Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread



  • @approxinfinity

    Never imagined a center shooting 39% from the field taking 90% of his shots from 8 feet in.



  • I guess I’ll take the (um, what’ the opposite of Debbie Downer? - Polly Positive?) view on this team. They may not all click at the same time, our interior offense may be lacking and there is some questionable decision-making, but so far it seems like someone steps up and makes a play when it is needed. Look at Braun from last night: horrible shooting, but had 10 rebounds, I think, and threw the ball off McClung, I believe, to save a crucial possession. Look at Wilson’s block at the end of the game, or TGF’s critical rejection a few games ago. Just seems like someone steps up when the situation calls for it. You can win a lot of games just by making a play somewhere, somehow.

    I dunno - I’m don’t have a coaches critical eye like many of you all do, but I really like the guys and the mojo on this team, something I haven’t said the past couple of years, and they will only get better as the year progresses.



  • Bill Self is unbelievable. The man is a College Basketball God and he does not get near enough credit outside of our fanbase.



  • Crazy game; very difficult to watch. Hopefully, everyone will get better. Braun and Garrett led rebounding with 10 each. RC. McCormack only had 3 rbds in 20 min. Even a blind hog can get more than 3 rebds in 20 min.



  • Dave is just… Sigh.

    Bill played Enaruna at the 5 some last night which is encouraging.



  • @stoptheflop said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    Crazy game; very difficult to watch. Hopefully, everyone will get better. Braun and Garrett led rebounding with 10 each. RC. McCormack only had 3 rbds in 20 min. Even a blind hog can get more than 3 rebds in 20 min.

    He is so mechanical and soft. God, it is going to be nice next year when we have some big bodies and his minutes are cut to about 12 or 13, or better yet he decides to transfer.



  • @Kcmatt7 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    Dave is just… Sigh.

    Bill played Enaruna at the 5 some last night which is encouraging.

    Takin bets that Tristian transfers out at the end of the year





  • @benshawks08

    Wow. Unprecedented is a nice political way of saying things.



  • @jayballer67 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @Kcmatt7 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    Dave is just… Sigh.

    Bill played Enaruna at the 5 some last night which is encouraging.

    Takin bets that Tristian transfers out at the end of the year

    From what we’ve seen this yr it would seem likely



  • Bucketteers may have some thoughts on this part of that graph:

    https://twitter.com/trevcampbell6/status/1340003692708327431?s=21



  • I cannot imagine some fans are encouraging KU players to transfer, especially in current circumstances where they are sacrificing a lot for the school.



  • @AsadZ I wouldn’t encourage Tristan, it just seems likely as he has been in Self’s dog house his entire time here. He could end up better for it and emerge at some point, that would be my first choice.



  • Tristan strikes me as a guy who needs to be in a system that let’s him go get buckets and play less defense. I want him to stay all four years. Just not sure he does.

    I think he could score if given the opportunity. But Bill Self thinks he can basically manufacture more points than the other coach so if you can’t play good enough defense he doesn’t give a damn. About the only guy I can ever remember Self giving minutes to for their offensive skills alone is Brannen Green. And he may have had the best J of anyone who has ever put on a KU Basketball jersey and STILL was a bench player.



  • @BeddieKU23 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @jayballer67 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @Kcmatt7 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    Dave is just… Sigh.

    Bill played Enaruna at the 5 some last night which is encouraging.

    Takin bets that Tristian transfers out at the end of the year

    From what we’ve seen this yr it would seem likely

    I don’t know something just doesn’t seem right , almost like he is lost sometimes – kind of regressed a bit it looks like not sure whats going on , but I think Coach is losing patience



  • I’m not wishing Tristan transfers, I just think he fits the typical profile of someone who does look at their options.

    I haven’t seen the buy in on the defensive end. He has all the physical tools. I’m betting the lack of an offseason for him impacted him as much as anyone



  • @BShark said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @AsadZ I wouldn’t encourage Tristan, it just seems likely as he has been in Self’s dog house his entire time here. He could end up better for it and emerge at some point, that would be my first choice.

    I wouldn’t encourage him actually would like him to pull out of it again just seem lost. - -You can see the talent it’s there not sure what’s going on. - -Like said once you get in Coach’s house hard to get out, not like Coach hasn’t given him chances. - Sometimes it almost looks like he is just disinterested. almost like he would rather be somewhere else , just kind of going through the motions



  • @jayballer67 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @BeddieKU23 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @jayballer67 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @Kcmatt7 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    Dave is just… Sigh.

    Bill played Enaruna at the 5 some last night which is encouraging.

    Takin bets that Tristian transfers out at the end of the year

    From what we’ve seen this yr it would seem likely

    I don’t know something just doesn’t seem right , almost like he is lost sometimes – kind of regressed a bit it looks like not sure whats going on , but I think Coach is losing patience

    He’s struggled for sure and the lack of consistent minutes hasn’t helped him. He needs that one game where he plays well so he gets more PT and maybe some good will with Self. If he locked in defensively that’s his way to getting time.



  • @BeddieKU23 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @jayballer67 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @BeddieKU23 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @jayballer67 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @Kcmatt7 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    Dave is just… Sigh.

    Bill played Enaruna at the 5 some last night which is encouraging.

    Takin bets that Tristian transfers out at the end of the year

    From what we’ve seen this yr it would seem likely

    I don’t know something just doesn’t seem right , almost like he is lost sometimes – kind of regressed a bit it looks like not sure whats going on , but I think Coach is losing patience

    He’s struggled for sure and the lack of consistent minutes hasn’t helped him. He needs that one game where he plays well so he gets more PT and maybe some good will with Self. If he locked in defensively that’s his way to getting time.

    for sure. - - Play the defensive end and play it well and for sure your gonna see time on the floor. Be a way to work the other end out , play through it. At this point do what you can and do it well - - that’s a start



  • @benshawks08 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    https://twitter.com/jessenewell/status/1339994538006491137?s=21

    Ooooof. This is some good perspective.

    And the even broader look: https://twitter.com/jessenewell/status/1339976219371180033?s=21

    Where is last year Dave on the scatter plot?



  • The lockdown in the Netherlands really hurt Enaruna. Couldn’t get in the weight room, was hard to find a place to put up shots, couldn’t be around his teammates and had to work around the time differences, etc. Really hope he sticks because he’s really talented.



  • My post was referring to fans talking about encouraging Dave to transfer



  • @AsadZ If someone is not a good fit it is best that they go elsewhere.



  • Everyone is entitled to share their opinion although to think that Dave is not a good fit for this team is a bit myopic IMO



  • @AsadZ said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    My post was referring to fans talking about encouraging Dave to transfer

    I want Dave to stay as well. He could return to a bench role next year if he is okay with that.



  • @BShark said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @AsadZ said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    My post was referring to fans talking about encouraging Dave to transfer

    I want Dave to stay as well. He could return to a bench role next year if he is okay with that.

    would be a good back up for any and all of those 3next year. - -He could come off the bench be able to play more free, not having to worry as much about getting into foul trouble , coming also to help to keep them from getting into foul trouble just be able to play more freely not having to worry grab some rebounds for stretch’s ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @BShark I would be all for that too, him coming off the bench. But something tells me he won’t be comfortable doing that after starting this year.



  • @AsadZ said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    Everyone is entitled to share their opinion although to think that Dave is not a good fit for this team is a bit myopic IMO

    Well, call most everyone on this site myopic then.



  • @BShark said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    This season alone Self is 4-0 in games decided by four points or less, and he’s 69-38 in those scenarios in 18 seasons at Kansas. He’s also 24-9 in overtime games.

    From an article on the athletic.

    Is that good? Seems good



  • I want Dave to be better at basketball. I won’t pretend to know much about Dave off the court. What I know is what I see on the court. He could have a big heart in real life. I don’t know. But his style of play, which is surely both the product of his own capacities as well as what coaches dictate, is sticky and unenjoyable to watch. I’m sure my opinion would change if it was much more effective. I would have felt the same way about Doke’s play if he couldn’t make shots, back when he didn’t rebound or defend well.

    So, I’d like to say that I don’t want Dave to transfer, I certainly don’t want him to out of spite. But I want him to be happy with his role and I don’t want his game as it currently stands to have a prominent role on this team.



  • I said that Self got out coached. I want to take that back. I had Dave blinders on. Self clearly does it his way and still wins. Loved this in bounds play.

    https://twitter.com/KUHoops/status/1339978382512152576?s=20

    Love that Self always has a few guys that can step up in the clutch. Ochai was 🔥 and that comes from trusting guys so…



  • @approxinfinity

    If Marcus doesn’t pump fake that play doesn’t happen. The defender jumps to his fake and gets ochai the ball



  • The 20-21 Jayhawks miss playmaker, Devon Dotson more than first round draft pick, Dok. Not to go all Kentucky fan here, but no one on this year’s team has shown any ability to get the offense started like our man, Dot. What if Dotson had returned this year? The draft wasn’t exactly a success for Devon.



  • I thought Dotson should have stayed. I think he could have played himself into the first round had he worked on his 3 ball in the offseason.



  • Would have been nice, but I will never fault a player for leaving.



  • @BeddieKU23 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    He’s struggled for sure and the lack of consistent minutes hasn’t helped him. He needs that one game where he plays well so he gets more PT and maybe some good will with Self. If he locked in defensively that’s his way to getting time.

    This was in reference to Enaruna. My question is: let’s say he gets out of the doghouse and earns more PT. Who loses minutes? McCormack? Garrett?



  • Garrett unfortunately will never lose minutes. I like Garrett but him getting closer to 28 minutes a game would be better for him and the team.



  • @tis4tim said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @BeddieKU23 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    He’s struggled for sure and the lack of consistent minutes hasn’t helped him. He needs that one game where he plays well so he gets more PT and maybe some good will with Self. If he locked in defensively that’s his way to getting time.

    This was in reference to Enaruna. My question is: let’s say he gets out of the doghouse and earns more PT. Who loses minutes? McCormack? Garrett?

    Enaruna never gonna take minutes from Garrett - -It’s crazy how people still wanna keep bagging on Garretts playing - -last year it was his shooting, this year because him taking over the PG spot, this guy is to valuable to be trying to take minutes off. - - Nobody on the team can come close to defending the opponent as Garrett , last game against Tech I believe was just another aspect of the things he can do other then having to Score Think he had 10 rebounds so many phases to the game. - -This year taking over a new role of pg which he struggles with up to this point , but still looks like Coach feels like there isn’t anyone else that’s Capable of taking that spot at the present time. - Harris maybe down the road but not Starting - but Enaruna won’t be taking any minutes from Garrett he has to many problems of his own and has a long ways to go to get those corrected



  • @BShark I don’t fault him. I just don’t k is it was the correct decision.



  • @tis4tim said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @BeddieKU23 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    He’s struggled for sure and the lack of consistent minutes hasn’t helped him. He needs that one game where he plays well so he gets more PT and maybe some good will with Self. If he locked in defensively that’s his way to getting time.

    This was in reference to Enaruna. My question is: let’s say he gets out of the doghouse and earns more PT. Who loses minutes? McCormack? Garrett?

    My gut says neither of those players.



  • @jayballer67 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    It’s crazy how people still wanna keep bagging on Garretts playing

    I’m certainly not bagging on Garrett. Bill loves defense and Garrett will get run on that alone. And we know Bill is stubborn with his hi/low thing and McCormack will get his. But, I think is was @BShark who posted the other day about how good the team was down the stretch with Garrett on the bench. Not reading tea leaves from that, but was an interesting observation and bears watching. There are only so many minutes to go around and if one guy earns more PT, someone will lose some accordingly. Was just speculating on who that would be based on some of the stats and comments I’ve read on this board.

    At some level modern basketball requires paying attention to advanced metrics and if trends are spotted it would be foolishness not to make adjustments based on the evidence.



  • @tis4tim said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @jayballer67 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    It’s crazy how people still wanna keep bagging on Garretts playing

    I’m certainly not bagging on Garrett. Bill loves defense and Garrett will get run on that alone. And we know Bill is stubborn with his hi/low thing and McCormack will get his. But, I think is was @BShark who posted the other day about how good the team was down the stretch with Garrett on the bench. Not reading tea leaves from that, but was an interesting observation and bears watching. There are only so many minutes to go around and if one guy earns more PT, someone will lose some accordingly. Was just speculating on who that would be based on some of the stats and comments I’ve read on this board.

    At some level modern basketball requires paying attention to advanced metrics and if trends are spotted it would be foolishness not to make adjustments based on the evidence.

    na wasn’t really trying to come across that you were sorry about that. But there are people here that do and other sites to. Thing is there more to the game then just scoring- it is very multi faucted /multiple aspects.

    Like you said elite on defense - if he wasn’t our not just going to get that award handed to you - you earn it. I think he is looking not as good this year cause he has taken on a different role and has struggled to a degree , never has been that good of shooter , although his three point shot is better- -not saying great but better. His FT % his went way up i think mentioned he was like 67 %- this year shooting over 80 % - does a good job rebounding the ball for a guard and then of course he just gonna strip you blind - -we have all seen that at work. For me you just can’t diminish minutes much from a kid such as him to vital - - Senior leadership/experie4nce have to have those things

    Again sorry didn’t mean to imply anything about you. - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @jayballer67 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    Again sorry didn’t mean to imply anything about you. - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

    No worries, @jayballer67 . I wasn’t sure if your comment was in response to mine, so I may have jumped the gun there. All good. I agree Garrett has earned Bill’s trust. But, there’s no denying there may be some situational moments in games where having him in may not be the best option. I think that’s where the advanced metrics help - putting guys in the best positions based on the situation.

    BTW, perhaps I missed the update, but I think you mentioned your wife was getting a test of some sort a few weeks back and you were going to have to wait for the results. Hope everything turned out okay.



  • @tis4tim said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @jayballer67 said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    Again sorry didn’t mean to imply anything about you. - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

    No worries, @jayballer67 . I wasn’t sure if your comment was in response to mine, so I may have jumped the gun there. All good. I agree Garrett has earned Bill’s trust. But, there’s no denying there may be some situational moments in games where having him in may not be the best option. I think that’s where the advanced metrics help - putting guys in the best positions based on the situation.

    BTW, perhaps I missed the update, but I think you mentioned your wife was getting a test of some sort a few weeks back and you were going to have to wait for the results. Hope everything turned out okay.

    oh ya nothing huge - -big enough but - - it is MRI on her leg probably having to have surgery thanks for asking. she went through theraphy now just had the MRI going in to talk with the specialist on the 29th. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @approxinfinity said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    I want Dave to be better at basketball. I won’t pretend to know much about Dave off the court. What I know is what I see on the court. He could have a big heart in real life. I don’t know. But his style of play, which is surely both the product of his own capacities as well as what coaches dictate, is sticky and unenjoyable to watch. I’m sure my opinion would change if it was much more effective. I would have felt the same way about Doke’s play if he couldn’t make shots, back when he didn’t rebound or defend well.

    So, I’d like to say that I don’t want Dave to transfer, I certainly don’t want him to out of spite. But I want him to be happy with his role and I don’t want his game as it currently stands to have a prominent role on this team.

    Okay, but if he did transfer you wouldn’t be sad, right?



  • @BShark said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    Garrett unfortunately will never lose minutes. I like Garrett but him getting closer to 28 minutes a game would be better for him and the team.

    More like about 23 a game, if not 20. He doesn’t score, and this team needs points. Harris doesn’t score either, but he atleast helps others do so. It seems that this season Garrett is too worried about getting off his own shots, and it is hurting his game and the team.



  • @tis4tim Garrett is a solid player, but not a fulltime PG - the offense stalls. He was great last year, but Dotson was the point. Garrett is forcing things this year, and it isn’t working.



  • @Marco I would be a little sad because he seems to be a hard worker and care and doesn’t get into trouble off court. But I don’t feel a strong connection to him. Honestly, I think the bond I feel (and probably most people feel) with college players usually comes from the growth in their games. The feeling that you’ve traveled down the road a distance with someone and you both are different people, with an understanding that this relationship is asymmetrical. So it’s very hard when there is no growth.



  • @Marco said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    @BShark said in Emperor Of Basketball Game Thread:

    Garrett unfortunately will never lose minutes. I like Garrett but him getting closer to 28 minutes a game would be better for him and the team.

    More like about 23 a game, if not 20. He doesn’t score, and this team needs points. Harris doesn’t score either, but he atleast helps others do so. It seems that this season Garrett is too worried about getting off his own shots, and it is hurting his game and the team.

    Well Marco buddy had to check on Marcus. Going off the team Stats: - You say Marcus just looks for his shot to much , worried about getting his own shot - -that’s not really true, out of the starting 5 players - -he has shot the least of any. Then you say he doesn’t score - well - - he is averaging 9.0 a game in reality we shouldn’t really need to have him score a lot more then that, that’s why we have Wilson – Braun- - - Oachi & others for. Marcus job in reality is to run the team, which by the way Marcus has the best Asst/ To ratio on the team. Marcus has 31 assists & only 10 turnovers through 8 game - again 31-10 not to shabby. - breaks down to a 3to 1 ratio.

    Marcus as a point guard is averaging 5.1 rebounds a game for a PG- - 5.1 pretty solid if you ask me. - he is the teams leading free throw shooter - dude is shooting free throws at a 86.4 % way up really really improved in that that’s dam good %Coach obviously feels he is to important to take off the floor as he has the most floor minutes then anybody. - -He is leading the teams in Steals , Marcus just does so many thing Multi purpose that’s a lot of responsibility things to manage , so end result I think I have to disagree just a little- -I’m fine with Marcus on the floor.

    Now could he do more? - -I’m sure he could yes he is struggling some - just like some others are struggling, his biggest problem i see right now at this minute is he is struggling when he drives the ball kind of forcing other then that as things point out - - hard to argue, it’s all good though you still my bud lol - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @jayballer67 I appreciate the positives you’re spelling out with Marcus. My question is this: is it possible to have Marcus and Dave on the floor while telling the team that Jalen, Ochai and Braun are the primary options? I think definitely in Marcus’s case I want him on the floor if he is off ball and more a facilitator on offense. In Dave’s case, he’s not a good defender but he’s still better on that side than O. Does anyone have an insider perspective on this other than what we seem to be observing with the offensive shot selection? And regarding how Marcus is bringing up ball when on the floor with Harris. It seems Self is letting the team decide who brings up ball and who shoots, a lot.


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