guess he did) let the twins know he wanted them back for year 2 and that they could use the development. I'm pretty sure they needed to hear that from him to come back. It sort of conflicts with Cal's mentality a few years ago, which was to see how fast he could get players to the league. It was the right thing for the twins to come back, even though, it will be hard for anyone to take them out next March.... us included!

In my book, it sort of reinforces our need to land Graham. I'm not sure he's the prayer we will need answered... but we will need every possible potential prayer at the top of the key next year if we do get the opportunity to battle Kentucky in March. As much as I love Conner and Frank... I don't think they will be able to put up the necessary fight against the twins next year. Question may be... who the heck will?

I don't always buy the preseason hype... but next year, I will probably have Kentucky at #1 in my own personal preseason poll.

@jayhawkeyes

"Can we have Tharpe redshirt this year and get his game together?"

From what it appears... he could use the year to get his LIFE together first!

But seriously... I don't think Self would want him holding a scholarship for an extra year. It appears those scholies are just too dang valuable for us now!

@truehawk93

I get your rant.... but Sterling owns an NBA team. That is the difference. That is what separates his actions from ours. In his position, his remarks speak out over the league and relate his % interest in the league as that same % of representation. Therefore... when Sterling speaks, he is representing the NBA. It is political. It is financial. People get hurt not only from his words, but from the domino effect it creates. People are losing their job over his comments. It isn't just between him and Magic. Maybe if it was you or I saying those things it could be argued to only be at that level. I don't think anyone will lose their job or sponsorship if I said those comments.

Not sure what the laws are in California... but in Kansas, you have the right to record a conversation with another party without their knowledge or consent. It only takes one party's consent to make it legal.

Sterling is a walking contradiction. He clearly has racist positions, but I don't think it is based in hatred because he has also been generous in areas that have helped minorities. That's why he has received recognition from the NAACP.

BTW: careful... I love metallic burgundy cars! ;)

I'm really lost on this one.

Sterling sounds like a shrewd attorney. Guys like that will undoubtedly leverage whatever they can to get the outcome they want.

Who stands to lose the most? Sterling or the league? I'm thinking it will come down to a game of chicken.

I expect this afternoon Silver will impose an indefinite ban on what he can for Sterling. That has nothing to do with Sterling's ownership interest. If Sterling wants to fight this we could see a court battle drawn out for years and end up in the Supreme Court. I guess one of the biggest advantages in favor of the league is Sterling's age.

I have little doubt that the league has the most to lose in this battle, and I'm pretty sure Sterling will leverage on that... but how far is he willing to go with a game of chicken? He will be burdened with 'sanctions' from sponsorship. The debt clock will start running before you know it, but at that point, there will be considerable damages suffered by the entire league.

I believe it does potentially pose a stall on the age restriction change, depending on how much opposition there is to making the change.

It goes without saying that this situation with Sterling has come at a bad time in regards to ending OADs in college. But then... guess it is always a bad time when racial situations occur.

@HighEliteMajor

Bingo!

Sterling silver has some interesting properties. For one, it kills bacteria.

At 2 p.m. Eastern time today we will see if sterling silver STILL kills bacteria. Sparkling new NBA commissioner Adam Silver will hold a press conference today to discuss the recent allegations concerning LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling's racially-explosive statements that set the league on fire a few days ago.

This is the first big test for Adam Silver, who took the reins from David Stern, long-time stagnant commissioner of the league, less than 3-months ago. Silver entered his new job with promises to bring needed changes to the league. At the top of his list, pushing newbie player age requirements from 19 years of age to 20. This new rule would, essentially, end the one-and-done (OAD) situation in college basketball. College players would be forced to stay in school for a minimum of 2 years.

But now Silver has to face the emotionally-charged situation with Sterling. A resolution may not come that easy because Sterling has ownership of the Clippers and ownership of a vaguely-written contract upholding his ownership. There is no easy path for forcing Sterling out of the league, and Sterling's professional background includes being a trial attorney. By the way, Sterling has the longest ownership in the league today.

Before the Sterling situation it appeared the NBA may have bumped the age restriction to 20 as soon as 2 years from now. Silver has already started the ground work for change, offering to sit down with the NCAA to assure it would be done for a mutual benefit of both organizations, and politically-beneficial by carefully characterizing the change as beneficial to the players.

We know changing the age for NBA entry will impact college basketball... especially for top programs who recruit top tier players who potentially can go OAD. Kansas basketball will definitely be impacted.

Will the Sterling situation muddy the waters for a quick change in the age restrictions into the league? Good chance that it will. Or on the other hand, will the Sterling situation create a curtain of chaos that will make it easier to pass the new age restriction rule by keeping it hidden behind the curtains?

Comments?

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10803355/adam-silver-says-pushing-back-nba-age-limit-top-priority ↗

@HighEliteMajor

That was in my list of details.

HEM... it is just part of the process. We both know it is the wrong thing to do... but in the beginning of bringing in that top shelf, you do what you have to do, and then before long your reputation with these players precedes you so you can start being more selective and enforce rules stricter.

Calipari did the same thing a few years back. I remember some of his statements... "I'm sort of the water boy for these guys. I just make sure they have everything they need." He has slowly moved away from being the indentured servant to being a coach.

Self hasn't had to go quite that low... but he did have to bend a bit to get into that top shelf. So it will be a shorter return to some of his old rules before long. I'd say just a couple more years of signing the top tier should do it.

My thoughts are that he held out to negotiate a few details at Kansas.... like PT.

I know, I know... Self doesn't do that and the best man plays. He got off that train a long time ago so he could start signing top talent.

@Statmachine

Thanks for the inspirational thread! It's always good to go into summer with our chins raised high!

@Crimsonorblue22

Excellent read... thanks!

@justanotherfan

I think you nailed it on Self, and his potential in the league. He's a college coach, and it is a different game than the next level. He would have to loosen his concepts of being a teacher of a rigid style and convert to being a coach that does whatever it takes to win.

Everything gets exposed in the league. A small weakness in your system gets pounded over and over again (just as you stated in your post).

If there is a college coach that is trying to groom his coaching towards the NBA it would be Calipari. He's changed his approach in the last few years and he doesn't count on any one thing to develop success (except for recruiting the best talent he can). He builds his scheme on what he has, not on a rigid format. I'm still not sure he has the needed seasoning to make it in the league. As you stated, it does help having plenty of experience and his experience in the league was short and sour.

Coaches like Hoiberg and Ollie are coaches I would expect to make the jump soon (and possibly succeed). Fred's game is all NBA.

Most of the legendary college coaches... Coach K, Izzo, Donovan... I think Donovan played one bench year for the Knicks... that is the total experience of NBA basketball. Self doesn't add experience to that mix. All these guys are college coaches and I wouldn't give any of them much of a chance to make it in the league.

Hoiberg had 10 years in the league. Ollie played... what... 15 years in the NBA? Both of these guys could coach 360s around all those legendary college coaches.

@nuleafjhawk

It actually worked out well with your comment... it tied elements of this year's team with the year before! We still had those moments of running stagnant offense and weaves that lead to a knot instead of scoring fabric.

@jaybate 1.0

""Fixed fortifications are monuments to the stupidity of man."--George Patton

Playing a zone every time down the floor is the stupidest form of basketball defense, because it is the purest "fixed fortification" in basketball. The offense knows exactly which player will be where on the floor each time down the floor. "

Love the Patton reference! Very interesting post, JB!

I never really thought about it before, but it makes sense for opposing teams to play rough ball with potential OADs... especially the players that tend to try to avoid contact in the first place.

Your point on 'fixed fortifications' is completely valid. The key to operating an effective M2M is to bring high pressure in certain situations. So suddenly a guard gets pinched into a double-team and the rest of the defense monitors where that free guard goes and hedges over to flex into a kind of zone defense. This is true NBA-style M2M. The defense is not going to stop every play or come close. The defense looks for X-amount of situations in a game that can turn their way and create TOs or bad shots against the shot clock. By creating X-amount of those situations in a game, they consider their defense successful or not. It is known that on some nights a hot offense will override everything. So it is all about creating X-amount of situations that are potential defensive win possessions. And if they meet those numbers and still get beat by a hot shooting team, they get beat knowing they still played good defense. This is crucial in the league. To not change something that isn't broke and to know how they are beat because all teams in the NBA have hot nights where they are unstoppable.

Some of those X-amount of situations involve keeping certain players from scoring from their sweet spot and situation on the floor. The NBA is all about statistics and forcing players to create offense in their less effective manner.

Think about all that... and then think about college basketball... and how unsophisticated it is. And how it doesn't really take a sophisticated plan to win games, even in March. Any NBA team would shellac the very best D1 teams.... not just because they have the most talent... but because they know how to execute a sophisticated strategy.

Sometimes I think we just expect too much from college players. These are kids and they are still playing kids basketball. The NBA is man's league. No Boys Allowed.

And this gets into the concept of Self being successful in the NBA. He hasn't shown the level of sophistication needed in execution in college to make it in the NBA. Doesn't mean he is incapable... but D1 just can't produce that level of sophistication. That is why all these D1 coaches are a total crap shoot at the next level. And that is why there are big time surprises on who makes it and who doesn't. Perhaps Ollie is a better candidate than Self as a pro coach. First... he knows the league better having been in the league for 15 years as a player. Self never made it in the league. It's a different game. Might as well be soccer for Self... maybe even better because he would approach soccer with a completely open mind. Much of what Self does in D1 wouldn't work in the league.

@nuleafjhawk

Sorry... I was talking about our 2013 team that was packed with seniors!

Funny you mention they (this year's team) were not the smartest with basketball IQ. And outside of running the shuffle on offense, looked lost. I kind of remember the 2013 team doing that on offense and getting stuck. When we were unable to engage BMac, we seemed lost.

Personally... I'd like to see us use some of the things the Mayor uses at ISU on offense. But then, you have to have players that really hunger for a one-on-one offensive attack. Fred is extremely good at creating rapid forming iso's. If you watch tape of his offense you will see an area of the court (on offense) that is empty, and then a slasher comes off a back screen or merely sets good position to take an interior pass and then they finish with a one-on-one near the basket. Really every player on their team could finish near the hole in a one-on-one situation. I think Fred carefully recruits players that are explosive and capable in these situations. It pays off.

ISU can do anything in that offensive set. Fred can draw up anything to work, there is total flexibility. And they have the potential to dribble-drive, too. His offense is a closer mimic to a true NBA set.

It would be nice to see us incorporate some of his tweaks on offense. We need a more open structure so we have more to counter teams that put up stiff defense.

The problem we have is we are too structured and too rigid. Our offense works great for most of the year, and we put up good numbers, so we get too confident running the same set from November thru March. But the teams that advance in March are those teams that can bend and flex to meet the moment. The teams that advance come out and execute a specific plan to beat a specific team. This is where we get nailed. In recent years it is a known entity that to beat KU you do it on the perimeter by putting high guard pressure on our 1 and 2s. Teams do that because we don't recruit true PGs... we recruit combo guards.

We will always be susceptible to an upset loss from a team that has quality, athletic guards who know how to apply pressure using x-axis basketball. If we had played UCONN this past year they would have kicked our arse.

Like I've said a million times now... until we get high-level guard play from our 1 and 2 (especially at point), we won't be bringing home any trophies in April.

@ralster

" I think the issue with EJ's 2013 Hawks were that they had Withey (220lbs) and Kevin Young (180lbs) in the paint. And frosh Ellis. NO BRUTE FACTOR"

This years UCONN didn't have a brute factor... didn't have near the interior players we had on that team.

I agree though... the big fighters in 2012 were TT and TRob. But then, when players like that leave, someone has to pick up the slack. And we'll never have a more senior team than that one. Outside of BMac... everyone else graduated.

We should have been able to grind out victories. We shouldn't have really needed a dominant force on offense. Defense should have won it for us that year. Kind of makes me question the old saying... "offense wins games, defense wins championships!"

@ralster

"The most interesting thing is that the Harrison Twins have decided to return to KY for another year. I mean that is BIG. And hugely to their credit.

Make no mistake: BOTH Bill Self and Calipari have said they favor a 2AD rule. "

I hate to admit it, but I actually give a 'hats off' to Calipari for getting a big chunk of his team back for next year. They will be tough to beat.... but I'm always glad to see kids stay in school, and it says something to his relationship with his players that they give up the quick cash to come back.

And it sounds like they will be carrying a chip on their shoulders to get it done next year. That is something we should have had in 2013... when we were stocked with seniors and the best shot-blocker in the country. We should have had something to prove after finishing runner up the year before. To this day I still can't believe no one made a single peep about finishing 2nd the year before.

I'll never understand why we didn't put it together in 2013. I know fingers point to EJ.... and he definitely cost us. But we should have been a more-dominant team that year. We definitely didn't have the best offensive players over other years... but we should have been able to lock down defense and win a championship. That was before the NCAA decided to hamper lock down defense with their rules adjustments.

There is a good chance we will have a TAD system in place within 3 to 4 years. The new NBA commish... Silver... promised it was his priority to bump the age up a year for incoming players. And he mentioned bringing the NCAA with him to iron out the details within the league.

I wonder if playing M2M versus zone defense impacts recruiting top tier talent?

Calipari tries to run M2M most of the time, and just keeps zone around to use at times.

Playing M2M in your one year of college seems like a smart thing to do since it's about all you play in the NBA. Though, in reality, they often play a hybrid defense that hedges away into zone areas.

@HighEliteMajor - what are your ideas on that? I know you would like us to recruit just below those potential OADs. Obviously, Self seems to like to recruit those players now. What do you think.... would it impact Self's success at recruiting those players?

Anyone else have an opinion on that?

Could it be that now Self is committed to nailing all these top players and it is also shackling him into playing only M2M?

Everyone in here knows I'm not a Calipari fan... but he does seem to be learning more flexibility with his game. Perhaps more than Self.

Maybe it is just the fact that Calipari has been landing these top players more often and so has had more time to adjust around having all the short-term players.

Funny... it looks like Cal will only lose Randle and Young for next year. Kentucky appears to be the team to beat. But they will be vulnerable to any team that can manufacture a guard tandem like UCONN had. That's what it will take to stop Kentucky... unless they run into bad luck, like injuries.

@Crimsonorblue22

He had areas of his game that could stand improving... but, dang, I miss him on D!

@Crimsonorblue22

" @drgnslayr Turner said he liked Selfs hi lo, he could play both."

I think he's been sold the idea that Cliff will anchor the hi/lo post and he'll see some movement around it... and he will get a bit of it just to build his tool box.

Remember Jeff Withey? Myles is a lighter version of Jeff. Even in Jeff's senior year, he couldn't do much in the hi/lo. I'm not saying Myles can't do it or can't learn to do it, but he won't be getting drafted in the No Boys Allowed league to play with his back to the basket. He'd have to put on 50 lbs of solid muscle (mostly in his lower body) to dominate in the league doing that.

And why should he be doing that? He should be out exploring all areas on the floor and learn to score everywhere. That will be his ticket to the next level, not low post play.

Still... it is a good thing for him to play some low post. Some... limited.

@HighEliteMajor

" @drgnslayr - "And every team is unique and strategy has to fit their uniqueness so they can become most effective."

With a system coach, talent adapts to system. It is a key consideration in why, possibly, we don't seem to get the most out of our talent. "

Over my lifetime, I bet I've had 100 or so arguments about this subject. You are right, system coaches force their system. And they should recruit specific players that fit the system and know what they are signing up for.

I believe in it to the point where a team can improve if you adjust to what players you have. At that point, you should do whatever you can to produce the best outcomes. This is especially important with OADs... because making them endure bad play won't teach them anything they can later come back and use because in a few months they are gone.

Seems impossible to expect consistent positive results from non-4-year players if the coach is going to be a pure system coach. Self definitely fit the description over his history. But in recent years he has adapted his own rules to fit situations... primarily, OADs.

My question: will he continue to come off his rigid coaching style? Myles Turner will not fit in his hi/lo except on occasion. If Bill wants Myles to become a Jayhawk, doesn't he realize Myles skills primarily involve him facing the basket, not back to the basket? He would do Myles a great disservice by forcing him to play most of his time back to the basket. It won't help him get drafted high, and it won't be his game in the NBA.

And then... how would Bill ever hope to land a player like Thon Maker? He's preparing to go after him big time.

@Virgil_Caine

Right on, concerning Popovich. And right on about his "program."