Next Year's Team Thread





  • @BShark the natty trophy waits for no half eaten sandwich in your lap



  • Jalen ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤



  • @benshawks08 I thought that was interesting too, especially because Jay Wright uses the guard post up. After getting past Villanova, perhaps Coach Self decided to try it since KU was wary of Villanova using the guard post up.



  • I think it’s used more than just by nova.



  • Och showed how to do it last year. Throw early hat in the ring and learn from the experience… what to work on… and return.

    Both CB and JWil should do the same thing. If either lands a legitimate shot for guarantee NBA money, they should take it. Do I find it likely? No… but I’m not a pro scout.

    My other question mark is on Big Dave. Isn’t he scheduled for surgery now on his bad wheel?

    Actually… if he can become 100% next year I think he should return. What are his NBA chances now, with a bad wheel and footwork troubles? If you look at Big Dave’s progress as a Jayhawk, he could possibly return and raise his game considerably if he can finally be 100%. Do I see this as realistic? Probably not returning… but… should.



  • I’m licking my chops on the possibility next year of having a dream team!

    If… CB, JWil, and a fixed DMac returned…

    CB and JWil both lift their game another 20% (as they did last year from the year before), and DMac playing his best ball… and I DEFINITELY expect Juan to make at least that much improvement, too!

    Rice and Dick will surely find valuable minutes and contributions. KJ and our newbie bigs will surely compensate more than the loss of Lightfoot.

    My only question would be… can these guys develop enough of a chip to where they absolutely HAVE TO win the title (like they did this year)?



  • Will Pettiford qualify for a medical redshirt? Was his injury in the first half of the season and did he play in less than 30% of the season, if these are still the rules? I should have paid more attention during the season.



  • @stoptheflop can’t play at all.



  • @drgnslayr I just don’t want these new guys have to sit. I think we’ll lose them.



  • Expect CB to leave.



  • @BShark getting an agent?



  • @Crimsonorblue22 maybe not immediately but this has always been about his feedback and it looks like he will be a first rounder. Gotta capitalize when you can and NBA scouts are high on him currently. Good measurables.



  • Personally, I’ve always felt that Dave is a better NBA prospect than Doke. Defensively, they were about equal. However, Dave has more offensive skills and they’ve been there from the very start. Even as a freshman, it was clear that he was an entirely different 5 than Doke. Dave scored on short jumpers and jump hooks as well as dunks. Doke was pretty much just a dunk dude.

    Dave can shoot it from distance, but we had enough shooters so he was never asked to go beyond the paint. Plus he hits FTs. All in all, Dave has potential to be a better pro than Doke IMHO.

    I’d love for him to return, of course. But what we saw in this tournament was Dave with a bad foot… then what he could be with two good wheels should be plenty good enough to be a pro. If he gets healthy in time for the NBA tryouts to showcase his abilities, I think he’ll be a low first / early second rounder.



  • @bskeet said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    Personally, I’ve always felt that Dave is a better NBA prospect than Doke. Defensively, they were about equal. However, Dave has more offensive skills and they’ve been there from the very start. Even as a freshman, it was clear that he was an entirely different 5 than Doke. Dave scored on short jumpers and jump hooks as well as dunks. Doke was pretty much just a dunk dude.

    Dave can shoot it from distance, but we had enough shooters so he was never asked to go beyond the paint. Plus he hits FTs. All in all, Dave has potential to be a better pro than Doke IMHO.

    I’d love for him to return, of course. But what we saw in this tournament was Dave with a bad foot… then what he could be with two good wheels should be plenty good enough to be a pro. If he gets healthy in time for the NBA tryouts to showcase his abilities, I think he’ll be a low first / early second rounder.

    I can respect the opinion but their athleticism is on a different planet. I will be very surprised if David gets more than a cup of coffee. Rooting for him though.



  • https://twitter.com/rockchalkmemes/status/1512949647828000768

    Yeah. Not sure how anyone can watch this and not be hyped for Zach (and see why Cam will be very likely leaving shortly).



  • @BShark Outside shot is great, but we need some big bodies down low. He got pushed out of position a lot this year. Needs to put about 30 lbs of muscle on, especially in his leg strength.



  • @mayjay said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @BShark Outside shot is great, but we need some big bodies down low. He got pushed out of position a lot this year. Needs to put about 30 lbs of muscle on, especially in his leg strength.

    Another offseason with Nijem will do wonders. 💪



  • @BShark said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @mayjay said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @BShark Outside shot is great, but we need some big bodies down low. He got pushed out of position a lot this year. Needs to put about 30 lbs of muscle on, especially in his leg strength.

    Another offseason with Nijem will do wonders. 💪

    Speaking of Nijem, remember when we used to play NCAA tournaments years ago, and our guys were exhausted? I have noticed how much fresher our team looks compared to the other teams- case in point…UNC. We wore out Nova and Miami as well. I know Nijem doesn’t get the credit and the publicity that Hudy used to get, but I firmly believe he is superior as a trainer and it showed during the tournament run. He’s part of the team that is working hard in the background… that get little to no credit…yet his contribution to our title is enormous.



  • @mayjay said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @BShark Outside shot is great, but we need some big bodies down low. He got pushed out of position a lot this year. Needs to put about 30 lbs of muscle on, especially in his leg strength.

    I could see this guy being quite a special player for us. Like you said, he’s got to bulk and toughen up… but once he gets there physically, he’s going to be a keystone for us. Practically from the first time he hit the court, the dude was totally fearless. He nearly immediately drained a 3 pointer, no hesitation… no fear. Champion mentality. I see a breakout coming.



  • @Jethro A whole lot of publicity nonsense with Hudy. Nijem just does the work. He was working in the NBA, we absolutely upgraded.



  • @BShark said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @bskeet said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    Personally, I’ve always felt that Dave is a better NBA prospect than Doke. Defensively, they were about equal. However, Dave has more offensive skills and they’ve been there from the very start. Even as a freshman, it was clear that he was an entirely different 5 than Doke. Dave scored on short jumpers and jump hooks as well as dunks. Doke was pretty much just a dunk dude.

    Dave can shoot it from distance, but we had enough shooters so he was never asked to go beyond the paint. Plus he hits FTs. All in all, Dave has potential to be a better pro than Doke IMHO.

    I’d love for him to return, of course. But what we saw in this tournament was Dave with a bad foot… then what he could be with two good wheels should be plenty good enough to be a pro. If he gets healthy in time for the NBA tryouts to showcase his abilities, I think he’ll be a low first / early second rounder.

    I can respect the opinion but their athleticism is on a different planet. I will be very surprised if David gets more than a cup of coffee. Rooting for him though.

    Yea Doke setting combine vertical records really put that in perspective. It has made it hard to evaluate post players because you don’t realize how imposing he actually was.



  • @Kcmatt7 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @BShark said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @bskeet said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    Personally, I’ve always felt that Dave is a better NBA prospect than Doke. Defensively, they were about equal. However, Dave has more offensive skills and they’ve been there from the very start. Even as a freshman, it was clear that he was an entirely different 5 than Doke. Dave scored on short jumpers and jump hooks as well as dunks. Doke was pretty much just a dunk dude.

    Dave can shoot it from distance, but we had enough shooters so he was never asked to go beyond the paint. Plus he hits FTs. All in all, Dave has potential to be a better pro than Doke IMHO.

    I’d love for him to return, of course. But what we saw in this tournament was Dave with a bad foot… then what he could be with two good wheels should be plenty good enough to be a pro. If he gets healthy in time for the NBA tryouts to showcase his abilities, I think he’ll be a low first / early second rounder.

    I can respect the opinion but their athleticism is on a different planet. I will be very surprised if David gets more than a cup of coffee. Rooting for him though.

    Yea Doke setting combine vertical records really put that in perspective. It has made it hard to evaluate post players because you don’t realize how imposing he actually was.

    Block rates, KU career

    Udoka 9.4

    Dave 4.1

    Cole 9.9

    Jeff Withey 14.3 (OMEGALUL)



  • The most impactful thing for KU’s offseason will be the NBA feedback of a player not currently on KU’s roster.

    🙏



  • @BShark said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @Kcmatt7 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @BShark said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @bskeet said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    Personally, I’ve always felt that Dave is a better NBA prospect than Doke. Defensively, they were about equal. However, Dave has more offensive skills and they’ve been there from the very start. Even as a freshman, it was clear that he was an entirely different 5 than Doke. Dave scored on short jumpers and jump hooks as well as dunks. Doke was pretty much just a dunk dude.

    Dave can shoot it from distance, but we had enough shooters so he was never asked to go beyond the paint. Plus he hits FTs. All in all, Dave has potential to be a better pro than Doke IMHO.

    I’d love for him to return, of course. But what we saw in this tournament was Dave with a bad foot… then what he could be with two good wheels should be plenty good enough to be a pro. If he gets healthy in time for the NBA tryouts to showcase his abilities, I think he’ll be a low first / early second rounder.

    I can respect the opinion but their athleticism is on a different planet. I will be very surprised if David gets more than a cup of coffee. Rooting for him though.

    Yea Doke setting combine vertical records really put that in perspective. It has made it hard to evaluate post players because you don’t realize how imposing he actually was.

    Block rates, KU career

    Udoka 9.4

    Dave 4.1

    Cole 9.9

    Jeff Withey 14.3 (OMEGALUL)

    Withey’s timing is the craziest thing. Dude could catch a fly with chop sticks.

    Craziest thing about Doke is that he added 10 inches of vert between combines…





  • @Kcmatt7 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @BShark said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @Kcmatt7 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @BShark said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @bskeet said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    Personally, I’ve always felt that Dave is a better NBA prospect than Doke. Defensively, they were about equal. However, Dave has more offensive skills and they’ve been there from the very start. Even as a freshman, it was clear that he was an entirely different 5 than Doke. Dave scored on short jumpers and jump hooks as well as dunks. Doke was pretty much just a dunk dude.

    Dave can shoot it from distance, but we had enough shooters so he was never asked to go beyond the paint. Plus he hits FTs. All in all, Dave has potential to be a better pro than Doke IMHO.

    I’d love for him to return, of course. But what we saw in this tournament was Dave with a bad foot… then what he could be with two good wheels should be plenty good enough to be a pro. If he gets healthy in time for the NBA tryouts to showcase his abilities, I think he’ll be a low first / early second rounder.

    I can respect the opinion but their athleticism is on a different planet. I will be very surprised if David gets more than a cup of coffee. Rooting for him though.

    Yea Doke setting combine vertical records really put that in perspective. It has made it hard to evaluate post players because you don’t realize how imposing he actually was.

    Block rates, KU career

    Udoka 9.4

    Dave 4.1

    Cole 9.9

    Jeff Withey 14.3 (OMEGALUL)

    Withey’s timing is the craziest thing. Dude could catch a fly with chop sticks.

    Craziest thing about Doke is that he added 10 inches of vert between combines…

    Withey’s volleyball background definitely played a large role and making him an elite shot blocker.

    I doubt Doke literally added 10 inches to his vertical, I’m going to assume his trainer taught him how to properly do a vertical jump so he could maximize what he already had athletically.



  • This is why CB will be back:

    1- He has the chance to be this year’s Ochai. I believe he deferred to Ochai alot this year the same way Devonte deferred to Frank his senior year. In CB’s mind, it is his turn to be the star this upcoming year.

    2- His relationship with Juan is extremely tight- they are best friends.

    3- He didn’t test the NBA waters last year. Och did, came back, and vastly improved his draft order this year. Braun will do the same.

    4- CB isn’t being mocked as a first rounder. I’ve seen him come in at 36 in one mock, 54 in another. No doubt, most mocks suck. But the example staring right in his face is Och’s path, which is going to compel him to take the same path, and not settle for non guaranteed money.

    5- CB is King on campus. Leaving that for the great unknown and the land of the non guaranteed contract is a bridge too far, imo.

    6- This isn’t a kid that has to score big in the NBA draft to help his family. Plus, the NIL money will tide him over.

    This is purely my conjecture- I think CB will definitely test the NBA waters, and will decide to come back. I’m more worried about JW coming back than CB.



  • @Jethro said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    This is why CB will be back:

    1- He has the chance to be this year’s Ochai. I believe he deferred to Ochai alot this year the same way Devonte deferred to Frank his senior year. In CB’s mind, it is his turn to be the star this upcoming year.

    2- His relationship with Juan is extremely tight- they are best friends.

    3- He didn’t test the NBA waters last year. Och did, came back, and vastly improved his draft order this year. Braun will do the same.

    4- CB isn’t being mocked as a first rounder. I’ve seen him come in at 36 in one mock, 54 in another. No doubt, most mocks suck. But the example staring right in his face is Och’s path, which is going to compel him to take the same path, and not settle for non guaranteed money.

    5- CB is King on campus. Leaving that for the great unknown and the land of the non guaranteed contract is a bridge too far, imo.

    6- This isn’t a kid that has to score big in the NBA draft to help his family. Plus, the NIL money will tide him over.

    This is purely my conjecture- I think CB will definitely test the NBA waters, and will decide to come back. I’m more worried about JW coming back than CB.

    one more time my friend - NO WAY both will be back. And as far as CB and Juan being friends - - CB can be in the NBA and STILL be close friends. - the draft I have seen him in he is the 32nd pick to I believe to Golden State. I think the whole thing about about him being some King is the least of his thought process he can come back to the KU campus just like other former players and still be treated like that King. - - The goal for Cb just like any other true red blooded kid the ultimate goal is to play or be given the chance to play in the NBA. -he is at the top of the 2nd round right now in mock drafts why is he gonna risk coming back and take the risk of some possibly severe injury and not be able to play ? - why take the chance to come back and NOT improve which I think is likely as I think he has just about hit his ceiling for pro wise. It’s all about the money - -if he is indeed at that spot in the draft - -then he needs TO GO while the going is good. KU will be just fine WITHOUT CB coming back. we were fine before he got here & we will be fine AFTER he leves

    @Jethro said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    This is why CB will be back:

    1- He has the chance to be this year’s Ochai. I believe he deferred to Ochai alot this year the same way Devonte deferred to Frank his senior year. In CB’s mind, it is his turn to be the star this upcoming year.

    2- His relationship with Juan is extremely tight- they are best friends.

    3- He didn’t test the NBA waters last year. Och did, came back, and vastly improved his draft order this year. Braun will do the same.

    4- CB isn’t being mocked as a first rounder. I’ve seen him come in at 36 in one mock, 54 in another. No doubt, most mocks suck. But the example staring right in his face is Och’s path, which is going to compel him to take the same path, and not settle for non guaranteed money.

    5- CB is King on campus. Leaving that for the great unknown and the land of the non guaranteed contract is a bridge too far, imo.

    6- This isn’t a kid that has to score big in the NBA draft to help his family. Plus, the NIL money will tide him over.

    This is purely my conjecture- I think CB will definitely test the NBA waters, and will decide to come back. I’m more worried about JW coming back than CB.



  • I think cb would like to go but I think he and his family will listen to what the nba people say. So many similarities to oach. We’ll see



  • @jayballer67 I think the only way he leaves for the draft is if the NCAA hammers us b4 the draft. If I’m wrong, I assure you I will be the first to admit it. I say he declares for the draft with the option to come back, and he takes that option and comes back. I could be wrong- I was wrong about Embiid. But I don’t think so…lol.



  • I think CB has a great chance to be a long time pro in the NBA. His game is fairly well rounded already. He has shown that he can both shoot and handle on the offensive end. He rebounds his position. While he likely won’t be an elite defender in the NBA, he probably will be a solid one. He needs to get stronger, but that’s unlikely to happen until he gets to work with pros on strength and conditioning, gets a meal plan to put on weight that won’t cost him his explosiveness, etc. And he’s no slouch as an athlete. Plus, with his size he can play in any wing combination.

    CB essentially took the advice that Och got last year and applied it to his own game. While some may think he wasn’t better this year, I thought he took a substantial step forward this year, and if he gets feedback, I think scouts will say the same.

    The question for Braun is really if he believes he can move from NBA role player to NBA starter by coming back. If not, there’s no reason to return. He has a championship. He has accolades. If improving his shooting and consistency make him a lottery pick next year, perhaps he should return. But if all it does is move him up from mid second round to late first, he hasn’t gained much.

    Ultimately, with the NBA emphasizing shooting at all positions, there’s a pretty decent chance that Braun is a coveted player. He can shoot it, and he doesn’t hurt you defensively, size wise, or on the glass.



  • @Jethro said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @jayballer67 I think the only way he leaves for the draft is if the NCAA hammers us b4 the draft. If I’m wrong, I assure you I will be the first to admit it. I say he declares for the draft with the option to come back, and he takes that option and comes back. I could be wrong- I was wrong about Embiid. But I don’t think so…lol.

    I’d love CB to be back, but if the feedback he gets is that he’ll be a late first-early second round pick, he’s likely gone because he won’t improve his draft stock very much coming back.



  • @Texas-Hawk-10 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @Jethro said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @jayballer67 I think the only way he leaves for the draft is if the NCAA hammers us b4 the draft. If I’m wrong, I assure you I will be the first to admit it. I say he declares for the draft with the option to come back, and he takes that option and comes back. I could be wrong- I was wrong about Embiid. But I don’t think so…lol.

    I’d love CB to be back, but if the feedback he gets is that he’ll be a late first-early second round pick, he’s likely gone because he won’t improve his draft stock very much coming back.

    that’s my thought I just don’t think he is going to improve his stock enough to come back. The mock draft I saw Cb in had him as the 2nd pick in the 2nd round and I really have a hard time thinking he would eve make 1st round



  • Jalen 😍



  • For those wondering the deadline to declare is April 24th and the deadline to remove from the draft is June 13th



  • NIL is huge. Jalen will make more next year at KU than he would in the GLeague.



  • @BShark

    Plus they are going to clean up on this barnstorming tour



  • @BeddieKU23 Posted on the phog that CB and JWill got 15k each from Canes for that one day appearance. That ain’t bad.



  • @BShark

    Getting that bread!



  • This is honestly the best chance any school will have I think at returning a big chunk of players from a Title team with the goal of repeated ala Florida. NIL is new and exciting for the players. They can actually earn some money and spend an entire year cashing in on the championship. Apart from Och, there are NO first round guarantees. The 2nd highest on the draft boards (Braun) is a local kid who loves Kansas and has basically a brother who will definitely be returning. Dave seems to like school and why not tack on some more degrees while cashing in on that Natty coin? Jalen could come back for a true redemption year after he got off to a shaky start this year. There’s legit reasons for 4 out of 5 starters to stay next year. I still find it HIGHLY unlikely and at best we likely keep 3 of 5 but it is possible.

    Question is, if we keep all 4 and only lose och, will we be athletic enough to win it again? (insert wink emoji here)



  • Until it’s official anything can happen but its very likely only 2 of the 7 guys that were in regular rotation at the end of the season will be back.

    We’ll see some spots open up for transfers as there’s 2 very likely candidates going. Lot’s of fits and needs out there. Two in particular seem to have interest in KU unofficially.

    KU did well getting its best recruiting class in several years with so many upperclassmen. The 2 guard/wings can play right away. The two bigs will play but will be developed and used as needed.

    A lot will change between now and June



  • NIL could make college basketball much better again.



  • @BeddieKU23 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    Until it’s official anything can happen but its very likely only 2 of the 7 guys that were in regular rotation at the end of the season will be back.

    We’ll see some spots open up for transfers as there’s 2 very likely candidates going. Lot’s of fits and needs out there. Two in particular seem to have interest in KU unofficially.

    KU did well getting its best recruiting class in several years with so many upperclassmen. The 2 guard/wings can play right away. The two bigs will play but will be developed and used as needed.

    A lot will change between now and June

    Yeah if I were betting right now I would say two. Remy and Mitch have of course exhausted their eligibility. Dave and Och are going. They would be great again at KU but it’s time to move on. That’s 4/7 gone already.



  • @BShark said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    NIL could make college basketball much better again.

    My only argument against it at this point is it caused TOO many dudes to stay lol. In combination with extra covid years we had so many vets playing ball, guys who can play college defense, and it made the games SO boring. The tournament only had a few teams willing to run. (Oddly enough those teams faired pretty well).

    But yea the NIL stuff is going to get a lot more guys to stay. Especially those borderline draft guys. It was and will be great for the sport/player retention.



  • @Kcmatt7 Yeah all the big boys are going to be paying better than Europe/GLeague. If you don’t mind kinda going to class-ish (that is a deal breaker for some guys of course) then it’s a no brainer.



  • Keep seeing Tshiebwe may return to UK for a multi-million dollar NIL deal. Any truth to this? Wild



  • NIL is market correction to what was happening which was College Bball getting gutted by guys leaving early when they had no chance to stick in the league. Imagine how many fringe talented kids left that would have stayed now with legit NIL opportunities. It’s certainly leveled the playing field somewhat and will hopefully positively impact the game going forward



  • @BeddieKU23 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    Keep seeing Tshiebwe may return to UK for a multi-million dollar NIL deal. Any truth to this? Wild

    Kentucky might be in full panic mode with us passing them in total wins and Bill getting his second title before Cal, oh and Saint Peters. I imagine they will throw all the money they have at this problem.



  • @benshawks08

    He’s viewed as a 2nd round pick so another year to cash in on guaranteed money vs unguaranteed seems like an awful good deal.


Log in to reply