HighEliteMajor said:
It's the end of June, and there are five big questions looming over the 2018-19 Kansas Jayhawks. We're projected to be a top five team, some have us as the number one team in the nation. Here's my top five questions -
1. Dedric Superstar?: Much of the preseason hype is premised on Dedric Lawson and his presumed superstar status. He was impressive in his two seasons at Memphis and has the ability to stretch the floor, though his three point percentage in his sophomore year dipped to 27% after shooting 35% his freshman season. He looks like our best player, he seems to be the guy we'll rely on, and he seems to be a potential all-American. A lot is riding on Lawson and his assumed stardom. Will he really be "the man"?
2. Moore Up Or Moore Down?: Is he a point guard, or is he just the dreaded short "combo" guard? Much of the opinion flowed against Moore, and against the possibility of Moore starting this season (other than perhaps early). But of late, there seems strong momentum that Moore is a much more complete player than we have thought and the Moore is fully capable of being one of our three starting guards, and excelling with the ball in his hands. Can Moore run the show?
3. DeSousa Eligible?: A disgusting topic. As other posters have observed, can we stomach another season of NCAA delays, a player sitting out, missed games, and the story line dominance that we recently suffered with Billy Preston? Self sounded a quite optimistic tune recently, saying everything from their end indicated DeSousa would be playing. But I'm not so sure. Apologies for the FBI rehash, but my pessimism stems from the core premise of the Federal indictment -- that the defendants in that case defrauded the universities by the payments, which made the players ineligible under the NCAAA rules, thus depriving the schools of their anticipated benefit. If DeSousa plays, well, where's the fraud? Bruce Bowen and De'anthony Melton are examples of where this could go. DeSousa is a force, and having this guy getting 25-30 is a game changer. One reasonable school of thought is that Dedric and DeSousa, together, might be our best post combo. The guy improved immensely in short period of time with the consistent game action Self provided (note the backhanded reference to past players who were denied such an opportunity to develop, but I digress). But you can’t play if you aren't eligible, or if the NCAA indicates there are questions and then delays. I think this is why the NCAA moved to Indy many years ago, so we could protest and heckle. Will DeSousa be in uniform this season?
4. Backcourt Youth Ready?: We've had the luxury of upper classmen filling out the ranks of our backcourt. Now, that all changes. Devon Dotson and Quentin Grimes are presumed starters, Charlie Moore has one college season under his belt, as a redshirt sophomore, and most project Marcus Garrett, a sophomore, to be a big minutes guy as well (and possibly start). This is a huge reliance on youth. We've been focused on Grimes of late and his apparent path to stardom. We know it won't be that easy. If Self and Vick are able to reach pact on his return, surely laden with Self's strict requirements, that might change the dynamic. But odds are sharply against that. As is, we have huge unknowns with the ball in their collective hands. If this piece fails, we know the result. Can the youth step up in the backcourt?
5. Can We Drain The Three?: Lots of type space dedicated to the importance of the three pointer over these many years at this site, and what a change we have seen. Self has embraced the three, and went all in last season on the three ball. Even more, his team was eliminated by the ultimate three ball squad, which won the NC. Now we come off that three point high and see a team with question marks at every spot when it comes to the long ball. I asked the question a few weeks ago when it was suggested that we could shoot 37% from three as a team (after shooting 40% last season) -- name one player on KU's roster that you assume will shoot 37% by himself? By a plurality, it seemed, Mitch Lightfoot won the vote. I'm sorry, that ain't gonna cut it. But there are leaps that can be made. I compared Grimes a bit to Victor Oladipo in style of play, and then looked at O's stats. He shot 30% from three his freshman season, the just 20% his sophomore season, before leaping to just over 40% his breakout junior season. Regardless of the assumed return to a more conventional, feed the post offense, we will need effective three point shooting to win the national title, with reasonable volume. We can't assume an alternative path. Are there any guys here who can breakout from three?
Those are my top five questions for the season, as we we sit here in June. Others might include whether Vick will return, whether McCormack can be denied minutes, whether Self goes back to the high/low (or if high three rates are here to stay), whether Doke's weakness at the line will be exploited further by the opposition, whether Garrett can shoot without cracking backboards, and whether Mitch Lightfoot might redshirt (or if he forces a major role once again, by performance or circumstance).
Would like to try to throw my 2 cents worth in on these - that's about all my opinion is worth but would like to give it a shot:
the 1st question you bring up" - - My gut feeling is on Dedric that he WILL indeed be the man on this team, I feel that he will establish himself as the season progresses during the season as that go to guy - the one we want to look to during crunch time. - I realize pretty big difference between Memphis & Ku but yet I think he has the moxy - I think he has the chance to be a real stud.
2nd: As far as Moore - -I was in the majority I think that thought Moore would be coming off the bench. Now not so sure, myself I would love to have Dotson start from day one but that is me - I've been on the Dotson bandwagon from day one long long ago - the kid is a bulldog and fast as greased lightening. - Having said that here of late I'm hearing a lot of good things about Moore - I think Devon is in for a dog fight - I don't think we lose either way. - I still think Devon will over take Charlie at some point but what a sweet dilemma to have.
3rd: Silvio? - -me personally I'm getting more of a feel as time goes by and hearing Coach on multiple occasions now say - I think Silvio WILL suit up and play this season - and the kid is going to be a a stud - his body right now is built like a mac truck and with him in the rotation our front line is going to be insane. - At first I thought there was no way he would ever play, now I've done almost a complete 360 - feel pretty good about his chances now
4th: - -very good question. - -I think we have a very sweet backcourt- -however like you mentioned the youth. I think we may struggle a bit in the beginning. No matter how good the talent is - -they are still Freshmen - big difference going from High School ball to major College P-5 ball. I just think we might take a few knocks early have some growing pains , but as the Season advances I think these guys Dotson & Grimes look the hell out - doesn't hurt either that Charlie has already experienced College ball either might be that stabilizing influence for our two babies - Gonna take time - will be sweet to sit back and watch them develop -Grimes is going to be a monster
5th Our 3 point shooting is going to be probably my biggest concern for this team really at this point no one that has proven themselves yet. - Heard where Garret's AAU Coach or whatever he was worked with him having him work on his shot into the hundreds daily working on the mechanics, Dedric hoping he can be right close to the 37-38% - - I think Moore might be a little better then some think - -then we need Grimes to work hard during these remaining months and get his stroke we need 2-3 guys to keep defense's honest not sag in on the big's - -I think this will be our challenge. - Again just my 21 cents for what it's worth - - 2 cents - -lmao . - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
