🏀 KuBuckets Archive

@approxinfinity

Thank you! I wanted to post what you posted but thought people are sick of me preaching the same old thing.

I don't see much of a future for "revolving door" teams... like Calipari's teams. Heck... seems to not even have the turnover like he once did but I'm not sure about that. I think his sales pitch of "I'm the guy to get you to the league" has largely worn off as players and their parents are wiser.

To me it seems like every year less skilled underclassmen are trying to jump to the league. Maybe if they start receiving more $ while in college, that will help keep some of them in school longer.

The idea that a kid dominating in HS will be an NBA-quality player after a year in college is just plain nuts, except for the very few exceptions.

This all points back to my approach of going after assistant coaches that are masters in development and looking for development players.

@mayjay

We really need to have laugh emojis in here. Damn... you gave me a smile that will carry me all through the weekend! Thank you!

@approxinfinity

After viewing your 10-yr history of the ACC it made me think this might be somewhat of an indicator on which coaching style is most-successful... defense or offense-oriented.

It's 5 - 5 comparing Virginia and UNC with both winning a NC. Hard to imagine another two teams to compare where the philosophy is so different.

I know fans like to see offense... but do they like to see it be just a horse race to the finish line? I get so frustrated when our defense stinks and we can't stop a team from scoring.

@approxinfinity said in History of Kansas vs. Duke:

So 3-3 in Self Era. Not bad when playing against 9 Burger Boys yoked up to a Rat Weasel’s Hell Sleigh.

Just have to ask.... can I quote you on this? Priceless comment. Belongs in the KUBuckets' Hall Of Fame... or is it Hall Of Shame? lol

@FarmerJayhawk said in Coach K to retire after 21-22 season:

@nwhawkfan totally agree. It’s insane to me neither Duke or UNC reached outside “the family” in any meaningful way.

A lot to think about here.

First... It is damn hard to come into a program after a legend. The expectations are crazy and fans will quickly turn on the new coach, especially an outsider.

Second... It is safer to pick an insider who already knows where the bodies are buried and is willing to keep them buried. Big risk when you bring in an outsider... things don't go well... and upon departure the outsider decides to expose the graveyard.

I dislike starting a season with a blue blood match up. Would better appreciate it after a month of games. Should be a better assessment of the quality of both teams.

I'd like to see us always add in a few different quality teams early... someone from the Big 10, Pac 12... add in a quality mid-major just to gain that experience and forget for one game the "risk" factor.

I feel pretty good about our early schedule usually.

I'm still having the opinion Ochai will most likely go even though I have nothing to base it on. I just get a gut feeling Self wants a scholie available for one more pick up. Just a hunch.

I'm sure we will all be following Curry, wherever he lands... to see if he can translate his game to D1. He definitely had a power finish at the rim, and I can't say that often about KU bigs... many who couldn't handle the ball well, or shoot well from the perimeter. Time will tell what we really lost there. It isn't enough to just be able to dribble the ball a bit... Inside game takes a specific skill set.

@BShark

Does make you wonder... did Bill tell Curry he might want to consider transferring... or did Curry figure this out by himself that he wouldn't see the floor much this coming season? Or is this a sign that none of the 3 guys considering leaving are leaving? Or is Bill still recruiting for next year?

I think #3 is a definite and we will probably see another addition coming. With the portal still probably bringing some activity for the next few months it is hard to think Bill is done.

Does anyone in here think our recruiting is done for next year? lol

I'm curious what Bill thinks about "bad ball" today? I know he always likes it when we keep teams below 60... versus us scoring over 90.

@justanotherfan said in Remy to Kansas:

My concern with this KU team is that Self, by default, likes a strong defensive team. Problem is, the best players (likely anyway) on this team are probably not defensive stalwarts. That means that Self will almost certainly over play a guy that is a lesser talent because they are an improvement on defense. We have seen that throughout his time at KU.
So how does this team fit together knowing that Self will want some better defensive players on the floor?

This is one of the more insightful questions posed in here for a while.

I'm wondering if Self has partially changed his vision. I know he will stand there all day and shout "defense" but in reality it's not like he is out there in the recruiting world just searching out guys who can defend. And how can he? How can he go out there and recruit based on defensive potential at the D1 level? Recruits mostly focus on offense and selling sizzle.

I think Self just has to recruit with how players fit into the offense and a slight vision of if they can fit in the defense... but it really comes down to players buying in to defense and focusing energy on becoming a better defender. Talk is cheap during recruiting. I think most people think the salesmanship all comes from the coaches trying to win over players. Players also have to sell themselves, too. Like I said, talk is cheap. And Self isn't going to know what these guys are going to do until they start playing.

I see everyone focusing on a starting lineup. It's way too soon for that. Obviously, there are players like Dave who should get the nod. Just don't be surprised if he's benched through part of November because Self thinks he should produce more. We all know how Self is capable of benching someone for a while to help motivate.

I think we can all agree that Remy was a huge get for us and should help take this team to a different level! I know I was really hopeful we would find a plug-n-play PG who already was proven. Bingo! Landing Lands told us this team roster isn't done changing yet as we go over the allotment. I keep hearing Ochai is gone.

I think we are still recruiting for the coming year... and it won't surprise me at all if another player is signed soon.

@tis4tim

We should be able to give the laugh emoji in this forum!

I can concur with everyone on the Dave topic... just maybe worded differently.

Dave has a big motor in some areas... not all areas. He applied his motor to where he knew he could be effective. He limited himself a bit with this for two reasons: first... he was needed to play a lot of minutes and had to try to keep some energy in reserve. Second... to prevent more foul trouble. I feel certain he was coached into "energy management"... and wisely so!

I read Marco's statement different. Dave will stick out different from the rest on this squad because he is a specialist. He doesn't have a broad range of "game." He's specialized as a low post, sometimes mid-range, scorer. He has no business putting the ball on the floor often, or doing about anything on the perimeter except set screens. Compare to Cam, who has a soft touch from the perimeter, is tough on the drive and with good handles, and has a range of shots to draw from. I think Dave's brand of basketball will stick out a bit when matched around the other players.

Texas-Hawk gives a good perspective on how this team may be able to do more on offense, including making Dave more effective by using him better on high ball screens, and getting post feeds from different situations instead of last year, which was just a perimeter, structured and stiff, feed to the post. This year Dave should receive a lot more feeds from people on the move, on the dribble.

We can converse all we want but none of us know how this will play out until they lace up and start playing. It blows my mind still from last year how we largely wasted away offensive potential by becoming a team just based on standing on the trey line feeding Dave. As much as I adore Marcus... he was no point guard. I remain firm with my position that the PG is the most important position on any team, even when you have someone like Doke in the paint. Doke was nothing without Dot! Let's hope we get a version of Remy - Dave going like we did Dot - Doke!

@Texas-Hawk-10

I can see a comparison of Jalen to Perry about athleticism. But their games are different and Jalen brings a lot more aggressiveness to the game. I agree he needs to up his athleticism to have a chance at the NBA... he can stand to strengthen up and it will help him more than it did Perry to add muscle because Jalen plays aggressive. I'm not saying I think he'll be NBA caliber. But if he can build his body he has a shot. Not everyone in the NBA is uber athletic. What counts is effectiveness.

@Texas-Hawk-10

Maybe I'm over-projecting... it's nice to have positive thoughts between now and basketball season. Not sure why we would recruit Martin if he won't see the floor? Especially since he only has one year. Guys like him have sure racked up points on us in the past. He has no business camping in the low post. But he could pull out another team's 4 on the perimeter, opening up the middle for Dave.

I agree that Jalen needs to gain athleticism because he sure isn't a 4 at the NBA level. He doesn't really have the strength to guard the 4 either. Kid needs to muscle up and he should be doing that this off-season.

I think a redshirt would help Sydney. Especially since he has only two years of eligibility left.

I expect Jalen to get most the minutes at the 4... but I was thinking about bigger lineups... something Self seems to be moving away from anyways.

I'm always screaming for more guards and a heavy guard team... but I have to admit I'm excited with our post! I can see us with a big lineup that can work... especially if we get Jalen back. He's a natural 3. What can happen when we have Jalen at the 3, Dave at the 5... and we rotate Cam and Sydney at the 4? Cam and Jalen can definitely hit the trey while also driving to finish. Sydney looks like a crazy driving force! I wonder how his pass is? He could sure help Dave rack up some easy finishes at the rim! Now we have a dead-eye trey shooting PG who can also drive, and then add Ochai or Christian at the SG.... This is looking like one of those teams where we can try many looks... sizes... to see what works with what team!

@Texas-Hawk-10 said in Remy to Kansas:

@BShark Zach Clemence can absolutely play next to Dave. Clemence has minimal low post game offensively and doesn’t have the strength to defend post players. Their games compliment each other very well.

I totally agree with you here! I think Zach was a big time get for us... partially because he can nail the trey and he can attack off the dribble with his size. Also... I think he's a great match playing with Dave!

Is this starting to look like we have too much talent? Will we lose another player or two to the transfer portal? If so... who?

Now we've got a group of nice talent who can go somewhere in D1.

Let's see if they can avoid controversy, develop chemistry, develop team identity, develop a leader or two, develop a winning style, and stay healthy!

We're a shoe-in for the Final Four! lol

In all seriousness... I'm excited for fall basketball again!

Spot on!

Welcome, Dillon!

If they know it's a boy, will Self be at the birth to begin the recruiting process? She looks tall.

As in just about every part of life in America now... it's the extremists on both sides making life miserable for those in the middle. Why don't we make an "extremist law" and say anyone fitting in this specific group must pay massive fines. (joke, but not really) I'm so sick of conspiracy theories and nutty ideas from the fringes.

She is quality... no doubt. But I have to wonder if her move to Texas was a good one. Sure didn't last... and I don't think her move back to UCONN is an upgrade. Maybe it is more of a lifestyle move for her. Regardless... I wish her well!

Sometimes my motives come out slowly... especially if I am not well versed on the subject.

*Has anyone implicated the NCAA as a co-conspirator in these trials? Especially concerning Zion? With the level of corruption today being so rampant... why wouldn't we vision the possibility the NCAA is corrupt beyond just being inept? Why would money and perhaps gifts come in the direction of the NCAA?

Who buys the theory that the NCAA is basically a bunch of "stupid saints?"

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10002000-zion-williamsons-family-was-paid-by-adidas-in-2016-17-court-documents-show ↗

At what point can we state that ineptness or some closet animosity towards certain programs just doesn't hold water as to explaining actions?

@Texas-Hawk-10

Is my memory failing me... but didn't Kansas acknowledge Adidas as a booster to help bring Silvio back? That was another move I didn't really understand the logic.

@Texas-Hawk-10

First off... I appreciate your responses because I am not up to snuff on IARP and our connection to it.

In our court appellate system, it is typical to have an appeal process for arbitration... but both sides can agree to limit or forbid appeals. In this case, both sides agree to forbid appeals.

The US Supreme Court is the last stop for our appellate process but for typical appeals, the process ends sooner unless there is an area of their case that at least 4 SC justices see as important enough to consider hearing the case to give clarity to an area of the law by granting a writ of certiorari (beginning process to reach the court). The SC has never been about specifically addressing the case of a particular side and ruling an outcome. It is about making sure laws are applied correctly, not (for example) if the evidence weighs heavy enough to sway a decision. That process is conducted through a lower court.

There are two ways a case can reach the US SC... appeals advanced through the circuit courts or possibly appeals from state SCs and by process of original jurisdiction.

In rare situations, the US SC can hear original jurisdiction cases that have not gone through the appeals court process. In most cases, circuit court marks the end of appeals, unless the appeals court decides there is question to whether the lower courts had applied the law correctly in their decisions.

I would like to better understand why Kansas thinks this is the best route to take. And it's not just Kansas, but Louisville and the other programs, too. Maybe it's an admission of partial guilt and they thought this is the most expedient path because we are being punished through the entire delay process. Maybe they feel like we will receive a more impartial verdict from outsiders.

I know you follow this closely and I respect your opinion... why exactly do you think Kansas decided to go this route?

@Texas-Hawk-10

I didn't mention the financial aspect.

As someone who has extensively used our judicial system including working sometimes in the judicial system I can guarantee to you that just because some of these members have the background they have, they do not have more access to information over the NCAA. Garnering information legally is the only way their efforts can hold water in a legal setting and also not break laws.

Not sure why you are telling me KU agreed to this route... I mentioned it in my original post. " I do believe KU had to agree to this path."

Maybe Kansas feels positive of what happened in the federal investigation and thinking go this route will support those findings. That doesn't mean the judgment goes our way. This group can find exactly the same info found in the federal case and come up with a completely different verdict.

I'm trying to imagine how KU's legal team thought it was the route to go where there is no opportunity to appeal the results. Maybe you have an idea why KU would desire to go for this. Sounds like suicide to me unless they know something we don't know. I'm betting they feel they still have a great case for federal court. The very basis of our legal system is to offer appeals. It's anti-American to NOT have an appeal process.

@Marco

I could be wrong but from the way I understand it, it is a board of prosecuting lawyers that have impunity for their actions. They can make any claim they want and lay down a ruling. KU has no opportunity to appeal.

This is so anti-American. I do believe KU had to agree to this path. I can't understand why a school would open themselves up to such a potential for complete 100% corruption.

What I feel comfortable saying is that we don't know the whole story... and I'm sure that goes for the incidents that brought this attack to how the process has lead to this.

I wonder if Kansas has been threatened by the NCAA... forcing them to go towards IARP. IARP is such a distortion away from a justice path that it surely could be challenged in a federal court and knocked down. But was Kansas forced into this path?

It is my opinion that Kansas is preparing to go to federal court when the time is ripe. I think extending on Self's contract was a glimpse into where the institution of Kansas has their support. And I know Self is a fighter and he won't tolerate getting the shaft.

One last thought... in the federal investigation... which is THE legal standard (not a kangaroo legal path like IARP), Kansas was found to be a VICTIM in this case. I'm imagining this ruling is worth a great deal in seeking a just remedy in a federal court after IARP delivers their ruling and consequences.

I've had my second vaccination shot now and happy to report no aperent siide efveks.

@DanR

Maybe you can recruit for us from the other side. See if you can talk Wilt into returning...

@Texas-Hawk-10

I totally agree... but they should have shot respectable #s. They aren't developed to handle even light defense. They don't know how to create their own scoring space at the perimeter. It was truly sad to see basketball at Kansas with so little guard development. Pathetic, actually.

Defense always gives an option open for offense. Guards should know how to create their own scoring by mastering several aspects. Fakes and shots from the perimeter, drives and pull ups, drives and finishes at the rack. This is college basketball and Kansas basketball! To have players that can't do it is pathetic. They should have a bit of skill before arriving but they should be able to develop these skills within a couple years here.

DMac is the last guy I'm going to criticize on this team because that guy has the greatest attitude and work standard. He's a guy who doesn't have great footwork but he has made lots of strides since becoming a Jayhawk. I totally applaud his play!

@jayhawks2010

I totally agree with your idea of going uptempo and counting less on David in the paint. Most teams we faced wanted to see us try to win a game from just winning with David. And many proved it wasn't the answer.

Instead of David being the focus and the first alternative... he should have been more the second and third alternative.

We had enough athleticism to spread the floor and drive the ball... and then feed David near the basket off the guards driving... for easy baskets.

Why didn't we see this go down? Because our perimeter players are not developed players. They almost completely stopped driving the paint until late in games then it was Marcus. Look back at the NC game and how all of Baylor guards not only knew how to drive, but most of the time would fake the drive and then pull the setback jumper. Easy scoring space and high FG %. Learn to do that like Baylor guards.... open for an easy perimeter shot anytime you want... and then see how that opens up the rest of the offense. Baylor guards were developed. Those were NBA moves...

We need player development... otherwise... we need to recruit mostly top shelf players and hope they play well enough in their 1 to 2 years. Not a good strategy. Just ask Calipari.

I think it's a tough time to be bringing on staff... with the NCAA hit squad looming.

I've heard several people comment about why Danny isn't coming back. Even if things were peachy here, I don't know many people that want to go backwards in their careers to a previous spot. And though he might be back to being an assistant again... it's in a different world and it isn't the same thing.

I question if we have embraced the realism of emphasizing player development by bringing in someone with that expertise. Think we will be sticking with the same old strategy of just trying to recruit our way to NCs.

How many examples do we need to see before we flip to player development? Look at many of the top coaches today... they embrace player development. Wright, Few, Bennett... I'm thinking in a few more years I may be adding Drew to this list. It seems like college basketball is forming a big split in approaches.... the recruiting side is Self, Calipari, K. I think Izzo is somewhere in the middle.

Not sure Marcus left town owning any stats in the KU ledger. But I know one where he did. We never had a Jayhawk give 100% in every game like Marcus gave. He was humble and he came to fight, every night. Marcus was true grit and he leaves Lawrence being totally loved and admired from the Jayhawk Nation... and deserved to be. Thank you, Marcus!

@bennie

I've been wrong before... but I'm not buying the projected 2nd round draft pick.

@tis4tim said in Coach Howard:

Serious question: As a recruiter what are you selling a kid?
A rather simplistic question, I know, but are you selling the program, playing time, national TV exposure, all of the above? Or are you selling to the parents? How much weight is placed on being straight with people and how much is telling them what they want to hear? Does each team have a pre-determined philosophy about how to approach recruiting or do teams let individuals flex their independence when talking to kids?
Would love to hear from someone in the know.

I think to be a good recruiter you need to be more ears than mouth. Listen to the player and his family. Some are focused on making sure their son is in a family-like environment that is wholesome and the player's family is kept totally in the loop, or even becoming part of the loop. We've even seen player's move family to Lawrence.

For others it is all about what situation will best get the player into the league... sometimes... it's about HOW FAST can the player get to the league! For others... who will be develop the player most while in college.. then they look at strength coaching, player development, etc.

Some put the most focus on PT. Some on how well they will play with the team being assembled. Some know another player or two and are attracted to have a friend with them. Some decide for a team or coach who has shown the most interest as they developed until now. Some... chances of a NC?!

There are other reasons, too. Too many to list. So a recruiting policy shouldn't be set in stone and only taking one approach.

Fun discussion here about coaches. I think it's hard for us to compare coaches because we aren't behind the scenes. But if a coach has a long run at a school, it's pretty tough to say that where he leads the school is not based on his own abilities. And there are so many factors going into a coach having a great record. Timing is huge... one coach may be the perfect choice for a school because of current situations. How they get along with their AD and above is extremely important. I think the Self contract reflects how good Self has been within the Kansas world. He knows how to handle himself in front of the camera, but also behind it, when working with the entire structure of Kansas above him. He's been a great match and hence, his record supports that. Lots of factors go into winning NCs, and I think we've just suffered some unlucky misfortunes for not winning more... like last year (now two years ago), with Doke and company!

There will always be a frenzy wrapped around a current NC coach. It is quite an achievement and worthy of some attention, but best look at the overall body of work when evaluating greatness.

Jalen is a headsy player with a decent skill level. But he'll have to lift his athleticism a big notch for the NBA. It matters how he develops, realistically he could use a couple more years of D1 while working on his body and skills.

I can see him develop into a NBA-caliber player but he really doesn't have margin for making mistakes in his path. Leaving too soon will probably be one of those bad decisions if he gets too eager. I think it's easier and safer for him to develop while living in the comforts of the college world. When he leaves McCarthy Hall will be gone, and he'll enter a world of constant travel, hotels and chaos. Gone are the constant connections to strength and other coaching (even in off-season). Developing players at the next level is quite a racket. The pay is marginal and moving from team-to-team comes at a price.

Och is doing the right thing... testing the waters. He will learn where his game needs to improve. He is nowhere near ready for the NBA. I think this move will help him and KU next year because he will focus on improving his weak areas.

He's going to have to be a lot more aggressive in his play and put up bigger numbers... especially in crunch games.

Followup on my words about Baylor being different...

What changed my mind about Drew and Baylor was Isaiah Austin... and how Drew kept Austin around after his tragedy. And then Drew thought it was important to test players' hearts, a move that probably saved King McClure's life. Kind of made me wonder why aren't all schools testing to this level, especially after Jo Acuil also had heart issues.

Here are a couple of reads.

https://baylorbears.com/news/2019/1/17/champions-tribune-i-m-thankful-for-the-opportunity-to-do-what-i-love.aspx ↗

https://www.si.com/nba/2019/06/14/isaiah-austin-nba-dreams-marfan-syndrome-chinese-basketball-association-baylor ↗

Austin is one of my fav players of today, even though he plays in China. The guy takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'!

@BeddieKU23

Can we still buyout his contract?

Should we be robbing UA players now? lol Why change our old habit of competing for players with UA.

So would players trade a NCAA death march from Arizona to a NCAA death march in Lawrence? lol

Sean will be back coaching before you know it... "Bruce Pearl on line one!' lol

@Kcmatt7

True.... but I know key players were typically junior/seniors.... and developed players. I know newbies can play a key role (Suggs)... but without the experienced crew I don't think it is likely.

nuleaf... I've been amazed at how much of Texas has transformed over the past decade or so. I used to live in Dallas... back when it was in the dark ages, and still far ahead of many parts of Texas. Today, I work with many people from Austin, Waco, etc. and I'm amazed at their progressive nature and "modernism."

Drew is built for the long haul. We are not.

Drew's program is "spiritual based." Watch them pray on the court. He goes after recruits in a totally different way than Self. I really enjoyed this Baylor team. These players have class. In many ways it isn't possible to compare these coaches.

I'm watching Drew's players develop at higher clip. That really became apparent this year. He has a strategy for building his team in a different way than Self. I don't see how anyone can deny the differences.

We've bought in to the idea that we can recruit our way to a NC. We are just a slightly different mix than Calipari at UK, but not so different. Even Duke has bought into this (for the most part).

Maybe this year was just a weird year because of Covid... but I don't think so. And the last NC was Virginia... another development team. Baylor was a development team that was also blessed with quality recruits. Best of both worlds. Gonzaga... development team. Nova.... development team. This is the new direction of D1. Heck... Duke couldn't win it all with Zion!

With the ease of players transferring... what will keep players at Kansas? Are we going to shift to higher player turnover? Look what we lost to transfer this year. Does anyone really think we can put together a team that gels enough to win a NC with a bunch of 1 and 2 year players?

Not sure how many people in here will accept this.... but if I had control over this basketball team I would pay whatever it takes to hire John Lucas II as an assistant coach. I have been proclaiming his skills as a player developer for a decade or so. Evidently the Houston Rockets heard me because that is his current job title with Houston.

Let this be the shift... away from fast talking recruiters to actual developers of players. This is such a no-brainer it isn't funny.

John had two sons that played in the Big 12... OSU and UT. He knows the Big 12.

With Lucas on board we will always have a list of the right kind of talent to come to Kansas... and stay. We won't need the top tier recruit to dazzle us with only athleticism. This nightmare should end. No more shoecos buying recruits to Kansas. No more plans to have undeveloped hype controlling our recruiting. No more teams coming up short because they aren't coached up.

Okay... I'm done preaching... lol

@Kcmatt7

We are going to have to step up and start really developing players. Drew brought development to these guys. Look at how their perimeter shooters used the step back to create shooting space. It didn't really matter if Gonzaga was guarding or not because anytime a Baylor guard wanted his own shot, he created space easily. We have barely even seen our guys use footwork like that to create scoring space.

I'm going to say it right here... Drew is helping his guys reach the next level! I'm not going to say that about many coaches in D1.

!mbb-champs-apr21.jpg ↗

I want to give a shout out to Baylor! They were an amazingly gifted team this year and deserved the title! In my opinion, heads above everyone! Over the last few years I have adjusted my thoughts of Coach Drew and I now believe he's a very capable coach. They never could have been this good without his guidance.

I hope they can bring big talent every year! It's good for the Big 12 and it's good for KU! We shouldn't be winning our league for a dozen straight years. I seriously doubt that streak will be possible to match moving forward in the Big 12! From what I am seeing at Baylor, they could stay at the top (hopefully with us).

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2021/04/06/baylor-bears-national-champs-2021-22-lookahead/7102623002/ ↗