🏀 KuBuckets Archive

"What if a quarterback reaches a marketing agreement with a casino? Or a basketball star has a deal to promote a marijuana dispensary when cannabinoids are on the N.C.A.A.’s list of banned substances? What about international students, whose F-1 visas largely restrict them from off-campus employment?"

The NCAA claims no California teams will be allowed to compete for Championships. Ha. I dare them to try that! Emmert isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer to think that threat is going to dent the minds of the California legislature. Those people are more concerned about their hills burning up than a NCAA title, and not many titles coming their way these days anyways.

Colorado and Washington are choosing to ride the coattails of the world's fifth largest economy over the outdated monopoly that has always punished them, too.

This is like the dam breaking. The Pac-12 has no choice but to be "all in." And there are other conferences impacted.

Let's see what recruits do. Hmmmm.... would you rather play ball for a national championship contender or get paid oodles of money for your likeness and endorsements? My guess.... the latter. So now you have the best talent playing on teams that can't play for a title? Suddenly Emmert is faced with major pressure.

Hmmmm.... where does big business go? Now you have championship games that have turned into political nightmares. Do you think they want to be involved in picking a side? In this case, they pick a side if they run their ads. And then imagine watching a NCAA Championship game and it breaks away for an ad being endorsed by a California player. Wow! The NCAA can hardly block that!

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/09/sports/college-athlete-pay-california.html ↗

@HighEliteMajor

Yes.... we will survive... and thanks for the slap in the face.

Hudy was family, and we lost a family member. Worse... she will become family to a competitor.

Hudy gained extra popularity because we would see her shiny face at every game, near the bench. She meant a lot to the players (and coaches).

I'm liking the scent of Ramsey. After a year or so we will know what he tastes like. Hopefully, we will maintain what Hudy brought and add in new features he brought with him.

What I like is Ramsey seems to have a stronger background in nutrition. I've learned a lot of lessons in my life, all through it, and I wish I had learned more about nutrition in my competitive years. I recall through the years at Kansas hearing about some of our players being hooked on sweets and not eating healthy. I harped about it back then (rightly so) and that we needed stronger nutrition influences within the program. I'm hopeful Ramsey will become that influence.

I wonder how the salaries compare? I'm thinking Ramsey received a hefty pay increase to come to Lawrence. Anyone have a clue here?

I'm thinking, to some degree, there is more prestige in being a college strength coach at a blue blood over the same job in the NBA, unless perhaps it's with a top flight team. Even then... it seems like the college strength coaches receive more public attention than the NBA coaches. I'm trying to think when I last heard about a NBA strength coach. Hmmm.... Oh yeah... this guy, Ramsey!

@Crimsonorblue22

Gosh... you remember everything!

Yikes! :hushed_face:

@KUSTEVE

Better book me as a knucklehead. I recall some love interests in AFH. hahahahahaaaaaa

Not sure what the security is like today for AFH. Back in the 70s.. that building was open every single time I wanted in.

Oh yeah.... I never got caught so I'm off the hook!

@KUSTEVE

I didn't know your focus was also off the court. Gheez.... you can build a huge list! ha...

TT had his share of turnovers... no doubt. But he wasn't coached up well until Lucas. There wasn't a lot he did really well until then. He's my guy for selling the idea that we need more of our players, especially PGs, going off campus for extra coaching.

There is no way we made it to the title game without TT. And no way we got there without his time with Lucas.

It really wouldn't take much proper coaching to put our team in the FF just about every year. The developed skills in college basketball almost doesn't exist anymore. It's all instant talent.

Sophia Loren.... She still looks awesome! She's 84!

!sophia-loren-9386318-2-raw.jpg ↗

The league is brutal. It will never be called the "Nice Basketball Association!"

EJ was a sacrificial lamb at KU. Talk about a guy giving himself unselfishly to a program. He's one of my all-time favs at KU because he never really complained about anything. If he had an ounce of prima donna in him he would have transferred.

I'll never forget when he dropped 39 on ISU in their racist arena. I know it impressed the sh*t out of Self. I'm pretty sure he actually teared up at the end of that one.

KUSTEVE said:

My all knucklehead team: Tyshawn, Carlton Bragg, Vick...twice, EJ, Cliff Alexander. Who am I missing?

Tyshawn? I thought Tyshawn was great! He could have put up a lot better career numbers if we had connected him with Lucas sooner.... like after his freshman year.

I thought Tyshawn had a very good senior year, once he got coached up properly.

Mechanics are important for shooting success... but these guys coming in are a crap shoot regardless of their form. Hard to know where their heads are at and what they will do under pressure. How will they counter once the rest of the league has seen them once or twice and plays them right according to scouting. Which players have fight in them, which have flight.

I get concerned if a player switches hands. That's like starting over on a bicycle.

We really need to see at least one of our freshmen step up in some kind of productive role. Then we can feel like we have some kind of resemblance of depth.

Not sure who would fill my Top 10 list... I know the Big Dipper, after that I continually change my mind, depending what day it is.

@Texas-Hawk-10

Very solid post. I can't really disagree with anything you said, except I do think Moss will be a leap up over Vick. I definitely think he should work out to be more consistent down the stretch, where Vick would usually disappear.

If teams pack the paint enough to stop a lightning speed Devon, then they will have to leave guys too open from the outside, making fair shooters sharp shooters. To stop Devon they will have to be posted in his driving lanes.

I like the idea that we have a PG extremely capable to blow by someone and also finish. If Devon turns out to be the warrior I think he will be, then the rest will fall into place. This year's Devon should be the difference over last year's Devon (on offense). But all we can do is speculate for now, and dream...

I completely agree with you on the defensive end. We should be much better. Also... having more depth in the post will be a big help there, too. Defense was our biggest failure last year. It was hard to recognize that team as a "Self team."

Ultimately, the most determining factor will be team cohesion. From what I hear and feel, this team will come together and conquer. A far cry from the mysteries of last year's team.

It's a good idea to advance with caution. I'm just enjoying the possibility of a stellar year! And I'm not thinking of a Calipari "perfect season!"

I liked the video, but would have preferred the less-stylized version... without slo-mo... and choppy cuts. I've been claiming for quite some time that Devon would be a completely different player this year. His first year was about playing cautious, trying not to mess up. This year it is all-out ballin'!

Looks like he is a bit stronger, and he'll have to be if he wants a decent draft spot next summer. Strengthening is all about now. Once the season starts guys usually lose a bit of it because they aren't pushing heavy weights and they run off some of their mass.

Devon has a lightning fast crossover. Something I always look for in a guard. Can he blast by any defender? In this case.... YES he can! Then... will he drive past all defenders? I believe he will. It's one thing to have the ability to drive. It's another thing to have the drive to drive. My money says Devon has both and we are in for a rocket season!

We are all worried about trey scoring. I'm not. I hope we have a few guys who bust a good percentage. But I'm fine if we have a PG who will drive it to the rim every other play and score or feed one of our dunk monsters.

Trey shooting will always fail eventually. The only time the drive fails (from the right setup) is if the defense has a monster blocker. Not sure who is out there in D1 this year to fill that title. But if he's out there... let's hope that is the night we smack down some treys to offset.

I'm having fun dreaming about Devon out-driving all those who came before him... Devonte.... Frank... Tyshawn... Sherron....

That's a mighty tall order, but Devon has the tools and a razor-sharp mind. I just hope he stays focused on playing with all-out aggression!

I'm feeling some harmony in here! Always better to be bonded Jayhawks... no need for ruffled feathers! ha! We'll save our frustrations for the kitty kats in Manhattan and Columbia! Glad to be a bird where we can fly over the kitties with ease and can perch on higher grounds! hahahahahahehheeee

When I lived in Europe I had all kinds of friends... most were white. My Swedish bro is white. Some of his words sounded racially conflicted. I knew he wasn't a racist because he became my best friend. Over a beer he told me he never knew a person of color before me. So I felt it was my duty to have him take the "total plunge into darkness" by meeting another good friend of mine who was extremely black skinned. He was Rastafarian and played in a well-known reggae band. They became friends, too.

The moral of this story is that many people just don't have experience with other cultures. No one should hold that against them. Give them a chance! I know I'm glad I did that because otherwise I wouldn't have my best friend today!

The key is to stay positive and keep that positive perspective throughout your life. There are so many cool people out there that don't match your skin color just waiting to meet you and start a lifelong friendship!

I think it will be tough to replace Andrea with someone of a similar caliber. I've seen very few (if any) other schools capable of building basketball players to the level she does. She has completely transformed players before our eyes.

I think her exclamation point will be Doke this year. Someone needs to take video footage from his first days in Lawrence and mesh it with video taken this year.

I am still in shock that we are losing Andrea.

Gheez.... I'm not the one to defend Nike... the corporation I feel is one of the filthiest, criminal cartels in existence... but to count on evidence from Michael Avenatti?

I'm hopeful, like others, that Avenatti may just be the guy that opens the door to other allegations and targets.

Really good posts in here.

I'm not going to say I've had a hugely successful life... but I will say I am satisfied and have peace of mind with the way my life has progressed. Like most people, I've had ups and downs.

I try not to spend time contemplating if I think someone is racist or not mostly because that isn't my job. I'm a person of faith and it isn't my job to judge. But I do have to make my way through life and I get impulses from people and go off of that because I have to maneuver through life.

I learned a long time ago.... when I was more judgmental it always backfired. I projected negative things back, like showing frustration. That did nothing but feed the situation if that person was racist or not. Why go a negative direction?

By staying focused on what I desire, I usually get what I want. I take the high road and that pretty much guarantees I blow right by those who are in the ditch. And I don't look back.

When thinking of racism I pity those who are racist. They are holding themselves back from so much in life. Giving themselves limitations. They are missing the big party in life.

I feel like our American way of life is being threatened perhaps because life has been too easy for people. People have a lot of spare time and can waste their lives away getting upset at just about any comment said. The over-dramatization is unreal... and I, like many, blame media for a lot of that because they constantly "stir the pot". It happens on both sides of the political aisle.

As a country we do best when we are truly challenged with something. When that happens, we tend to come together and get it done. Read anything about WWII and how all races came together to defeat Hitler. That's who we are... and when it counts.

So I cut my brothers and sisters in this world a lot of slack for comments and such. I know when the time comes and we all have to stand against something, like a foreign invasion, we will be together. Just wish we could all be together when the times are good!

@justanotherfan

Good post.

The degree rule also impacts non-minority agents.

I know this ends up becoming an issue going into the finer details where statistics end up being the reason it becomes "racial" and it is concluded that minorities are impacted in a higher percentage than non-minorities.

I definitely believe sometimes rules and such like this are put in place to intentionally impact minorities in higher rates. I also believe that many times these things do not have intention behind them (like this NCAA rule) and we (as a society) have to decide where the line is drawn because you can extend statistics use and inject it into every element in life.

It's nice to keep emotions down and talk about things openly. It's the best way to get to a positive understanding/resolution!

@BeddieKU23

I feel like Zion was just too big a prize to come along and not have corruption surround him. He was a "must have" target. Could possibly end up being a "game changer" in the ShoeCo war like Jordan was. That is yet to be seen. But this big business couldn't just let him go his own way without their influence. Simply not possible.

If connections to Zion were not interested in taking money secretly you can bet ShoeCo agents were driving by these people and throwing cash money darts out the window at them. Anything necessary to swing Zion their way.

Since the money dart concept probably didn't happen, I'm pretty sure the connections "played ball" to an underground money exchange.

I'm not easily convinced it could ever be proven that Duke directly or indirectly became involved in any of this. But what bothers me is that when any evidence is sniffed out even remotely connected to Duke, those fires quickly get suffocated with wet towels. The sheer magnitude of the protective wall around Duke is part of the corruption here!

Hahahhahahaaa.... now this is the jovial attitude we all need! If the world crumbles, the world crumbles. As long as our season schedule isn't interrupted...

@nuleafjhawk

If you find your island maybe I can be your neighbor on a nearby island? We will invest in a big satellite dish together so we can still watch Jayhawk ball!

I wonder... I wonder... how much damage is caused by overplaying the race card? I think minorities sometimes are avoided because of the fear that a race card will be played, and the fear is coming from very non-racist people but they fear they will make some kind of communication goof that will land them in the doghouse.

I'm a person of color and I feel free to discuss this in here. Does everyone in here feel comfortable talking about race? Doubtful... and understandably so.

And when people feel repressed it is likely resentment will follow. Just ask any person of color.

I grinned when I read the following:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2849409-ncaa-amends-agent-rule-after-criticism-from-lebron-james-rich-paul-more ↗

What this told me is the NCAA may be responsive now to public criticism. They didn't used to flinch under public scrutiny.

I'm thinking if we get smacked with infraction penalties for their current investigations while Duke remains off their radar screen (especially after our allegation concerning Zion), we should create a large scale protest.

KU has fans everywhere... but what is more important here, Duke is probably the most-hated team in college basketball! Every D1 fan that isn't a Duke fan feels like Duke gets a special treatment, from on the court (refs in games), to NCAA tournament seedings, to getting a pass on recruiting allegations.

Does anyone here think Zion's family was NOT paid for him to attend Duke?

@HighEliteMajor

Solid post! Ultimately... someone is going to have to step up and guard someone. We start relying too much on help defense, which to some degree enables players to not stick in someone's grill, there will eventually be a breakdown somewhere because players are playing away from their man in order to help.

In the least, players have to get out and contest some shots. Then we can talk about other ways they can help.

Defense is mostly hustle, positioning, communication and having one collective mentality.

Every defensive scheme has weaknesses. It's up to the defense to limit those weaknesses, and sometimes mask them, too.

And after players are in our system for a few years they should be able to think on their own and adjust their positioning some during a game to reduce where we are being exploited. It shouldn't require Self calling timeout every time we need to tweak our defense slightly. This requires our players having developed their basketball IQ.

Think back over some of our bad defensive games. In those games we would get smoked at the same exploit over and over again. Even though Self is a true HOFr... he can't know everything happening out there. Players have to take responsibility to fix much of the problems themselves. Often, it just means positioning slightly different, or running a fake to steal the ball, or moving feet more to avoid a switch, etc.

None of this is rocket science. But these guys are young, and they are playing in front of thousands of people and the pressure is on! I complain a lot... but I am usually amazed at how well these kids do under the circumstances. That doesn't mean we loosen expectations and stop pushing them.

All of our scholarship players will get some early season minutes... minutes where they can prove themselves.

If Braun stays healthy, he should be one of our quicker developing players. Hard to say how quickly he can make an impact at this level but I wouldn't count him out of anything.

Taking a developmental strategy, players like Braun and his attitude and hustle, he should be given plenty of opportunities to prove himself and earn minutes. Reward those who totally buy in to Selfball. The carrot needs to stay in front of these guys to help keep them motivated and advancing quicker.

My only prediction right now on Braun is that he will become a big-time contributor at some point. The "when" is up to him!

@KUSTEVE

No doubt... our perimeter defense over recent years has stunk.

I'm not sure what our guards are being taught... but they need to guard space less and guard players more.

This is part of that "developmental program" I'm talking about. Teaching players how to hedge. They need an education in "close-out timing" and then apply the proper hedge spacing.

We guard a lot of useless space... space where nothing is happening.

Players need to realize where that space is and the importance of getting out of that space.

When you see defensive breakdowns, often caused by offenses with proper spacing and good ball movement, there are defenders standing in that useless space. Standing! So the defense isn't 5 players at that moment guarding... usually 4 or 3 defenders. That's called a "breakdown."

Players need to move their feet more and quickly travel through the useless space to get where they can defend. Stop standing where they are actually not even counted as being a defender anymore.

This is the sort of situation that drives guys like me crazy. I'd love to see real defense at Kansas! The only way to get there is to season players with the right coaching to develop their skills as players and as a team.

I know I complain about this. Kansas and Bill Self offer one of the better coaching situations in college basketball today! We just need to be geared a bit more towards coaching versus recruiting. Then let the recruiting catch up as our reputation grows in development. I'm not hearing enough from players bragging about how much they learn at Kansas and we aren't seeing it enough on the court.

@approxinfinity

Eliminating the early entry rule into the NBA would only partially end the OAD situation. Even allowing players back to school after testing NBA waters is only a partial help.

There will always be the players that are straddling the talent level to jump sooner so they will go a year in college.

And we should all support players improving as fast as possible to make a living. We know the risks are high and they need a quick path.

But we also see the harm in creating a cohesive team. Revolving door teams are not good for the game or for any school. Having even one or two players leaving OAD can create issues.

Removing special treatments for players is a different story. That is a coaching philosophy requiring discipline and the removal of thinking greedy about talent.

I know I'm preaching. And I question my own beliefs. Wanting players to sacrifice a big chunk of the college experience is something I question about my beliefs. Sometimes it feels like I put my own desires and expectations above the players with this concept of development. Obviously, there needs to be some balance with the players.

But I do believe "my way" is a better choice than our current direction. I just need an occasional "smack in the head" reality check on what is fair and quality to the players. They deserve a quality college experience even if they are vying for multi-million dollar contracts later. There has to be a line drawn somewhere concerning "sacrifice."

@dylans

Very possible, but no guarantees. Team dynamics are complex and there are no certainties.

I like the idea of having a team full of guys who are in a similar boat. The way we create consistent success is through careful recruiting of hungry players with plenty of potential and then have the right development program. I wonder what would happen if we had a sports psychologist somewhere in this formula? Someone specifically looking at team dynamics.

I could see us looking at recruiting players together from the same HS team. Carefully evaluate their relationship, looking for certain characteristics.

@Marco

I hope you are right on ending OADs. I think they’ve been a huge negative to the game. Not trying to demonize the elites… obviously, they possess some of the best talent and are just trying to get to the pros and start earning a living asap.

@Marco

Q had great size for his position and he was a zero. Actually... a minus. The old saying really is what it is about... "it isn't the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog."

I'm with you and excited for our current team. Go to Kusports and read about Braun. That kid is going to be a baller. He's getting after it and I bet he turns out to be the player I keep talking about.

@dylans

I hear you. And Devon is a keeper. He wasn't that top elite coming in and the players I'm talking about. He is at that top talent level we should consider. Even he rides a certain border because of leaving early. The guys who leave early are very disruptive to the continuity of the team. We need the 3, 4 and 5 year guys to produce the "glue" we need.

I realize there is the school rep of being a "blue blood." Many thinks that means we should be able to fill the roster with top shelf players. And we have been able to score many over these past years. But I don't think any of them really helped us get anywhere. We didn't win a title with them. Not a single title. And many of those players brought us trouble.... distractions... and then, the total break in continuity by leaving early. They really keep us from developing the team unity we need for several reasons. First... they are treated different from other players. They have their own rules on being pulled from games, etc. Then.... they leave early so we have a big hole in our roster where another player would have returned to develop continuity and it is the continuity that truly helps create team unity.

I feel like we've underutilized most of our players over the years because of not being focused enough on development. I gripe and I gripe and I gripe... and I'm yet to see players executing the very basic elements of the game, like sealing the boards or hedging properly. When players stick around, they tend to improve in the basics some... at least better than OADs.

Look at a player like TRele. That guy was effective and he had so many factors working against him. He wasn't extremely athletic... no great size... but he brought defense with him. I wouldn't go so far as to say he mastered defense... but compared to almost every player we've had since him, none can compare. In a very different area, Withey is another fine example. Here was a guy that showed up on campus and was a complete klutz. Look what he did with his game by the time he graduated. And he could have reached his potential sooner but he had to chuck down protein shakes like his life depended on it. Kevin Young... the guy was bone skinny. But he understood hustle. He contributed far and above for what he physically brought to the game.

Where is the example of the uber athlete? The OAD? The TAD?

I'm sick of the drama. I'm sick of the prima donnas. I'm sick of dragging our school in the mud. I'm sick of having "cosmetic players."

I want to see real basketball again. I want us to recruit players that will show up after their homework and work on their game until 2am every night. They can sleep later in life.

These players exist. They are scattered across America... diffused in a landscape of mediocrity.

I want to see players EARN their cred... not the ones who arrive on campus with a herd of media and admirers behind them.

We can't win big with lower star players if we don't have the right developmental environment. We haven't had that environment in the past. We have to deal with the distractions from the frenzy following elite players that probably never watched a Kansas game growing up.

@KUSTEVE

I think we were forced to take lower recruits because we missed on all the top shelf players. I haven't heard or seen any changes in our approach to the game from a coaching style. Maybe this class will show our staff that this is the way to go, but they will have to be on board to doing the extra work to get to a higher level and the coaching staff will have to push them harder (though they are limited by NCAA regs). We will see.

KansasComet said:

If you're not cheating, you're not trying! That seems to be the lesson learned here?

It's a feeling felt all through college sports today. Just one more reason why I'd like to see us go the road of character... hard work, focusing on development with the players committed to stay awhile and develop.

It bothers me to experience our school being drug through the dirt.

I feel like we owe it to Naismith and to the game.... get off the elite roller coaster of selling out who we are and put our determination to work to build a program built on character. I'm convinced we will win as much as we win now and probably more. And we win on the character scale and that should count for everything!

@HighEliteMajor

I follow what you are saying.

For those top shelf players... what good does it do to go to a school for 8 months? Are any of those guys diehard for the school they play for? Probably few.

And what does that do for the fans? Really? If we land several top shelf guys because we know how to recruit... just what does that say for our school?

What does it say when we win a national championship with a bunch of 4-year guys who grew up eating-breathing KU?

What does it say when we win one with a bunch of guys who never heard of KU before a year ago?

The game is littered with "win at any cost."

I appreciate the NBA more now because it isn't putting on any misconceptions. It's pure capitalism and not ashamed of it.

It's an interesting concept. I know I think it would be a better choice than playing a year overseas. Talk about risk...

Thinking just about the top shelf players... why not be "all in?" It's your ticket to fame and fortune.

Do you think players lift their public relations stock by playing a year of college ball? Usually doesn't produce a national championship.

Why not refine your game at a higher rate?

The window of opportunity can be so small. That one big contract is a game-changer concerning income over their lives.

I think college ball shows all their weaknesses. Might as well spend a year with the coaches who know how to find and work through weaknesses.

I don't know... think out loud.

@justanotherfan

I agree. I feel like the NCAA can't afford to make it look like some programs are targeted while others they avoid from pursuit.

Consider the Zion situation and the Townsend comment. How do we get penalized for that while Zion attended Duke? Did we commit an offense while Duke did not? I realize there are other issues but the overall situation relates to ShoeCo money.

Is the NCAA saying the ShoeCos only throw money at players for a few schools?

I see an idea that the NCAA uses this to create stricter guidelines for all schools.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2019/08/01/basketball-five-star-prospect-skipping-college-train-nba-draft/1887659001/ ↗

Perhaps the best bet for elites who don't want to go to college and risk injury.

This falls in line with my idea of becoming a developmental program, but for players not quite making that top shelf status.

@nuleafjhawk

To be honest, I'm expecting some national recognition for Max, too.

For one, I know the Big 12 will recognize his departure.

@HighEliteMajor

Are we doing MF patches? I hope so. Maybe we need to send a hint to the AD.

I can see Marcus being a few points less. I can see Doke's points being a few higher. This, that or the other. I'm most interested in what our opponent's points are.

RIP, Max

Sure has been a ride on the Self choo-choo!

If Doke comes into this season in the shape some people are saying he is in (trim, athletic), he should see his floor time increase. If that happens... I'm thinking he might lead the team in scoring.

@HighEliteMajor

There are several things I prefer in the women's game... like... at least the women know how to seal the boards!

@approxinfinity

You mean... win a National Championship! Ha... pretty hard to fail with all the elements you want to see.

College basketball (as a hole) continues to decline. It isn't the good ol' days. There doesn't exist many (if any) real teams with most of the pieces.

We take what we can get and we enjoy it the best we can, because this is where D1 has gone.

Here is a sign I will be looking for this year.... I'm looking for games to start out a lot different.

Think back to last year. How many games did we get out of the blocks fast? Right.... very few. And we often struggled to beat teams that were far inferior. We really drug out 20+ victory season over the finish line.

That is not Kansas basketball. And I've seen this behavior often in several of our recent teams.

This year I am hoping to see us get out quickly on teams. And if we aren't scoring a lot, then we are shutting them down from the opening whistle.

Up to this point, we have a team that has the drive. They will be excited to get out and on the court and play while in the locker room before the game. Motivated.

This is the key factor I will be looking for early in the year and with the hope we carry it out all year.

Factor two will be endurance. Can we keep the pressure on. Will we have a killer instinct, or not? Another trait we truly missed last year.