Tyon Grant Foster commits to KU
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After eating a black hole full of Grimes hype coming into last season I’m actually more pessimistic about incoming recruits then ever before.
Somewhere in the middle of why KU recruited a JUCO (out of desperation, necessity) whatever terminology we want to use, there must be something the staff likes right? This is the staff that found Frank Mason & Agbaji. Both players likely were identified as being on the upward trajectory in their development. It seems like Grant-Foster could be one of those that might have something to give at the next level if we trust the staff knows what it’s doing here. I honestly don’t know but I think its best to stay a bit neutral until we see how his last year at Indian Hills goes. Might be a good topic to backtrack on in the future
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BeddieKU23 said:
After eating a black hole full of Grimes hype coming into last season I’m actually more pessimistic about incoming recruits then ever before.
Somewhere in the middle of why KU recruited a JUCO (out of desperation, necessity) whatever terminology we want to use, there must be something the staff likes right? This is the staff that found Frank Mason & Agbaji. Both players likely were identified as being on the upward trajectory in their development. It seems like Grant-Foster could be one of those that might have something to give at the next level if we trust the staff knows what it’s doing here. I honestly don’t know but I think its best to stay a bit neutral until we see how his last year at Indian Hills goes. Might be a good topic to backtrack on in the future
I will certainly be following Indian Hills games more than the zero amount I was previously.
It’s probably a bit of #LiesToldInRecruiting but Bill was telling him he could get 25 minutes a game. At a minimum we have the minutes Dotson and Moss are playing opening up. If Ochai does leave early that is a ton of minutes available.
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@BeddieKU23 @BShark Might be a good season to be on probation. We could seriously lose Dotson, Moss, Doke, Agbaji, DeSousa and Moss. We know we lose the first two.
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BeddieKU23 said:
After eating a black hole full of Grimes hype coming into last season I’m actually more pessimistic about incoming recruits then ever before.
Somewhere in the middle of why KU recruited a JUCO (out of desperation, necessity) whatever terminology we want to use, there must be something the staff likes right? This is the staff that found Frank Mason & Agbaji. Both players likely were identified as being on the upward trajectory in their development. It seems like Grant-Foster could be one of those that might have something to give at the next level if we trust the staff knows what it’s doing here. I honestly don’t know but I think its best to stay a bit neutral until we see how his last year at Indian Hills goes. Might be a good topic to backtrack on in the future
I have no problem with a Juco player at all - - he help, then hell ya I’m recruiting him
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Gotta look on the bright side. Maybe juco kids don’t cost as much
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@BShark So a serious question for you and I guess anyone. If all the recruits are getting paid, as theorized, how are we still paying recruits (via Adidas or other third parties)? If not, how do we (and other Adidas schools) get any recruits if other shoecos are paying and not Adidas? Or are other shoecos now not paying?
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HighEliteMajor said:
@BeddieKU23 @BShark Might be a good season to be on probation. We could seriously lose Dotson, Moss, Doke, Agbaji, DeSousa and Moss. We know we lose the first two.
Yeah a worst case scenario puts the returning scholarship count at 6 or 7.
Garrett (Sr), Lightfoot (R-Sr), McCormack (Jr), Wilson (So), Braun (So), Enaruna (So), Harris (R-Fr). Mitch is still undecided on his plans for this year (at least to media, fans).
De Sousa really isn’t on the NBA radar right now. A good year maybe changes that. His Girlfriend is on the softball team so maybe this is a situation like Mason, Graham, Doke where he comes back since his stock going into this year is slim. Overseas is always an option but I think we know what his goal is.
Agbaji, again dependent on his season. Could be a potential 1st round pick this year or one in 2021. Not really getting a ton of hype for this year yet (good for us). ESPN mocked him 2nd round in 2021. He’s the type of kid where exposure in March could really change his stock.
If KU somehow returns those two guys now your up to (8 or 9 players overall) 4 starter level players with PG the huge mystery. The behind the scenes talk is they really like Harris.
You have Grant-Foster (Jr) and if we are to assume Gethro Muscadin picks KU on Nov 1st, KU theoretically could have 11 scholarship players (also assuming Mitch takes a red-shirt). Not a bad roster to play with in the face of possible sanctions etc.
KK Robinson seems the main realistic PG option at the moment. Top 100 kid who’s playing his final year at Oak Hill. That board will have to expand if they don’t land him.
As always a very fluid situation
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Doke and Moss are definitely gone and I am including Dotson in that group as well. Ochai and Silvio are wildcards that could both be back. That makes next years team really good still. If the starting line-up is Harris, Ochai, Garrett, Silvio, McCormack I think that is the best case. That starting 5 does have some offensive issues but Silvio wouldn’t be coming back to come off the bench and no way SR Garrett doesn’t start every damn game. Lots of fire power off the bench with Braun and Wilson. Maybe you have to try running Garrett as the main PG and Harris as the back-up to get another shooter starting the game, I don’t know.
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I saw this kid play in HS. At the time, he was only probably about 6-3. He was a good enough HS shooter, although he would sometimes try to force jumpers rather than be aggressive to the rim. He was a good FT shooter in HS, which suggests that his shooting stroke will do well. He also has the year of JC under his belt, where he shot well from the perimeter.
He is a big time defender. He can guard smaller guys, or handle bigger guys (and was doing this when he was still in the 6-3 or 6-4 range). He could turn into one of the best defenders on KU’s team.
The thing that sticks out most to me on video now is that he goes hard to the rim on the drive. In HS he wouldn’t do this nearly as much even though he had the physical tools to do so. The fact that he does that now suggests that he has tapped into his talent in a way that will allow him to take a huge leap forward (he was pretty clearly a D1 type talent in HS, although he wasn’t getting hype at the time).
And of course, it’s good to see a kid from KCK make it to this level. Congratulations to him. He’s a good kid from a good family. I know that his parents are extremely proud.
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@justanotherfan Thanks for all the intel here. It sounds like from his comments that Self and the coaching staff really hit it off with his family.
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BShark said:
@justanotherfan Thanks for all the intel here. It sounds like from his comments that Self and the coaching staff really hit it off with his family.
He has literally turned into the player I hoped he would become when I watched him in HS. I could not be happier for him and his family.
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BShark said:
@justanotherfan Thanks for all the intel here. It sounds like from his comments that Self and the coaching staff really hit it off with his family.
Definitely. Howard shows up to his mom’s office sometimes just to say hello
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HighEliteMajor said:
@BShark So a serious question for you and I guess anyone. If all the recruits are getting paid, as theorized, how are we still paying recruits (via Adidas or other third parties)? If not, how do we (and other Adidas schools) get any recruits if other shoecos are paying and not Adidas? Or are other shoecos now not paying?
Nike is definitely still paying (e.g. Scottie Barnes, N’Faly Dante). Adidas too since Washington and Louisville have seen a recent uptick. We’re just not playing in that sandbox. Guys in the area we’re recruiting don’t command that much, so we can compete with that with facilities, coaching, support. From what I gather, we’ve basically exited from Adidas grassroots basketball orbit and are doing things the way they “should” be done.
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http://www2.kusports.com/news/2019/oct/15/new-ku-commitment-tyon-grant-foster-close-friends-/
Muh feelings.
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Fun reads.
I must have missed this one… so will ask… Does Foster have 2 years of eligibility left?
Surely, he will need time to adjust to D1. It would be nice to hear from Self describe a possible Foster role, but I’m not counting on that anytime soon. He’s a slice of a large pie that will be coming with all the holes after this year.
Let’s say he isn’t the next Wiggy. Isn’t he, in the least, a tall guard that will help build his teammates at practice? That is the very least. I am just getting used to Foster, but I like what I see. I remain cautious concerning expectations because the footage is against weak players. Still… he’s a tall guard with some ability and a feather touch. That gives reason to smile.
We shouldn’t get caught up in how this looks for other recruits in this class. He isn’t projected to compete with higher level players, but lets hope he ends up stepping up and competing for real minutes.
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drgnslayr said:
Fun reads.
I must have missed this one… so will ask… Does Foster have 2 years of eligibility left?
Surely, he will need time to adjust to D1. It would be nice to hear from Self describe a possible Foster role, but I’m not counting on that anytime soon. He’s a slice of a large pie that will be coming with all the holes after this year.
Let’s say he isn’t the next Wiggy. Isn’t he, in the least, a tall guard that will help build his teammates at practice? That is the very least. I am just getting used to Foster, but I like what I see. I remain cautious concerning expectations because the footage is against weak players. Still… he’s a tall guard with some ability and a feather touch. That gives reason to smile.
We shouldn’t get caught up in how this looks for other recruits in this class. He isn’t projected to compete with higher level players, but lets hope he ends up stepping up and competing for real minutes.
He is a Sophomore this year
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@JAYHAWKFAN214 He is a Sophomore this year, he is just one class up from Braun.
His HS profile for the class of 2018: https://247sports.com/Player/Tyon-Grant-Foster-46093992/high-school-242413/
So he will have two years left once he gets to KU.
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BShark said:
@JAYHAWKFAN214 He is a Sophomore this year, he is just one class up from Braun.
His HS profile for the class of 2018: https://247sports.com/Player/Tyon-Grant-Foster-46093992/high-school-242413/
So he will have two years left once he gets to KU.
Yes My back
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I’m interested to see how Garrett does in the complementary role at PG this season. I think its foreshadowing what his Sr year might be. We know Self he’s done this in the past with EJ, letting the player he trusts run the team. I can’t imagine he’ll go into next season trusting a player more then Marcus and even with a redshirt I think you want Harris to learn from Marcus (so that’s he’s poised as Soph). I can definitely see Marcus being our main PG next season in order to get Braun or Wilson in the starting line up in the scenario that both Agbaji and De Sousa return. One of those guys stepping up into the lineup would solve a lot of spacing and potential offense concerns.
A starting 5 of Garrett, Agbaji, Wilson/Braun, De Sousa & Big Dave is a long and talented team
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@BeddieKU23 I have never seen Garrett as a PG. We can call anyone who is the primary ball handler a PG, but that doesn’t mean he’s really a PG. I’m fine with him being a back up guy (perhaps 8 min per game at PG), if it’s absolutely necessary, but not the starter there.
He’s not an adept passer – adequate, but at best average. Not PG guard-like in his deliver of the ball. He seems like a chest passer to me, a guy who struggles to get angles with different styles of passing to create for teammates, and I have not noted an PG like ability to thread the ball through tight spaces. I just don’t think the passing skills that are close to what we would want in a PG.
Importantly, he is very slow with the ball. I’ve mentioned this before, but he’s kind of a tail dribbler. The guy who isn’t totally confident facing a defender while dribbling the ball. He turns his body so his back is toward the defender or is angled way too often. I don’t see him as careless with the ball, but I see him a relatively (compared to every PG we’ve had since Self has been here) unskilled with the ball. EJ was the least skilled of our PGs in that regard under Self, and I’d rank EJ’s ball handling ahead of Garrett quite easily. But it’s not like a Wayne Selden, who had no business with the ball in his hands. Different discussion. I don’t believe Garrett would be a turnover machine, I just think he’d just be way too methodical, tight to his body, protective, etc. That’s just what I’ve seen.
If we are playing a slow, methodical game. Defense first. Slower pace. That might be where he’d fit. But even in our low scoring days, Self wanted to get out and run when we could. Our low scoring was a result of the arduous process of working the ball around the perimeter repeatedly, and low three pt rates in those days, not the inability of a PG to push the ball. I question Garrett’s ability (based on what I’ve seen the past two seasons) to push the ball with significant pace, as well as his ability to function, face-up, against PG defenders.
Curious if others see what I see.
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Good response.
When looking at next years roster without Dotson where does Self go? Give the keys to the freshman Harris who’s red-shirting? Expand Garrett’s role? Rely on a unsigned HS kid or transfer? Not great options with the current details we have.
Since Garrett is going to bet the de-facto backup this season its at least a possibility that responsibility could expand into next season. He’ll probably have to noticeably improve on many of the details you listed. By Marcus’s comments recently he sounded excited to get back to playing the position he played in HS. Defensively Marcus could cause some havoc with his size and skills in harassing ball handlers. Will be something to monitor
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I don’t think Garrett is a PG either.
Many times people have brought it up. But if he showed any inclination of being an actual PG, he’d have played it at some point. It’s not like we haven’t had a shortage at that position since he’s been here. DG didn’t have a backup and neither did Dotson.
Now, if we have to go that route because Harris isn’t ready, that’s a good question as to how that changes things. Likely, I think it means we would end up speeding up the tempo and try and get as many baskets in transition as possible. This way you don’t have to get into a halfcourt game.
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Hmmmm… Foster, Braun and Harris have a background together. I’m thrilled and give them the official “jelly doughnut” award!
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I agree he isn’t a PG from what I’ve seen.
Maybe he proves us wrong stepping into a bigger role, a year older and 100% healthy. Freshman year he was up and down, Soph year, some flashes then the injury really cut into his season. I think we have a somewhat incomplete book on what Marcus can do…
If the staff likes Harris as much as the staff claims to be behind the scenes then maybe the PG talk for next year is a nothingburger
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@BeddieKU23 Even with Harris running the show we need actual guard depth. If Agbaji doesn’t come back (I think he does come back fwiw but it’s early) then we are looking at Harris, Braun and Garrett being the only guards on the roster outside of walk-ons. Even with Ochai back we are looking at Braun being the only guard off the bench and one injury would mean walk-on minutes or having to experiment with big guards. Forcing Enaruna or Wilson to play up a position opens up a lot of ball handling issues. Landing KK Robinson would alleviate a lot of problems.
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Yeah there’s definitely concern about depth after this season in the backcourt. I think they can look to the grad transfer market if the NCAA crap isn’t resolved by mid-spring. I think they sit in a good position with KK from everything I can see. It’s probably a good thing Braun has surprised the staff at this point because I think its critical he gets some burn this season to set him up for a bigger role next season. I know a lot of people think Wilson is more of a 4 but we’ll see where he settles in this season. Self may have to go more positionless with his lineup combinations in light of the type of players he’s signed lately.
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One thing that Self can sell a PG coming in is that he has a track record of playing two PGs at the same time. Harris and KK – you’re my Mason and DG. Or Chalmers and Robinson. Or TT and EJ.
But why would a recruit sign in Nov. with NCAA penalties looming? Missing the tourney one season? Ok. Two seasons? That’s a disaster.
I will be very surprised if anything happens with recruiting. But I hope to be surprised.
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I think you will be surprised, a 4 star C will likely sign on Nov 1st and KK Robinson has said all the right things in the media about KU post NOA. They have been up front with recruits.
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@BeddieKU23 Self being up front with recruits — I’m not so sure. In fact, it sounds quite misleading.
Here’s what he told Grant-Foster: “They were totally honest about it,” he said. “Coach Self said he was going to take care of it, and I’m not worried really at all. I just want to hoop.”
Here’s what he told Isaiah Todd:
“(Self) just preached that he would be fine and if anything were to happen, that I would be fine. I honestly think that it could turn around and be a positive. If I was to go there, it would show that I really trust him and that he would obviously trust me.”
So everything is fine and Self will take care of it. Maybe some of that B.S. will be convincing.
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BeddieKU23 said:
I think you will be surprised, a 4 star C will likely sign on Nov 1st and KK Robinson has said all the right things in the media about KU post NOA. They have been up front with recruits.
very true - - it’s good that they are being up front with the guys - - and kids appreciate that - - Not going to surprise me at all if we end up getting Gethro on the 1st - - all signs pointing that way - -and feeling really good about KK too - -As Aaron says people just need to B - -R - -E - -A - -T - -H right? - - I feel exactly like you - -were gonna be all right. - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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@BeddieKU23 I’m onboard with this juco signing, and say go ahead and sign another one if needed. Like I said a few months back (as long as they are good fits), with all of the NCAA crap surrounding the program they can add skill, experience, depth and class balance - all of which are good things.
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@jayballer73 Ditto.
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In the vacuum of our current mess I think it is what it is. I think most of us will be pleasantly surprised if he turns out to be an important signing. JUCO’s at blue blood programs are uncommon and we really have no idea where his actual skill level lies. We can see he has the athleticism to stick and he has great size for the guard/wing position. I’m hopeful he has a big year at Indian Hills and justifies the signing.
In the bigger picture nationally where KU is in the tier with UK/DUKE/UNC etc they are a sinking ship in 2020 recruiting cycle as those schools continue to stockpile talent and separate themselves as the “have’s”. If Agbaji and De Sousa have big years and leave after the season there will be actual concern what lies next. Is the fanbase really ready for sanctions or a down season? I don’t believe so in this day and age
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@BeddieKU23 Here’s the thing. We better be ready. So let’s be ready. I’m all in for a down season in 2020-21 or something not too pretty. I’ve prepared myself since this time last year when the specter of serious sanctions were a high probability (and that high risk would be obvious to those willing to look at our predicament objectively at that time).
But the important thing, above all, is NOT having more than one season being banned from the tourney. Lose two scholarships, recruiting time limits, Self suspended 15 games, forfeit games DeSousa played in including the FF, one season tourney ban. Fine. But just not two seasons banned from the tourney.
If there is any negotiation that is occurring or being discussed, that should be the focus point. We can deal with one season as a martyr. Two seasons, it’s something much different, I think. If it’s two seasons, I think it a really high probability Self is gone. We could be looking at a complete change in the nature of our program – the dreaded above-averageness.
The real question becomes if the NCAA is targeting Self. What might be the bitter pill is if that’s the case, Self leaving could lessen sanctions and thus serves the NCAA’s goal – to target the coaches that run the programs that commit violations. Negotiations are about leverage. Self ran this program and this all occurred on his watch. The buck stops solely with him.
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HighEliteMajor said:
@BeddieKU23 Here’s the thing. We better be ready. So let’s be ready. I’m all in for a down season in 2020-21 or something not too pretty. I’ve prepared myself since this time last year when the specter of serious sanctions were a high probability (and that high risk would be obvious to those willing to look at our predicament objectively at that time).
But the important thing, above all, is NOT having more than one season being banned from the tourney. Lose two scholarships, recruiting time limits, Self suspended 15 games, forfeit games DeSousa played in including the FF, one season tourney ban. Fine. But just not two seasons banned from the tourney.
If there is any negotiation that is occurring or being discussed, that should be the focus point. We can deal with one season as a martyr. Two seasons, it’s something much different, I think. If it’s two seasons, I think it a really high probability Self is gone. We could be looking at a complete change in the nature of our program – the dreaded above-averageness.
The real question becomes if the NCAA is targeting Self. What might be the bitter pill is if that’s the case, Self leaving could lessen sanctions and thus serves the NCAA’s goal – to target the coaches that run the programs that commit violations. Negotiations are about leverage. Self ran this program and this all occurred on his watch. The buck stops solely with him.
Not that I totally agree - - but yet I agree - -I know crazy right? - -I’m just ready for whatever - - -expecting the worst - -BUT hoping for the best. - -To answer the question you posed - -I guess you did anyways - - is the NCAA targeting Coach Self? - -I think yes they ARE targeting him. - -Does he deserve that? - -possibly/probably IF he is totally 100 % guilty , they may be crazy guidelines or so we think but IF he commited the guidelines/by-laws they have set - -then as the saying goes - - you do the crime - - -you do the time.
I love Self awesome Coach - if things are like they say then like you say Self is the one in charge of this program - - he has to now what’s going on at ALL times - what his assistants are doing - - their actions, - -I guess this is where possible lack of control falls right? -We will see , is it going tom take Coach Self stepping down to lessen the sanctions possibly? - -who knows - -would hate to lose him, maybe he just got caught up in the game - trying to quote - - un-quote - - keep up with the Jones’s - - I know two wrongs don’t make a right - and so yes you are right as much as we don’t or some don’t want to hear - - -the BUCK does stop with Coach Self - -he is the one in Charge.
Hell IDK how this thing will turn out in the end – like I said hoping for the vest Scenario - -but expecting the worst. - -I guess the best is or would be like you say if all is proved - - possibly the ONE yr ban from post season and reduction of Scholi’s - -for a year – two years - -I know probably worse , worse case Stripping of the Banners - - Coach forced out and post season ban and reduction of Scholi’s - just a bad situation - -time to stand up and be accountable if it’s true. - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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Grant-Foster lit it up with Self in attendance. Was actually better than that super hyped kid that’s committed to Louisville. Think he had like 25
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FarmerJayhawk said:
https://twitter.com/ebosshoops/status/1190811651681013761?s=21
Outdueld Jay Scrubb too. Good shit.
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BShark said:
FarmerJayhawk said:
https://twitter.com/ebosshoops/status/1190811651681013761?s=21
Outdueld Jay Scrubb too. Good shit.
Turns out he can shoot too. Maybe, just maybe, Self knows what he’s doing. https://twitter.com/MatthewBain_/status/1190803291803926539?s=20
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Just so hard to believe that Bill is good at player evaluation. /s
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I wouldn’t crown the guy or Bill Self on this just yet. We wouldn’t be in this neighborhood but for your predicament.
He went 9-19 overall and 1-5 from 3 against in his previous game against … Pratt CC. He’s had 7 turnovers in about 50 minutes of play this season. Of course, that’s nitpicking and means nothing in reality. Doke looked bad vs. Ft. Hays and that doesn’t mean much.
But the praise is just a case of premature coronation is all.
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I’m still just thinking he will be a solid bench piece.
Garrett, Thompson, Agbaji, Enaruna, Dave would be a pretty okay starting line-up.
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Darren Hancock was a nice Juco player as well. Hopefully this kid is in that Little, Hancock vein and not the Appleton, every other direct from juco player. Looks like Foster has a nice frame if nothing else.
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HighEliteMajor said:
I wouldn’t crown the guy or Bill Self on this just yet. We wouldn’t be in this neighborhood but for your predicament.
He went 9-19 overall and 1-5 from 3 against in his previous game against … Pratt CC. He’s had 7 turnovers in about 50 minutes of play this season. Of course, that’s nitpicking and means nothing in reality. Doke looked bad vs. Ft. Hays and that doesn’t mean much.
But the praise is just a case of premature coronation is all.
At this level I’m looking for tools and the ability to dominate lesser competition. He definitely has the tools. He’s starting to show he can dominate that level. Then you see what you have when he gets to campus.
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FarmerJayhawk said:
HighEliteMajor said:
I wouldn’t crown the guy or Bill Self on this just yet. We wouldn’t be in this neighborhood but for your predicament.
He went 9-19 overall and 1-5 from 3 against in his previous game against … Pratt CC. He’s had 7 turnovers in about 50 minutes of play this season. Of course, that’s nitpicking and means nothing in reality. Doke looked bad vs. Ft. Hays and that doesn’t mean much.
But the praise is just a case of premature coronation is all.
At this level I’m looking for tools and the ability to dominate lesser competition. He definitely has the tools. He’s starting to show he can dominate that level. Then you see what you have when he gets to campus.
Sure, makes sense, which is why in my opinion any praise of Self (or the player) now is wildly premature.
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Cats in the cradle and all. I’m willing to bet those that are overly critical will regret not enjoying Self’s tenure more in hindsight.
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BShark said:
I’m still just thinking he will be a solid bench piece.
Garrett, Thompson, Agbaji, Enaruna, Dave would be a pretty okay starting line-up.
who is your point? - -isn’t Bryce a 2 ?
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@jayballer73 Marcus
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Garrett at point
Tyshawn with a poor shot and less athleticism, but much better decision making abilities. You’d need shooters around him. Does Brannen still have a year of eligibility left? Lol
