KU WINS GOLD
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EVAN QUIT IT:
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Wayne going 6 for 28 is a great sign.
How many times in the previous two years did we see him miss some shots, stop attacking, and finish the game going 1 for 7?
This is similar to Perry at the end of last year before he got injured. He wasn’t shooting a great percentage but the defense always had to account for him because he was in constant attack mode.
Hopefully, we will see the Wayne we have always wanted and he can be a top 20 pick.
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Now that we’ve all had some time to celebrate the win, it feels bigger than I thought it would. Maybe its because of how we won, having to come back 3 times to finally win is probably making this even more special. To see how tired this team was, and the resilient effort when our backs were against the wall has really made this a special win for this group of kids. All the late nights and early morning game times were worth it in the end to all those who were able to follow along this journey. This is a HUGE team bonding experience.
Some takeaways from the Tournament as it relates to this coming year.
First off Wayne Selden is our go-to player for this year. Besides tired legs today in the Gold medal game he was electric. Dunks, drives, acrobatic layups, jumpers, 3-pt shots he had it all going. His improvement is astonishing actually to me because you just never know if he was going to “get it” and then apply it. He wanted this gold medal to put the past 2 NCAA tourney’s behind him and his team and he helped do that.
Hunter Mickelson has played himself into the line-up. If Diallo is slow to learn Hunter should start. He cleaned up on the offensive glass and is the only big other than Ellis who can stretch the floor. He rebounded, he ran the floor and he was a force altering shots. He fouls a lot, he may always foul a lot but he was a huge surprise.
Mason, what can you say he’s the rock of the team. Without his buddy Devonte here he had even more pressure on him to play big minutes. Frank simply makes big shots, all tournament from 3’s to drives to FT’s he did it all. He made his huge leap in development from Fresh to Soph. I still think he’s gotten even better. He was too fast for PG’s to handle.
Ellis, I think I had higher hopes for because of him being a senior and the praise Self had put on him this spring saying he had improved even more but I didn’t see it this tournament. He was very good in spurts and without him we don’t win but the same issues that he’s always had are still popping up. He’s still going to have a big year but with Wayne stepping up its better that we don’t have to rely on Ellis as a Go 2 player all the time. I thought the competition would be more on a level that Perry could dominate as well but these Euro’s gave him just as much of a problem as D-1 College players do.
Vick, the sky is really the limit for this kid. Has a smooth jumper and great athleticism. Kid knows how to score, point blank. I hope that Self trusts in him when we need scoring because he’s instant offense. Can’t wait to see how this kid develops with time, he really could be a star in the making.
Bragg, he had great spurts as well all tournament. He’s not afraid to get on the floor for loose balls which will really stick with Self. He has a great jumper even though they really didn’t fall much in the games. Has to get stronger, but I can already see that Self will trust him on the floor. Exciting future for that guy as well.
Mari, Lucas. Lumping them together because they showed the same we’ve seen all along. Neither is going to improve enough to change what they are. They provide depth and experience and I’m sure we will need both at different points in the year. Lucas was strong rebounding in the last few games as the one positive I did see from him here.
What a great learning experience for these kids and I’m sure these games will go a long way to helping this team to its goals this year. Rock Chalk Gold
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@tundrahok I did see the quote - appreciate you posting it. There are other ways to play this game, and other ways to win. What’s interesting, of course, is that he has “never played this way” and we won eight straight. I love the high-low. But it offers a variety of options beyond “get to the third side” and “feed the post.” Our offense this tournament looked pretty good to me – except of the stretch today when all we seemed to want to do was feed an overmatched Perry Ellis. The ghosts of seasons past. We’ll see how much he learns (or more precisely, if he’s willing to change a bit).
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If Self learns from what he’s learning about his players then just maybe their is a chance that our offense could be more free flowing for individual play. I think Selden thrived on that as much as playing the 3. Even though he was 6-28 today, a few days ago that could have been 16-28. Wayne and Frank taking over some of these games are exactly how we win 8 straight. That (hopefully) sticks with Self and gives him confidence to stick with this offensive approach.
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Tied up preparing for a 9:00 AM teleconference with two other parties; had to watch the last 20 minute on Mute trying not to scream at the TV while trying to follow the conference topic. Conference went snd ended up well but the KU game ended abso-friggin-lutely FANTASTIC!!!
Congrats to the team, they had a super gutsy performance that hopefully will set the tone for the upcoming season where close games will no longer be dreaded as much; this team has proven it does not get rattled, stays poised and wins close games.
A great and successful journey for the players and staff…and a real treat for all of us Jayhawk fans.
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Which goes to show that you can never over-estimate the ignorance of the average Kentucky fan.
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The Smiling photo of the team with Mason checking to see if it was real gold is fantastic. My new screen saver. Who is the young girl on the podium with them? Devonte has a medal! Good. Self with his arm around Tyler with huge smiles. A Father/Son moment for the ages.
Bragg and Vick - Welcome to the team.
Hunter and Landon - Welcome to the team.
Frank Mason - I would not trade him for any other NCAA Guard in the country.
Wayne Selden - Welcome to the NBA.
Perry Ellis - Thank you for playing your heart out, even though you are double and tripled teamed on every play. You reached deep to help get the gold, even when your shot wasn’t falling and no air left in your lungs. You will still be our leading scorer this year.
Jamari - Thank you for subbing during crunch time when you do what you do best in guarding the outside big men.
Nic and Julian - Thank you for leaving your two great coaches to become Jayhawks. We could not have won this without either of you.
Tyler and Evan - Thank you for coming in and playing more minutes than you’ve played in a long time and allowing Frank, Wayne and Perry to sit for the fourth quarter against the Swiss.
Bill Self - Thank you for being the best coach in the country for your ability to adjust on the fly and create an incredible bonding experience for these young men.
Snacks - Thank you for playing the piano.
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@wrwlumpy Klein was a punk! Nic did NOT back down either. Loved his fight!
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@RockChalkinTexas love the new avi!!
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@Crimsonorblue22 Wanted to nab it before anyone else did.
Frank da Man!
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Lost in all the excitement…did anyone notice that the Pool group A, where Germany played, had only 5 teams instead of the 6 teams all other pools had and they had to play only 4 games instead of 5 games in the initial round? KUSA ended playing 8 games and Germany only 7, no wonder the good guys were more tired than the Germans…
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@JayHawkFanToo I did see that at the outset and wondered if there had been a 6th team that did not make it there for unknown reasons.
I’m having a hard time working!!!
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Wonder what the guys will do w/their new doll?
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@RockChalkinTexas No wonder Germany was so fresh. Only 4 games in pool play and a cake walk to the final game compared to ours.
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@wrwlumpy I had the same question in the game thread. Saw 2 girls during several games that were helping with water and towels and were wearing KU shirts. Wondered if they were translators provided by the WUG or if we had Korean students at KU that were recruited to help.
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@brooksmd Somewhere I read they were “Ambassadors.”
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@JayHawkFanToo Still ate their Weiner schnitzel…
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Here are a few figure for your enjoyment…
KUSA pool is the only one that sent 2 teams to the Fina Four.
KUSA beat all 3 other teams in the Final Four
KUSA beat 5 other 7 other teams in the Final Eight (Canada twice before the games)
No question that KUSA was the best team at the the WUG.
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@Crimsonorblue22 In @Crimsonorblue22 words “EWWWWWWWWWWW”.
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@RockChalkinTexas …Well, back to the tractor… “EWWWWWWWWWWW”.
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@globaljaybird Couldn’t resist the temptation over on that UK board. Somebody said “guess it was a good thing there were no mid-majors in the tournament.” I added, “like Robert Morris?”
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@globaljaybird always has a way w/words!
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@RockChalkinTexas Thanks
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@Crimsonorblue22 we give it our optimum effort…LOL
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@brooksmd awesome!
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@brooksmd shame on you…
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@globaljaybird I know but it was just one of those open doors you have to walk through when given the chance.
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Well another 45 minutes on the mower for the back and that is it for the day.
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@brooksmd drink water!
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@brooksmd c’mon over - I got at least 6 gal of paint left…
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@brooksmd Now that’s W_A_T_E_R Gramps… not the clear stuff in the fruit jar…
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@RockChalkinTexas You from Humboldt, RockChalkinTexas?
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@RockChalkinTexas great avi.
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@DanR No - Austin, TX - found that when reading twitter.
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@Statmachine HA! Waaah freeking Waaaah Kentucky fans! Eat dirt you losers! Just wait til you come into The Phog later this year.
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@HawkInMizery Well of course they forgot! They are inbred idiots with genetically dehanced brain functions.
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@Texas-Hawk-10 KU is going to beat that @$$ when UK comes to AFH. Mark it down, circle it, sharpie too.
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@Crimsonorblue22 NICE!
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@Lulufulu just first half. Do u have espn watch app?
