Preseason Hype/Discussion

“[Boot Camp was] definitely probably the hardest thing I’ve gone through,” McCormack said at a media session before Late Night. “It’s also been a great bonding experience for the team, just like pushing each other on, making sure we get through everything together. And not just surviving, but to get something out of it.”

For McCormack, what he got out of Bill Self’s Boot Camp was going from likely being in the best shape of his life to being in even better shape.

“The best shape of my life? I would say so,” McCormack said. “I think it’s really pushed me conditioning-wise. It’s just helped me drop water weight as well. It’s definitely put me in a great position, physically.”

And that’s a good sign for the Jayhawks considering the four-star big man and McDonald’s All-American wasn’t necessarily expected to start, but he was expected to hold down a significant role in what should be a stacked KU frontcourt.

In the early summer, KU assistant Norm Roberts spoke to Phog.net about all the KU bigs and offered some glowing praise of the freshman.

“I think he’s got a lot of probably Darnell Jackson in him, the way Darnell played here,” said Roberts, who also noted McCormack has a “blue-collar, Charles Oakley” physical presence. "Kind of an enforcer, rebounder, tough, can run the floor, [a] finisher around the basket and has a decent 15-foot shot as well.”

Funny enough, McCormack was actually a little more humble on his own skills when asked by the media to break down his game.

“I would say I’m just kind of like a brute force,” McCormack said. “I’m a hard-worker, I go after every rebound, every loose ball, I run the floor, I bring whatever I can to help the team to have an impact on the game.”

Really, that’s the type of mentality that could earn him minutes on the current team.

A hallmark of Self’s bigger teams have been big men who scrap for rebounds and loose balls. Jamari Traylor, a Self-favorite, was an example of a player who wasn’t the most skilled or dominant, but earned his way into minutes as a high-motor, spark-plug type of presence

When the Jayhawks were recruiting McCormack, there was somewhat of a similar message, according to the big man.

“Just playing the important role of being a hard worker,” McCormack said of what Self told him to expect of his role. “Being a big man, definitely helping out — as you know, like last year, they were just kind of short-handed on bigs. So coming in, playing an important role, giving Doke and the other bigs a breather is going to be an important role for me and having a big impact on the game.”

So even before he left Oak Hill and headed for Lawrence, McCormack had a good idea of what to expect.

He had already transformed his body once and he was playing at a high level. Yet even he noted he wasn’t quite ready to jump into competition from Day 1.

“To an extent it does [prepare you]; it definitely helps playing with other talented athletes, but still, the college game is completely different from high school,” McCormack said of his time at Oak Hill. “I don’t think there’s really any way to just jump right in and be ready for it.”

Woodrow

Today is media day for KU basketball. SDS reiterates he is going to play this year and is focused on his game and not the trial.

I understand that is what he has to say , but still worth mentioning.

BShark

Media day quotes per Scott Chasen

Self on being a big team with depth: “We have been ridiculously thin the last two years. … I’ll be pretty candid on this. Our offense doesn’t look very good. … We’re going to have to score different ways.”

Self: “I haven’t even thought about a rotation, yet. We don’t even know how you play 12.”

Mentioned that KU has to decide whether or not to redshirt 0-1-2.

On KU’s versatility: “You could make a case that Marcus Garrett could be our starting point guard.”

Self says it’s important to have separation on roster before the season starts.

Self compares Dedric Lawson to Larry Bird in terms of being quick and athletic despite maybe not appearing as fast as a guy like Silvio.

Self on McCormack: I think he’s beyond his years from an on-court, IQ standpoint. … I think David will help us this year.”

Says he’s not going to beat out Doke but will get minutes at the 5.

Self on competitive 20 minute scrimmages in practice: “If we had officials (referee) our practices, … Mitch would have 22 fouls, Doke would have 18, Dedric would have 15.”

Self says Silvio has handled everything well with regard to FBI investigation. “It has probably made him grow up quite a bit.”

Self: “Who knows what could potentially happen in the next period of time, but I’m taking the approach, as is everyone on our team, that we’re going to have Silvio De Sousa this year.”

Self compares one aspect of Quentin Grimes to Wiggins: “I wish he had more of that assassin, attack mode. … I just don’t think he’s quite confident yet to really display that.”

Says the thinks he can get there.

Self on Vick: “He’s been a 10 so far. To me he seems like he’s more engaging, definitely more talkative and seems to be happy where he is.”

Self on Ochai Agbaji: “He’s going to be a guy that’s going to start a lot of games and play a ton of minutes and score a ton of points here.”

Said he needed to see him once in HS to be impressed. Said he expects Ochai to be one of the top 30-40 players in the class by the end of his career. Will take time.

JayHawkFanToo

@BShark

Very interesting. I always thought that Garret could play PG, after all, he was the Texas Gatorade POY playing PG. I am sure Jaybate will be disappointed that Vick will not be playing PG.

Grimes development will be the key on how well this team does. This team has the size and speed to be very good defensively and I am sure the offense will come along as well.

I take it that Agnabi is the primary RS candidate since he has indicated that he would be open to it. Many have mentioned Mitch as well but I personally don’t believe he will. Of course if Silvio ends up not playing then there is less of an issue.

approxinfinity

@BShark that sounds like he’s at least open to the idea of playing 12.

BShark

@Kcmatt7 It was you that was hoping for the long squad right? Ryan was speculating on the Phog that the line-up to close out tough/important games might be Garrett, Grimes, Vick, KJ, Dedric.

Kcmatt7

@BShark I love the idea of the long lineup

Kcmatt7

If Garrett can drive the lane, dude should seriously be considered for starting PG. He’d be like a 6’5 Aaron Miles. Now that is a crazy hot take, but just the defensive presence we could put out there with him playing PG would be insane.

BShark

Kcmatt7 said:

If Garrett can drive the lane, dude should seriously be considered for starting PG. He’d be like a 6’5 Aaron Miles. Now that is a crazy hot take, but just the defensive presence we could put out there with him playing PG would be insane.

Watching last year, it felt like Garrett is more at home playing on the ball as a PG. Felt out of place playing off-ball guard.

Kcmatt7

@BShark By putting him on the ball, you almost force someone to guard him.

BShark

@Kcmatt7 This is a very good point as well. Bill has said repeatedly that Charlie is not a PG. Wouldn’t shock me if Dotson and Garrett are the primary PGs and Charlie plays primarily off the ball when he gets in and is almost always out there with one of Dotson/Garrett.

Kcmatt7

@BShark I’d love if this is how it turned out. The length and athleticism you can put out there with Garrett at PG gives me chills. Seriously, not a player under 6’5. Imagine the number of steals…

BShark

@Kcmatt7 The defense is going to be stifling.

Crimsonorblue22

@BShark I think grimes will play some pt, he did for coach in the USA games.

BShark

@Crimsonorblue22 Grimes is more flexible imo whereas Dotson and Garrett are guys that need the ball in their hands running the show to be at their best. So I think Grimes could play PG if needed, but it isn’t and he will do what is best for the team.

Crimsonorblue22

@BShark so I betcha he backs up Dotson over Garrett. Take it? Just a hunch, not gonna be a crybaby if I’m wrong.

BShark

I would not take that bet, just spit balling based on what I watched last year with Garrett. Hoping the staff will see he is more of a fit at PG, was kinda awkward off the ball. Definitely not slighting Grimes. I think there are three capable PGs on the roster (Dotson, Grimes, Garrett).

BShark

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article219796870.html

Crimsonorblue22

@BShark I like it

BShark

https://twitter.com/KUHoops/status/1050793221905731584

KUSTEVE

@BShark He’s going to be a star for us. He’s simply fearless, he never looks rattled, or worried. That confidence is going to take him a long way.

Woodrow

@BShark that’s a kid that gets it. Can’t wait too watch him grow…

BShark

This is some info from Ryan Noel for those that don’t read the Phog.

"From the bits I’ve heard. like I said, I think it’ll be mostly Devon and Garrett handling the “lead guard” duties rather than Grimes or Moore.

And being a PG in high school mainly means you have the ballhandling ability to run things. He was widely billed as a PG by everyone that scouted him, and Self watched him run PG a bunch before his commitment.

Is he a traditional PG like Dotson is? No, but he’s most comfortable with the ball in his hands rather than playing off the ball. I think a lot of people on this board are in for a rude awakening when Garrett plays a lot at PG and Charlie Moore struggles to get minutes."

Crimsonorblue22

@BShark bet on then?

BShark

Some stuff from Scott Chasen at 24/7

“Our freshman class, I think, is probably the highest basketball IQ for an entire class that we have had for a while. I do think that as far as interaction with others and communication, I do think it’s a pretty good class. I really do,” Self said. “If you guys remember, when Frank [Mason] first got here, we couldn’t get him to talk. Of course, by the time he left here, we barely got him to talk. But Devonte’ [Graham] was one of those guys who just had it from the first day he walked on campus from the communications standpoint. I do think Ochai and David are in that same boat.”

So now comes the big question: Who will be left on the outside looking in?

Popular names to throw out before the season as potentially receiving a redshirt were Lightfoot, who may be the fifth big in the frontcourt, or Agbaji, a talented freshman who may be better served holding off a year and making things up on the back end. (Theoretically, McCormack could also be in that conversation as a potential fifth big, but that would seem extremely unlikely, especially given his status as a McDonald’s All American.)

Of course, Sam Cunliffe was once in that conversation as well, but he has since transferred to Evansville, where he’s since added at least one set of responsibilities to his work on the court.

Regardless, here’s what Self had to say about the rotation when asked about it back at media day:

“I hadn’t thought about a rotation yet. We don’t even know how you play 12,” Self said. “Do you try and play 10 and redshirt a couple, play 11 and redshirt one, play 12 and redshirt none? I do think our players that are young are good enough that if they’re playing five or seven minutes a game they will be better at age 23 than 18. We haven’t got that far yet. We could play long or two little guards at the same time. I think it’s too early to tell.”

KUSTEVE

@BShark It makes alot more sense to have Garrett playing point guard. He’s just too talented not to use his skill set at point guard. Our perimeter defense with him and Dotson, Grimes, and KJ will be STOUT.

Kcmatt7

@KUSTEVE Add in that offensively, it makes sense to put the ball in his hands since he isn’t a threat off the ball at all. Force the D to guard all 5 spots instead of basically letting Garretts man play zone. (Which was typically a big slow 4 last year, playing right into our opponents hands).

This year, when he is running point, he should have a 3 or 4 inch height advantage. We could post him up or clear out and let him drive the ball on a smaller guy. He becomes a much bigger offensive threat at PG, imo.

KUSTEVE

@Kcmatt7 Every PG he plays against will be smaller than him. His defense will be exceptional, and he’ll hit enough 3 pointers so teams can’t lay off him. He played out of position all last year, and really did a great job.I can’t wait to see him run the team.

BShark

Yeah, a lot of his game in HS was driving it and pulling up for mid-range jumpers when needed. He was really good at that. He isn’t a catch and shoot 3 pt guy.

BShark

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-rankings-the-top-100-and-one-best-players-for-the-2018-19-season/

For those that don’t want to click!

#4 Dedric

#21 Grimes

#54 Doke

#94 Vick

KSU has three players on the list: Wade at 23, Brown at 59, Sneed at 74.

BShark

This is a nice write-up from @1JayhawkLifer on the Phog. Thanks.

"

When Bill came out he said it’s always fun to have this Ladies Nights because you get tired of reading the newspaper. Later, after a question from one of the participants, he said “you know I was just thinking about that, because I don’t have anything else to think about”. They were both said with humor and it helped lighten the mood, but there was definitely a small cloud hovering.

If I were to guess going by SDS’s demeanor/body language (although he did smile and seem to be enjoying himself), I don’t think he will be playing, at least initially. Which really truly sucks because he is getting screwed by this whole thing and you can tell he just wants to play basketball and be out of this particular limelight.

Some interesting tidbits, during a session on scouting other teams, Norm Roberts said during the tournament when Duke was playing Syracuse a lot of fans probably wanted to play Syracuse, but the staff wanted to play Duke. Boheim’s zone is extremely effective and they knew Duke’s wasn’t. They also noticed a tendency of Bagley’s that he was lazy and would not cover his position very well, so they decided to put their biggest and best defender on him, Svi. Which obviously worked very well.

When they were going through the players on Duke’s team a picture of Grayson Allen was put up on the screen and the room proceeded to booo very loudly. Norm was like, “Amazingly we have gotten that same reaction from all the other groups as well” He then jokingly said, “I don’t like him either.” biggrin

They divide the scouting of teams between all the coaches, so while one is scouting the next team up, the others are working on teams that will follow. They usually work about 10 days out on scouting.

When they scout, they show each player the player(s) they will more than likely be going up against. Bill then quizzes each player on the weakness(s) of the opposing player to make sure they understand what to look for and what to exploit when out on the court.

The best leapers on the team are Agbaji & Vick, with it being a toss up as to who is the better of the two. Hudy was asked who, of all the players she has trained, had the biggest leap from start to finish and she said Dedric Lawson. Can’t wait to see what he can do on the court.

It was a great time as always, and got me excited for basketball season to begin. Not going lie, this FBI stuff had deflated my enthusiasm a bit, but last night helped restore it.

RCJH!! "

JayHawkFanToo

Here is an interesting analysis on Lightfoot’s role for the upcoming season by Matt Tait.

BShark

@JayHawkFanToo This is a good series in general.

BShark

If Mitch plays one real minute at the three I will be shocked.

BShark

So, Kenpom’s system isn’t without issues especially for preseason but KU is #1 on Kenpom preseason and it’s not even close.

https://kenpom.com/

Texas Hawk 10

BShark said:

If Mitch plays one real minute at the three I will be shocked.

I could see him getting a few minutes here and there at the 3 this season. Definitely not equal to what he will at the 4. I think most of those minutes at the 3 would come due to foul issues though or if Self wants to go with a huge line up. Silvio playing this year would also probably make Mitch playing some minutes at the 3 the best way to get him on the floor.

I think this would also likely be Self experimenting with different line up combinations during the nonconference part of the schedule and wouldn’t expect to see Mitch at the 3 during B12 play except in extreme situations.

BShark

Texas Hawk 10 said:

BShark said:

If Mitch plays one real minute at the three I will be shocked.

I could see him getting a few minutes here and there at the 3 this season. Definitely not equal to what he will at the 4. I think most of those minutes at the 3 would come due to foul issues though or if Self wants to go with a huge line up. Silvio playing this year would also probably make Mitch playing some minutes at the 3 the best way to get him on the floor.

I think this would also likely be Self experimenting with different line up combinations during the nonconference part of the schedule and wouldn’t expect to see Mitch at the 3 during B12 play except in extreme situations.

Right. I could have been more clear but by real minutes I meant close/big games and not when KU is up big against a team such as South Dakota.

I can definitely see Self fooling around in those types of situations.

Woodrow

@BShark I saw the KenPom rankings this morning and while I wasn’t surprised KU was #1 I was shocked by the margin as you pointed out.

Was also surprised at Texas being #16 seems a little high to me.

Also WVU at #10 and KSU at #12.

Texas Hawk 10

@BShark Lightfoot shouldn’t be getting big minutes in big/close games period this year unless Silvio doesn’t play this year

BShark

Texas Hawk 10 said:

@BShark Lightfoot shouldn’t be getting big minutes in big/close games period this year unless Silvio doesn’t play this year

Agree. Even if Silvio can’t go tbh I’d rather KJ be used as the back-up 4.

Texas Hawk 10

@BShark That would largely depend on match ups to me. I don’t know how well KJ could handle a physical 4 and with Mitch’s added bulk, I’d think he’d be better suited for those types of match ups.

BShark

Self on Agbaji

“That’s one of the ones that was luck that we got,” Self said. “We didn’t recruit Ochai hard, [assistant coach Norm Roberts] thought he could play well enough that I should go watch him. I went to watch him, and I go, ‘I think he’s better than who we’re recruiting.’”

The next step of evaluation revealed only more of the same.

“Then when you get to know him and you study him; you get to see length, explosiveness, attitude and toughness,” Self continued. “You also see that his sister plays volleyball at Texas. It’s a very athletic family. Both parents played [college basketball]. You start thinking that this kid has got some things, some intangibles.”

Of course, that final comment in and of itself would have been massive praise for any four-star freshman, especially one that was a late riser like Agbaji (even if he still finished well behind some of the more elite names in the class in the rankings).

Self, though, wasn’t done hyping up the freshman.

“I don’t want to make any predictions too bold, but he is going to be a guy who is going to start a lot of games, play a lot of minutes and score a lot of points while he is here,” Self said. “It just may not happen immediately for him because we have depth. He was ranked No. 337 when he committed to us and I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t pan out to be one of the best 30-40 players in this class.”