🏀 KuBuckets Archive

@BeddieKU23

Recruiting is such a strange part of coaching.

Perhaps Duval is here just to use up his official visits. But we can't offer that too much since we are limited on hosting official visits. I believe the number is 12.

In the least, consider this part of a card game between Bill and K. Duval is here on an official visit... so it has to worry someone like K. We impact K's recruiting by having him visit.

And we get influenced by recruits visiting other schools.

I know Bill is salivating to sign Trae. Trae is not in the bag, but we have "all hands on deck" concerning his recruitment.

Recruiting has become a game of dominoes. One player commits and the others jostle around and commit afterwards.

@JayHawkFanToo

I liked your breakdown of each game moving forward.

I'm not too worried about the OSU game because either the B12 championship has already been decided.... or if it all comes down to that one game I think our guys are ready to go down and finally win one in Stillwater.

We should win all of these games.... but doubtful we will.

I think our toughest games are at KSU and at home against WVU. I'm usually wrong, though.

@BeddieKU23

"So how does KU win tonight?"

By controlling pace. Huggybear knew how to dismantle Baylor. They play "slow ball" so speed them up, force them into TOs. They have some young players that have never played in AFH. Crowd noise is a huge factor that when you combine it with speeding up the game, we quickly over-match Baylor.

Our player advantages are with Devonte and Josh. Josh needs to ignite us with some big plays. Devonte needs to be our guys focused on tempo.

If we have big games from these guys, I don't see how we lose. Frank is important, too. He fills a stat sheet. But the mechanics behind the game, especially concerning controlling pace, that mostly has to come through Devonte.

We could lose this game if we don't control tempo... very easily lose it. Or we could breeze through this game, just like WVU did, by pushing the pace that will create lots of TOs and easy buckets off of TOs, and by not allowing Baylor to run their offense effectively. Get out and pressure their guards, speed up the tempo... Baylor gets shut down.

@wissox

Fair weather fans.

@chriz

My kids loved all their veggies... until my wife started giving them goldfish crackers and other junk. Guess which one the kids want now? It definitely ain't the veggies!

@ralster

"WHY then do we not have BigPharma all over this, and purifying and synthesizing various offshoot cousin compounds that truly enhance those “medicinal uses” in a more potent manner?"

Pharma isn't about healing or helping people. Pharma is 100% about making profit. I'm not just offering my thoughts on this.... all of pharma operates as corporations and through corporate law. It is actually REQUIRED by pharma to be only about profits because it is written in their responsibilities in their corporate charters and bylaws. By their own laws, pertaining to their formation and existence, they are required to seek out profit returns for their stockholders.

In order for pharma to have a drug qualified for sale it must pass through insane amounts of testing and red tape... most of it having LITTLE to do with possible effectiveness or adverse effects. Govt approvals today (I believe) typically cost from $600 million to over $1 billion. Even though pharma complains about the high costs, they then are not only able to monopolize on their medications, they are also able to keep smaller companies out of their business because of the costs.

Pot research has gone on for decades. But none of it qualifies as research by our govt because they intentionally create research scenarios requiring outrageous costs in order that they can maintain their total control and dominance. And... as many think... govt and pharma are ONE! Just research what industry spends the most on lobbying Washington.... that would be the AMA and related medical industries, by a long shot! They OWN DC!

Pot and THC have been around forever, and in the general sense, belong as common property with well-noted use for many health-related reasons, making them "obvious" and restricting patent claims. I believe this has already been tested to some degree in patent court.

What I am expecting.... perhaps even with President Trump... is the possibility that Trump maintains his promise to be the "law and order" president, translating into "all federal laws will be upheld." So expect feds to come into all of these pot states and start busting it all up.

Stage two was partially discussed this morning when Trump met with pharma execs. He stated his desire to killing up to 80% of the regulations surrounding pharma. If so, he creates the pathway for pharma to legalize medicinal pot in the same vein as other drugs. So pharma will end up in complete control of weed and THC. Pharma will setup some bogus trials and our govt will decide weed/THC/cannabinoids suddenly have miraculous healing qualities!

In order for pharma to make weed into one of their drugs for selling, they will first make sure they completely "f-up" their new baby. Pharma is based on synthesizing elements and compounds. This is where most "side effects" come from. Drugs are not typically most effective when they are isolated. These elements and compounds need to be with their natural host compounds in order to buffer from many side effects. They can also help stimulate results in some cases, too.

By the way, pharma will patent some of their synthetic versions of THC. This is something they can protect. "Synth pot" is the future for these giants. For all of those who have positive experiences with pot, don't expect synth pot to be anything as positive.

Here is the kicker.... pharma doesn't want drugs to NOT have side effects! Most patients who are prescribed a drug for ongoing use end up having to take several other drugs to battle the side effects. Pharma does what other for-profit corporations do.... they build in functional obsolescence. The formula for big business is NEVER to sell you a product just ONCE!

@mayjay

I fought girls off every second I was in college. At least... I did in my dreams.

@ralster

Where employees operate equipment (cars, trucks, forklifts... etc etc) it should be in their employers' rights to require drug testing because of the connection to impairment and the risk to follow.

But this has gone far beyond the risks associated with operating equipment. Corporations now use it as one more leverage tool against employees... giving them an easier way to fire employees and/or control them.

Concerning Carlton... if he is regularly consuming pot it is hard to believe his game has gone unaffected by doing so. This is all an assumption that he is a regular user... If he is, most likely his game has suffered to some degree. We are talking about physical, mental and emotional levels in relationship to his performance. He may have lost some motivation to improve and put in extra work to do so. He may run a bit slower, lost a bit of hand/eye coordination, too. He may be more likely to forget key strategies given to him by his coaches.

I'm not going to be the one that POINTS A FINGER at Carlton on this. It is unfair without knowing the facts of this case.

I don't believe he will be held off the hardwoods because of the misdemeanor paraphernalia charge. I believe he is being held out until drug testing is complete. If I am correct, and if he has now been tested, we will probably know the results by next Monday.

If he is guilty, it doesn't necessarily mean Carlton will be cut from the team. Good chance that the determination of his staying or going will be all on him. Will he offer to enter a drug rehab class? If his problem is deemed more severe... will he offer to enter a drug rehab program.... most likely requiring him to reside within the program?

I'm curious how this all plays out. How willing is Bill to take a chance on Carlton moving forward? Bill has a good heart and he tends to want to use the game of basketball to help young players wherever possible. Kicking Carlton off the team and ruining his reputation is not the first thing Bill will want to do, but most of it will depend on Carlton. Does he feel remorseful? Does he want to stop his habits? Bill can't and won't stick out his own neck too far, and why should he?

@approxinfinity

Poor Mario..... he must be saying to himself, "not again!"

The drug paraphernalia laws have always been questionable and are used as an "ace in the hole" by courts across America.

Do you know what qualifies as "paraphernalia?"

Basically, anything on earth that can be used with the illegal substance in anything from consumption to concealment.

So let's pick something out of thin air.... anything.... how about a sock?

Those with a lot of drug experience or knowledge are already thinking they figured this one out. Socks are often used by "huffers"... they spray paint, or whatever their inhaling substance is, inside a sock, then roll it up and put it up to their mouths and suck it in. This use does fit the most-direct definition of paraphernalia.

But I'm thinking of a different case. I'm thinking of a guy who almost lost his rights to stay in America because he had a couple pills in his sock. For the reason of concealment, his sock was his paraphernalia, and he was charged in the State of Kansas.

Opinion analysis: Court rejects removal based on misdemeanor drug paraphernalia conviction ↗

Paraphernalia charges have been exploited to help law enforcement commit outrageous acts overstepping their boundaries, including downright thievery by officers, departments and by the courts. In the larger landscape, paraphernalia laws expanded into property confiscations including boats, cars, houses, bank accounts and more.

Or how about a better known case. Tommy Chong (of "Cheech and Chong") busted in 2003 through "Operation Pipe Dreams"... when Josh Ashcroft was our US AG. He received a 9-month prison sentence and a permanent felony record for trafficking paraphernalia across state borders. He recently asked Obama for a pardon. I don't believe he got it, but not sure. Everyone in here should read this link on how filthy the feds acted in driving for this prosecution:

Operation Pipe Dreams ↗

If you look at how and where paraphernalia laws have gone, you might look at this situation with Carlton a bit different.

I barely breached the topic.

@KUSTEVE

Just like the guys wouldn't have a problem getting weed anywhere.

This is largely a convenience thing. The girls are "vetted."

Even pro athletes use these guys.

There is a question about whether or not these stories all point to the same girl. Could be.

Another angle points to someone yet to be mentioned. A "fan" who provides players with girls, drugs, whatever they want. These "fans" are at every university all the time.

@Crimsonorblue22

" I read where fans are worried Self will get sick of this 💩 And go elsewhere. Who knows."

This stuff goes on everywhere. I think what Bill cares about most is that the KU administration does the right thing. If not, then you have a Baylor situation.... then Bill is gone.

Did I do the math right... we need a PG for 2 years before Markese takes over?

So Trae Young for 2 years, then Markese?

We are too far out to really have a good idea how many B12 teams will get in the dance.

It is easy to analyze only from within a bubble. Before throwing out B12 teams with the bath water, we have to look at what teams will replace them.

There are not many dominant teams this year. I'm talking about in the middle. So many of these teams will have a bundle of terrible losses.

Just one more test for our guys.

I keep saying it... struggle can work for us, too.

It certainly worked in Lexington.

@jayballer54

Wow... I wasn't expecting the complete confession!

Hey, I'm no altar boy myself. I was just lucky enough to have a coach mentor me from junior high all the way to today!

I really like Carlton a lot. Obviously, he could use a mentor. When you have one you don't want to screw up because your mentor is like the caring dad you never had, or an extra dad.

Without my mentor, I would have screwed up so bad my basketball uniform might have had stripes!

I keep saying it.... the player who is leading the team also polices every player off the court. It is his team.

Heck, I've been through this myself playing on teams not even near the level of D1.

@jayballer54

Our court system doesn't operate on assumptions. It doesn't matter what I THINK in a court of law.

Conviction requires evidence beyond a reasonable doubt... not just reasonable doubt. BEYOND!

@approxinfinity

"Honesty" really doesn't enter the picture when you are selling calls you deserve. Just consider it a continuation of "body language." Body language fits in this same bracket. It doesn't relate to honesty but impacts how games are called.

Honesty comes into the picture when you go overboard like Marcus Smart.

@Crimsonorblue22

Yes.... fruit in a kind of syrup. If you put foil underneath and use coals to heat it, you have a hookah pipe.

@HighEliteMajor

I wondered that myself.

I'm also thinking.... the police didn't search every room after the rape allegation. There had to be a connection somehow to Carlton.

My total guess would be that Carlton knows the "suspect" and the suspect was using Carlton's paraphernalia.

This is the second incident this season involving police and Carlton. I'm thinking he needs to clean up his act, and a big part of that act is hanging out with people that are only going to bring him down.

Case in point. Twice. (okay, I'm taking this for granted without all the facts)

Just conjecture.

@Crimsonorblue22

Might help you stay "regular!"

@wrwlumpy

I think we are all taking it for granted that the paraphernalia is related to pot. Most likely, it is, but do we know it as fact yet?

Lots of controversy over what can actually be a charge and hold on "paraphernalia." Most of the time it has to accompany an interview with the suspect screwing up and admitting it was intended to be used with drugs. Or there could be residue on it that can be easily proven one way or the other. Usually, police and DA just ask the person charged to admit intent to save analysis fees and it will look like he is participating with the DA, helping prevent the highest possible charge. At least, I believe that is how it used to work, maybe when it could wrap into higher charges.

A pipe, even a bong, can be used for tobacco or dried fruit.... about anything.

I wonder if Carlton admitted what it was intended to be used for?

If he didn't, the misdemeanor charge should probably be dropped, unless he has the issue with residue.

@Crimsonorblue22

Ha... thanks for reminding me. I'll have to dig deep then.

I thought Cal looked like a total reptile in the clean version of that photo. Did you know those photos are for sale? Imagine hanging Cal in your office? Bedroom?

Imagine A Coaching Change?

Imagine we swap coaches with Kentucky? Part of the appreciation we have for Coach Self is the fact that he isn't another Calipari....

!calipari.jpg ↗

@Blown

I wonder if he is being drug tested. Perhaps there will be more info coming out after that.

@approxinfinity

"That play should not require a flop to be called an Offensive foul."

Actually, many calls DO require a slight flop. It does because that is now the STANDARD in college basketball on many of these close calls.

I'm not talking about a Marcus Smart flop. Just "sell the call"... something that has been in basketball probably since the very beginning of the game.

I've been criticized for saying we need to sell the calls.

"Selling the calls" is such a basic part of the game, like shot fakes and boxing out on the boards.

This fits into the same bracket argument I have with my wife when she speeds through intersections.... "Yes, the light was green. That won't save your life. I'm going to print '..but I was right' on your gravestone."

When we lose by 2 in March and we give up a couple of baskets we actually DESERVED but wouldn't sell the call, I will be thinking the same thing.

@wissox

Yep... Cal gets his teams to the top. What can he do with NO McD's AAs? You remember what that is like, right? The team we took to the title game in 2012 was completely VOID of McD's AAs.

Let me go to the NBA and grab 8 all star players, and I will challenge KU or any other team within one week. Cal has made a similar situation with all his draft pick players.

I definitely proclaim Cal as the best recruiter in college ball. But beyond that.... bs.

That is like saying Bill Self has made JJ who he is. Nonsense. JJ is kicking butt because he is a kick butt player.

Put Cal with a team of mediocre players and guess what they will become? Right... a mediocre team.

I have no respect for Cal as a coach beyond his ability to recruit.

@stoptheflop

We just have to avoid this game becoming a trap game. I don't think it will since Baylor is right there at the top.

We do miss depth in the post, but otherwise, we match up well with Baylor. JJ should SMASH the Baylor zone, and then put him with Frank and Devonte.... wow!

@wissox

Loved your post. You exposed UK for what it is... a fad. Their recruiting.... a fad. Wouldn't surprise me if most of their recruits are actually recruited by hiphop stars.

Kentucky has taken on the flavor of Cal. Their mantra used to be "win at any cost" and it still is.... but I bet a lot of the older fans never thought it would become such a circus show.

Consider life in Kentucky.... what do they have to follow? UK and Louisville basketball. Am I missing anything? Oh yeah, the Kentucky Derby and nascar.

We've got 3 big college programs, Royals, Chiefs, Sporting KC, nascar, etc. etc. etc.

Even with that level of desperation, they still couldn't stay seated for another 48 seconds.

@JayHawkFanToo

Yeah.... me, too.

@HighEliteMajor

I recall over the last few years, when Kansas becomes #1 many of the national outlets don't even post our scores.

Imagine that? The college basketball section of a news or sports news outlet EXCLUDING coverage of the #1 team in America?

This is where our AD needs to activate and make a statement about this to chastise these dicks. That is unbelievable and we need to challenge the east coast bias.

We could go underground... all register at these sites over and over again and then blast their comments sections.... basically destroying them.

Or we could do this the right way and have the representatives of our school/team start DEFENDING us publicly!

I'm willing to go either way....

@jayballer54

If eating crow isn't enough.... you can always try Jake's approach -

[link text](

@jaybate-1.0

"but January has a habit of chastening August expectations."

Ha... could comment on every bit of this "fake news" but had to pluck out the definite "real news."

@Lulufulu

He didn't have a trey shot but he would start some of his finger roll finishes from the perimeter.

@jaybate-1.0 said:

Wilt Chamberlain with a trey.

And a shake and bake....

I'm sure glad he idolizes Olajuwon!

@globaljaybird

True... and I really appreciate that! I look at zone as one more weapon, so something definitely to use. But I appreciate the toughness of Iba and all his disciples.

@KUSTEVE

Kind of enjoyed the interview with Briscoe, Willis and Hawkins. These guys hold most of their basketball IQ. Thought it was interesting that Willis stayed up all night last night watching Jayhawk game footage. So was that the first time he worked on scouting us? That seemed quite odd.

@Fightsongwriter

Basketball is my life. Gambling on basketball is not my life. There is a reason for that. I'd be more than happy to quit "working" and just gamble all year.... if... if I could actually win!

@jayballer54

BTW: Those Kentucky fans eat nasty gravy every single day but don't realize they are supposed to learn a lesson from it. Kind of like Alabama football fans.

@jayballer54

Right. It needs to be served warm or hot. Kind of like gopher gravy. Jethro ( @KUSTEVE ) knows a lot about gopher gravy.

@jayballer54

Eating crow isn't that bad. It usually gets served with a healthy spoon full of humility, too.

We can all use that sometimes.

For some reason I seem to know quite a bit about eating crow!!!

@HawkChamp

That is basically true... but this year we really can't look ahead on anything. Without the depth, we could go on a skid at just about anytime.

For example... we get somebody hurt now. How devastating would that be?

Hey.... thumbs up for Coleby! He really came through today.

I think Kentucky just kissed their chances of a #1 seeding goodbye! I am happy we provided the knockout punch!

@Crimsonorblue22

Didn't this game feel like 2008 all over again (concerning Cal and his coaching)?

He just can't handle in-game strategy changes well, especially with a team full of freshmen. Other teams that have to prepare to play UK should remember this.

Kentucky's big weakness? Making adjustments!

@brooksmd

I am happily eating my crow bird today with spicy brown mustard.

I didn't predict a definite loss, but I did express I thought we had to be prepared for a beat down.

I'm usually happy to eat crow! It tastes like chicken, but a little dry.

I feel certain we are going to see more zone moving forward this year. We just don't have the depth to go M2M all the time. I'm glad.

Teams prepare for us going M2M. Now they have to worry about a zone, too.

We played pretty good zone, but I wouldn't say great. Didn't matter. Kentucky only prepared for our M2M. Throw in a few plays of triangle and two, just to confuse them and we did a great job of rattling a bunch of freshmen!

@JayHawkFanToo

You are seeing the last piece of "traditional Bill" being shredded away. He has held on to his M2M defense even harder than his hi/lo.

One time I asked him to his face why he won't use a zone more and I thought he was going to punch me in the face. His answer.... "if we can't move our feet in a M2M, why do you think we would move our feet in a zone?" I didn't have an answer for him on the spot, plus didn't really want to challenge one of the best coaches in D1.

@kjayhawks

Definitely right on! We had big plays from several players, and we had small things that made a difference, too. Sometimes it was block outs, sometimes it was fighting through ball screens. It all added up to victory!