KU Roster for 25-26
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@BeddieKU23 Think El Marko is going to be pretty good defensively. – Think once again the question is going to be where is our scoring coming from other then DP- - possibly Flory ?
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@BShark said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@TYOHawk said in KU Roster for 25-26:
Team might be mediocre
I’ll bet against that
I hope so but barring a surprise or Darryn being a top 5 guy in the country this looks like a 21-10 type of team which is solid but isn’t a contender or in that tier. Kind of reminds me of the Oubre/Alexander team.
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I don’t think this team is likely to win a title at all but you could argue they are getting better at every position from last year. Most spots are clear upgrades. Generational upgrades at the 1 and 4.
More than anything I am excited for the stylistic change. The last two seasons, by Bill’s choice it must be said, we have been limited by a core of players that simply did not fit together. The team should be a monster defensively if they buy in.
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@BShark said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@TYOHawk said in KU Roster for 25-26:
Team might be mediocre
I’ll bet against that
No way this team as constructed is anything but mediocre by KU’s standards. The floor should be a big 12 title and in the discussion for a national championship by KUs standards.
This team doesn’t pass the smell test yet. Will they finish in the top 1/4 of the Big12? - sure. Will they contend for a final four berth? - not very likely.
But Bill’s a terrific coach so maybe he can twist this deeply flawed roster into something watchable. DP should be electric. If Flory can improve to where he is worth the money (that would be a huge ask as he was mostly ineffective last year) then KU will be fun to watch, but will need a wing to develop to have any real shot at even the Big12.
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@dylans Houston runs the big 12, they are what we used to be. Not sure why Bill has seemingly given up on trying to develop guys.
That said I think when the roster is done it will be preseason top 10.
Something else I am monitoring is team chemistry. Winning kind of solves everything there sometimes, but last year was a disaster on that front.
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@dylans Lol. You are such a Flory hater. And Im drinking the Koolaid. Watch and be amazed!
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Some people are severely undervaluing the additions of Council and Lawson. They will guard their ass off every night, and compete. Also, DP is a true leader. The team chemistry will be way different than year past. He is not going to let anyone get away with not busting their butt on and off the floor.
They also are not done with the roster. Sounds like they are close to landing a big man who will be a solid backup / change of pace from Flory. If they can find a solid wing they will be a top 10 team.
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@BShark said in KU Roster for 25-26:
I don’t think this team is likely to win a title at all but you could argue they are getting better at every position from last year. Most spots are clear upgrades. Generational upgrades at the 1 and 4.
More than anything I am excited for the stylistic change. The last two seasons, by Bill’s choice it must be said, we have been limited by a core of players that simply did not fit together. The team should be a monster defensively if they buy in.
Who’s the generational upgrade at the 4?
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Lol was just about to reply with the same thing, maybe was a typo as I could see an argument for the 5 over the 4 being a generation upgrade assuming Flory makes a leap? (Or hopefully @BShark has recruiting I don’t know about)
At the 4, we have either White/Tiller playing and I don’t see either being a guaranteed upgrade to KJ. Better offense from Tre playing there but losing quite a bit on the defense and Tiller could be worse on both accounts I don’t believe he stretches the floor. Only other player I could see playing the four is council and even there it seems like it is at best a wash comparing to KJ.
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@BShark 100 % MONSTER-- with their length and their improvement in athleticism could really cause some havoc on the defensive end
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@MR11 said in KU Roster for 25-26:
Lol was just about to reply with the same thing, maybe was a typo as I could see an argument for the 5 over the 4 being a generation upgrade assuming Flory makes a leap? (Or hopefully @BShark has recruiting I don’t know about)
I am sure hoping for a top recruit or NIL transfer!
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@rockchalkjayhawk Not KJ. Presumably Tre White can dribble a basketball, rebound, and is a threat to shoot.
So it was mostly a joke about KJ being terrible.
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@BShark said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@rockchalkjayhawk Not KJ. Presumably Tre White can dribble a basketball, rebound, and is a threat to shoot.
So it was mostly a joke about KJ being terrible.
Now that makes sense!
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We may have to have a board-wide wager as to when the last time somebody will mention KJ or Dajuan.
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@rockchalkjayhawk said in KU Roster for 25-26:
We may have to have a board-wide wager as to when the last time somebody will mention KJ or Dajuan.
KJ is on staff now.
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@rockchalkjayhawk Landen Lucas! Conner Frankamp! Naadir Tharpe! Brady Morningstar! Christian Moody!
Just renewing our leases on old disputes.
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@approxinfinity said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@rockchalkjayhawk Landen Lucas! Conner Frankamp! Naadir Tharpe! Brady Morningstar! Christian Moody!
Just renewing our leases on old disputes.
So far you’re leading the pack in the wager!
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@approxinfinity I’m assuming we all ended up pretty much in agreement on Frankamp, yes?
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https://x.com/KUHoops/status/1930059714617917787
Posting for @approxinfinity and other Flory enjoyers
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Was that /flory ?- - Na that wasn’t Flory - - -was it ?- - Flory left handed ?
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There is some valid points there. But I guess you know a lot more than Freddy’s marketing.
KU basketball is the only winning basketball in the KC area and, once again, we scored the best player in the KC area. Royals and Chiefs are great but no basketball fans in KC? KC is a big fan base for college sports… a major reason why they own the B12 basketball tournament.
Hell… how about selling KU to Lawrence businesses?
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@drgnslayr said in KU Roster for 25-26:
There is some valid points there. But I guess you know a lot more than Freddy’s marketing.
KU basketball is the only winning basketball in the KC area and, once again, we scored the best player in the KC area. Royals and Chiefs are great but no basketball fans in KC? KC is a big fan base for college sports… a major reason why they own the B12 basketball tournament.
Hell… how about selling KU to Lawrence businesses?
Any NIL deals with Lawrence businesses are likely to be low 5 figures at best and likely to come from the corporate partners/sponsors of KU Athletics and be spread around to different sports.
Darryn Peterson is the only player on KU who should be making significant NIL endorsement money with his Adidas and Fanatics deals that he signed 2 years ago in 2023. Nobody else on the team is going to be making significantly more than whatever their deal with KU is.
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Flory wasn’t much last year and he did a sweet deal. Don’t pretend to know it all.
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@drgnslayr said in KU Roster for 25-26:
Flory wasn’t much last year and he did a sweet deal. Don’t pretend to know it all.
Flory’s biggest NIL deal is directly with KU (or at least KU’s NIL collective). He’s not going to be making an additional $2 million on top of what he’s getting from KU. Peterson is going to clear close to, if not more than $10 million in deals because of the deals he signed with Adidas and Fanatics 2 years ago.
My thoughts on this come from what I see in regards to NIL involving UH here in Houston. Unless a player has a national deal with a brand, only the elite of the elite get those, they aren’t clearing 7 figures in NIL on top of whatever they’re getting from their school. Good players can usually clear low to mid six figures on top of what they get from the school, but most players are clearing five figures to very low six figures depending on the market they’re in.
The primary exception to this is social media and influencer deals such as female athletes who pretty near universally considered good looking who use their looks to secure influencer deals like Livvy Dunne or the Cavinder twins.
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Here we good, possibly check in late addition hit him hard. Dorian Jones has de committed from Ohio State and is re-opening his recruitment, 6’3 SG and the # one player coming out of the State of Ohio
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@SlimShaddy54 Sounds academically ineligible -
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@SlimShaddy54 said in KU Roster for 25-26:
Here we good, possibly check in late addition hit him hard. Dorian Jones has de committed from Ohio State and is re-opening his recruitment, 6’3 SG and the # one player coming out of the State of Ohio
Sub 100 ranked player with academic issues who’s either headed to a prep school or JuCo next season. Only way he’s playing in D1 this upcoming season is if he finds a school with very low standards.
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@Texas-Hawk-10 Flory received sponsorship from Freddy’s. It was NOT from KU.
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@drgnslayr said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@Texas-Hawk-10 Flory received sponsorship from Freddy’s. It was NOT from KU.
Never said players weren’t getting other NIL deals outside of what they’re getting from KU. Whatever the financial details of that are, I will 100% guarantee that money doesn’t come anywhere near what he’s getting from his KU deal.
I’d guess this deal is probably about $25,000 at best because it’s for sure not a national deal and probably only applies to their Lawrence store and whatever other locations that franchisee owns, if any.
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@Texas-Hawk-10 I knew the Freddy’s management and it carried at least throughout Kansas. It was more lucrative than $25k.
I never indicated there would be a huge sponsor matching KU’s contribution. If it was someone’s 365-day job to locate sponsors there would be many deals that would add up considerably… doubtful to match KU funds, but still a consideration for athletes.
I’ve had a lifetime of sales and just the people and industries I’m associated could make their most notable athletes pretty good spending money and nothing to sneeze at. My own business is national and not much in the midwest or I would be a sponsor of one or more athletes.
To say finding NIL deals in this area isn’t worth considering is absolutely stupid.
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BTW - we are only viewing this like a traditional celebrity-style endorsement contract. Where the real money is …. Far above the NIL abilities of KU is the support of Kansas alumni owning valuable companies who are huge fans of the basketball program. These people are spread all over the world. There are opportunities to connect these people with players in the role of sponsorship but it’s essential a gift but structured as a business tax write-off. This alone is an endless resource and though they are hit up for endowment contributions hitting them up directly for basketball contributions and more personal, directly helping one specific player is an opportunity for raising about any amount possible. To my understanding, Duke is all over this.
Before you comment… I’m not describing an AD fundraiser. I’ve attended those lunches. And every month I’m hit up by endowments. But no one has contacted me specifically on behalf of a player. Granted, these times are only developing now, as universities will be capped on NIL and the big avenue for extending benefits beyond this limitation will be private NIL.
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When the House settlement finally happens all the collectives will RIP. NIL deals will be run through Delloite’s clearinghouse and AD contributions will be capped.
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It’s confusing as hell, but it doesn’t sound like collectives will necessarily go away, but will be regulated as you suggest. Both in house and outside collectives can exist I’ve been reading. Hell, it’s chaos and the language is still being drafted. Who the hell knows. Wild, Wild West.
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@drgnslayr I’m a big fan of your rationale about this! But calling another perspective “ absolutely stupid” throws up warning signals. Sounds like the times talkin’. So do “100 % guarantees” @Texas-Hawk-10.
Sidenote. I just realized the hypocrisy of the Star Wars line “Only a Sith deals in absolutes”. Y’all sirs, ain’t no Siths :). Still, remember to let it breathe, my people.
Some people split hairs about veiled racism. Others, crusade against curse words. Some try to rid the world of anything depicting sex or violence.
I will die on this hill railing against absolutism and forced dichotomies.
Carry on!
Approxinfinity
Thought Police Deputy
Incessant Fretter, Box Shredder
Head Master, KU Buckets Finishing School For Fine Young Souls
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I love the focus on cultivating relationships rather than strictly service transactions @drgnslayr.
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@approxinfinity said in KU Roster for 25-26:
I will die on this hill railing against absolutism and forced dichotomies.
I absolutely love your being absolutely against absolutism. But I am absolutely opposed to you dying on this or any other hill involving semantics!
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@dylans said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@SlimShaddy54 Sounds academically ineligible -
Yeah rumor is he will have to do JUCO
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Yep… My wording was a little strong on the use of “stupid”… I apologize. And even under the heat I didn’t mean that directed personally… but to an idea. Again, sorry to everyone in here.
I’m not an expert in this area but I haven’t forgotten how this all went down originally and harnessing every aspect of NIL will be unlikely because it starts infringing on rights then ends up back in court.
I know I keep mentioning Duke… I have Duke grads close by and they let me know how Duke is on a real mission to dominate and are doing it by getting out ahead of the changing landscape. Of course, that leads me into hypertension!
So the good news is we managed to divert our thoughts away (a little bit) from recruiting. And on that, some of the people in my circle dropped a heavy on me by stating the recent KU recruiting failures weren’t based on KU coming up short on NIL funds. Then my blood pressure shot up again! Lol
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Hey, all. I updated the original post, adding some House v NCAA chaos. There’s still lots to sort as far as who counts on the roster, etc. crazy!
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@rockchalkjayhawk said in KU Roster for 25-26:
****** With the recent House v NCAA settlement, things are complicated with roster size. It’s hard to say if KU has four more spots to fill, or less. Also, apparently there’s a new fule for “designated student athletes.” These are players who would have been removed given the new roster rules, but now may stick around until they run out of eligibility, but may not count against roster size. This could easily be ALL the KU walkons. ******
May as well look ahead to see what’s in store for next season.
I’ll try to keep track of the offseason drama here. I’ll keep this mostly official, so no portal projections here.
But the portal window is: March 24 to April 22
Roster size: 14 (includes ALL but DSA players. Normally it’s 15, but we lost one to NCAA sanctions)
Roster size at the moment: 10 (a bit sketchy given the DSA rules)
RETURNEES (4)
G Elmarko Jackson
G/F Jamari McDowell
PF Bryson Tiller
C Flory Bidunga
RETURNING WALK ONS? (4 – and potential “designated student athletes”) ’ G Noah Shelby
G Wilder Evers
G Will Thengvall
F Justin Cross
IMCOMING FRESHMEN (3)
G Darryn Peterson
F Samis Calderon
G Corbin Allen – Oak Park High School
PORTAL ADDITIONS (3)
G Jayden Dawson via Loyola Chicago. One year of eligibility left.
G/F Tre White via Illinois – previous stops at Louisville, USC. One year of eligibility left.
G Melvin Council Jr. via St. Bonaventure – previous stop at Wagner. One year of eligibility left.
BIG QUESTION MARK (1)
SF Jaden Nickens – A football player who may play hoops. May have to count against the roster before the season begins.
HAVE ENTERED PORTAL (6 initially – Bidunga entered, but will return)
G/F AJ Storr – signed with Ole Miss
G/F Rylan Griffen — signed with Texas AM
G/F Rakease Passmore — signed with Maryland
PF/C Zach Clemence – signed with Texas A&M
G David Coit – signed with Maryland
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****** Update: With the recent House v NCAA settlement, things are complicated with roster size. It’s hard to say if KU has three more spots to fill, or less. Also, apparently there’s a new fule for “designated student athletes.” These are players who would have been removed given the new roster rules, but now may stick around until they run out of eligibility, but may not count against roster size. This could easily be ALL the KU walkons. ******
May as well look ahead to see what’s in store for next season.
I’ll try to keep track of the offseason drama here. I’ll keep this mostly official, so no portal projections here.
But the portal window is: March 24 to April 22
Roster size: 14 (includes ALL but DSA players. Normally it’s 15, but we lost one to NCAA sanctions)
Roster size at the moment: 11 (a bit sketchy given the DSA rules)
RETURNEES (4)
G Elmarko Jackson
G/F Jamari McDowell
PF Bryson Tiller
C Flory Bidunga
RETURNING WALK ONS? (4 – and potential “designated student athletes”)
G Noah Shelby
G Wilder Evers
G Will Thengvall
F Justin Cross
IMCOMING FRESHMEN (4)
G Darryn Peterson
F Samis Calderon
G Corbin Allen – Oak Park High School
SG Kohl Rosario
PORTAL ADDITIONS (3)
G Jayden Dawson via Loyola Chicago. One year of eligibility left.
G/F Tre White via Illinois – previous stops at Louisville, USC. One year of eligibility left.
G Melvin Council Jr. via St. Bonaventure – previous stop at Wagner. One year of eligibility left.
BIG QUESTION MARK (1)
SF Jaden Nickens – A football player who may play hoops. May have to count against the roster before the season begins.
HAVE ENTERED PORTAL (6 initially – Bidunga entered, but will return)
G/F AJ Storr – signed with Ole Miss
G/F Rylan Griffen — signed with Texas AM
G/F Rakease Passmore — signed with Maryland
PF/C Zach Clemence – signed with Texas A&M
G David Coit – signed with Maryland
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@rockchalkjayhawk said in KU Roster for 25-26:
****** With the recent House v NCAA settlement, things are complicated with roster size. It’s hard to say if KU has three more spots to fill, or less. Also, apparently there’s a new fule for “designated student athletes.” These are players who would have been removed given the new roster rules, but now may stick around until they run out of eligibility, but may not count against roster size. This could easily be ALL the KU walkons. ******
May as well look ahead to see what’s in store for next season.
I’ll try to keep track of the offseason drama here. I’ll keep this mostly official, so no portal projections here.
But the portal window is: March 24 to April 22
Roster size: 14 (includes ALL but DSA players. Normally it’s 15, but we lost one to NCAA sanctions)
Roster size at the moment: 11 (a bit sketchy given the DSA rules)
RETURNEES (4)
G Elmarko Jackson
G/F Jamari McDowell
PF Bryson Tiller
C Flory Bidunga
RETURNING WALK ONS? (4 – and potential “designated student athletes”)
G Noah Shelby
G Wilder Evers
G Will Thengvall
F Justin Cross
IMCOMING FRESHMEN (4)
G Darryn Peterson
F Samis Calderon
G Corbin Allen – Oak Park High School
SG Kohl Rosario
PORTAL ADDITIONS (3)
G Jayden Dawson via Loyola Chicago. One year of eligibility left.
G/F Tre White via Illinois – previous stops at Louisville, USC. One year of eligibility left.
G Melvin Council Jr. via St. Bonaventure – previous stop at Wagner. One year of eligibility left.
BIG QUESTION MARK (1)
SF Jaden Nickens – A football player who may play hoops. May have to count against the roster before the season begins.
HAVE ENTERED PORTAL (6 initially – Bidunga entered, but will return)
G/F AJ Storr – signed with Ole Miss
G/F Rylan Griffen — signed with Texas AM
G/F Rakease Passmore — signed with Maryland
PF/C Zach Clemence – signed with Texas A&M
G David Coit – signed with Maryland
Nickens can still basketball play and would count against the 15 player roster limit, but KU would still be in compliance with the scholarship reduction they still owe the NCAA because his scholarship is coming from football and not basketball.
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Bill Self is BACK folks
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****** With the recent House v NCAA settlement, things are complicated with roster size. It’s hard to say if KU has two more spots to fill, or less. Also, apparently there’s a new fule for “designated student athletes.” These are players who would have been removed given the new roster rules, but now may stick around until they run out of eligibility, but may not count against roster size. This could easily be ALL the KU walkons. ******
May as well look ahead to see what’s in store for next season.
I’ll try to keep track of the offseason drama here. I’ll keep this mostly official, so no portal projections here.
But the portal window is: March 24 to April 22
Roster size: 14 (includes ALL but DSA players. Normally it’s 15, but we lost one to NCAA sanctions)
Roster size at the moment: 12 (a bit sketchy given the DSA rules)
RETURNEES (4)
G Elmarko Jackson
G/F Jamari McDowell
PF Bryson Tiller
C Flory Bidunga
RETURNING WALK ONS? (4 – and potential “designated student athletes”)
G Noah Shelby
G Wilder Evers
G Will Thengvall
F Justin Cross
IMCOMING FRESHMEN (5)
G Darryn Peterson
F Samis Calderon
G Corbin Allen – Oak Park High School
SG Kohl Rosario
C Paul Mbiya — not sure what year he is
PORTAL ADDITIONS (3)
G Jayden Dawson via Loyola Chicago. One year of eligibility left.
G/F Tre White via Illinois – previous stops at Louisville, USC. One year of eligibility left.
G Melvin Council Jr. via St. Bonaventure – previous stop at Wagner. One year of eligibility left.
BIG QUESTION MARK (1)
SF Jaden Nickens – A football player who may play hoops. May have to count against the roster before the season begins.
HAVE ENTERED PORTAL (6 initially – Bidunga entered, but will return)
G/F AJ Storr – signed with Ole Miss
G/F Rylan Griffen — signed with Texas AM
G/F Rakease Passmore — signed with Maryland
PF/C Zach Clemence – signed with Texas A&M
G David Coit – signed with Maryland
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What a difference a year makes. Would be fine if espn hype train ignores us completely until we make some noise.
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@approxinfinity Yes. It would be nice to earn the big heads! Last years crew seemed to believe the hype a bit too much.
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@approxinfinity said in KU Roster for 25-26:
What a difference a year makes. Would be fine if espn hype train ignores us completely until we make some noise.
I’m perfectly fine with that. KU should have to earn it after the last two years.
I think this is now a top 10 roster. Before the additions I would have said moreso top 20 range. The back-up big was a must. The roster to me makes sense, and feels properly built around Darryn Peterson. I also really love all the length this team has. Positional length across the board. Elmarko at 6’3’’ will be the shortest rotation player. Council and Dawson both appear to have major plus wingspans.
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@BShark our defense and rebounding should improve drastically. The last 3 years have been sub par for a Self coached team.
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Waddya all think? Adding one or two more guys?
The Noah Shelby redshirt/DSA situation still unclear?
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@kjayhawks said in KU Roster for 25-26:
@BShark our defense and rebounding should improve drastically. Ge last 3 years have been sub par for a Self coached team.
Yes. Hunter was a huge liability on that end. All the bigs in the rotation are athletic again.
