🏀 KuBuckets Archive

@jaybate 1.0 I'm not pissed because we got beat. I don't even think Smart beat us. The better team failed to win. They gave that game away in the worst possible way. BUT, if you're the star athlete of a team you claim to lead, just learned a valuable lesson in sportsmanship and leadership, you don't repeat the same stupid mistake. It was TT fan Orr, but Self who Smart targeted this time. He didn't push Self, but he disrespected one of the best coaches in NCAA history who has nothing but respect for Smart as a player.

No rational bball fan would ever deny that Marcus Smart is one of the best players in the country and will go to the next level and make a lot of money playing in the NBA, but he has thrown his character away. He has destroyed his image with the game he claims to love.

@JayHawkFanToo Travis Ford is selling his soul as a coach. He's bordering on the Calipari coaching low. He is not a coach. He relies on Smart and Brown to run this team. They are his bread and butter. They have saved his job at OSU. This is why Ford will never intentionally apply any discipline to Smart at all. He is the worst coaching rep of the B12 right now. I would never want him being anywhere near representing the B12 in any way. His coaching is not professional, ethical, or even close to being near great.
He will never admit or apologize for himself or his team. The only reason why he apologized to the TT fan was because the osu admin and AD likely told him to for PR. AND he even defended Smart's actions by explaining what a great kid Smart was on and off the court. He even went so far as to defend the coaches too. That was the dumbest attempt at an apology I've ever seen, a joke, an insult to the league at the very least. I never heard anything that resembled an apology to a fellow-conference coach in his post game remarks about Smart's ridiculous over the top misquote of Self. He doesn't know how to lead this team or teach this team off the court and it shows in the stupid words of his star player. Smart is way out of control and Ford will never teach him otherwise. Ford is usless and Smart's words and actions are a direct reflection of his coaching inabilities. They never ran one play against KU and it became the Marcus Smart show most of the second half. Ford pretends to coach, but lets his players play, no discipline on the court or plays at all. Ford lost my respect completely and Marcus Smart is the worse student/athlete in NCAA bball history. They take dirty to a new low in bball.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10486834/oklahoma-state-cowboys-marcus-smart-lessons-learned-incident-ban ↗

THE BIGGEST JOKE OF A PLAYER EVER. YOU'RE AN IDIOT MARCUS SMART!

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/93775/travis-ford-let-marcus-smart-down ↗

Dana O'Neil actually asked a good question and was crucified. Marcus Smart has learned nothing and will always be an overpaid thug. You can play the race card all you want, but he's a thug and punk. OSU will never admit it either. He's an embarrassment to their program.

Share, share, share...I don't like sharing titles.

@nuleafjhawk Let's not live in the past of old memories and recall bad loses. Let's learn from the mistakes and move ahead. One of the great adjustments Bill Self made that has impacted this program over the last few years is quality preseason games. Some coaches schedule "cupcakes" to "pad" their W column. KU did that and then got exposed in the dance. I would rather get beat, thumped, or exposed pre-season than post-season. It can then be used as a learning tool on tape. I don't remember past players mentioning "tape" as part of their vocab on past KU squads. It sounds like they are learning and growing from games.
If you look at other programs, they may have a great winning record or maybe undefeated, but at what cost? No matter how great or good you think your record reveals you to be, you'll get exposed because you've not been tested in situations with teams that provide you with learning experiences. Self has learned and as head coach, he is taking pre-season as important as the post-season. The pre gets you ready for the post.
I really like what this KU team has endured. I like to hear how they are learning. They've grown since stepping foot on the hill. I feel much better after working out most of the kinks and have a sense this team will thrive in March.

My one worry/concern/fear would be for the guys to become content. A content team is a team that will lose. They've got to be hungry and over achieve, regardless of so called seed or rank. Forget seeds and ranks. Just play the game.

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The dunk was interesting. I've never seen a dunk that was high enough or over the rim, but far enough from the rim to be a dunk. It was a long distance dunk. It was a rimless dunk.

But the best part was the bench's reaction. I couldn't stop laughing. Embiid was backing Snacks into the seats, Wiggins seemed at a loss for actions, Roberts was loco, Selden was giddy, Tharpe was in robot mode, and Ellis didn't know exactly what to think but did grin. It was a classic team moment. Snacks gathered himself and finally rejoined the coaches seats after realizing he was a coach and not a player.

It was the most bizaare bench reaction, but the funniest I've ever seen. They were having fun. And that fact he did it against Cameron Ridley made it even better. The look on Ridley's face is priceless.

@drgnslayr IF I remember the ISU game, ISU ran a lot and didn't see much of Ridley. ISU ran them out of Ames.

Anyone know which coach is doing the scouting report? Self or Townsend? I would think Self.

@RockChalkinTexas We may have bailed Rickey boy out by beating us. They've probably got something in his contract for beating KU. Beat KU once, keep your job. Beat KU twice, get a bonus. Beat KU and win the B12, we might sign you for the remainder of your coaching career.

There is a coach in the B12 where the AD actually placed a clause in the contract to provide the coach with incentive to beat KU: either Weber or Huggie Bear.

@drgnslayr That slow TT melt down of the shock clock killed me and then bailed them out with 2-3 sec left by fouling or allowing them to get a made shot off. The on-ball D needs improved NOW.

Anyone know which coach planned the scouting report? Self or Townsend?

@Crimsonorblue22 I just posted some keys and one was to run Ridley in the ground. Need to pull him and force a switch, then let Ellis or Wiggins take him 1x1 to the hoop. He'll get into foul trouble for playing D with his hands....attack, attack, and attack that big sack of potatoes. If we let him stand in the lane, he's going to clog, push, hack, and pretty much manhandle as he did in the first game. We need to push him up and down the court. He'll need oxygen before it's all over. It will render him useless. Embiid needs to pull him out of the lane. He can't post and go toe-toe with him. It didn't work last game. Embiid's first step will leave Ridley frozen. Embiid needs about 6'...bring him up to the free-throw line. Rickey boy will pack the lane and dare KU to beat them from outside. Our perimeter hasn't been too threatening as of late. Hopefully we'll spread the floor.

I can't find my new post, but I also said KU will need to box, box, and box out on every single shot. We can't give UT second chances. We need to get selfish on the boards. We've got to convert on TOs too.

My last key would be for the 6th man, the Phog, Jayhawk Nation to ROCK THE HOUSE. Rope those horns and move them out. It's time to brand a great big KU on Bevo. I want to see that lost, dazed, confused look on Rickey's face after it's said and done. It's that look of "WTH just happened."

I think this game is huge. I hope the guys realize how important this game is at this time of the season. I am convinced the winner of this game will be the B12 Champion and at the very worst, a share of the championship. I don't like to share with anyone, especially UT. So lets take care of business and drive for that 10 straight title and keep it at home where it belongs.
Keys to the game? Inside will be critical, but Embiid and Co. cannot afford to go toe to toe with the big thugs of UT. We need to spread the floor and make Ridley come out and run him off the court. I'd even put Lucas in to put a big body on him. Let Black get a piece of him and Embiid pulls him out on swtiches with Ellis. Ellis or Wigs can take him on a switch.
Another key will be rebounds. We have to box out every shot. We can't afford to give them too many second chances like we did against TT.
The key will be FTs. I think our FTs will win games. They have got to make teams pay for fouls. I think Wigs finally realized what he could do when he attacks. UT will play D with their hands, not their feet. We've got to wear their bigs down and then drive, drive, drive and foul them out or get them in early foul trouble. Attack, attack, and attack again will be the Self message just as in the TT game.

Rock Chalk the B12 title guys one game at a time. This game will go along way to ensure that it stays in Lawrence.

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I think Tharpe has made some great strides since the beginning of the year. His lapses cause me to pause just when I think he's turning a corner to consistency, he commits bball freshman 101 mistakes. He's a junior pg and not too sure where his head is at times, but he has to turn that corner really sharp and take total control. His passive play or his yielding attitude is really effecting this team.
Tharpe is either really on or really off. It's called inconsistency. We need him to be Doron Lamb-like this year. Heck, Lamb was a soph when he led uk to a NC. I know Tharpe is no Lamb, but they have very similar personalities on the court. I hate that comparison, but it's the only one that came to mind, especially in terms of NC comparisons. I know Tharpe can play unconscious too. I've seen him play outside of AFH. For example, before he came to KU, he played at the Kemba Walker bball camp and some other venues only to school many of the other players and fans.

link textlink textlink textlink textlink text@drgnslayr I think Tharpe has made some great strides since the beginning of the year. His lapses cause me to pause just when I think he's turning a corner to consistency, he commits bball freshman 101 mistakes. He's a junior pg and not too sure where his head is at times, but he has to turn that corner really sharp and take total control. His passive play or his yielding attitude is really effecting this team.
Tharpe is either really on or really off. It's called inconsistency. We need him to be Doron Lamb-like this year. Heck, Lamb was a soph when he led uk to a NC. I know Tharpe is no Lamb, but they have very similar personalities on the court. I hate that comparison, but it's the only one that came to mind, especially in terms of NC comparisons.
I know Tharpe can play unconscious too. I've seen him play outside of AFH. For example, before he came to KU, he played at the Kemba Walker bball camp and some other venues only to school many of the other players and fans.

@JayHawkFanToo Great pics and JTray is a great kid after all he's been through. He's paid some prices in life. But seems focused, growing, learning, and improving each day.

Great pic of the coaches.

@jaybate 1.0 It was Self-imposed and TBD by Self-determination. I would think time served would be a pretty good indication that JTray will be back when Self deems him sufficiently punished. I would really like to see Black and Lucas go the distance. We know what Embiid and JTray can do, but let's give Lucas and Black some real mins. The TCU and TT games will be a great opp at this time.

What a contrast of coaching and leadership between Self and the rest of the B12 coaches. Self is a true HOF coach.

JTray is practicing. Is Embiid completely out or taking soft reps in practice to keep him up to speed with the plays?

@HighEliteMajor I'd like to see Lucas, Black and Traylor compete against UT's big boy. Lucas "is a load" and Black is one tough dude. Traylor brings some rim presence. I'm confident we'll take care of business against UT.

TCU and TT will be great for these guys to prepare for UT. One game at a time and let's acquire the next target of TCU.

Where is AW3? He's vanished or banished. What is going? This is a bit strange indeed. I really think Self is working the team much like he tried to do when we lost the Twins. Self didn't think Kief would jump. He admitted later after they jumped that he expected Kief to come back. I don't see him making the same mistake. He will make this work.
I really think he anticipates most of this squad back. Black is definitely gone for obvious reasons. Embiid is likely coming back with each passing day. Most are coming back. I really wouldn't be too shocked if Wiggins had a change of mind since his game has pretty much struggled. He's too competitve not to reconsider.
Now, back to my original thought. It's nothing personal, but I think AW3 is gone for reasons we've all mentioned. He's a great kid and good player, but he's the odd man out. Black and AW3 would open spots for Oubre and Alex. Lastly, Embiid stays (and he will), Turner commits elsewhere. Again, Wiggins coming back at this point is 50/50. His mom and dad may be in his head at this point, especially his dad. He doesn't need money, he needs development. His dad is a former NBA player too. It just makes too much sense. I don't care what Wiggins said prior to the season, minds change. If the kid is smart, and he is, he'll stay one more year.
Now...queue all the pundits and comments about him staying versus him going pro...Go-

If I'm right, omg...how nasty we will be next year. It's almost too sick to fathom.

@approxinfinity The teams are better than most. Izzo seems to always have his teams ready in time for the tourney. Syracuse will likely be ready, as Boehiem is an experienced tourney coach. I'm not too sure about Florida. They beat us early, but not a guarantee they will be ready. I'd think Donovan will have them ready based on experience. He has the tools. I doubt Michigan is going to make much noise without McGary? Lastly, I think zona is set up for a major disappointment. I've reviewed their wins/loses and their schedule. I don' t see how they rank too high in any matrix. They've played NO ONE. They will play some stiff comp in the second and third rounds to be bounced. It can happen to any team. But I'd like to go into the tourney with 3-4 loses and be tested, than go in with an undefeated record. Zona's numbers have been padded for the most part and are at risk of falling early. I say this because KU has done this before too, so I'm speaking from a fan's experience.

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Makes you wonder now exactly why John Chaney threatened him on national television. It also makes you wonder why Bobby Knight, one of the greatest coaches to coach, would call Cal out too. I guarantee you these coaches know what Cal is doing with players and recruits. My guess is, recruits and parents are telling coaches exactly what he's doing, but nothing can be proven. This is all uk fans will say is, "prove it." They know where's theres smoke, there's fire. Why would a reputable coach like John Chaney put his rep and character on the line to make this scene on tv? Why would Bobby Knight go on national tv and risk his rep to say something if it weren't true? I truly believe they know more and the bball community knows more than we'll ever know. All uk fans can say about Knight is make fun of him and insult him as an analyst. We'll see who gets the last laugh when all the smoke is settled.

@Blown It's amazing what a little pt will do for a player's confidence, shot, and attitude. Frank is overcoming and finding his groove on the court.

@iowajayhawk2005 It's great to have an opinion and even a dislike, but to hate? Most of your points are personal opinon, rumors, and just overall personal. I'll let him be a kid that will learn and grow from this experience.
We can agree on two of your points: I trust Self will do the right thing. He does have a way with players. I also believe because of Self's coaching ability, Brannen will overcome this just like the twins, EJ, Sherron, TT, and even BMac to a degree.

Did you hate each of these players too? Just curious because they meet your hate criteria. It's all good and disagree with you, but will never 'hate' you for your extremely opinionated attitude. One last comment, you actually hold his hair against him? I find that odd.

Oh well...have a great year watching KU and you do know that you are the only one that loses by hating an 18-19 yr old kid?

Thank you for the response. I still don't understand your hate.

@iowajayhawk2005

Compare Black's reaction to my most hated player in KU history - Brennan Greene. I literally cannot wait for that *#!% to transfer.

Whoa, whoa, whoa...I agree 100% with Black and love him too. But, you're off the charts on Greene, WAY out of line. Please provide more insight to your horrible post about Greene. When you make such a putrid statement surely you have some solid reason, proof, evidence for making such a terrible statement.

Where's the board police when you need them? WOW

@HighEliteMajor Not at all. I just don't think he's quite ready for that match-up just yet. His day will come and he'll be the player everyone wants and expects.

@KirkIsMyHinrich Guarantee Big Cliff is in his ear too. I'm mixed on Lyle. I guess at this point, I don't care either way. I really want Turner though too. Black will be gone and Embiid is gone too. However, I was watching that clip with Jalen Rose and both agreed on their talk show that Embiid would be wise to stay another year. In fact they even said Wiggins needs another year too. This is former NBA star, Jalen Rose. It would be nice if Hakeem Olajuwan gave Embiid some advice. Embiid will do what's right. He's a smart kid. IF Embiid stays, we don't get Turner. If he remains the #1 draft pick among centers, it's almost a given you leave. But, he doesn't have to at all. No rule or law that says he has to leave. If he wants to work and develop, why not stay another year. Have fun and enjoy another year. I won't argue with him either way, just so we get Turner if he leaves.

@jaybate 1.0 I want to believe AW3 is a great kid, with a great family, and will ultimately stay with Self over the 4 yr haul. I think Self is teaching these kids more than bball. AW3 is a perfect recruit for Self's system. It will surprise me a bit if he transfers. The kid's work ethic is above most other players. He has great attitude and is smart. If he works with Self he is guaranteed a degree, and just maybe a good shot at the NBA. Self is one of those "patience pays" kind of coaches. I would refer some to Releford. I think AW3 might be better than Releford when it's all over. It may not appear so much now, but time will tell.

@wissoxfan83 Clark had the game of his life. Either he tanks or OU better hope this is the beginning of a major streak for him this season. I don't see him having another game with 30+ at all. I think he even surprised himself. He appeared to do whatever he wanted. I think he drove the lane at least 4-5 times and drew "fouls." The refs really called it close on the OU end. Other than Clark, the rest of OU had an average game. Take out Clark's incredible scoring night, this game is ugly. Now, can he do it again?
KU brings out the best in most every team they play. I saw a lot of attitude from SDSU, especially Sheperd and Spencer all game. I saw them give Wiggins a few 'get some' looks. This team needs to develop an aggressive attitude going forward. They need to do what is necessary v. being nice all the time.
I wanted this win for the team's confidence, other than that, I could care less about OU. I do like Krueger and what he's done at each of his programs. He's done better than most, like Self, he has taken some average talent and created some competitive teams.

BTW- I heard that Self got a tech, but didn't see why. What happened? Frannie complimented Self at half-time for getting "T'd" at the right time to fire up the team.

@Kip_McSmithers Do you get the sense that maybe the officials 'might' be focused on Wiggins a bit too much? I don't want to go there but he has some crazy coincidental calls in the last few games especially. I'd like to think that would be impossible, but we all know the officials are human. I'm going to think not and trust the officials will remain fair as their job requires...cough, cough...seriously, I'm sure they will do their job as they are expected.

@Kip_McSmithers Ah, yes. Thanks

Interesitng game and now they seem to be getting the funky funk out of their system simply to play. I love how they played and even seemed to enjoy it a bit. I was really encouraged by CF. But...I'm afraid if he gets a longer defender in his face that speeds his shot, he still struggles. It appears to me (opinion) that CF needs a bit too much time to gather himself, get his feet, legs, and arms in motion for a good shot. He looked really good in the process, but would like to see him get his shot off a bit sooner. I thought it was interesting how Bilas complimented him, but then qualified CF's shot with the time he had to shoot. "He didn't have that much time in shoot around..."
I think you get Tharpe consistent, keep Ellis healthy, and Selden plays; this team will go far. They have some tough tests ahead.

"It was the confidence my teammates and coaches have in me," Selden Jr. said of his successful game. "I was out there just playing and not thinking."

Perry Ellis had 22 points on 6-for-8 shooting and 11 rebounds, helping Kansas shoot 54.7 percent from the field.

"It's going to be a monster," Kansas coach Bill Self said.

Enjoy this win guys and then prepare for KSU. One game at a time. It's tough but these guys are capable of winning and beating any team in the nation. Hopefully this game will be a turn around game going into conference play.

@approxinfinity I think it would be a mistake to sleep on KU and many have at this point. I've read where some in the conference have said KU doesn't have a solid big man. I think many have checked us out of the B12 picture this year because of "youth." Bilas has always been fairly objective in his analysis of KU. This is a pretty good picture right now. All most people see are the loses, but not who they lost to. This team is so raw, young, talented, and full of great potential. Self hasn't even tapped it just yet. He has scratched the surface just a bit with Embiid, but others are yet to respond really well.

The SOS, RPI and BPI have been KU's biggest indicator of their overall ability. NO team plays this schedule without some bumps and bruises, I don't care who you are. I'd love to see the top 5 teams right now play our schedule and out of curiosity see if they fair as well. At any rate, it's all good. It's still fairly early and this ship will be corrected. The course will be set by Self and the team will respond. They may limp a bit, but they have become a second half season team. I'm still excited about the possibilities of this team.
Also, if I were a coach playing KU, I'd be concerned. KU has the "X" factor and coaches do not have the luxury of knowing their identity either. Right now, coaches are throwing zones at KU. This is a great unknown to have for each game. Scouting reports have to guess which KU player/s will be the one to focus. Fisher said it best as a coach when he said, (paraphrasing) "they have Wiggins? They have Ellis too. They also have Embiid and Selden." What's even more interesting he didn't expect Mason either. It will be fun to watch this team grow more and reach their potential over the next 3-4 games in conference. They will be ready the second half of the season and tourney time.

@TheDrunkenJhawk I think your post is perfect right now. KU needs to focus one game at a time to the conference title. OU is playing well and with confidence. We play them in Norman. So today, a better question might be, do we beat OU in Norman? Should. Buddy is playing really well and hopefully there will be a defensive answer. Wiggins likes to test his defensive skills and Hield may be their biggest threat. I don't think OU has an inside presence to match KU. I might add that Lon Krueger is doing a great job at OU too. He's an overlooked coaching talent that gets little props for his coaching ability.

This is an especially great question at exactly this point in the season? I'm going to say anything is possible. BTW- I'd like to say yes, without a doubt. But, these boards have made me pause in so many ways. The guys will get determine and Self will come through with coaching. The team will respond to conference. We now have the conference title streak on the line.

@HighEliteMajor I can't agree more on #2 and this is becoming a small trend HEM. I think the other points can be addressed and corrected. This one is a mystery to me. Just when I think Self is getting outcoached, he usually redeems himself, somehow. I hope he redeems himself soon.

We need more Greene, Greene, and more Greene. And, let him play through some mistakes and gain some confidence. Let him get a rhythm. Please, Coach Self, let Brannen Greene play and give him a Greene light.

Let's get ready for a really long season Jayhawk Nation...a really long season.

@jhawk7782 Tharpe is a J-U-N-I-O-R. His head isn't right. His leadership is all wrong for this team. This team needs a cocky, confident, vocal PG that will lead. Tharpe is clearly not that pg right now. Mason has the attitude, but his size limits his abilities at times. He played a great game though for a small pg freshman.
We don't have a pg until 2015. It's a kid from OKC and he's around #14 or 15, but #1 PG in nation for this class.

@nuleafjhawk I don't think Self was actively recruiting Wiggins much. In fact, he seemed surprised when Wiggins announced for KU. Wiggins chose KU, not the other way around. Yes, Self is a great coach, but he needs to do his job better right now and pull a rabbit out of his hat. His techniques aren't working right now with this team.

@Chris1955 I hate to agree about Wiggins, but afraid you might be right. I hope he proves this to be wrong. I want him to prove me wrong. Self could yank him when he misses his first trey of the game...oh wait...he's my #1 recruit that might send the wrong message, would it? AW3 hoisted a trey and was yanked. I saw Selden benched. I saw Embiid benched too, maybe fouls. I saw Wiggins take some questionable shots, and was allowed to stay in the game.
Self knows Wiggins is gone PERIOD. He has nothing to lose. So, why not send a positive message with Wiggins. I think he's sending a message to Selden and Embiid which is to stay one more year. I don't think he seems to care about the rest of his bench ie. Greene, AW3, Frankamp, and at times Lucas.
I'm losing some Self points here folks. I'm not too happy with the coaching and the team is a reflection of your coach. Self is a great coach, but he's not doing a very good job right now.

I don't think they refuse to listen. They just aren't responding. I don't think Self's system is appealing to this group. They need to be cut lose, set free, and to play.

@approxinfinity I think Ellis and Tharpe's faces pretty much sums things up at this point.

@Hawk8086 I don't know about Tharpe. He takes two steps forward and then three steps back. The sad thing is he's IT. He's the pg right now. We have no options. We all thought Self might work Selden at pg, but that doesn't seem to be happening. Selden has some opps of his own and throwing pg responsibilities at him would be too much, especially as a freshman.

I actually thought Mason had a fair game and was one of the brightest points of the game. He gave me hope and hit some critical shots. The FTs were a bit shaky. Ellis missed a crucial FT to tie the game and then let a lose ball bounce off his legs. They'll be fine. It's going to be a long season though.

@FarSideHawk I wanted to jump all over the bad calls too, but really can't. Your basic summary explains it minus the "couple of really bad calls." I would even question defense at times. It seemed on again and off again. It was a bit inconsistent at best. But, they did show some improvement in defense. They were focused on defense so much during practice, they forgot offense.

@approxinfinity I am really concerned about Greene. Most coaches would love to have him. AW3 came in and didn't do much, but got yanked never to see the court again this game.
Greene is now jaded mentally. He and Frankamp are totally defeated. Greene could gain some confidence if he could play and play through some mistakes without getting pulled. I thought Greene should've came in for Selden. Self kept trying to play Tharpe and Mason at the 1 and 2. I'm sorry, I don't buy Self's combo system. It worked in 2008 and he had better talent and different players at that time. He needs to quit jacking with the positions and stop with the combo crap. Let players come into their own. We keep saying "it will payoff later," really? I hope so. I'm not seeing it and this team seems confused at how to play basketball right and I'm looking to Head Coach Bill Self for failing this team right now. He can do it, but he's not done it yet or they're not responding.

@RockChalkinTexas Mason was the only high point on the team in this game. He missed drives? I saw Ellis miss a crucial FT and then allowed the ball to bounce off his legs...what game were you watching?
Agreed...it was a team failure and would go a bit further...how about coaching preparation as well?
SDSU and FIsher runs an old style of UNLV type offense. HIs playbook is right out of a Jerry Tarkanian playbook. They reminded me of the Runnin' Rebels at times. KU can't defend a playground offense. Self is way too disciplined and his system is too controlled for this team. He needs to let them loose. Wiggins is the only one who tries to play loose. But, it didn't help much.
Embiid has a lot of work to do and the conference is only going to be as difficult.
16th- Very good question, ask Bill Self.

@jaybate 1.0 We were way overmatched. This SDSU team answered each run.
I agree on Ellis. He's too soft and I attribute it to a soft Wichita league too.
Wiggins isn't helping his cause much at this point. I hat to say it, but he's a bit ... well...let's leave it at that for now.
Selden is really struggling.
No one scored. Have you seen the box scores? Wiggins led KU with 14 points.
Front court? They were in the twilgiht zone last night, why?
Embiid wasn't in attack mode at all. He stepped out and really failed to recognize the TRIPLE team they threw at him everytime.
I refuse to use the non-con schedule as an excuse.
NINTH- What needs fixed? Please tell Self!
How close? They don't look that close to me.
PG is the only agreement on this post. Tharpe is a flash and is too inconsistent. Mason is too small and inexperienced. Tharpe is a freakin' junior...a JUNIOR, WTH is he doing?
In short, your summary is pointing to a very long and crazy year jaybate.

For the first time this year, for the most part, I'm going to lean toward coaching. I hate to say it, but Self is struggling as a coach with this team. It's usually about now that his teams are together and winning fairly consistently. We now have 4 loses and not even into conference?
They are young. They played a team of mostly experienced juniors and seniors. SDSU looked mostly like a KU team in the Phog. I was confused sometimes because SDSU looked so much like most KU teams. I kept wondering who KU was at times.
We keep justifying the schedule and loses to having a better conference season. I see this team losing 2-3 more, maybe even more. I see this team with 6-7 loses, unless they turn a corner. They look a bit confused or lost, or maybe lack confidence.
Let's hope Self is able to utilitze some coaching ability and gets this team on track or it's going to be a very long conference. This team is going to get beat up in conference, physically. I don't know what Self was thinking with this non-con schedule. I hope it pays dividends later.

@HighEliteMajor I WANT TURNER. I just don't think Self wants to get caught without any bigs as when the twins left. Most thought Mk Morris was coming back and he left Self's 5 open all to Withey. It wasn't too bad, but I really think Self loves the 4 and 5 and will do whatever it takes to get another quality big. I see Turner as a two year project. He is a bit like Isaiah Austin.
My "logic" is as before. If you read, I see Alexander starting on size alone at 5. The guy is NBA ready. Managers are already licking their chops for this guy. He's as good as gone and if it weren't for the stupid rule we all debate often, Alexander would be pro. However, here is my "logic":
Tharpe
Selden/Oubre
AW3/Oubre (I hope AW3 goes the distance)
Ellis/Alexander/JayTray
Alexander/Turner/Lucas/Mick
My coaching plan would be to have Ellis 4 and Alex at 5. Turner will give Alex a break and Alex will give Ellis some breathers. They all get the pt either way. Turner is your project and wish he could learn from Embiid. I'd say Turner is back a second year, unless he has an Embiid repeat.
Mason/Trier (?) Jr
Oubre (?) Soph
AW3 (if he hangs around) Sr
Ellis/JayTray (if he goes the distance, may be gone after his junior yr) Jr and Sr
Turner/Lucas/Mickelson - Fr, Jr and Soph

Either way, it's all good.

@TheDrunkenJhawk I really see Tharpe solidifying the pg this year and into next year. If Mason keeps making strides and learns OJT, he'll be about ready to take over for Tharpe. If you think about it, Mason will be a junior when Tharpe leaves. But, Self and Co needs to look really hard now for a premier pg in the next two classes 2015-16 and 16-17. I'd like to see a pg come in next year.
Allonzo Trier 6-3, 185 | Class of 2015 34th
HometownOklahoma City, Okla.
SchoolMontrose Christian School
PositionPoint Guard
Status Undeclared
BU, UConn, Houston, KU, Marquette, OU, Oral Robt, OkSt, Rice, A&M, Tulsa, and Wich St
I know it's a little early, but it doesn't hurt to look a bit ahead of the game and still focus on this year. Right now they are focused on SDSU.
So, nothing personal against Lyle, but unless he started with KU, he seems a bit of a pass at this point. It has nothing to do with his ability, but timing is huge right now for our pg situaiton.