🏀 KuBuckets Archive

The celebration of achieving another National Championship is over now. The confetti has been swept up and the shot glasses washed and stuffed back in their hiding place.

Are we ready for sober thoughts?

I'd like to hear your perspectives on Bill Self. Everything Bill Self.

Where does Bill rank as a KU coach, Big 12 coach, national coach? Where does he fit within the history of college basketball?

What has he achieved at Kansas?

Are there still critics out there? Where can he still improve? How has he changed over his years at Kansas?

What are his best moments here? A summary of Bill Self highlights? Can he dunk? Could he dunk in his playing days?

Are we happy with his supporting cast? Assistant coaches, strength coach, AD, Chancellors... historically through his tenure as coach.

How long will Bill continue to coach? Who will follow in his footsteps? Where will he leave the program? Will we continue to pull away with most wins? How many National Championships will he end up with? Here is a little taste of what is possible:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1374633-passing-krzyzewski-bill-self-has-the-best-chance-to-become-winningest-coach ↗

Is there a dark side to Bill and staff? How will this violations case end? Will it tarnish Kansas and Bill? Who are his critics? Who are critical of KU? What are they saying?

Everything Bill Self!

!132b1b6c-4470-4eb2-a8b5-088f9594a289-image.png ↗

@Bosthawk

Enjoyed your read on Jaybate. I add in there international intelligence agent. Those people have to land somewhere. Maybe he has a new assignment placing him in a mudhole in Somalia.

I continually bait Jaybate to return, if still possible, with shoe posts. His insight on "Shoecos" was ahead of the news often.

HEM was important in here. He represented the views of old-style coaching. Guys like myself recognized his bark. Back then, it wasn't important to like your coach, it was important to respect him, usually through fear. So when developing a fan site like this, it is great to have different views, including ideas from so far back they can be interpreted as arcane.

@Crimsonorblue22

I try to avoid kicking people. Notice... I stayed out of the HEM fray.

BTW: My style is to trip people! lol

So who is left in here to kick down the stairs? lol

@Kcmatt7

I've learned there are many people on this planet that don't respect others unless they take a swipe at them now and then. I'm sure I've poked you now and then... for a reason... I appreciate your wisdom in here!

@benshawks08 said in Where art thou, Jaybate?:

To @drgnslayr 's point, that all does make me miss Jaybate all the more. For all the knowledge, snark and wit, for the most part he never worked to tear others down unless they were truly trolls asking for it.

Jaybate was gifted. His imagination was off the charts and his ability to encapsulate his vision into words... wow!

At this point... I wonder if he's gone over the hill and he's picking through the souls of the AFH basketball Gods.

“Bring us the head of the Kentucky Wildcat mascot pithed on a spike, afterwards, so that @drgnslayr can at least get a hint of what Meso-American Ball once was like!!!” ~Classic Jaybate

Funny... I spent an entire afternoon walking through and absorbing the vibes of an original Meso court in Chichén Itzá... This one:

https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-ballcourts-of-chich%C3%A9n-itz%C3%A1-the-british-museum/ugUB3Od_Jhnpnw?hl=en ↗

@Kcmatt7

Yes... HEM was an asshole... I'm an asshole, too. It takes assholes in the world to let out the sh*t! lol

It's funny how he considered people on the left to be snowflakes and overly-sensitive yet he was the one who always worked up into a huge tirade.

Still... HEM offered his own view of basketball and I miss him. He so reminded me of one of my old high school coaches.

I know I'm weird. I really enjoy difficult people. And they enjoy me because I'm usually about the only one who can tolerate their sourpuss.

Thanks for the summary on HEM.

Maybe we should go back in times and create "Greatest of..." posts on some of our eclectic crew!

As we talk about lineups and bringing on other players it is a good idea to look back on our championship team from a stats perspective. Realize who is (or might) be leaving, and consider what we lose on the stat sheet.

https://kuathletics.com/sports/mbball/cumestats/season/2021-22/ ↗

Gosh... looking at that stat sheet makes me wonder just how valuable those stats are and also how misleading they can be. For example, I don't think anyone in here will discount the value of Jalen Wilson... but he shot only 26% from trey. But he was our top rebounder.

That's why I probably look at these prospects differently than most of you. Sure, I look at their current stats. But I also give an eye test. I try not to be too judgmental on a player without knowing the environment he comes from. The factors around him will be his biggest influence on his stat sheet.

Chemistry has to be imagined, too. What do we have and what would help us most?

Right now, I don't see a team next year that will play anymore physical than our current team. I think we were fortunate we avoided playing physical/athletic teams (like Kentucky and Duke) in this years' March Madness. This is why I want us to secure McCullar. He gives us some muscular testosterone.

If I'm Self right now... I'm looking for defense for next year because we are going to be lacking. McCullar would shore up a lot of defensive holes.

@BShark

I like Council, too. But I have to admit I fall in love with players easily because I always see potential.

Council's trey shooting fell off last year to around 30%. He's very athletic but I still see McCullar as a more stable player. He takes care of the ball well and I like his passing. He has good court awareness, too. McCullar is a MUCH BETTER defender! I just think his fundamentals are better than most guys coming through the portal, including Council. I think both of these guys will shoot a higher trey % at KU because we will be able to run better offense. TT didn't even have a PG and WSU's offense was pure chaos with almost no structure.

Council has some great highlight plays... but I would trade the glitter for a rock solid defender any day of the week... especially for next year's team.

@jayballer67

Juan is good against a PG... someone not too physical.

How is Juan against an athletic 3 or 4?

@BShark

I don't think that is a fair comment. 2020 was a definite NC team. Plus, one guy doesn't make a NC. I would gobble up another Marcus all day long. Both of these guys are great defenders, but have slightly different assets.

Who do we have now as a stopper?

My statement holds true. I remember singularly defending Marcus through much of his KU career.

I love Dick, but I think he needs a good year to develop into an effective D1 player. He needs muscle.

I would take McCullar all day long. Not for his offense. But he's a defensive stopper for everything but a 5. Those guys don't grow on trees. I remember this exact same argument said about Marcus. Exact.

I'm not totally buying in on the ESPN concept of our starting lineup next year. But even looking at it their way... if CB decides to come back, imagine this with CB:

Projected starting lineup:

Dajuan Harris Jr., (5.4 PPG)

Gradey Dick (No. 14 in ESPN 100)

M.J. Rice (No. 30 in ESPN 100)

Jalen Wilson (11.0 PPG)

Ernest Udeh (No. 23 in ESPN 100)

Then look at the developing talent we have on the bench already. Think about KJ and Zach fighting for minutes in the post.

What if we added McCullar to this mix? He's that utility guard Self always likes who can give minutes anywhere from the 2 to 4. He would add a great amount of toughness and physicality to our team.

@BShark said in KU/Big 12 NBA draft decisions thread:

@approxinfinity Remember when UNC returned their roster after 08?

I remember... and unless they get hit with bad luck next year (like injuries), I expect them to be a FF team again and be favored to win it because their chip factor will be off the charts!

Still doesn't guarantee them anything. Look at the Zags.

I like Hubert Davis... but I'm still not sold on him being ready for the trophy. He did have his guys in the championship game this year. Time will tell.

"Report: Austin Reaves signs multiyear shoe deal with Chinese brand"

Chinese authoritarian government challenges mob sports shoe makers... that should be the real headline.

I wonder how long before this bleeds into college ball in a big way?

!austinreaves.jpg ↗

https://lakersdaily.com/report-austin-reaves-signs-multi-year-shoe-deal-with-chinese-brand/amp/?fbclid=IwAR3wYI2TTxFk7MdiV0cOj5AkThxh8LXWd_l1CkYhwuPdFYmZ7_E0y7UMKng ↗

Since we are still handing out awards... I figure no one is more than entitled to handout this award than me, because I have tortured everyone in here with my chip rants for years now! lol

Drgnslayr's 2022 Jayhawk Chip Award

Winner: Bill Self

No one had more to deal with on a personal level this past year than Bill Self. He stayed disciplined and focused during and after the passing of his father. His poise remains off the charts. Congratulations, Bill... for a great season and winning the 1st annual award!

1st Runner-up: Ochai Agbaji

Och certainly had something to prove this year. And as the attention continued to climb for him throughout the year, the pressure grew with it. Critics often expressed concern about his level of play. When it was all said and done, and KU took the grand prize, it is hard to look back and NOT notice everything he did for this team, including maintaining composure no matter what the situation was.

2nd Runner-up: David McCormack

David had to play with pain all year long. We would often forget about his bad wheel because he didn't complain or show he was in pain very often. But the truth... he played most games with considerable pain. After facing a year of criticism, David shined in March and most people began to recognize we were a different team when David was on the floor. His heroic plays at the end of the championship game "sealed the deal" for another Jayhawk championship.

1st Honorable mention: Jalen Wilson

Jalen had something to prove all year long. He fought back from his off-court antics early on to become a starter and invaluable piece of this championship team. No one fought harder for rebounds and extra possessions than Jalen.

2nd Honorable mention: Remy Martin

Remy's early-season injury kept him on the sidelines. Yet, he continued to believe in himself and his team, by becoming the team cheerleader. And when he came back he was everything ever advertised about.

@jayballer67

I share your optimism. KJ has amazing potential as a rebounder. He just has to learn the skills around rebounding.

I agree with @Texas-Hawk-10 .... KJ needs to go to rebounding school. He has plenty of energy and athleticism... two great qualities needed for rebounding! He already knows how to defend at a certain level (can also improve). He needs to know more about sealing the boards and also some education as to where rebounds go. I wish Charles Barkley had a school for rebounding. But then... KJ would have to develop a bigger ass to use to clear space... lol

@BShark

He is starting to value small, athletic bigs. Didn't use to be that way... but he knows the value now of bigs who can run the court and guard from the perimeter.

@Jethro

Thanks for the links! Now I can watch them all for the 9th and 10th times! hahaha

My cousin still hasn't seen the championship game so we are watching tomorrow. I think I've seen it 10 times now.

@Texas-Hawk-10

It just seems tacky they have to swipe coaches from UK. I have Duke family. Everyone is friggin' pissed off about this year and consider it negative. Leaving Coach K at the altar without a crown. Those two UNC losses raised their hatred to a new level.

It just feels like Scheyer is only interested in having revolving door teams, especially with that hire.

I don't think he will get a long leash for failure in that program. I know I wouldn't want to be in his position. He didn't seem like the right hire to me. He has never been a head coach... just under K. That's like us hiring Townsend as head coach after Self leaves. I know Duke fans like him from his playing days... but that doesn't qualify him to be head coach. Same with Hubert Davis at UNC.

I think it will be tough to win a NC at Duke if they just go after OADs. He can prove me wrong. Until proven differently... I'll see them as another Calipari team. Full of draft picks but not winning championships and totally disappointing fans. I consider that a "clown show."

I was at Dillons today and all KU gear was 40% off! I bought several shirts for around $8!

UK fan: "We literally lose every head-to-head battle with Duke for players. Now we're losing head-to-head battles for coaches. Our program isn't the gold standard anymore. It's not any standard."

Now that the God K is gone... is it finally time to investigate Duke for recruiting violations? lol

Anyone taking bets if Self will win another NC within the next 5 years? Seems like he knows how to use the portal. Seems like our strength coach is doing a good job... not only because we seem less banged up but also less exhausted and becoming stronger. Seems like Self has hit another gear and our team will hop along that gear.

Meanwhile... UK and Duke look like clown shows. Scheyer better show big wins quick to keep that job and Caliper is under assault by the Big Blue Nation as he flubbed again in March with a team they thought would bring home gold. If you all don't think we hurt UK's feeling by swiping away the most wins label... ha...

"Don't worry 'bout the mule, now you just load the wagon." Turns out its a classic folk/Bluegrass song...

Let's bring this band in for Late Night! Purdy please!

Mark Adams seems totally legit.

Now if the KSU guy from Baylor turns out good...

It's all good for the B12, and KU!

I think the transfer portal concept will start balancing out as time goes by (a few years).

Watch schools like WSU... where they totally missed the early NIL train and now are trying to catch back up.

There will come the day when an organic balance is reached.

Meanwhile... try not to think of adding more rules. It is a great concept. It's basically "free agency" to players every year!

In the end, it will eventually be good for the player, which will also make it good for the school, which will make it good for the fans, too.

@BShark said in Next Year's Team Thread:

I love it, personally. ISU is our new farm team. YEEHAW.

Gosh... we may be hated even more in Hilton. Maybe they start screaming racial slurs at our players! lol

EJ went off for 39... I'll never forget that and it is why EJ is on my all-time fav list of KU players.

I suspect the NBA "farm system" will continue upping its ante to challenge NIL money so they can continue to pouch college kids to leave early. It's misguided greed that probably hurts the NBA more than help by not letting the college system develop players a little longer in a more wholesome world. It's not easy to create a sentence where I have "college" and "wholesome" in the same sentence.

@BeddieKU23

Gradey? I don't think so.

@Texas-Hawk-10

Where do you see these guys going in the draft?

Guys like CB and JWil need to get NBA feedback... this is a must! Realistically... they both should realize how much they improved this past 12 months, think about how much they can improve in the next 12 months, and make a decision. From my perspective, they should both return and use Och as the example of why it pays to have patience and continue to work hard.

I'm sorry but I hope we don't start bringing in a revolving door team again. I would run from guys that are obvious OADs.

We are entering that magic time of year... especially magic now with the portal and our new NC hardware. Self is a real magician this time of year.

I am excited to imagine next years team because we have such a good base to work off of.

*Anyone in here think we could be the next Florida and repeat in April? It would be nice to hear opinions before we salt down the team roster.

Jay's retirement is a huge loss to college basketball.

@Jethro

I think you are negatively emotional just because he was a Shocker. I could care less about that. The guy is a baller.

He has driving highlights as good as Och.

@Jethro

Dennis was a 40% trey shooter as a freshman. Did you ever watch him and the Shockers play during his stay there? I can't believe he stayed there that long because their offense was a joke and it hurt everyone's game... He is an elite athlete with great form.

Being a great defender along with Juan would be a great match.

I'm willing to bet he'd be shooting treys above 40% next year as a Jayhawk.

@jayballer67

Dennis left the team once... under the abusive behavior of Marshall. This kid can flat-out ball... and never fit well in that system of abuse and mental illness of Marshall... and Brown is in disarray. I think he's ready to show who he really is in his final season. Heck... people don't even know how athletic he is. He's another Och. And I bet he has a chip with him, and we can use any kind of chip next year because that will be lacking! I'm just thinking out loud!

I think about how he could grasp Self... and Self is truly a players' coach. He's never had that. To me, it seems like a great fit, but there is a reason I am at home and not coaching D1! lol

I just wish he had two years of eligibility left. That second year would be a real monster.

Dennis brings other qualities to the table, too.

We all have come to know that it isn't just if a kid can ball. Their attitudes are equal contributions (or not).

🐦 View Tweet

We may need a big dose of humility on next year's team coming off a NC.

I don't know if he's a good fit... that's Self's job. I do know he's headed to Indiana for a visit.

@BeddieKU23

I'll just leave it like this. I bet Och would shoot in the 30s on that Shocker team. I tried to watch several of their games and they weren't watchable. Dennis was one of their guys having to force up late clock guarded shots. His shot form isn't available out there in college basketball, but with a few... like Och had. I hope the kid gets a chance to shine somewhere and he will disprove critics when playing in a real offense.

@BeddieKU23 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

Career sub 40% shooter from the floor fyi

No one in the country would be above 40% if they were forced to take the shots he took. Their offense stunk. Many of those were forced shots with a tick or two left on the shot clock because no one else would take the shot, and he was guarded. He has a great shot and on a real team would lift his % dramatically.

If you look at his stats, he shot 40% from both 2 and 3 pt line as a freshman. Then it was downhill from there. The team continually crashed their offense.

I know he's a Shocker and that is a negative for many... but he's a great young man with high character.

I don't know if he fits with this team, but he has a lot of play that resembles Och.

@BShark

He can definitely shoot the trey well... his stats might be hidden because of their disastrous concept of an offense.

He should accel on a team with real coaching.

@BShark

Dennis won AAC Defensive POY. The guy can defend and shoot the trey. I think he has a lot more game in him... hasn't been reached yet.

I heard Kansas is sniffing on Dexter Dennis. Anyone else know something about that?

@cragarhawk

Wow! Great to see you back! I feel your pain about the current status of CBB. But through it all... the allegations, the schools that seemingly avoid allegations while appearing to be the biggest rules violators, the Kansas City Jayhawks, the slapping of wrists for just a few individuals working for the crime syndicate shoe industry... here we are! A group of players, playing with humility while largely staying silent of what was burning inside. The Kansas City Jayhawks... somehow being the only #1 seed remaining through the later rounds but still off the radar screen and a sleeper. Their performance provided MAGIC to a game smeared with corrupt profits.

What a world we live in! Where we remain following (and puking) for a sport while loving our guys and cheering them on to victory! I admit guilt of largely wearing blinders and live in denial so I can stick it out with our group of guys who make magic.

Is Kansas basketball clean? Ask yourself, is the mom-and-pop restaurant in Brooklyn clean? They exist only because they pay the mob protection money for that location. The feds described Kansas correctly when labeling us as victims.

@justanotherfan

For sure... but part of not being back 20 years ago is players have more developmental options when getting to the pro level today.

My premise is that Tshiebwe develops considerably after college. That will be the determining factor for him sticking it out in the league.

@BShark

My vibe is 4 in the transfer portal alone. I imagine Self has a lot of talent to consider in the portal and can better build a lineup to make us compete for another title next year.

I definitely feel we will snag at least one breathtaking catch like we did last year with Remy.

@Texas-Hawk-10

I am with you... Tshiebwe finds a fit somewhere. And who says he can't develop more skills to become a more viable player? The guy has scrap and sense for getting to the ball... something not really taught anywhere.

I suspect we will have 2 waves of exits. My guess... 2 at a time. 4 total. Just a hunch. I figure my hunches are right about 40% of the time. lol

And I don't expect we will fill our scholarship card because Self sees more value that way unless he sees a potential problem with a player.

I still get pestered with those given free in my driveway twice a year. I usually keep one, the most current, and toss the rest. Not sure why I do it because I haven't used one in years. What a waste of trees...

@Jethro

If he can jump over a phone book, he is better than me now!