Are we done recruiting?



  • FarmerJayhawk said:

    I like Zion, but the more I think about it, the fit is just weird. How do we play him? He’s a collegiate 4, but what if Udoka comes back? Do we square peg round hole him as a wing? I mean Self can figure it out, but I just think Langford is the better fit.

    Very good question.

    What if Zion signs with Kentucky or Duke or one of the local schools Do you want to face him?

    The more that I see of Zion the more I see the matchup issues he’ll cause in College. Zion is an outlier physically and athletically at the College level. How do you possibly guard Zion with today’s typical College 3 or 4 for that matter. It’s a huge matchup advantage to have at your disposal and something I would love to see Self challenged with figuring out how to best use him instead of figuring out how to stop him. That is why I think he’s a take no matter the fit.



  • Wow just read , good thing things turned out like they did it looks like. - At one time - -at one point a kid Ku was recruiting to some extent any ways - Emmitt Williams was arrested early this morning in Florida for Felony Sexual Battery & False imprisonment, - -man that’s something we sure don’t need. Thank goodness with us getting De Sousa & McCormack turns out not longer in the picture for us.

    I would imagine schools might be backing off of him some now not sure but would reckon so. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • Well I seriously doubt he is a take for Duke now. If he ever was.



  • @BShark

    My point was that Doke and Zion do not play the same position where Zion and Preston do. Udoka returning would likely not affect Zion where Preston returning probably would. Nothing more than that



  • Just clarifying the point. Doke returning likely would mean Zion plays the 3 almost exclusively. I think he ends up at UK though.



  • @BShark

    All hypotheticals at this point since we don’t know what Preston would do. If Doke and Preston return and Zion joins, KU would have one impressive collection of bigs, the equivalent of what it has in smalls now.



  • Don’t think that situation is remotely possible.



  • Depends on whether Zion signs with KU and when he does it. Granted, not likely but possible.



  • Man, I like a wealth of highly talented bigs. It’s been a while. Lets hope it all pans out. But I sure like the two we have heading into the stable right now.



  • I don’t think KU is likely to land Zion, he just has the makings of a UK player.

    UK will turn the pressure up on him if RJ Barrett signs with Duke.

    UK does have a stable of forwards that play the 3/4 that could possibly be back next year so I think he’d want to know they are leaving before he signed but who knows maybe he’s just the latest player to sign with them that has no issues who’s on the roster.

    The one advantage for KU here is Dotson committed and from everything we know they have a solid relationship. We “evened” the playing field with UK in that regards who also has his buddy Quickly signed.



  • @BeddieKU23 I think Zion is a wait until the Spring guy.

    A lot of factors are going to be playing in to his decision. Obviously, it all depends on who comes back next season and who is signed between now and then. This reminds me of the Wiggins recruitment a lot. UK was in it with Wiggins and was probably the favorite at one point. But UK kept signing guys. And kept signing guys. And kept signing guys. Had an 8 man class, Wiggins would have made 9. I wouldn’t have wanted to go play at UK either if I was him and trying to be the #1 overall pick.

    Right now, I could see UK or KU doing the same thing. If KU lands Langford and Grimes before Zion decides, I’m confident he is UK bound.

    If UK lands Grimes and KJ before Zion decides, I think Zion is KU bound.

    If Doke or Vick return, I think Zion is UK bound.

    If Gabriel or Richards returns, I think Zion is KU bound.

    If UK lands Barrett, Zion to KU looks like a damn near done deal.

    If UK and KU both end up too loaded, I think Zion might actually stay home and play for Clemson.

    I mean there is just a lot for him to think about. And until it all plays out, I just don’t see that decision coming soon.

    Not to mention, the shoe deals that are going on in the background as we speak. Let’s not pretend like Adidas and Nike reps aren’t finding a way to communicate with him through back-channels and agents.



  • Oh, and how Knox does. If UK really really struggles and Knox sucks up the place and falls to like 20s and Diallo can’t shoot and has to stay another year, why in the world would Zion’s family trust Cal to get their kid to the NBA as a Wing?



  • @Kcmatt7 I think Grimes and KJ are mutually exclusive. Just my read on the situation. I also think UK is making a power play with KJ because they know where they stand with Grimes. MAYBE WISHFUL THINKING ON MY PART.



  • @BShark I would think so as well, but Cal defie$ logic $ometime$.



  • @Kcmatt7 Btw as for Herro I think KU should take his commitment if he wants to give it over waiting around for Romeo. Talented multi-year guy.



  • I think the smart money is on KJ ending up at Kentucky after pushing that announcement back.

    Crazy that Herro isn’t going to be a Badger. He’s real good and it sounds like he knows it.



  • BeddieKU23 said:

    I think the smart money is on KJ ending up at Kentucky after pushing that announcement back.

    Crazy that Herro isn’t going to be a Badger. He’s real good and it sounds like he knows it.

    Clickbait Jimmy assures me it’s MD and that the dad loves MD.



  • @Kcmatt7

    Good points, it might be beneficial that Zion waits until spring. Still a lot of moving parts as you have laid out some of them.

    I think the two things work in our favor, Dotson and the previous wings that have come through this program recently. Self does cater his offenses around these types of guys so I don’t think Duke and Kentucky can get away with negatively recruiting against Self in that regard. Dotson also was a player that had excellent chemistry with Zion and Zion would know what type of player would be setting up his shots and running the team.

    This is the heavyweight recruitment we can definitely win. It seems unlikely but I wouldn’t be shocked either



  • @BShark It would be hard to make a case against that. I’m definitely one of those “bird in the hand” types of guys.

    However, I have my reservations about 6’5 sharp shooters in Self’s system. Svi has not looked like we expected, BG was ran out of town, Andrew White was recruited right over, Alex Galindo didn’t last, Giddens was never consistent before his incident, and Micah Downs bolted. It is almost like Self’s break them down to build them up approach doesn’t work with guys who are just shooters because their psyche is more fragile or something.



  • BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    I think the smart money is on KJ ending up at Kentucky after pushing that announcement back.

    Crazy that Herro isn’t going to be a Badger. He’s real good and it sounds like he knows it.

    Clickbait Jimmy assures me it’s MD and that the dad loves MD.

    Watch that sentiment change. I think KJ has thrown a ton of misdirection at Maryland. He’ll end up at Texas before Maryland and I think Kentucky is just going to show him he’s their guy. That’s how I see it



  • BeddieKU23 said:

    BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    I think the smart money is on KJ ending up at Kentucky after pushing that announcement back.

    Crazy that Herro isn’t going to be a Badger. He’s real good and it sounds like he knows it.

    Clickbait Jimmy assures me it’s MD and that the dad loves MD.

    Watch that sentiment change. I think KJ has thrown a ton of misdirection at Maryland. He’ll end up at Texas before Maryland and I think Kentucky is just going to show him he’s their guy. That’s how I see it

    He waited until minutes before the Dotson announcement, so it will be awhile. 😂



  • BeddieKU23 said:

    @Kcmatt7

    Good points, it might be beneficial that Zion waits until spring. Still a lot of moving parts as you have laid out some of them.

    I think the two things work in our favor, Dotson and the previous wings that have come through this program recently. Self does cater his offenses around these types of guys so I don’t think Duke and Kentucky can get away with negatively recruiting against Self in that regard. Dotson also was a player that had excellent chemistry with Zion and Zion would know what type of player would be setting up his shots and running the team.

    This is the heavyweight recruitment we can definitely win. It seems unlikely but I wouldn’t be shocked either

    Adidas did work getting that pairing to happen for a tournament. Not saying it wasn’t all above board but they did work.



  • Kcmatt7 said:

    @BShark It would be hard to make a case against that. I’m definitely one of those “bird in the hand” types of guys.

    However, I have my reservations about 6’5 sharp shooters in Self’s system. Svi has not looked like we expected, BG was ran out of town, Andrew White was recruited right over, Alex Galindo didn’t last, Giddens was never consistent before his incident, and Micah Downs bolted. It is almost like Self’s break them down to build them up approach doesn’t work with guys who are just shooters because their psyche is more fragile or something.

    Svi actually isn’t really a sharp shooter though. He’s been doing more things and he has always kinda been a volume type guy. Now Frank in his SR year, that was 💰

    BG and AWIII were not athletic enough to thrive under Self. I’ll tell you though that AWIII was not ran out of town. 🚁 dad situation.

    Anyway I do somewhat agree with you on the general take. I think if KU is considering him they need to take a long hard look in regards to if they feel he is athletic enough to get minutes for Self.

    Before anyone mentions Brady it’s obvious why he played.



  • @BShark Like I said, 6’5 guys. Not Brady, Tyrell or Frank. They do enough things well that when they aren’t making shots they can still impact the game. But when a shooter isn’t even shooting well and then getting beat on D and Self is in their ear, I can understand why they break down.

    As far as Svi goes, I think he has the skillset to do more offensively than he has. With that being said, he takes twice as many 3 balls as he does 2 point shots… So he has been in that role. And hasn’t been bad, but just hasn’t been great.

    I loved AWIII. One of my favorite players who I think just got a raw deal. Worked out for him in the end it looks like. He was given every opportunity at a premier program and landed with the Celtics.

    But long story short, there is somewhat of a trend… I think Herro will need to be able to play some D or score at multiple levels in order to succeed under Self.



  • BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    I think the smart money is on KJ ending up at Kentucky after pushing that announcement back.

    Crazy that Herro isn’t going to be a Badger. He’s real good and it sounds like he knows it.

    Clickbait Jimmy assures me it’s MD and that the dad loves MD.

    Watch that sentiment change. I think KJ has thrown a ton of misdirection at Maryland. He’ll end up at Texas before Maryland and I think Kentucky is just going to show him he’s their guy. That’s how I see it

    He waited until minutes before the Dotson announcement, so it will be awhile. 😂

    Looks like Maryland a major player for one time target Jarius Hamilton. Remember his coach was a huge KU fan. A lot of programs went the other way on him after his poor summer. Tools to be a top 100 player but he certainly didn’t play like one this summer. Maryland after someone to replace KJ I think



  • BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    @Kcmatt7

    Good points, it might be beneficial that Zion waits until spring. Still a lot of moving parts as you have laid out some of them.

    I think the two things work in our favor, Dotson and the previous wings that have come through this program recently. Self does cater his offenses around these types of guys so I don’t think Duke and Kentucky can get away with negatively recruiting against Self in that regard. Dotson also was a player that had excellent chemistry with Zion and Zion would know what type of player would be setting up his shots and running the team.

    This is the heavyweight recruitment we can definitely win. It seems unlikely but I wouldn’t be shocked either

    Adidas did work getting that pairing to happen for a tournament. Not saying it wasn’t all above board but they did work.

    Agree I’m sure there was some influence involved. It’s just like any Nike event held…



  • Kcmatt7 said:

    But long story short, there is somewhat of a trend… I think Herro will need to be able to play some D or score at multiple levels in order to succeed under Self.

    Pretty sure we are on the exact same page.



  • BeddieKU23 said:

    BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    I think the smart money is on KJ ending up at Kentucky after pushing that announcement back.

    Crazy that Herro isn’t going to be a Badger. He’s real good and it sounds like he knows it.

    Clickbait Jimmy assures me it’s MD and that the dad loves MD.

    Watch that sentiment change. I think KJ has thrown a ton of misdirection at Maryland. He’ll end up at Texas before Maryland and I think Kentucky is just going to show him he’s their guy. That’s how I see it

    He waited until minutes before the Dotson announcement, so it will be awhile. 😂

    Looks like Maryland a major player for one time target Jarius Hamilton. Remember his coach was a huge KU fan. A lot of programs went the other way on him after his poor summer. Tools to be a top 100 player but he certainly didn’t play like one this summer. Maryland after someone to replace KJ I think

    Clickbait Jimmy tells me MD would take both. Just like they would have taken Dotson and Ayala no doubt.

    Oh and agree about Hamilton in general he played himself OUT of big offers this summer with his horrible shooting.



  • BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    BShark said:

    BeddieKU23 said:

    I think the smart money is on KJ ending up at Kentucky after pushing that announcement back.

    Crazy that Herro isn’t going to be a Badger. He’s real good and it sounds like he knows it.

    Clickbait Jimmy assures me it’s MD and that the dad loves MD.

    Watch that sentiment change. I think KJ has thrown a ton of misdirection at Maryland. He’ll end up at Texas before Maryland and I think Kentucky is just going to show him he’s their guy. That’s how I see it

    He waited until minutes before the Dotson announcement, so it will be awhile. 😂

    Looks like Maryland a major player for one time target Jarius Hamilton. Remember his coach was a huge KU fan. A lot of programs went the other way on him after his poor summer. Tools to be a top 100 player but he certainly didn’t play like one this summer. Maryland after someone to replace KJ I think

    Clickbait Jimmy tells me MD would take both. Just like they would have taken Dotson and Ayala no doubt.

    Oh and agree about Hamilton in general he played himself OUT of big offers this summer with his horrible shooting.

    He went from lock to stay in-state to lock to leave the state. Not saying Maryland wouldn’t get use out of him but they need to take a big reality check with why they are even an option for him



  • Pitino suing Adidas, talk about biting the hand that feeds you…😃



  • @BeddieKU23 If I was KU, I’d be as transparent as possible in the Zion recruitment and give them 4 or 5 different projected depth charts, ranked from the most likely to the least likely and where he would fit in those.

    Scenario #1:

    • PG - Dotson 25 MPG - Moore 15 MPG
    • SG - Grimes 25 MPG- Garrett 10 MPG
    • SF - Zion 30 MPG - Garrett 10 MPG - Cunliffe - 0 MPG
    • PF - Lawson 28 MPG - De Sousa 10 MPG- Lawson 2 MPG - Lightfoot
    • C - Doke 25 PMG - Big Dave 12 MPG - De Sousa - 3 MPG

    Scenario #2 -

    • PG - Dotson 25 MPG - Moore 15 MPG
    • SG - Grimes 25 MPG - Langford 10 MPG - Garrett 5 MPG
    • SF - Langford 20 MPG - Zion 10 MPG - Garrett 10 MPG - Cunliffe 0 MPG
    • PF - Zion 20 MPG - De Sousa 15 MPG - Lawson 5 MPG - Lightfoot 0 MPG
    • C - Lawson 28 MPG - Big Dave 12 MPG

    Scenario #3-

    • PG - Dotson 20 MPG - Moore 20 MPG
    • SG - Vick 20 MPG - Garrett 12 MPG - Dotson - 5 MPG
    • SF - Zion 20 MPG - Garrett 10 MPG - Vick 10 MPG - Cunliffe 0 MPG
    • PF - De Sousa 20 MPG - Zion 10 MPG - Lawson 5 MPG - Lawson 5 MPG - Lightfoot - 0 MPG
    • C - Lawson 25 MPG - Big Dave - 15 MPG

    Scenario #4-

    • PG - Dotson 15 MPG - Moore 25 MPG
    • SG - Garrett 20 MPG- Dotson 15 MPG - Cunliffe - 5 MPG
    • SF - Zion 20 MPG - Garrett 12 MPG - Cunliffe - 8 MPG
    • PF - De Sousa 20 MPG- Zion 10 MPG - Lawson 5 MPG- Lawson 5 MPG - Lightfoot 0 MPG
    • C - Lawson 25 MPG - Big Dave 15 MPG

    Scenario #5:

    • PG - Dotson 28 MPG - Moore 12 MPG
    • SG - Grimes 28 MPG - Garrett - 3 MPG - Vick 10 MPG
    • SF - Vick 18 MPG - Zion 12 MPG - Garrett 10 MPG - Cunliffe 0 MPG
    • PF - Zion 18 MPG - Lawson 11 MPG - De Sousa 11 MPG - Lawson 0 MPG- Lightfoot 0 MPG
    • C - Doke 23 MPG - Lawson 8 MPG - Big Dave 9 MPG

    Either way, there is room for Zion and Self does a great job of showcasing Wings/4s. B-Mac, T-Rob, Wiggs, JJ, Selden, Oubre, Rush, Releford (12 ppg and 40%+ from trey his Senior year), Arthur and the Morris Twins all are examples of Self being able to exploit mismatches at the spot Zion will be playing. Nobody else recruiting him has that same resume.

    If this were a 5 or a PG, Duke and UK probably have the edge resume-wise. But this is Bill’s sweet spot. I like our chances.



  • @Kcmatt7 Nice breakdown.



  • @Kcmatt7

    The math is slightly off in some of the scenarios but nothing big. You have Garret playing anywhere between 13 and 32 minutes, do you think there would be that much of a swing?



  • @JayHawkFanToo I do. Of course that mostly depends on landing recruits. Without Zion, basically assume any minutes he would have had at the 3 would go to Garrett if he doesn’t come here.

    The thing that will be interesting is how much KJ Lawson plays. We are obviously going to be recruiting the two younger Lawson’s and their cousin. Dedric is basically booked for 25-30 minutes guaranteed. But KJ might not even see the floor depending on what all happens. And that could really make recruiting interesting.



  • @Kcmatt7 Not sure how serious of a target the cousin is. I think he ends up at UK. Solid point about KJ. Self seems to like him but if the staff lands all their top targets I’m not sure how he finds minutes.



  • @Kcmatt7 @BShark

    If KU gets all of its targets it would be its best recruiting class ever and right up there withe best of all time in college basketball. I just don’t think it will happen.

    I believe we all can say that getting Grimes is likely and would round up the class nicely but then, playing time becomes scarcer and unlikely we get the other two; I would say we get one from Langford, Zion or Herro and call it a bonus. With the Lawsons and Moore also becoming available, it will be a large group of quality newcomers

    Kentucky has only one commitment for 2018 and will have plenty of available scholarships and playing time so I will guess they will get a couple or three quality players before all is said and done. I understand they are now looking at Herro as well.



  • @BShark I think the cousin ends up at UK too, but I do expect the staff to at least make a push.

    I personally don’t like, well pretty much any of my cousins. So it might actually be working against us to have them in this one particular scenario lol.



  • @JayHawkFanToo I do think Grimes + 2 random recruits that won’t contribute next year is most likely. Let’s say that happens while Newman, Preston and Vick go pro.

    Guards: Dotson, Moore

    Guard/Wing: Grimes, Garrett

    Wing/small ball 4: KJ, Cunliffe

    Forward: Dedric

    Forward/C: SDS, Mitch

    C: Doke, McCormack

    Deep bench that won’t play: said 2 random recruits one of KJ/Cunliffe probably.

    Not as deep but still far down the bench: Mitch, other one of KJ/Cunliffe I would lean towards KJ here.

    That still doesn’t leave much for KJ/Cunliffe probably. I could also see Mitch taking a RS in this situation if he decides he wants to be around the program an extra year.



  • @BShark I agree with you, I think we land Grimes - -after that we might land another some lesser profile. - -I still think we got a decent shot at Langford - but if not I’m not going to lose any sleep over it/

    I mean we land Grimes that gives us a pretty damn good recruiting class - -Grimes - - -Dotson – De Sousa - - -McCormack. - -even if those four is what we end up with I won’t complain by far - -BUT I feel there will be a fifth one somewhere. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @BShark Have to land either Zion or Langford in order to be a real NC contender next season in my opinion. Gives us length and depth at the 1-3 spots. It would amaze me if we couldn’t land a Wing after what we have done with JJ, Wigs, BMac and Rush. And hopefully Vick or Svi can play themselves into the 1st round.



  • @BShark

    Lightfoot is studying Engineering and I don’t believe he has NBA or other basketball related aspirations, so, he will likely play 4 years, graduate and move on. Just my opinion and I could be wrong.



  • Kcmatt7 said:

    @BShark Have to land either Zion or Langford in order to be a real NC contender next season in my opinion. Gives us length and depth at the 1-3 spots. It would amaze me if we couldn’t land a Wing after what we have done with JJ, Wigs, BMac and Rush. And hopefully Vick or Svi can play themselves into the 1st round.

    Agreed, Dotson was a great start. Dave and Silvio are definitely good players to throw into the rotation but the players we are after still on the board are going to be the difference in next years potential. That is largely assuming we lose Vick & Doke or 1 of them at the minimum



  • @JayHawkFanToo Yeah I have no idea to be clear which is why I phrased it the way I did.



  • Dammit all, I wanna get Zion at KU!!



  • @Lulufulu Sorry, but I just don’t think it’s happening. - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @BeddieKU23 I will take senior Vick over any option in 2018 to play the wing.



  • Would love a 4th year out of Vick and I hope it happens.



  • I would love a 4th year out of Vick as well.

    With How Self is recruiting the perimeter position we have a good guess that he’s expecting Vick to have a big season and is recruiting accordingly



  • Ayo to Illinois as expected



  • Quinerly de-committed from Arizona.


Log in to reply