🏀 KuBuckets Archive

If we stay healthy I feel even better about this team after that horrible performance. Bilas kept saying it... "Kansas is sticking around in this one with all these turnovers!"

We should carry a pretty big margin of error all year... meaning... we can play mediocre and beat most teams, even ranked teams. I know that doesn't sound positive, but really... in March.. you can count on us playing a bad game here and there and when we don't have margin, we go home. This team should win most or all of those games!

@nuleafjhawk

I don't think I would generalize and say we play better with Doke off the floor.

I think, for a large degree, we play as well as Doke plays. If he's playing good, we are playing good. If not...

Doke really lacked composure. Of all his weaknesses, this has always been his biggest issue. He gets way too emotional in games when he needs to bear down and focus.

The key for all teams playing us is to disrupt Doke. Double-team or whatever, but get him playing with too much emotion and you have taken him out of his game. Draw a few fouls on him. Make him do things he doesn't want to do. Put him on the line. I'm thinking Doke missing FTs hurts us worse by getting him upset more than losing a couple of points, though he made a couple of FTs in this game.

@Hawk8086

Come on, man... we played DUKE! There will always be "Duke calls." Yeah... I counted at least 7 Duke calls. Enough to decide the outcome.

We were out-coached in this one. We didn't come prepared, and we have enough experienced players that we should have been better prepared.

We should have had more plays to work from so the game would have been better scripted to beat a defense that was allowed to completely overplay the passing lanes and double down on Doke.

For example, if we are going to count on some form of a hi-lo then we need to isolate Doke. Make it much harder for him to get doubled. Heck, Duke was doing that to us and they almost fouled out Doke.

We all know both David and Silvio are weak on perimeter defense. They can compensate by playing out tighter to use ball denial. And if they play out tight, if their man drives past them he will have to face Doke in the paint.

Funny that we played a game where our guys played tentative, trying not to make a mistake, and that style actually pushed them into more mistakes. The way to beat aggressive defense is to attack it. So we would drive the ball and blow by defenders then immediately stop and pick up the ball and then get pinched. That made no sense at all. Our guards need to finish at the rim after they blow by. Marcus was the only one that understood that.

Except for a few minutes in the second half, Duke controlled this game and deserved to win.

This isn't a team that will do well playing free style. This team will need to run more off a script. The good news is that we have the personnel to be very effective off a script.

The loss may help us more than if we scored 4 more points and won a nail-biter. Keep building chip!

Ha... they shouldn't even post anything on BPI until at least January.

I see this as a California grass fire. A quarter of the State is on fire. Envision that as $100 bills. How can the NCAA stop any upcoming profiteering? Once the gate opens, it can't be shut. If a single dollar is allowed to be made on anything, then all other deals out there will demand authorization, too. And why doesn't deal #2 have ever right deal #1 has? It's something for a courtroom... over and over again. I don't see how the NCAA can do anything but step aside and let it happen, while trying to pinch a % of the revenue stream.

This is a great time to consider a new career. AGENT! Thousands and thousands of HS and college players are in sudden need of an agent. Even some junior high athletes might have an opportunity to cash in. And NCAA controlling the area of agency? Ha!

I'm thinking within 5 years KU will sign a player who is already worth $100 mil.

Perhaps our best future recruiters will come from the endowment program. Best salesmen KU has to offer! Sign an elite athlete while having that athlete sign a contribution contract because we are renaming Naismith Drive in his name!

I know I sound crazy. But I was the guy who sounded crazy when I stated that Zion would quickly become a billionaire, and I said that before he blew out his shoe in college.

Absurdity rules moving forward! Going to get weird. Maintain your sanity by keeping a great sense of humor!

"What would I do if I were in charge? We would have settled this by now and we wouldn't be here by now," Bilas said. "It's that simple. I'd allow players their economic rights as literally everyone else in this country has. Everything will be fine. This entire industry does not (depend) on an athlete being compensated. Every argument they've made is total nonsense." ~ Jay Bilas... the attorney... barking for untethered cash disbursements. ha... don't forget he's an attorney first, probably lining up to become an agent.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2019/10/31/jay-bilas-ncaa-proposal-name-image-likeness/4108076002/ ↗

Not looking good for their one-season "streak!" ;)

BigBad said:

Will they be allowed to wear their shoe of choice at college?

This is the $74,000 question. Or should I say, $22 billion question?

I've been projecting all along the NCAA would smarten up on not completely challenging the Cal ruling.

So the move is on... the great American gold rush in college basketball is finally extending to the players.

The success is in the details, and the NCAA will still attempt to play a major role in how this goes, but I'm doubtful on how well they will be able to manage. Groups like the NCPA and others popping up daily, will want to have a say in this and many will have stake in this. All I can say is expect a plethora of court proceedings, and then more court proceedings. There are so many details involved that it will require probably 1000s of court cases.

I don't envy being in the NCAA's shoes. And as much as I think they really suck, their future will be a big mess and I don't really see how they will survive. There is no sane way forward!

I'm going out on a limb here... I think, eventually, the NCAA will fold and Congress will step in to form a government agency directly managing college sports and probably a lot more of universities. And in some regards, I welcome that. But I also know how big government has problems running things, too.

Guys like myself always wanted to see the athletes benefit more financially while playing college sports. But it is hard to see how this is going to work with any kind of positive outcome. College sports "dribbles" into all areas of our culture and our laws. The exposure is too heavy to allow a private organization run it as it enters a future of constant litigation and problems managing rules. The lawsuits will not only grow in number but will also grow in size.

I think the NCAA really blew it years ago when they could have better made the system fairer and probably by doing so would have established a more stable control and future.

Read some stuff others post, especially organizations that want to have it their way. College sports is the round peg that doesn't really fit in the square hole of regular business or even American concepts of fairness. All of this will be addressed constantly as we move forward.

I will be surprised if we don't have some kind of Supreme Court ruling in some of this within the next couple of years. And it will be too focused to cover everything, so more cases to follow.

Okay.... I missed the game! So my comments are blind.

First.... it is a joy to read this thread! It's great to read posts about more than conjecture from a distance. We had a game and the conversation has turned real again!

POST PLAY: We've got 3 locomotives in the post. And I look at all three of them the same; as locomotives. Trains take a while to get going. I'm expecting all 3 to start the season slow. Their play depends on so much more management of energy than the light guys. They need a lot more motivation to move up and down the court. Even Doke, with his new body. It's a weight thing. They are all train engines out there. Just wait. In another month or so, those big engines will get to motoring at real game speed.

All of our post guys will have to become excellent passers. That is the answer to keeping more than one on the floor at the same time. They either have to look to kick the ball to the trey line or pass well within the post, to another big. There are so many opportunities with this. If a player gets tripled team and can't take advantage of it, we have a problem.

PERIMETER: Trey shooting will have a huge impact. I love Marcus and his play. But if he can shoot respectable from trey our chances of winning games goes a lot higher. I expect we will have guys come out every night and be hot and cold. So we need to be able to shift some PT over to who has the hot hand. Pretty much all of these guys who are considered a threat need to get their shots in. That's the only way to know if they are hot or cold.

I read that we had several perimeter steals. I'm expecting our guard defense to develop into perhaps the best perimeter defense in D1. It should! We have the athletes, lots of chip, and defensive potential. Long arms. Except for Devon, we have a lot of arm length outside the post. That's big.

Listen to Bill. We will, for the most part, keep a rotation of around 8. However... during the year, guys will be going in and out of that rotation (possibly). I'm curious how Self will play close games this year. Will he want to keep the PT tight? Or... maybe our guards are shooting bad and he goes searching for some shot heat off the bench?

It sounds like we got some perimeter steals that turned into breakaways. I'm expecting us to have quite a few breakaways this year, which translates into a higher shooting %, more points, and, most important, more victories!

Doke and foul shots... I think it helps us to have more depth in the post. It adds more pressure on our opponents to keep their bigs out of foul trouble. And... if Doke can shoot even a few % points up on last year, it will make a difference, especially with "Poke and Doke."

Let's keep in mind we didn't have our general last night. I expected us to have a disastrous night and it doesn't sound like it was that bad. A very very good sign!

It's hard to say which D will work best for us. But there is a reason why all-out zone isn't allowed in the NBA. I prefer an aggressive M2M, but I haven't seen the needed energy and technique with a KU team for a long time. Sad to say that. But as we have moved to having players that aren't around for 4 or 5 years, it becomes too much a challenge (I guess) to teach that aggressive defense. Pity.

Playing good zone also requires skill, technique and hustle.

The game is largely about setting screens and testing defenders to fight through them. Regardless of the defense style, it comes down to hustle and technique. It is beneficial to be able to play both, but if players don't fight through screens, neither will work well.

I'm thinking we are going more towards a zone to save our guards. We have questionable depth and playing zone should help save the legs of our guards. And less fatigue may help keep our trey shooting % higher.

Moments like this create opportunities for players to step up. Sometimes it can really help propel players to new heights. Players need to be challenged to grow.

@HighEliteMajor

I'm convinced we had to make some big promises to land Q.

I saw a bunch of HS tape on that kid and I always thought he was overrated. He's a nice kid so I won't go too hard on him. But that was a major recruiting error.

I give Self and crew pretty good marks on recruiting and sizing up talent, but they are bound to screw up sometimes, especially when we get desperate to fill a hole.

@BShark

Where is Dedric now? Still trying for the league?

That guy is perfect for international ball. Those guys don't like defense either and are all about offense. He should become very wealthy in the right situation overseas.

@HighEliteMajor

You forgot:

...while being a play maker!

Getting nicked up is part of the game. I think most players believe in jinxes when it comes to injuries. Playing it too safe usually doesn't end up well.

Doesn't mean we don't play it cautious. But playing at this level, almost every player receives a nick every week or two, all season long. Luckily fans don't know this because they would be freaked out.

When you hear about players being used up for the year, believe it. All the bang ups add up by the end of the season. The break before tournament time is usually needed by every player to feel healthy enough again to make a run.

@HighEliteMajor

Okay.... the rivalry exists again! It's already been worth it just to read your post.

!missourimethdentist.jpg ↗

H A P P Y

H A L L O W E E N !

It's a designer boot. He's fine.

Just my opinion, and everyone in here has the right to their opinions.... but I'm glad the rivalry is back!

Is it worth it? Do we gain from this?

Let me put it this way.... how many of you, regardless of what side you take, will circle the MU game every year?

Right... every single person in here will! It's a game that matters. Sports is so much about rivalries...

@ajvan

I'm convinced! Thanks for posting!

I have an idea.

Do we need a head coach? Can't someone write a program that connects social media with our team so we can use a democratic system where majority rules on decisions?

Doke = "We've decided you will wear wrist protection 24/7 until you graduate!" (says the KUcoachcoop)

Recruit XYZ = "We really want you to come to Kansas. You will have a rare opportunity to be coached by 800 of the best armchair coaches in America!" (says the KUcoachcoop)

Media Release = "The NCAA can shove these allegations up their snotty arse! Go ahead and ban us from games. You will never keep an internet connection out of AFH, so we'll coach our guys regardless of your stupid bans. Jack with us one more time, and we will file a class-action suit on your bogus institution!"

Laugh... you are supposed to laugh! But don't be surprised if automatization replaces coaches in the future just like most other jobs. I can see a little device looking like a Roomba, on the court, screaming at players and refs...

;)

But seriously... I think this year, with so many games flipping to ESPN+, I think I'm finally ready to cut the cable. I'm thinking YouTube TV is the best solution for me. Has similar cable channels and unlimited DVR. Anyone out there currently using this service and care to comment about it?

I have excellent WIFI throughout my house and two smart TVs already successfully playing YouTube. Looks like an easy flip to YouTube TV while flipping off Cox!

I am anxious to pay $9.99 and watch the entire KU season on my apple watch. Finally, a screen size that fits my mentality! ;)

This team is carrying a chip the size of those huge stacked stones in Arches National Park. I wonder how Kenporn calculates that?

@BeddieKU23

Yep. You called it. Gethro will test our new strength coach. From what I see, he's going to get pushed around as a freshman, but that's okay. Let's see how fast he can put muscle on those thin thighs.

Has a pretty good stroke from trey.

A lot to develop here. He's also still growing.

Hmmmm... Foster, Braun and Harris have a background together. I'm thrilled and give them the official "jelly doughnut" award!

Fun reads.

I must have missed this one.... so will ask... Does Foster have 2 years of eligibility left?

Surely, he will need time to adjust to D1. It would be nice to hear from Self describe a possible Foster role, but I'm not counting on that anytime soon. He's a slice of a large pie that will be coming with all the holes after this year.

Let's say he isn't the next Wiggy. Isn't he, in the least, a tall guard that will help build his teammates at practice? That is the very least. I am just getting used to Foster, but I like what I see. I remain cautious concerning expectations because the footage is against weak players. Still.... he's a tall guard with some ability and a feather touch. That gives reason to smile.

We shouldn't get caught up in how this looks for other recruits in this class. He isn't projected to compete with higher level players, but lets hope he ends up stepping up and competing for real minutes.

(glass half full)

I think the NCAA drags this out forever, until everyone forgets most of it, then we get a symbolic face slapping and move on. You know, like UNC and other blue bloods.

Size, handles, some athleticism, feather touch... and perhaps most important, not an overrated OAD we have to baby and deal with a year of distraction and preferential treatment preventing team bonding. Oh... and risk no more NCAA infraction charges.

Yep... I'm totally on board with Tyon!

@HighEliteMajor

In other words... to pay off players to sign with a school. Like what goes on now, behind closed doors.

Since we are an Adidas school, and at the top of their basketball list... won't we benefit more than most? Look at the size of our school contract with Adidas. They have invested big time in Kansas. They will want to continue to help sign players to Kansas and will pay a premium price.

I don't go with something just because Kansas benefits more.

I have no idea how this is going to work but we have several years to have this litigate and rules to be drawn. The NCAA will have to find a way to satisfy everyone. Or... let me rewrite that... the courts will have to find a way to satisfy everyone. REALITY: no one will be satisfied because that is the culture we live in today!

@Texas-Hawk-10

Isn't the Big 12 still a major conference? Except for last year, KU owns the Big 12 in basketball. Seems like it could be a better investment to own the team that owns a major conference instead of a team that is one of many in another major conference.

I don't know. I felt a bit enlightened after your post and will think about that for a while.

Texas Hawk 10 said:

Regardless of people's opinions of Texas, the Longhorn Network is what's holding the league together at this point.

I agree. There is no place for Texas to go with their shiny network.

Unfortunately, what I think is likely to happen with the new player endorsement money coming in... I see it benefiting schools in the larger TV markets the most.

We all know how marketing works, and money chases the crowds.

I mentioned before about issues with what is to come; will the NCAA inject a level of socialism in the regs to follow? Will they want a slice of the pie along with giving the conferences a slice, too?

It does fit their model of taking most of the pie away from the players. It's a perfect way of diluting the impact and it sure would make a lot of people happy that aren't players!

I'm smelling a college players' union coming our way!

@jayballer73

Not sure I see Texas leaving the B12. Did you forget about the Longhorn Network? I'm pretty sure that must make it hard for UT to move on. Not sure what other league is prepared to bring in such a heavy school. The B12 was vulnerable for a school like UT.

Where would they go? SEC? I just don't see it. I do a lot of work with UT and there are cultural differences between UT and the SEC.

Just watch this play out. Self is now on record for supporting the Cal law. Coaches have to recruit. Do you think many of them want to go against paying players?

The writing is on the wall, and the NCAA is going to cave. The real question is "how much?" How much will they cave? Regs will have to be in place. Lines will have to be drawn. I bet they are busy now trying to calculate lines and what they think they can govern and enforce.

I foresee much of this ending up in court. Not so much on the overall concept of the new Cal law. That is quickly catching fire like a prairie blaze. It's all about the details and such a broad concept will have to be refined with regs. I can see half a dozen major areas of interest and there will be huge money in those interests. Now you are talking about corporate attorneys taking on the NCAA.

As much as we all want to BBQ the NCAA and call them out as being dictators... imagine the size and scope of what is about to happen.

I dislike the idea of Kansas leaving the B12. Walk into AFH, the museum for Kansas basketball. Notice our history for B8 (later becoming B12). Then imagine we leave the B12. How valuable are those old banners and trophies? They relate to a conference we left and get further away from every single day. It's like we are starting from scratch in college basketball. Kansas is one of the most prominent basketball institutions in college basketball. Our history is a huge part of our modern day identity. When we don't like aspects of the B12 we need to punch harder at our own conference. Unfortunately, our conference doesn't stay tuned to modern times. That can be a good thing and that can be a bad thing.

Texas Hawk 10 said:

@FarmerJayhawk Another example in Texas of holding minorities down and a contributing factor in the disparity of conviction rates and sentence lengths is the prison system. I can't speak on other states, but in Texas, most prisons are privately owned and operated. They are also among the richest and most powerful lobby groups in the state. They don't make money by rehabbing convicted criminals so they don't become repeat offenders, they make money by keeping those prisons as full as possible.

This lobby group is why Texas will be among the last states to decriminalize marijuana, let alone legalize it even for medicinal use. Marijuana convictions are big business in Texas, along with other misdemeanor level drug crimes because those fill these private prisons and fund a lot of law enforcement agencies in the state.

And local law enforcement has extreme privilege to confiscate property upon an arrest. Finally some of this has been called out by media, including national media because of specific local jurisdictions operating far beyond any good spirit of law enforcement and fairness.

UPDATE:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/california-governor-signs-law-allowing-college-athletes-to-be-paid-for-name-image-and-likeness-as-ncaa-protests/ ↗

https://www.si.com/college-football/2019/09/30/florida-state-representative-proposed-legislation-pay-student-athletes ↗

Colorado and Washington are soon to follow. Anyone know where Texas sits on this issue? I'm of the opinion if the NCAA still isn't bluffing after a few more states join in, adding Texas will be the final blow. I already see this as the end of the NCAA as we know it. They will have to adjust to a new system. Maybe we just need to stall out as long as we can and then we are the proverbial kid in Colorado who is caught with a joint the day pot was legalized.

The times are a changin'. I figure the NCAA is worth about one more silly threat before the bend over and say "uncle!"

The key, as many have stated in here, is for the NCAA to create laws they can actually enforce. Since the system is so large, they can't enforce it without help from everyone; institutions, players, onlookers, shoecos... everyone.

What you don't hear people talking about is the IRS. Suddenly, they are going to be very very interested in "student-athletes."

This is the time for an entrepreneur to step up and start a new organization to compete against the NCAA. No one seems to like the NCAA so this entire country (outside the NCAA) would listen to an alternative. An alternative would attempt to create a fail-safe system, connected to the IRS and DOJ for a presence of transparency and control. Fairness.

BTW: for those not convinced the NCAA is about to take this up the backside.... just imagine for a second this case ending up in federal court, State of Cal vs NCAA. California holds all the cards. All the cards. The NCAA can only sit back on controls from a private organization. Once an organization develops to the level the NCAA has, federal court has long ago stripped organizations of most of their control. Almost every single American is directly impacted by the NCAA.

Meanwhile... expect to see "action groups" organized and buying TV ads in support of the civil liberties of athletes. Big black eye on the NCAA. Again... they lose!

I don't think I've ever seen a KU team with this much of a chip before.

Individual players had chips coming into this season. Devon carries a natural chip, he can't stand losing. Doke has carried a chip since last year when he went down so he built his body into Hercules. Marcus has a chip for playing hurt most of last year and now feels ready to prove himself. Silvio... do we have to say anything? Isaiah has a chip from his last school that has followed him here. Everyone not a freshmen has an added chip for losing the streak last year.

Our coaches are oozing with chips. Just listen to Self.

The team has a chip over this NCAA cr@p, too, because they are hearing all kinds of criticism outside of Lawrence.

The fans are carrying a whopper! We are friggin' set off having been smacked by the NCAA while teams like Duke get the top cream without even a glance.

There is only one way to feel better from all this pain... win! Win every stinking game!

We won't be bringing a gun to a knife fight. Try a tank!

jhawk7782 said:

Meanwhile, North Carolina landed a commitment from five-star center Walker Kessler on Sunday night.

NCAA: No Academic Violations at UNC
Ruling comes despite university’s finding that many athletes were for years enrolled in and passed courses they did not attend and that were not taught by anyone.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/10/16/breaking-ncaa-finds-no-academic-fraud-unc ↗

I don't buy into the "everyone else is doing it" excuse either but doesn't it seem that the NCAA has always had double standards? Some schools seem immune to NCAA violations.

Here is your case for lack of institutional control. Here is your case proving institutional involvement! And just because the class is offered to non-athletes doesn't excuse the AD from staying on top of their athletes' classes. They should have realized these courses were not legit.

"Institutional control?" Aren't we talking about Self and Townsend? Isn't that "personal control?" I say that because it looks like we've exhibited very good institutional control. Billy and Silvio, both, were pulled off the court at the first sniff of trouble.

I mention this because it seems like if we receive penalties, it should be directed more towards the persons, and not the institution and the current players. Let's not forget we have a model compliance program that has been copied all over the country. So the reputation of our university and compliance program need to be drug down in the mud?

This reminds me of the initial Silvio punishment. Punish him for his guardian's actions.

Might we consider this to be where the line is drawn in the sand between Self and Kansas. Just how far are we willing to get behind Bill?

I question why any of our coaches held conversations with any shoecos directly. How can that be viewed as anything but negative. It puts into question our argument that we did everything possible to stay clear from corruption. I addressed the optics here. Now on to the content. Prosecution should involve more than speculation. If speculation prosecutes then Duke is guilty for signing Zion... another recruit that seems to help paint a negative portrait of Kansas.

nuleafjhawk said:

If Self is fired over this - I'm checking out. I will have watched my last college basketball game ever. I can do it - I quit a 3 pack a day cigarette habit cold turkey. I quit a case of beer per night (plus other assorted goodies) - cold turkey. When I set my mind to something - it's done. I've been less and less enamored with college basketball the past several years and this would be the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. I hope it's not the case - but I'm right there on the edge.

I would hate to see that... my friend!

Join me in the upcoming battle. The battle to turn KU into the first heavy-duty developmental team in America!

Receiving a swift kick in the teeth from the NCAA might even help us get this rolling!

We need to be done with the prima donna players, once and for all! We need NONE of that business. Enough of the fool's gold!

We need coaches that know how to coach. Our assistants are recruiters and babysitters. I like our entire staff, but we need wholesale changes for what I'm talking about.

Just imagine seeing players playing the game the way it was intended. Imagine seeing players get out there and scrap their arses off! Imagine players knowing how to seal the boards, pop out over screens, hedge properly, and hustle like their life depended on it! Imagine March coming around and we go on a slaughter of teams full of high draft picks. Imagine being in the hunt every single year! Imagine 4 and 5 year players that really produce.

It's all there just waiting for the right program to see it. Jay Wright sees it. We are positioned better than him. I'd rather be Kansas than Nova.

@dylans

I don't know... schools like Arizona do fine with the mess they are in. And I'm feeling fine if we stop going after these pipe dream players that rarely produce anything for us except build our egos that we can win top notch talent. Look at teams like Nova. Don't you think we can even do a better job at winning over Nova? We live in the Midwest... where life moves a bit slower and people are used to the idea that hard work pays off.

@dylans

Unless the NCAA knows something the DOJ and FBI couldn't discover, I'm not holding my breath on any of these threats.

We are not living in the "good ol' days." The NCAA would love to just smash schools and prove they are in control. Realistically, that isn't as possible today because schools are realizing they can fight back and use the justice system outside of the NCAA world.

kjayhawks said:

I'll say this much, I'll be done with college athletics if the NCAA comes down hard on us and some the other Adidas schools while not batting an eye at the Nike schools. We all know Zion got paid and most of UKs recruits aswell.

I have connected with several ex-players and they all say the same thing... supporting part of my disdain for Nike. Let's see what happens. Give the world time to build the case against Nike. I feel certain it will come and when it does it will make the Adidas situation look like the reality it is... small potatoes!

focojayhawk said:

I think we're all missing the larger positive here. The moral fiber of today's high level D-1 basketball player has never been higher. Here we have Kansas offering them bags of cash as well as homes/jobs for their parents and yet instead they're taking the high ground and choosing to go to Duke/Kentucky/Memphis for free. The future is truly bright.

You forgot to mention that Duke's in-house investigation backs up your optimistic opinion!

I wonder what the penalty would be if this Duke dream was proven wrong and they clearly conspired to cover it up?

Again... none of this becomes a concern when we go for developmental players and through a developmental program.

Maybe this will be the final wake up call.

"I never heard from anyone associated with Duke in connection with my allegations or any investigation," Avenatti said. "I was never asked a single question. I was never asked what information or documents that I was aware of. Who the hell conducted this investigation? Inspector Clouseau?"

"The documents and the hard evidence do not lie. Zion Williamson was paid to attend Duke. [Coach Mike Krzyzewski] has made and facilitated payments to players for years. And when the truth comes out -- and eventually it will -- Coach K and Duke's reputation will forever and rightfully be tarnished."

"And if what I'm saying is untrue, I challenge Coach K and Duke University to file a defamation lawsuit against me tomorrow and we can let the chips fall where they may."

I'm glad no one has ever come out this hard punching us in the face. I doubt Avenatti ever steps foot on that campus without a bodyguard.

When a college jersey is sold with a player's name on it... how is that money divided? Does anyone know? What percentage goes to the school, the NCAA, the conference, cousin Vinny in the parking lot?

I agree with @justanotherfan and schools really need all those ShoeCo equipment deals and cash. But why do they need so much $$$? Yes... there are crazy costs in operating college sports, but there is crazy $$$ in all of this for the school. Let's not forget TV revenues.

I'd love to see the bottom line. What our AD brings in and what it spends. We are a State funded university. Isn't that knowledge public?

I'm starting to think different about all of this.

I'm thinking about Perry Ellis... and him going down in the first minute of his game in Wichita.

College is high risk. High risk to those who should soon be making big time money. What do these top players receive from playing a year of college ball?

They have an opportunity to play in front of a big basketball market, which is worth something... but is it worth everything?

I don't think players receive enough quality coaching in college. They are limited to coaching. That has to be there because they are student-athletes.

Watch the NBA draft and you will see an influx of foreign players who never played D1.

I think players should make big bucks the second they can. Their career "life-expectancy" window is small. Real small. They usually don't have the type of injury that prevents them from playing, but all the banging creates smaller injuries that nag them sometimes for the rest of their playing days. Their game often deteriorates quickly, removing their marketability.

It has taken me some time to form this opinion. But I now get Hampton and others... and I agree with his move. And if there are players just below top-shelf thinking about going abroad to play... do it! If you can sign a deal with good money, why hang out in college UNLESS... (big unless) you want a college education!

@Texas-Hawk-10

Does it seem like we are already getting a "Miles effect?"

I'm questioning if I've had a lucid thought the last 4 days.

Feels like I'm on some kind of psychedelic woodstock high.

I could swear that I can't tell the difference between the Chiefs and the Jayhawks this past 4 days.

In my extended freak-out dream I witnessed two teams put up a season's amount of offense in just a few quarters.

Reinforces my thoughts for the last 60 years. If you do anything... recruit anyone... make sure it's a quarterback with an arm and some intelligence. I know both teams have more quality players than that but I can think of several Chiefs teams that had half a dozen all-pro players but couldn't make the playoffs.

How fun is this ride?

I'm certain the Chiefs are going to have many games like today ahead. But the Jayhawks? Entering Big 12 play?

No guarantees here but I think they have potential to win some conference games. If Stanley maintains his self-esteem, he should be able to help lead this team to some effective offense.

So what Big 12 teams might we target? We always know the purple kittens are at the top of our list. And why can't we take it to them? The scent of Snyder is gone.

I'm sure many of you know the Big 12 football conference better than I. Anyone feeling like we could win some games this year? Who will we beat?

HighEliteMajor said:

All I know is we are getting real close to KU hoops again. And we are loaded for a NC run.

Yeehaw.... let's run the table. The perfect season! 41-0!

(Calipari sarcasm)