New 2019 Recruiting



  • @HighEliteMajor I think Self basically knowing he only had Grimes one year could have changed his approach as well. If there is a chance Self has him for 2-3 years than the tear down to build up becomes a more appealing option. Instead he was forced to just hope that engaged Grimes would show up over checked out Grimes (he rarely did).

    All of this to me is why it makes so much sense for both parties to be done. Grimes wasn’t quick enough to play the 2, let alone PG… I guess you could try to hide him on D while letting him run the show on offense but Dotson seemed like the far superior option to me so I can’t blame Self there.



  • @HighEliteMajor

    I agree with that. He likely wouldn’t have played that much.

    Grimes could have been one of Self’s favorites. We all know what happens when Self favors someone.

    Was Self sending a message to recruits that he’ll play highly ranked freshman from the get-go?

    One thing I’ll add that wasn’t mentioned is if it wasn’t Grimes then who? I think the staff identified that playing Dotson with Grimes gave them the best offense potentially. Playing him with Garrett was redundant because neither is a feared shooter.



  • @BShark @BeddieKU23 And I favor playing the more talented player from the start. That’s always been my belief. I just felt when we got to a certain point in the season, a different look for Grimes would have been worth trying, all with the goal of moving him back to the starting lineup. @BeddieKU23 See my comment a few posts on the “if not Grimes then who” thing … my thought was more a disruption in the routine. Bench him for a bit, reduce minutes, 6th man, whatever … see if that could jump start him.



  • @Kcmatt7 I agree with you 100%. The results are the same. I was responding to a request by someone suggesting that Bill tell the guy he’s not welcome here. A 5 star guy- a guy that started every game last year. It’s a question of how Bill finesses it, so I’m on the same page with you. You can say the same thing w/o saying the same thing.



  • HighEliteMajor said:

    @BShark @BeddieKU23 And I favor playing the more talented player from the start. That’s always been my belief. I just felt when we got to a certain point in the season, a different look for Grimes would have been worth trying, all with the goal of moving him back to the starting lineup. @BeddieKU23 See my comment a few posts on the “if not Grimes then who” thing … my thought was more a disruption in the routine. Bench him for a bit, reduce minutes, 6th man, whatever … see if that could jump start him.

    I wonder if it was considered. It’s worked in the past Self sending a message and trying to get motivation through PT or reduced role. Newman was a recent example. So that’s a good point why it wasn’t really explored. Maybe he thought it would potentially do more harm then good? Not having a fully checked in Vick probably made it difficult to justify as well. The last straw for Vick as I remember was being benched in the first half of a game. I wonder if Self thought that type of behavior would have spilled over to Grimes and he wanted to keep giving Grimes the perception of confidence by not benching him at points in the season where he wasn’t performing.



  • I think in the end, Self looks pretty good even if Grimes leaves undrafted. Kid got plenty of opportunities. Any recruit that gets dissuaded coming to KU because of Grimes getting misused would probably be a bad fit anyway. Is there someone Grimes is associated with that Self is targeting?



  • BeddieKU23 said:

    HighEliteMajor said:

    @BShark @BeddieKU23 And I favor playing the more talented player from the start. That’s always been my belief. I just felt when we got to a certain point in the season, a different look for Grimes would have been worth trying, all with the goal of moving him back to the starting lineup. @BeddieKU23 See my comment a few posts on the “if not Grimes then who” thing … my thought was more a disruption in the routine. Bench him for a bit, reduce minutes, 6th man, whatever … see if that could jump start him.

    I wonder if it was considered. It’s worked in the past Self sending a message and trying to get motivation through PT or reduced role. Newman was a recent example. So that’s a good point why it wasn’t really explored. Maybe he thought it would potentially do more harm then good? Not having a fully checked in Vick probably made it difficult to justify as well. The last straw for Vick as I remember was being benched in the first half of a game. I wonder if Self thought that type of behavior would have spilled over to Grimes and he wanted to keep giving Grimes the perception of confidence by not benching him at points in the season where he wasn’t performing.

    I bet it was considered, and your theory on this is just as probable – that Self self did consider it and maybe, related to this kid, didn’t see it as the best approach.

    @approxinfinity Can’t think of a connection, other than the great state of Texas (Grimes and Barrett/Wilson).



  • @approxinfinity Couldn’t Grimes play the 3 if Dotson comes back, and the 2 if he doesn’t?



  • @jayballer73 They said the same about Grimes, remember?



  • @KUSTEVE doesn’t grimes ONLY want to play pt?



  • @HighEliteMajor Thank you… Baller or not, that will be a crowded bench if Grimes returns and, of course, any player - bigtime player or not - will take that into account.



  • @jayballer73 We didn’t think he was a paper top 10 guy when he signed.



  • approxinfinity said:

    I think in the end, Self looks pretty good even if Grimes leaves undrafted. Kid got plenty of opportunities. Any recruit that gets dissuaded coming to KU because of Grimes getting misused would probably be a bad fit anyway. Is there someone Grimes is associated with that Self is targeting?

    I don’t believe Grimes has any direct connection to a player Self is targeting currently but I bet you Texas recruits have noticed.



  • KUSTEVE said:

    @approxinfinity Couldn’t Grimes play the 3 if Dotson comes back, and the 2 if he doesn’t?

    Technically, but he’d have to beat out Ochai and Jalen.



  • @HighEliteMajor And remember, Grimes was a top 10 player. If he comes back it will with everyone we already have coming back and maybe even Dotson - though that is looking unlikely - be a crowded backcourt. Hampton is a baller and doesn’t care who else is at KU, yeah, yeah, alright, whatever, but of course he does.



  • @BShark Indeed.



  • @Kcmatt7 You got it, and Cal at Kentucky does it all the time…



  • @BShark Do Grimes and Hampton know one another, are they close? If they are friends (given our interest in Hampton) that might explain why Self treated Grimes a bit differently than he usually does struggling players.



  • Marco said:

    @BShark Do Grimes and Hampton know one another, are they close? If they are friends (given our interest in Hampton) that might explain why Self treated Grimes a bit differently than he usually does struggling players.

    They know each other but aren’t close. It won’t really matter. RJ is going to play and play a ton no matter who’s on the roster next season.



  • @KUSTEVE I agree with you on that. I wasn’t suggesting that he tell Grimes to get the hell of here, Lol… Of course he should finesse it in such a way as to let both parties win, with the result being the same - get the hell out of here. Lol.



  • @approxinfinity That’s what I want to know, like say RJ Hampton?



  • HighEliteMajor said:

    jayballer73 said:

    dylans said:

    Just a paper top 10 guy. No one is scared of the Grimes we all saw.

    you know that - - I know that - - RJ knows that lol

    Well it’s not “lol.” The reality is that Bill Self started him every game. That should make a recruit take notice.

    It’s funny, in nearly the same breath, you state that we should take Bill Self’s word as the gospel, then you mock Grimes’ on court abilty – and Bill Self started him every game.

    look I’m not goin to keep going on this crap - I’ll simple end it with I’d bet you my farm that RJ is not afraid of Grimes - -no matter he started one game or 1000 games- -RJ how grimes has preformed I’m sure he isn’t losing any sleep over Quentin Grimes - -end of story -nothing to see here any more time to move on – I’ll take my chances with RJ - -ANY day - -Any Time - - Any where over Grimes



  • @jayballer73 Man you’re going all in. Haha. Hampton better not be scared by Grimes. If he is worried about PT or position competition at a college level then what’s it going to be like for him in the NBA



  • J Wilson got 2 CBs changing their vote from Michigan to undecided today



  • @rockchalkwyo Who made those?



  • @Woodrow Brian Snow and Josh Gershon



  • @rockchalkwyo Thanks. Well obviously they are not sold on all of the Wilson and KU chatter.



  • rockchalkwyo said:

    @jayballer73 Man you’re going all in. Haha. Hampton better not be scared by Grimes. If he is worried about PT or position competition at a college level then what’s it going to be like for him in the NBA

    exactly , and I think that’s why he isn’t scared - you can’t have that kind of mentality - if you gonna act scared or played scared then you might as well have a seat , the game will eat you up and spit you out - you have to have that edge and I think that is RJ’s mentality he knows he is good and he backs it up - -difference between grimes and RJ ? - -Grimes just pretty much had his way against High School competition - -got pretty full of himself - -lazy on defense - even in High School - -never transitioned over in College - always an lay defense - and like has been mentioned - -really don’t think Coach had any options last year - pretty much why he DID start as many games as he did. - -Ummmm you don’t have to worry about RJ’S defense - - Difference between RJ & Hampton - -RJ is the COMPLETE player - - RJ isn’t backing down from any other player - - he knows he belongs on the floor in any situation - he has that edge - smarter player then Quentin.

    Now let me just say I want to apologize to people here - - I’m truly sorry let my KU emotions get carried away - getting my Crimson and Blue blood flowing - for that I apologize get carried away - - even though I’m not backing off my stance between Rj and Grimes. - -In the end I don’t think it’s going to be an issue coming down to Grimes and RJ cause I fully believe Grimes IS NOT coming back - he will stick with the NBA - so it won’t not be an issue.

    I just think a lot of my reactions is that I’m so sick and tired of this recruiting season – ready for this crap to be over with. -one day we get the feel - -ya were in great shape – next day -dam looks like we missed - - the next day oh we okj - -to many peaks and valleys - -ya I realize it’s the case most year - -just seems like this year - it’s been a lot worse - I mean here we are heading in to June and our Roster is STILL up in the air - -just to a point I’m about to say screw it and somebody holler let me know who got - - -who we don’t - -when it’s all over lol - -one thing I know is it wil always be a ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG DAY TO ME



  • Woodrow said:

    @rockchalkwyo Thanks. Well obviously they are not sold on all of the Wilson and KU chatter.

    It’s more like they are no longer feeling like that he will be staying at Michigan - -looks like they were Michigan before and now changing their pick to they just are unclear

    Ya just checked 247 - - so ya that’s what it is, – These two guys had predicted originally that Jalen went to Michigan - -now they are backing off from he staying at Michigan - -their CB has dropped from like 62% this morning down to 50 % now - -and KU at 39% - -so just meaning they are not sure about where he is going instead of picking Michigan



  • @jayballer73 I didn’t say he was afraid of Grimes. We have Braun, McBride, Garrett, Agbaji, possibly Dotson and maybe - and I hope not - Grimes… If you were Hampton, looking at what we already have - let’s discount Dotson, for arguements sake - would you want Grimes to come back too?



  • Marco said:

    @jayballer73 I didn’t say he was afraid of Grimes. We have Braun, McBride, Garrett, Agbaji, possibly Dotson and maybe - and I hope not - Grimes… If you were Hampton, looking at what we already have - let’s discount Dotson, for arguements sake - would you want Grimes to come back too?

    Sure, why not. Grimes isn’t competition for RJ. Under this scenario, Grimes is fighting with Garrett for first small off the bench kind of minutes.



  • Watch for Jalen Wilson to talk to Michigan new coach juwan Howard soon to see what he has to say



  • jayballer73 said:

    rockchalkwyo said:

    @jayballer73 Man you’re going all in. Haha. Hampton better not be scared by Grimes. If he is worried about PT or position competition at a college level then what’s it going to be like for him in the NBA

    exactly , and I think that’s why he isn’t scared - you can’t have that kind of mentality - if you gonna act scared or played scared then you might as well have a seat , the game will eat you up and spit you out - you have to have that edge and I think that is RJ’s mentality he knows he is good and he backs it up - -difference between grimes and RJ ? - -Grimes just pretty much had his way against High School competition - -got pretty full of himself - -lazy on defense - even in High School - -never transitioned over in College - always an lay defense - and like has been mentioned - -really don’t think Coach had any options last year - pretty much why he DID start as many games as he did. - -Ummmm you don’t have to worry about RJ’S defense - - Difference between RJ & Hampton - -RJ is the COMPLETE player - - RJ isn’t backing down from any other player - - he knows he belongs on the floor in any situation - he has that edge - smarter player then Quentin.

    Now let me just say I want to apologize to people here - - I’m truly sorry let my KU emotions get carried away - getting my Crimson and Blue blood flowing - for that I apologize get carried away - - even though I’m not backing off my stance between Rj and Grimes. - -In the end I don’t think it’s going to be an issue coming down to Grimes and RJ cause I fully believe Grimes IS NOT coming back - he will stick with the NBA - so it won’t not be an issue.

    I just think a lot of my reactions is that I’m so sick and tired of this recruiting season – ready for this crap to be over with. -one day we get the feel - -ya were in great shape – next day -dam looks like we missed - - the next day oh we okj - -to many peaks and valleys - -ya I realize it’s the case most year - -just seems like this year - it’s been a lot worse - I mean here we are heading in to June and our Roster is STILL up in the air - -just to a point I’m about to say screw it and somebody holler let me know who got - - -who we don’t - -when it’s all over lol - -one thing I know is it wil always be a ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG DAY TO ME

    I totally f-ing agree with you there. One crazy ass recruiting season. Am I wrong, or is this the craziest year ever? Arizona and LSU still popping on recruits (and they, unlike us, could be in boiling hot water), yet we struggle. Man, it has never been more obvious that the genie has left the bottle…



  • Marco said:

    @jayballer73 I didn’t say he was afraid of Grimes. We have Braun, McBride, Garrett, Agbaji, possibly Dotson and maybe - and I hope not - Grimes… If you were Hampton, looking at what we already have - let’s discount Dotson, for arguements sake - would you want Grimes to come back too?

    If I’m RJ - - why not? - -better then any of the one’s you mentioned - - and even if Devon comes back - he would be sharing some time , with Devon - -not sitting , I think KU is recruiting RJ more as a 2 guard and keeping DD at the point or visa versa - -RJ at the point and sliding Devon over to the 2

    Either way if RJ comes your be gonna seeing RJ and Devon on the floor the majority of the time - -who else is that group is challenging RJ for starting minutes - - and RJ will be starting if he comes here - -the only other one close to challenging RJ for starting minutes possibly would be Agbaji - -in the 2 spot - -and not really that stiff of challenge - -I think Devon & RJ would be a great fit together - it would be having 2 PG’S on the floor at the same time. - -When Devon needed a blow rest - -RJ slide over and play the 1 spot. - -Or Marcus gan give Devon a blow and RJ stay put - - Agbaji giving RJ a break at the 2 - -Devon and RJ are not going to be competing against one another for minutes - -they will quite likely be playing ALOT at the same time. -other then him - -no one a challenge for RJ. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • FarmerJayhawk said:

    Marco said:

    @jayballer73 I didn’t say he was afraid of Grimes. We have Braun, McBride, Garrett, Agbaji, possibly Dotson and maybe - and I hope not - Grimes… If you were Hampton, looking at what we already have - let’s discount Dotson, for arguements sake - would you want Grimes to come back too?

    Sure, why not. Grimes isn’t competition for RJ. Under this scenario, Grimes is fighting with Garrett for first small off the bench kind of minutes

    Exactl what I just got through posting - - Grimes is no threat to RJ - -your gonna be having IF Grimes did come back your going to be having Agbaji and Grimes backing RJ at the 2 and Marcus backing Devon - -and RJ also giving Devon Breaks

    You could even possibly have Agbaji slide down to the 3 for a few minutes - -so Agbaji - -gonna be getting his minutes - - Marcus will be getting his that he is use to - -And RJ & Devon ROLLING. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • Marco said:

    jayballer73 said:

    rockchalkwyo said:

    @jayballer73 Man you’re going all in. Haha. Hampton better not be scared by Grimes. If he is worried about PT or position competition at a college level then what’s it going to be like for him in the NBA

    exactly , and I think that’s why he isn’t scared - you can’t have that kind of mentality - if you gonna act scared or played scared then you might as well have a seat , the game will eat you up and spit you out - you have to have that edge and I think that is RJ’s mentality he knows he is good and he backs it up - -difference between grimes and RJ ? - -Grimes just pretty much had his way against High School competition - -got pretty full of himself - -lazy on defense - even in High School - -never transitioned over in College - always an lay defense - and like has been mentioned - -really don’t think Coach had any options last year - pretty much why he DID start as many games as he did. - -Ummmm you don’t have to worry about RJ’S defense - - Difference between RJ & Hampton - -RJ is the COMPLETE player - - RJ isn’t backing down from any other player - - he knows he belongs on the floor in any situation - he has that edge - smarter player then Quentin.

    Now let me just say I want to apologize to people here - - I’m truly sorry let my KU emotions get carried away - getting my Crimson and Blue blood flowing - for that I apologize get carried away - - even though I’m not backing off my stance between Rj and Grimes. - -In the end I don’t think it’s going to be an issue coming down to Grimes and RJ cause I fully believe Grimes IS NOT coming back - he will stick with the NBA - so it won’t not be an issue.

    I just think a lot of my reactions is that I’m so sick and tired of this recruiting season – ready for this crap to be over with. -one day we get the feel - -ya were in great shape – next day -dam looks like we missed - - the next day oh we okj - -to many peaks and valleys - -ya I realize it’s the case most year - -just seems like this year - it’s been a lot worse - I mean here we are heading in to June and our Roster is STILL up in the air - -just to a point I’m about to say screw it and somebody holler let me know who got - - -who we don’t - -when it’s all over lol - -one thing I know is it wil always be a ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG DAY TO ME

    I totally f-ing agree with you there. One crazy ass recruiting season. Am I wrong, or is this the craziest year ever? Arizona and LSU still popping on recruits (and they, unlike us, could be in boiling hot water), yet we struggle. Man, it has never been more obvious that the genie has left the bottle…

    Just been a very long and very frustrating recruiting year - -again going into June and STILL haven’t got things setled



  • Corey Evans reply to a question about Michigan’s new hire regaining J Wilson’s commitment. Found on rivals

    Kansas is the strong leader for former Michigan recruit Jalen Wilson and if he were to not commit to either the Jayhawks or North Carolina, it would come as a giant surprise. Wilson will definitely keep Michigan atop of his list and if it is Juwan Howard, who boasts plenty of NBA background, the interest level would be there. However, the timing of his hiring could put the Wolverines behind the eight ball even further.

    Now, if Howard were to keep select members from the former staff in Ann Arbor, it could help in the relationship building process with Wilson. He is intrigued by the small forward opening at Kansas which is why he swiftly set a visit up to see the Big 12 program for May 30. North Carolina might also snag a visit date, but Michigan is playing catch-up now and will do as such the longer the coaching search continues in Ann Arbor.



  • KU needs to put the hammer down on his visit.



  • Yeah no kidding. Looking at the excitement on Wilson’s face when he was talking KU during his interview the other day makes me feel KU is in a good spot. Of course that was before the hire happened.



  • Ok, so we now know Howard got hired at Michigan - - -surprise , surprise. - My thing is that yes with this hire , I’m sure Howard will hit Wilson hard throw his pitch - and I’m sure Jalen will listen for sure , I’ve heard his parents really did love Michigan - - big fans. - -It wouldn’t surprise me that he did possibly stay put with this hire - - yet wouldn’t surprise me either if he transferred out - -I’d it now has shifted back to 50/50

    My question is - -has anybody heard or seen yet - - Has Michigan even released him from his LOI yet? - -I know he asked for it but haven’t heard if they granted his release - - anyone know? - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • I just rewatched the Wilson interview again and I noticed that at the very end he was asked if RJ will accompany him during his visit to Lawrence. He said no, but I know someone on here (before the interview) said he was. Now why would he deny that? Out of respect for other programs?



  • @rockchalkwyo RJ visiting with him isn’t set in stone iirc.



  • I would be surprised if he did. It sounded good at the time though



  • I wonder if the staff said he shouldn’t because they can’t give RJ food and rides and stuff like that



  • Maybe it is just the way the 2019 recruiting cycle has gone, but I would not be surprised if he ends up back at Michigan.



  • Woodrow said:

    Maybe it is just the way the 2019 recruiting cycle has gone, but I would not be surprised if he ends up back at Michigan.

    Definitely don’t like that they made a good splashy hire.



  • KU may still hold an edge since he did get his release and doesn’t have a relationship with the new coach at this moment. That’s about all the optimism I have. Michigan hired quickly and made a good choice given their options at this time.

    I also think this cycle has just worn us all out. Its the end of May and we’re the only program in America with so much uncertainty still.



  • Ryan over at the Phog dropped these nuggets regarding Grimes.

    Small fwiw, but if Grimes goes back to college it won’t be at Kansas. Have heard it’s possible he opts out and transfers, and now there are a few in the national NBA/Draft media that have mentioned it as well. I think there’s virtually no chance at him back at KU unless Dotson isn’t coming back AND Hampton isn’t joining the roster. Even then, I’m not entirely sure those bridges aren’t burned.



  • @BeddieKU23 I am worried about Wilson now. He was a fan of the Fab Five and he was named Jalen after…Jalen Rose.



  • BeddieKU23 said:

    Ryan over at the Phog dropped these nuggets regarding Grimes.

    Small fwiw, but if Grimes goes back to college it won’t be at Kansas. Have heard it’s possible he opts out and transfers, and now there are a few in the national NBA/Draft media that have mentioned it as well. I think there’s virtually no chance at him back at KU unless Dotson isn’t coming back AND Hampton isn’t joining the roster. Even then, I’m not entirely sure those bridges aren’t burned.

    I feel bad for Grimes. I really do. It seems as though his inner circle is filled with delusional people who have and will continue to fail him. He should have never even declared.

    This is one of my favorite movies, and this quote all too often comes to mind…

    alt text


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