Conner gone?



  • Gary B reporting Conner is transferring. Not happy about that. He had biggest impact in Stanford game.



  • @Bwag If he does transfer, I hope it’s not to someone we play. I can easily see him hitting 6-7 threes per game. Maybe more against us…



  • Bummer



  • This is the start of the OAD era at KU fellas. When 2 top 50 hs recruits and a senior pg leave your program due to lack of PT it spells OAD all day! There are mutable reports out there now so I highly doubt its here say. Say by by to senior night and hello to the OAD era… So when are we going to start giving big 12 rings to rappers? We need a more youthful approach for late night to keep up with the Jones’s over at UK.



  • Devonte must be very, very good for this to happen. Good luck Conner. Show the world what you can do.



  • @Statmachine I am glad he is transferring, so he can play full time. I think the kid is going to be good. Watch him go play at Creighton, and light up the Big East.

    @wrwlumpy Agreed, Mr. Lumpy. I think Devonte will be very, very good.



  • ugh… this is a bummer.

    He’s better than Ford at OSU and Ford sticks it to you. I think this is better for Connor than for us.



  • Hopefully not wsu



  • Unfortunately that makes the most sense-it is his home.



  • Based on Self’s statements, as well as Conner’s, it sounds like this move is more driven by his dad than a real dissatisfaction with the program. Conner made it known that he and his father’s goal was for him to make the NBA within 2-3 years, and it’s clear that he wasn’t on that trajectory at KU (but given his physical limitations, I think it’s questionable at best he’d be headed that direction anywhere else). I sincerely believed this was outside the realm of reasonable possibilities, though, given how dedicated other local kids have been to the program (Releford waited his turn without ever questioning it. Perry played behind Kevin Young and even Traylor, at times), but that simply adds to my suspicions that his dad is the driving force behind the move (much like we saw with Micah Downs). It may also signal an impending commitment from Tyler Dorsey or Marcus LoVett, but I think that’s less likely (and LoVett in particular I wouldn’t expect to challenge Frankamp). However it plays out, I’m sure we all wish him well.



  • AWIII will be great in the Big 10.Capture.PNG



  • @JayhawkRock78 Don’t like the OAD mentality of recruiting but this a reality check we’ll continue to deal with every day from now on-or as long as Self is HC. CF will be a deadly assassin in someone’s arsenal. Wish him the best of luck & for busting his rear for 1 1/2 years on the Hill. Quite honestly I’m disappointed but would hate to loose Brannen even more. Will be an option for him going forward as well-just the nature of the beast Self has addopted. But even with all the talent in the world, you still can’t create a chemistry if it’s not there. That’s the real intangible aspect of motivation that can win when talent fails. Prime examples? The 2012 TRob led Jayhawks & this years small ball KC Royals. This will also affect future recruiting of not only OADs’ but PTPers as well. Maybe Bill doesn’t even want role guys like Reed or Releford anymore. Curious if CF was offered the red one? Surely he was. Anyone got the scoop?



  • @bskeet - Forte ?



  • @globaljaybird There was no scenario where Conner would get enough minutes. Once the “PG” position was taken off the table, there was no more room at the inn for Francamp. Swee is 6’8" in Jayhawk height, and Greene is almost as tall. They both can shoot 3s as well. After Conner’s outstanding NCAA tournament, I got excited for his future prospects. All the salty vets told me “no way he gets minutes”. Salty vets 1 , Steve 0.



  • Yes, but if memory serves Conner was the top scorer in the McDonald’s All-American game.



  • @JayhawkRock78 No. Conner wasn’t an AA. You’re thinking of USA basketball U-17 where he lead all scorers on a team featuring Jabari Parker and Dakari Johnson.



  • ooops. thanks for setting me straight kong



  • @wrwlumpy

    Your AWIII take addressed this Conner moment with a surprising connection. You are becoming a master poster with a recognizable style. The best is yet to come.



  • I would have liked him to stick around 5 years because I think he could have been of some use as a ball trustworthy, lights out three shooter in his RS JR and RS SR years. But in reality he lacks the size, muscle of other glue guys we’ve had in the past (Reed, Releford, BStar) so he’s gone. As far as the NBA I really don’t see it. He’s too small and not quick enough. He can probably go overseas and make a paycheck after his college days are all done though. I wonder if Self doesn’t know of future commits already and that was an influencing factor too.



  • @nuleafjhawk Yes … Forte. What the heck was I thinking? Thank you!



  • @KUSTEVE You are right on point. Survival of the fittest. It’s all about competition.

    It is exactly what needed to happen. Self said the following: “We’ve lost obviously a very good shooter, but we may have also gained some chemistry issues, where now I think guys will be more locked in and more able to probably figure out what their role will be because they’ll definitely be anywhere between 10 and 20 or 10 or 23, whatever minutes there would be to go around, amongst the other guys,”

    Self seems pleased. We should be too.

    CF was not a Self-ball guy. That’s been discussed here. Now all the finesse players are gone, except Ellis. Tharpe, CF, Wiggins, and Embiid (who isn’t a tough, physical guy, but not soft by any means … just not a physicality first guy. More finesse).

    We knew someone was sitting. That brings it down to six. We know another guy is out.This looks an awful lot like Mason, Graham, Selden, Oubre, and Greene, with Svi being the likely odd guy out as we hit January. CF’s transfer seems to help Greene the most. It sounds like CF’s best scenario was the 5th perimeter guy, much like we have assumed. Greene gets that job.

    Look at what Self does in the Kentucky game. Much like Self’s handling of the Duke game last season, as we discussed in advance that game, the UK game will be our insight. Perhaps we should have known White’s fate when he got a grand total of 4 minutes vs. Duke. The high level opponent gives us a look into who Self really trusts.

    I could really see Mason, Graham, Selden, Traylor and Ellis as our immediate starters, with Oubre and Alexander squeezing in later.

    This was all about opportunity for CF. Kids want to play. They should want to play. This only happens once for them.

    “I’ve been thinking about this for a while now,” Frankamp said. “I love KU and I love the Jayhawks. I feel like I’ve improved quite a bit since I’ve been here. I love my teammates but I just don’t feel like it’s the right fit for me. We have many good guards and so many big-time players. I want to be at a place where I could play a bigger role."

    “Bigger role.” Hope he gets it.

    Meanwhile, we get exactly what we need. The best players that fit the Self-ball mold are on the court.



  • @HighEliteMajor I’ll be surprised if Oubre and Cliffie aren’t in the starting lineup. Isn’t Oubre considered an excellent defender?



  • @KUSTEVE No, I agree … I just kind of think Self will leave them out of the starting lineup to begin with. I think both being starters is just a matter of time.



  • @KUSTEVE I’ll be suprised if Oubre isn’t starting by the Duke game. Depending on the muscle & height we face in the frontcourt, could be Jamari & or Cliff as we fully know what Perry brings to the def end. Unless he’s much more physically imposing, we may even see a Lucas if healthy or Mickelson on the court with Cliff or Traylor at times. Self has a lot of combos to try the next month & a half before BG 12 play. I wish the tip was tonight !! Rock Chalk !!



  • @globaljaybird Kentucky?



  • @Crimsonorblue22 Thanks. Think I probably said Dook after reading HEMs post. Not fully locked in/been having Doggie class all day. Started with his 1st trip to our vet before 9 am. A yearling with this much energy is a handful for an older guy. I swear I have bruises all over-he is so strong. Never mentioned it but head butted me in the chops during game 6 the other night. Loves tug of war, Frisbee, BB, fetching sticks. Wore me out so much last night I let him chase me on the tractor to wear him out. It worked too, he didn’t try to bite the tires but jumped & leaped all over the place chasing & having a ball. No behavior issues at the vet, only posing & barking with an English Bulldog, none in the car & no accidents at home. Is just a miracle we got a rescue dog this well trained & ready to go. Only downside is getting him in the kennel & I can’t blame him for not wanting to. But he’s holding his wad for 8-9 hrs when I’m working & really that’s all you can ask of any dog. So far he’s been a real godsend. We were still grieving after 3 months & wasn’t getting much better. I know Woody’s happy we gave a very lovable & deserving pup a 3rd chance to have a great life. He’s gonna work out just fine with us. Also has put on almost 15 lbs in one week. Was about 45 last Thurs & 59 today. Yes ma’am he can eat.



  • @globaljaybird that’s awesome! He lucky to have you guys too!!!



  • @HighEliteMajor said:

    @KUSTEVE You are right on point. Survival of the fittest. It’s all about competition.

    It is exactly what needed to happen. Self said the following: “We’ve lost obviously a very good shooter, but we may have also gained some chemistry issues, where now I think guys will be more locked in and more able to probably figure out what their role will be because they’ll definitely be anywhere between 10 and 20 or 10 or 23, whatever minutes there would be to go around, amongst the other guys,”

    Self seems pleased. We should be too.

    CF was not a Self-ball guy. That’s been discussed here. Now all the finesse players are gone, except Ellis. Tharpe, CF, Wiggins, and Embiid (who isn’t a tough, physical guy, but not soft by any means … just not a physicality first guy. More finesse).

    We knew someone was sitting. That brings it down to six. We know another guy is out.This looks an awful lot like Mason, Graham, Selden, Oubre, and Greene, with Svi being the likely odd guy out as we hit January. CF’s transfer seems to help Greene the most. It sounds like CF’s best scenario was the 5th perimeter guy, much like we have assumed. Greene gets that job.

    Look at what Self does in the Kentucky game. Much like Self’s handling of the Duke game last season, as we discussed in advance that game, the UK game will be our insight. Perhaps we should have known White’s fate when he got a grand total of 4 minutes vs. Duke. The high level opponent gives us a look into who Self really trusts.

    I could really see Mason, Graham, Selden, Traylor and Ellis as our immediate starters, with Oubre and Alexander squeezing in later.

    This was all about opportunity for CF. Kids want to play. They should want to play. This only happens once for them.

    “I’ve been thinking about this for a while now,” Frankamp said. “I love KU and I love the Jayhawks. I feel like I’ve improved quite a bit since I’ve been here. I love my teammates but I just don’t feel like it’s the right fit for me. We have many good guards and so many big-time players. I want to be at a place where I could play a bigger role."

    “Bigger role.” Hope he gets it.

    Meanwhile, we get exactly what we need. The best players that fit the Self-ball mold are on the court.

    I certainly don’t disagree that we may have gained something out of this. What we do know is that we lost a great shooter and a great kid who valued the ball. Right now our Perimeter is filled with players who last year didn’t value the ball very well. If for nothing else we knew if CF was in the game that he could stretch a D and wouldn’t turn the ball over.

    Now I do believe that he had a bigger role to have this year no matter what people think of the backcourt. Self clearly said he was going to start the Exhibition. Was that more to really see where he stood in the competition or was it that he had done better than Greene, Svi, Graham? If right now he had the drivers seat to start/play major minutes then why would your “role” not be enough.

    I think especially after this year and into his projected Sr year he would have been one of the most important players in this program. You’d have to think he’d become the great shooter he was in HS with more and more experience/game time and his steady hands with the ball would keep him ahead of any phenom freshman who’d come this way. At least he’d be a “trusted” player in Self’s terms, once you get that status you play we know that.

    I’d be lying if I wasn’t mad about this, I think whoever really made the decision, the father, CF himself or both is straight selfish. You stick out the year, or play til the semester’s end and see how it shakes out by then. Not quit on your team days before the real playing starts. It’s just unheard of when you have no other factor in play other than PT.

    Lastly I like that now either Greene, Svi Oubre will get to define their roles with this team. All have excellent length and scoring ability and I’m sure now 2 of the 3 is going to play even more now. Chemistry should be easier, and we should see better flow on offense in time now. And Recruits will notice that a G has left and can be positive for Dorsey and others considereing us.



  • @HighEliteMajor I agree with your comments on rotation minutes and who likely gets them. But, I didn’t sense that Self was pleased. I thought he sounded disappointed. I found his chemistry comment a bit odd. Self (and all of us) realize that a kid needs to do what is best for him. In a perfect world, Self would probably like to have a guy like Connor to play whatever minutes he earns and develop as a 4 or 5 year guy. It just doesn’t happen as much anymore in today’s world.



  • @Hawk8086 Bill said as of today (yesterday) Conner would have been a starter but someone must have been threatening those minutes & he or his dad feared being relegated to less. Too much athleticism for him to hang with the rest IMO. Hate to see a potential 4-5 yr guy fly. Just the reality of the OAD era I guess. Too bad, he coulda been a huge asset for sure.



  • Assuming he didn’t show Conner the door, Self seems to have lost whatever mojo mind meld he once had to be able to convince decent young hotshots to stick around (RussRob, EJ, Travis, etc.) and become indispensable upperclassmen. Two top-50ish recruits gone in one year. Bleh.

    But, Yippee!, more freshmen get to play this year and next year and the year after that.



  • @wrwlumpy Correct me if I’m wrong, but I didn’t think he was eligible this season.



  • @wrwlumpy

    “AWIII will be great in the Big 10.”

    All that weight training made Andrew an absolute perfect fit for the B10! I believe he is going to be a huge contributor to Husker ball this year.

    Go… Andrew!



  • @wissoxfan83

    He is not. He has to sit one year; however, he can still practice and play in the intra-squad scrimmage game.



  • @DanR I love the cynicism. More freshmen starting, “yipee!” I hear ya …



  • @BeddieKU23 Like you–and most everyone else on this board–I liked CF and hated to see him go. However, I don’t agree with your remarks that he should stick out the year or play till semester’s end. And, if you think it through, I’m not too sure you would either.

    First, the time and effort he puts into practice, both emotionally and physically, is time that he could use to find another school, as well as to prepare mentally to think for the first time “I’m not a Jayhawk.”

    Second, would you really want a player to be playing for you who knows that he is not going to be a part of the team for the entire year? A player who in this case is playing for the Jayhawks but is thinking about playing at WSU (or any other school)?

    Third, if you were a coach for a school that he might be interested in, is it possible that you would wonder why he is still playing for KU if he wants to leave?

    I hate to see him go but I really don’t want to see someone who doesn’t give his full effort physically and emotionally.

    Just my opinion.



  • @Wigs2 said:

    @BeddieKU23 Like you–and most everyone else on this board–I liked CF and hated to see him go. However, I don’t agree with your remarks that he should stick out the year or play till semester’s end. And, if you think it through, I’m not too sure you would either.

    First, the time and effort he puts into practice, both emotionally and physically, is time that he could use to find another school, as well as to prepare mentally to think for the first time “I’m not a Jayhawk.”

    Second, would you really want a player to be playing for you who knows that he is not going to be a part of the team for the entire year? A player who in this case is playing for the Jayhawks but is thinking about playing at WSU (or any other school)?

    Third, if you were a coach for a school that he might be interested in, is it possible that you would wonder why he is still playing for KU if he wants to leave?

    I hate to see him go but I really don’t want to see someone who doesn’t give his full effort physically and emotionally.

    Just my opinion.

    I don’t agree but that’s okay we all have own opinion on this situation.

    The staff places a great deal of time with these kids from hudy to the assistants and so on. For him to quit right before the season to me is a slap in the face. I don’t think that if a kid thinks about transferring in the beginning/middle or end of the year will play with any less heart in the program. They all want to play at the end of the day and we never question kids commitment when they transfer at years end (White).

    So I don’t agree that because a kids leaving in the beginning that we should have expected him to not have his heart in it. I think if he had stuck it out and seen where his minutes were and role was with this team in real game time that he might have rediscovered what brought him here in the first place.

    A lot of people thought the way he played at the end would be a sign of good things to come. I did as well, and more than anything expected him as a Jr and Sr. to be very important to this teams success. Lucas red-shirting isn’t the norm anymore, we may be over getting the Releford, Morningstar, Withey types to stick it out. It’s sad because Kansas in the Self era has been made on CF types becoming Sr. monsters.


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