The '19-'20 Season and Beyond (previously titled To Infinity and Beyond)



  • Daddy has spoken, time to move on. A 2019-20 starting lineup of Dok, Silvio, Enaruna, Dotson and Agbaji with Dave, Mitch, Braun, Garrett and McBride - I am not factoring Wilson - coming off the bench does not sound half bad for next season. That is, in my opinion, a Big12 champion and Sweet 16 - possibly even Elite 8 - NCAA tournament team.

    Where things are going to get dicey is after next season, when Dok, Silvio (probably), Mitch, Dotson and Agbaji (maybe) are all gone. If that were to happen, that leaves us having to fill eight scholarships with only five returnees.

    Enaruna, Braun and McBride will be sophomores at that point, all three being important long-term cogs, you feel me? Big Dave will be a junior, add a juco and a redshirt (one we will have to add and sit this coming season) to round out that class. Marcus Garrett will be the lone senior, but if we can add a couple grad transfers - not huge names, just solid contributors - that will give us three seniors.

    That leaves four scholarships to give. If we can land four freshman and out of those four get ourselves a highly ranked big man (twenty to thirty range) who is willing to wait his turn, a skilled at both ends PG, a versatile inside/out forward and a combo guard/forward then I am stoked.

    I believe that that is going to be the case (eight scholarships to fill) and to be honest I am excited. The possibilities offered by such a scenario - class balance, depth, and the youth of Enaruna, Braun and McBride - point to great things coming our way, in '19-'20 and beyond.

    I am quite serious, being not at all delusional, when saying that I am looking forward to the '19-'20 tip-off while keeping an eye on the upcoming seasons.

    Enaruna, Braun and McBride make a foundational class, one that we can add pieces to and build around for the next four seasons. If they pan out the way that I expect them to (I think all three are future pros) their impact will be felt for years to come and alot of solid pieces will still be around long after they are gone.

    It is time to zero in on the '20 class and cast a wide net for players who fill that mold. Do you agree, and who should we try to land? Imagine adding Xavier Foster, Bryce Thompson and Ty Berry (to name three that I like) to Enaruna, Braun and McBride. We need class balance, I am so looking forward to the OAD rule being gone.



  • Players like McBride and Braun will be key going forward in the new landscape.



  • I’m officially worried about Dotson. CJ Moore said he won’t decide until tomorrow and is still on the fence.



  • @Woodrow Self should drop a big bag. Get it done.



  • Garrett, Braun, McBride, Enaruna and Big Dave will all be here next season. That is a pretty solid core of players.



  • Say Dotson doesn’t come back. So what?



  • HighEliteMajor said:

    Say Dotson doesn’t come back. So what?

    My guess is that if he doesn’t come back the staff will be on the phone figuring out who wants to come start at PG for us and help them get enrolled in summer classes so they can reclass by August. At least 20 guys in the top 30 would be eligible for the 2020 draft if they could finish the classes they need in time.

    Duke did it twice (with Bagley and Thornton) in the past 4 years.



  • HighEliteMajor said:

    Say Dotson doesn’t come back. So what?

    NIT



  • Barring Bill finding a late miracle to run the point or a very high impact combo/2 guard.



  • Kcmatt7 said:

    HighEliteMajor said:

    Say Dotson doesn’t come back. So what?

    My guess is that if he doesn’t come back the staff will be on the phone figuring out who wants to come start at PG for us and help them get enrolled in summer classes so they can reclass by August. At least 20 guys in the top 30 would be eligible for the 2020 draft if they could finish the classes they need in time.

    Duke did it twice (with Bagley and Thornton) in the past 4 years.

    There would definitely be a BIG push but I want Dotson back.



  • If Dotson stays gone, I still want to see Garrett run point because I still think he’s the best PG on the team.



  • Texas Hawk 10 said:

    If Dotson stays gone, I still want to see Garrett run point because I still think he’s the best PG on the team.

    Garrett at PG with Silvio and Dok on the floor? I’d rather have McBride on the floor to shoot 3s. Take his licks and hope he’s seasoned enough come tourney time.



  • We saw this past season what the KU floor is under Self. Third place in the league, first weekend tournament exit. That’s about the worst outcome we will likely see under Self in terms of regular season and postseason results.

    The question is what is the ceiling? Next year, its S16 or E8. That’s probably as far as that roster can be expected to take us in a best case scenario. The floor would be second or third in the league, with a first weekend exit from the tournament.

    Honestly, I don’t know where we go from here. We have to adapt, but I am not sure what that looks like going forward.



  • We have to build around Enaruna, Braun and McBride… Let me say this, I think that all three of those guys are future pros.



  • BShark said:

    HighEliteMajor said:

    Say Dotson doesn’t come back. So what?

    NIT

    Lol at this. We could run out Free State High and Self would get them to 5th in the league.

    G: Garrett

    G: Ochai

    G: Wilson

    F: Silvio

    F: Doke

    That’s a possible Sweet 16 team.



  • FarmerJayhawk said:

    BShark said:

    HighEliteMajor said:

    Say Dotson doesn’t come back. So what?

    NIT

    Lol at this. We could run out Free State High and Self would get them to 5th in the league.

    G: Garrett

    G: Ochai

    G: Wilson

    F: Silvio

    F: Doke

    That’s a possible Sweet 16 team.

    Now do it but w/o Wilson since he is far from a lock. It’s definitely worrisome and Doke can’t be counted to stay healthy all year. Even if he did I think it’s borderline without Dotson. That said, hopefully Dotson announces his return in the next 24 hours. Seeing lots of kids announcing they will be back today.



  • I heard he’s w/family today, announcing tmrw. Sorry if someone already said that.



  • Crimsonorblue22 said:

    I heard he’s w/family today, announcing tmrw. Sorry if someone already said that.

    Thanks



  • BShark said:

    FarmerJayhawk said:

    BShark said:

    HighEliteMajor said:

    Say Dotson doesn’t come back. So what?

    NIT

    Lol at this. We could run out Free State High and Self would get them to 5th in the league.

    G: Garrett

    G: Ochai

    G: Wilson

    F: Silvio

    F: Doke

    That’s a possible Sweet 16 team.

    Now do it but w/o Wilson since he is far from a lock. It’s definitely worrisome and Doke can’t be counted to stay healthy all year. Even if he did I think it’s borderline without Dotson. That said, hopefully Dotson announces his return in the next 24 hours. Seeing lots of kids announcing they will be back today.

    Sure. I don’t think there’s much difference. Just replace him with Enaruna. If Self goes NIT starting 4 top 55 recruits then we may have a problem.



  • BShark said:

    HighEliteMajor said:

    Say Dotson doesn’t come back. So what?

    NIT

    My answer? Bill Self. He wins.



  • @HighEliteMajor Fair, he does have a little bit of a track record.



  • @BShark Yea, we’re good. No better coach for a flawed roster.



  • approxinfinity said:

    Texas Hawk 10 said:

    If Dotson stays gone, I still want to see Garrett run point because I still think he’s the best PG on the team.

    Garrett at PG with Silvio and Dok on the floor? I’d rather have McBride on the floor to shoot 3s. Take his licks and hope he’s seasoned enough come tourney time.

    Garrett had the best A/TO ratio last year and is a very good facilitator. Garrett was a PG in HS and had an elite level A/TO ratio as well. Garrett protects the ball extremely well and makes good decisions with it in his hands.

    Garrett as a primary PG is someone who could average 7-8 assists per game at KU. At 6-5 Garrett could be dangerous running the high-low.



  • So Wilson is suppose to be at KU tomorrow right - it was the 29th-1st right?



  • @jayballer73 30th. So should be here Thursday to Saturday



  • @Texas-Hawk-10 You make good points about Garrett. Concerns are that Garrett is slow with the ball. Plodding is the word that comes to my mind. He is zero threat scoring wise beyond driving as has been discussed many times. That said, I have no idea if McBride could handle it. Either way, we’d be in an unenviable spot.



  • HighEliteMajor said:

    @Texas-Hawk-10 You make good points about Garrett. Concerns are that Garrett is slow with the ball. Plodding is the word that comes to my mind. He is zero threat scoring wise beyond driving as has been discussed many times. That said, I have no idea if McBride could handle it. Either way, we’d be in an unenviable spot.

    Bill Self and a bag of rocks: a love story.



  • @HighEliteMajor Interesting. He’s like the elephant that the 8 blindfolded men describe. Out of all the adjectives I could think of, slow and plodding would not be one I would use. But, it’s all in the eye of the beholder, I guess. I see him this way:



  • @KUSTEVE The plodding part is how I’d describe him when he is in the PG role. A tail dribbler. Slower bringing it up. Protect the ball. Not in a sprint. Not quick with the ball laterally. Handles not super strong. Contrast to guys we’ve had … Taylor, Tharpe, Mason, DG, Dotson. More Selden-esque with the ball than similar to our prior PGs. He’s a better dribbler than Selden though. But you never know how a guy responds, and we won’t know until he’s in that role more significantly.



  • @HighEliteMajor He’s not a burner. He does pass one test though- he was ranked 54th when he signed with us. Definitely not a OAD. He is headed into his 3rd year, so he is what you and I keep saying we want…lol.



  • FarmerJayhawk said:

    BShark said:

    FarmerJayhawk said:

    BShark said:

    HighEliteMajor said:

    Say Dotson doesn’t come back. So what?

    NIT

    Lol at this. We could run out Free State High and Self would get them to 5th in the league.

    G: Garrett

    G: Ochai

    G: Wilson

    F: Silvio

    F: Doke

    That’s a possible Sweet 16 team.

    Now do it but w/o Wilson since he is far from a lock. It’s definitely worrisome and Doke can’t be counted to stay healthy all year. Even if he did I think it’s borderline without Dotson. That said, hopefully Dotson announces his return in the next 24 hours. Seeing lots of kids announcing they will be back today.

    Sure. I don’t think there’s much difference. Just replace him with Enaruna. If Self goes NIT starting 4 top 55 recruits then we may have a problem.

    So you agree, Enaruna is a bigtime keeper? I don’t think that we are getting Wilson.



  • Marco said:

    FarmerJayhawk said:

    BShark said:

    FarmerJayhawk said:

    BShark said:

    HighEliteMajor said:

    Say Dotson doesn’t come back. So what?

    NIT

    Lol at this. We could run out Free State High and Self would get them to 5th in the league.

    G: Garrett

    G: Ochai

    G: Wilson

    F: Silvio

    F: Doke

    That’s a possible Sweet 16 team.

    Now do it but w/o Wilson since he is far from a lock. It’s definitely worrisome and Doke can’t be counted to stay healthy all year. Even if he did I think it’s borderline without Dotson. That said, hopefully Dotson announces his return in the next 24 hours. Seeing lots of kids announcing they will be back today.

    Sure. I don’t think there’s much difference. Just replace him with Enaruna. If Self goes NIT starting 4 top 55 recruits then we may have a problem.

    So you agree, Enaruna is a bigtime keeper? I don’t think that we are getting Wilson.

    Oh yes. Honestly might have the highest pro ceiling on the roster as of now. I think we get Wilson.



  • I’m telling you, I am more excited about '19-'20 than I was about '18-'19. Dok on a mission, a hungry Silvio wrecking havoc on the boards, and Enaruna bringing bigtime versatility. Hopefully Dotson (if he comes back, which I am now saying that he will) will be improved in all facets as will Agbaji - that is a great starting lineup. And what is wrong with a bench of McCormack, Mitch, Braun (bigtime shooter), Garrett (bigtime defender and distributor) and McBride (bigtime shooter)? How many teams in America would like to have those ten players? And how many teams have done more with less? I’ll say it again, Coach Self was very smart in signing Enaruna, Braun and McBride. The question now is, who should we pursue in '20?



  • Here’s my case for Marcus being better at pg than anywhere else on the floor:

    1- Teams sag off of Marcus because of his crappy jump shot. But teams NEVER sag off the ball, because that would leave all the passing lanes wide open. Man to man…zone…they all are based on playing the ball. This means that teams sagging into the paint when Marcus was playing the wing aren’t going to do that if he’s bringing up the ball. So, I don’t think teams are going to be able to sag off him with the ball in his hands.

    2- Last year, after Doke went down, and Vick went MIA, they started driving him to the basket, and he scored 20, 18, and 15 in 3 consecutive conference games. So, we know he has the ability to drive the ball. He will probably be one of our last options, but we know he can get to the hoop. And he made many really good assists on those drives.

    1. The Achilles heel is the shooting. But, like many other players growing into the game, Marcus’s season was a case of shooting much better in conference than he did in pre-conference. In conference play he made 47 out of 88 shots altogether for a nifty 53%. Now, he didn’t suddenly turn into Svi from 3, but he did make 8 out of 25 for a 32% clip. 33% from 3 equates to a 50% two point shooter, so I don’t think he’s as far off as many think.

    4- The best ball hawker since Russ Rob would now be essentially playing on the ball every play. His 1.4 steal rate could rise considerably playing on the ball. 2 - 2.5, maybe? Add in a 5.0 asst rate, with 10 ppg, and you have a valuable guy any way you look at it. Yes, he’s going to be a pass first guy, nor will he blow away defenses with his speed like a Frank or a DD, but he could end up being very valuable in his own way.



  • Last years team didn’t excite. This upcoming roster doesn’t look very great either. Definitely not a championship contender without another addition and a ton of luck. And possibly a first round exit without Dotson.



  • dylans said:

    Last years team didn’t excite. This upcoming roster doesn’t look very great either. Definitely not a championship contender without another addition and a ton of luck. And possibly a first round exit without Dotson.

    There are some positives though. The unathletic guys (Lawsons, Charlie, Q) are all leaving so the defense should be able to get a lot better.

    Lawson scored a lot, but was inefficient. Overall I don’t think replacing him with Silvio is the end of the world.

    A lot will depend on Dotson, and any potential additions. Agree that it wouldn’t be pretty without Dotson. If he does return, and KU adds just one impact guard that can shoot it*, that changes things considerably.

    *Wilson or Walker realistically



  • KUSTEVE said:

    Here’s my case for Marcus being better at pg than anywhere else on the floor:

    1- Teams sag off of Marcus because of his crappy jump shot. But teams NEVER sag off the ball, because that would leave all the passing lanes wide open. Man to man…zone…they all are based on playing the ball. This means that teams sagging into the paint when Marcus was playing the wing aren’t going to do that if he’s bringing up the ball. So, I don’t think teams are going to be able to sag off him with the ball in his hands.

    2- Last year, after Doke went down, and Vick went MIA, they started driving him to the basket, and he scored 20, 18, and 15 in 3 consecutive conference games. So, we know he has the ability to drive the ball. He will probably be one of our last options, but we know he can get to the hoop. And he made many really good assists on those drives.

    1. The Achilles heel is the shooting. But, like many other players growing into the game, Marcus’s season was a case of shooting much better in conference than he did in pre-conference. In conference play he made 47 out of 88 shots altogether for a nifty 53%. Now, he didn’t suddenly turn into Svi from 3, but he did make 8 out of 25 for a 32% clip. 33% from 3 equates to a 50% two point shooter, so I don’t think he’s as far off as many think.

    4- The best ball hawker since Russ Rob would now be essentially playing on the ball every play. His 1.4 steal rate could rise considerably playing on the ball. 2 - 2.5, maybe? Add in a 5.0 asst rate, with 10 ppg, and you have a valuable guy any way you look at it. Yes, he’s going to be a pass first guy, nor will he blow away defenses with his speed like a Frank or a DD, but he could end up being very valuable in his own way.

    And perhaps be an even better shooter when he gets more PT?



  • @BShark This next team is going to D up.



  • Three players that I want us to go all in on? Xavier Foster, Ty Berry and Bryce Thompson, all three being top shelf multi-year players.



  • Corey Evans response to a question regarding SDSs eligibility on rivals

    Silvio De Sousa’s return does little to impact Kansas’ pursuit of Jalen Wilson. The Jayhawks had a major hole to fill at the power forward spot which only could have been filled by De Sousa due to the limited amount of college-ready big men available this spring. They will continue to pursue N’Faly Dante, though, as he could potentially reclassify into the 2019 class, but he is no longer a must-have prospect for Kansas thanks to De Sousa’s return.

    Regarding Wilson, the small forward position remains a major need for Kansas. Missing on Precious Achiuwa really hurt the Jayhawks, and Wilson is intrigued by the opportunities available at his position in Lawrence. He visits KU this week and is expected to visit North Carolina in the coming days. While others such as Florida, Michigan and Oklahoma State remain involved, the best bet is that he will not get past mid-June without giving his verbal commitment which will likely be celebrated by the Jayhawks.



  • @rockchalkwyo

    Evans hasn’t been right yet to my knowledge regarding anything with KU. He makes a decent case, one I think is general knowledge though. There’s a chance Wilson could start or play a lot as a freshman.



  • KUSTEVE said:

    Here’s my case for Marcus being better at pg than anywhere else on the floor:

    1- Teams sag off of Marcus because of his crappy jump shot. But teams NEVER sag off the ball, because that would leave all the passing lanes wide open. Man to man…zone…they all are based on playing the ball. This means that teams sagging into the paint when Marcus was playing the wing aren’t going to do that if he’s bringing up the ball. So, I don’t think teams are going to be able to sag off him with the ball in his hands.

    2- Last year, after Doke went down, and Vick went MIA, they started driving him to the basket, and he scored 20, 18, and 15 in 3 consecutive conference games. So, we know he has the ability to drive the ball. He will probably be one of our last options, but we know he can get to the hoop. And he made many really good assists on those drives.

    1. The Achilles heel is the shooting. But, like many other players growing into the game, Marcus’s season was a case of shooting much better in conference than he did in pre-conference. In conference play he made 47 out of 88 shots altogether for a nifty 53%. Now, he didn’t suddenly turn into Svi from 3, but he did make 8 out of 25 for a 32% clip. 33% from 3 equates to a 50% two point shooter, so I don’t think he’s as far off as many think.

    4- The best ball hawker since Russ Rob would now be essentially playing on the ball every play. His 1.4 steal rate could rise considerably playing on the ball. 2 - 2.5, maybe? Add in a 5.0 asst rate, with 10 ppg, and you have a valuable guy any way you look at it. Yes, he’s going to be a pass first guy, nor will he blow away defenses with his speed like a Frank or a DD, but he could end up being very valuable in his own way.

    @KUSTEVE Marcus has value, and Marcus has many positive attributes.

    I’ll add to the discussion with a couple considerations. It would be interesting to see him regularly guarding the opposition’s point guard. That is very compelling to me. And we need just some reasonable progress shooting.

    I would suggest, though, that defenses could (and would be more likely to) sag off of Marcus if he ran the point. The reason being is that sagging off of him, while he has the ball, lessens the threat. Lessens the threat of him passing, meaning the on ball defender can limit a passing lane, and lessens the threat of him driving (his best offensive skill) because the defender would create more room to cut off the drive. When guarding him away from the ball, you don’t have the luxury because of the back cut or cuts that get him in space to then attack the rim. I think we saw teams adjust even to that after he has a few good games driving to the basket. Simply playing him at a different angle to remove that threat.

    But nothing is perfect. It is easy to nit-pick. Again, some compelling points and it may be best option.



  • @HighEliteMajor No doubt there’s some putting some lipstick on the pig in my arguments. But you gotta dance with who brung ya, so to speak. I think if DD was coming back, we would’ve known by now. Common sense says that if it’s a decision that is so close they have to wait until the final hours to make, it’s going to go for the new opportunity that pays. Oh well. At least DD handled the situation with class and dignity, unlike the RJ posse.



  • @BeddieKU23 yeah I noticed that his picks for KU have all been wrong lately. Don’t shoot the messenger I just thought I’d share. .



  • Yeah, it seems (and I didn’t want to be) that I was right all along about Dotson not coming back. Starting 5 - Dok, Silvio, Enaruna, McBride and Agbaji. Bench - McCormack, Mitch, Braun and Garrett. Need to start building for the future, that being Enaruna, McBride and Braun. Dok and Silvio should be fine in the interior.

    Garrett is a bench player, nothing more, might as well turn McBride loose and get some scoring. Enaruna will surprise at the 3 spot and sometimes 4, ditto Braun who will get time at the four, three and two (and in a pinch could even play some 1). Garrett will back McBride and Enaruna. Agbaji needs to flat out ball at the 2.

    Coach Self needs to play - and I mean really play - all nine of these guys, constantly mixing and matching for us to be as good as we can be. Defense, lock down defense needs to be this team’s calling card. There are alot of mix and match possibilities. I do not think that we will get Wilson, though with that being said I am still looking forward to next season.



  • @Marco Good stuff, but you’ve got to discover the joy of writing in paragraphs!



  • @rockchalkwyo

    I certainly wasn’t shooting the messenger (you) over what you posted from Rivals. Evans tells us what we want to hear without being plugged into the situation beyond what most are as well. I hope he’s right about Wilson, we could certainly use his skill-set for next year and the future.



  • FarmerJayhawk said:

    BShark said:

    HighEliteMajor said:

    Say Dotson doesn’t come back. So what?

    NIT

    Lol at this. We could run out Free State High and Self would get them to 5th in the league.

    G: Garrett

    G: Ochai

    G: Wilson

    F: Silvio

    F: Doke

    That’s a possible Sweet 16 team.

    Everyone talks offense but that lineup is a top 3 nationally defensive team. The 3 guards can cover with no fear because of the 2 guys behind them. If a team is 4 out I think Silvio is quick enough to handle it.



  • wissox said:

    @Marco Good stuff, but you’ve got to discover the joy of writing in paragraphs!

    Lol! I am more than capable of writing paragraphs.



  • @BeddieKU23 I read that completely wrong, I appologize! Yeah it seems that Cory, as of lately, seems to just pull words out of his you know what just to feel important and all knowing.

    I just get all excited when I read anything KU.


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