Some Ways to Survive Being Ranked #2 While Dealing with the Horror of Diallo and Bragg Not Playing Much Yet
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Try to put Self’s .821 W&L statement out of your mind.
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Forget that he has won 11 straight conference titles.
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Hypnotize yourself and give yourself a suggestion that he did not win the ring in 2008.
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Ask your Yogi to give you a mantra that goes “Self was not the winningest coach in college basketball for six seasons.”
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Write a paper for a peer reviewed journal on game theory explaining how winning by 5 against Harvard leads to an equilibrium strategy dooming KU to mediocrity.
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Blaspheme against the God of Basketball in order to be cast into basketball hell, so you can wear black leather KU basketball warmups and lead a cult of hell rising up against the naivety and coaching cluelessness of Bill Self regarding who can and cannot play and undermine his credibility to the point that his replacement by either Bruce Weber, or a coach sponsored by the Drake Group, becomes an inevitability.
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Learn to love Rat Face.
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Argue that the evidence is incontrovertible that playing players before they are psychologically and physically ready to play is one of the Ten Anti-Commandments that must be obeyed, or the new Coach Kthulu will end KU’s conference title string AND cause KU to be upset by UK in the first round of the NIT.
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Drink an artisan cola, while munching Wolfgang Puck’s incredible new Corn Nuts Rockefeller at the Allen Field House Friends of Bilderberg Concession at the new kiosk next to the Phog Allen statue.
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Embrace KU’s fabulous success and learn to love it.
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@jaybate-1.0 I hear you man.
Do I think Self is a Demi God and cannot be wrong? Of course not.
But KU wins Maui and stutters through a game to get a win and we are doomed. For goodness sake, we were handling the number one team in the nation for 32 minutes!
We have become quite the pessimistic bunch after a couple years of underachieving.
Keep on preaching brotha!
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Ah, that was better than an AMEN!!!
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Diallo and Bragg will get their chance this year. Coach Self does not have a choice. Every big time recruit is watching the plight of Diallo and Bragg. Believe me, they are taking notes.
We get so caught up in that and we end up forgetting about Vick. It would be nice to see him get minutes early in th season, because we may very well need him later on. I would love for Vick to get more experience, while allowing Mason III and Graham to keep their legs somewhat fresh.
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LaGeraldo will see some wood after Svi’s 1-6 and his meager rebounding. But it depends on how much action Holy Cross runs. If they run a motion offense, Self may wait for a dribble drive, or high-low opponent. Vick, like Svi last season, may not be ready for chasing over the top of a lot of picks. But one way or another, Vick is going to get a look.
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If Self were really to believe he had a chance for any of the reputed Nike lean domestic big men, I would agree with you.
But I don’t think Self appears to honestly believe he has much chance for any of them, same as he apparently doubts he has a prayer in heaven of signing any Nike lean domestic OAD point guards. It hasn’t ever happened since 2008 at least. What has changed this season? Diallo was a guy that only Self, who appears to have been cut out of all the domestic OADs, was willing to take a chance on, until Gianni the Squid got desperate late, and Mullins anticipated the Under Armour donation to St. John’s and tried to take a risk on Diallo.
The recruits just aren’t apparently brand jumping with sufficient frequency for Self to try to please them by starting Diallo and Bragg.
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But you never know!
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Guys, I know I will probably be hammered on this, probably be call an nut, but this is just a question/remark. How many think that it is a 100% no brainer, no doubt what so ever that Diallo is going to be a one and done at KU this year? Let me preface that like probably 99% of all also think that’s probably the case BUT- - - - - if Cheick is as raw, so very raw, as Coach Self says he is, and if he is as raw as I have read by and listen to so many other former college players/now anylasts, ESPN commentators, others in the know, that also talk about how raw he is, then is there that distinct possibility, that possibly, just possibly that he return for a Sophomore year? They all talk about how he has to develop his offensive game for the NBA again sayin he is just raw, but unlimited potential. So if that’s the case couldn’t he just possibly return for a 2nd year? maybe add a little bulk, improve his offense? Again I like most don’t think it will happen- - - BUT then again- - - -. Ok now I’m ready call me an idiot, call me crazy, call me a lunatic, it’s ok just curious that’s all, just a thought. ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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He’s a OAD unless the scouts say he’s not going to go lotto. That’s probably the only way he even thinks of returning. He would greatly benefit from more than 1 year in College just from a skill standpoint but like a broken record Diallo can be drafted high just on his vast potential. It’s too early to tell if he’s more than just potential right now. If he becomes a starter like most of us hope will happen then its going to be hard to see him stay.
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@jaybate-1.0 I think we will have a small chip even though we are ranked #2 in the AP poll. We fell to # 7 in the coaches poll which is a little strange but I actually like it. I don’t like us being ranked so high early especially when we’ve stumbled through a few games. A win is a win sure but you’d like to not have seen us blow a 16 point lead at home to Harvard. The same thing happened against Harvard that happened against Loyola, a barrage of made 3’s close to half time.
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@jaybate-1.0 Masterful.
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@jayballer54 There’s others saying it about Diallo too. I read an article the other day on NBC hoops site saying Diallo’s showing he’s not quite ready for prime time after only 2 games! Of course one of those games, he was really pretty good against an overmatched opponent.
By the way, I read your posts just to get to your ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY! You’ve established a calling card, a signature which you’re known by and I love it!
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Thankeee kindly, Jethro. Let’s go have some pork bellies on the billiard room’s fancy eatin’ table.
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It is too soon to tell about Cheick.
If he proves he can adapt to D1 speed and violence, which I expect him to by January, or February at the latest, and make reads on defense, and offense, I reckon he is the kind of guy they would draft on potential if he wants to come out this season. He doesn’t really have to be a big scorer, just show that he has enough touch to make it seem like a couple of years shooting practice and he could Knock’em down and that’s enough for the NBA these days.
But I get the feeling Cheick is a very smart cookie and enjoys the team. And that NBA D-league is increasingly looking like a player graveyard to me. So: if it looks like they will just draft him to control him and then send him to the D-League, money, or not, I expect him to hang around one more year, if he doesn’t have some handler breathing down his neck to jump after one.
Those handlers appear increasingly decisive in all of this. Its not just about players and their parents IMHO. Its the handlers that stand to loser their fee if he gets injured.
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@jayballer54 It is early for sure to predict that. But, if he progresses at a reasonable pace but is still somewhat raw, I don’t think that matters. The NBA drafts on potential. If I had to make the call right now…he’s gone after this year.
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I would not place much weight on the Coaches Poll; I believe most of the elite program coaches (including Coach Self) have indicated in the past that they have an assistant take care of it and they do not “vote” themselves, so naming the coaches as the voters is somewhat disingenuous…
Here is the current list of coaches that vote…
The USA TODAY Sports Board of Coaches is made up of 32 head coaches at Division I institutions. All are members of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The board for the 2014-15 season: Tommy Amaker, Harvard; Randy Bennett, Saint Mary?s; Jim Boeheim, Syracuse; Todd Bozeman, Morgan State; Glenn Braica, St. Francis Brooklyn; Rick Byrd, Belmont; Scott Cherry, High Point; Tim Cluess, Iona; Ed Conroy, Tulane; Keith Dambrot, Akron; Scott Drew, Baylor; Matt Driscoll, North Florida Steve Fisher, San Diego State; Bruiser Flint, Drexel; Mark Fox, Georgia; John Gallagher, Hartford; Ray Harper, Western Kentucky; Dick Hunsaker, Utah Valley; George Ivory, Arkansas-Pine Bluff; Ben Jacobson, Northern Iowa; Rob Jeter, Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Danny Kaspar, Texas State; Mike McConathy, Northwestern State; Greg McDermott, Creighton; Matt Painter, Purdue; Dave Paulsen, Bucknell; Randy Rahe, Weber State; Joe Scott, Denver; Bobby Hurley, Arizona State; Shaka Smart, Virginia Commonwealth; Bob Williams, UC-Santa Barbara; Mike Young, Wofford.
I would venture to guess that the great majority of smaller school coaches do not even watch elite program games much as they are too busy with their own programs and small staffs. There are two Big 12 co0aches that “vote” Scott Drew and Shaka Smart…what are the chance they will vote KU high?
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@JayHawkFanToo think boeheim gets to vote now?
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There is a good chance Diallo goes to the NBA, provide he can show enough to be a lotto pick. No question that he is one of the greenest recruits ever but with a huge potential and unless he is a savant like Embiid (can’t think of another player like him) it might take more than one year. and he will likely be top 5 r even top 3. The NBA is carefully moving away from pure potential since many unproven players with just potential have not quite panned out.
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I definitely agree, I’m just waiting for him to get court time before really deciding what his ceiling for the draft can be. I would bet most would agree that he could go top 5 if he becomes a starter or gets enough minutes to display his game to go along with his potential for the long term.
Even Self has said he’s got a chance to be a NBA All-Star in time…
But right now if you said he was going pro and was going in the lottery or top 10, don’t plan on him playing in any games next year. He would be overwhelmed. Its going to take this whole year for him to even get comfortable just playing in Self’s system, can’t even imagine a NBA team trying to plug him in their system and having confidence.
But from his background it would be hard to turn down a payday for him, or for his family if his stock and play keep where it is…
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@wissoxfan83 ya, I’m just curious that’s all. Yes he looked pretty good, but as you say that was against a very over matched opponent They feel he really needs to develop his offensive mind set for the N.B.A. I have very mixed ideas on it. I am definitely leaning more that YES he will be gone after the 1 season, whether that will be a good decision or not. As it is well known the N.B.A. as been stated drafts on potential for the most part so with that being the case chances are he is gone, plus there are always others factors for him to consider. Using as an example if he is a projected top 10 pick, pretty good money in that and not really sure, but from being from the foreign land, really not sure about his financial situation, true he is living in the States, but I’m sure he is wanting to help his parents and give them what he can so that’s an issue, the he always take a risk. Say he is projected at a pretty high spot BUT yet he returns to work on his offensive game as the NBA people says he needs, and then he is injured, gets hurt possibly screw something up bad and end up not being able to play at all, so he has to consider that, a lot to weigh out.I’m just sayin there is always a slim chance HE MAY come back for the 2nd year, if he doesn’t progress like he needs to, maybe see his stock drop some. LOL and thanks for the signature of myself just something I’ve always said, when I talk to friends even when not on here, when we converse at the end that’s my Good bye lol but thanks bud appreciated. So with that- - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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@jaybate-1.0Agreed. I wonder about his offensive set in the league which has been discussed, but as you say, good points. Plus another thing also, if I remember Dennis Rodman wasn’t really a prolific scorer, alot more of a rebounding machine and some blocking ability, so he doesn’t have to be some guy that scores 15-20 a night in the NBA, there are alot of teams that will draft him just for his rebounding, his energy and shot blocking ability, and any points he scores will be just a bonus for them, will be interesting to see, but if he doesn’t progress and his stock drops this year- - -who knows. ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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@Hawk8086 YA in all honesty, I’m feeling the same thing your feeling bud, but then thete is just this slier of doubt, but that’s a long way off, just something that crossed through my little pea brain lol. ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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@JayHawkFanToo You make some very good points. I just thought the difference between the two numbers was odd because it was so big. I’ve seen before where they are 1 or 2 different but not 5 at least that I can recall off the top of my head.
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Yes, Boeheim gets to vote since the polls and NCAA are not related…I bet he cheats on that too…
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@jayballer54 There is no doubt that a player can have a career in the NBA where the task is rebounding and defense. The only question deals with draft position and therefore money. Rodman was drafted in the third round when they had that many rounds. He played most of his career with Detroit and Chicago which were very good teams and didn’t need scoring. Lottery picks are usually drafted by bad teams or teams that are not doing as well as they have in the past. That also means that the drafting team probably needs to put butts in the seats. The non die-hard NBA fan is usually more interested in offense.
Diallo is kind of a tweener. He has a very long wingspan but he is only 6’9" measured with the KU tape. His chances of being a lottery pick are diminished if he is viewed as a defensive player only. That is not to say that he won’t be drafted high; but only that his chances would be better if he were a scorer or 6’11".
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If Diallo can board and guard like Rodman and 2 inches taller, he is NBA gold!
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@jaybate-1.0 A Freshman with Vick’s skiilset, when given a chance, can help propel a team on a deep tourney run. I hope Self gives the young man a chance. Plus it’s great for recruiting.
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@jaybate-1.0 Oh, the agony of being ranked 2nd…it’s almost more than a mere mortal can take…OH THE HORRORS OF BEING A KU BB FAN.
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@JayHawkFanToo It’s the nostrils…you can tell when he’s lying when he flashes the nostrils. I am permanently scarred from watching old Big East basketball games, and ESPN would zoom in on Boeheim’s caves.
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Can’t wait until the law catches up with the squid…
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I am glad some others are excited about Vick as well. He looks like one of the best athletes on the team to me.
The all potential and talent lineup.
Vick, Svi, Selden, Bragg, Diallo ?
No dig on Perry, I just think he is about at his ceiling. I do love Mason and Devonte and think they are or will be great college players, but will they be future NBA players?
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Last night, OU DRILLED top 10 ranked Villanova. Tonight, WVU is currently manhandling Top 10 ranked UVA. I think our 12th consecutive conference championship will be special, because we’re going to beat some really good teams.
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Ugh, UVA GOT OFF THE ROPES
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@jaybate-1.0 WVU curled up, and died the 2nd half. ouch!
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Foul trouble did them in. We should use our deep bench and foul them out early.
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poor shooting night from 2 of their starters Carter and Miles go something like 2 of 17 from the field. Virginia also shot a salty 62% from the field. But yeah that 2nd half collapse was something, Virginia did what KU will have to do, survive the first 5 rounds of havoc and then wear them down…
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I forgot to say how much I loved Lonnie putting it to the poster boy for jerks, Jay Wrong.
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@jaybate-1.0 Hubba, hubba. Nova fans are the most annoying in the world. I absolutely went to town on that blow out…
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You know, now that you mention it, I have never talked to a Nova fan. There are a lot of programs with bad fans, and mercifully some with good ones. I will be on alert for them, as I trust your judgement.
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I agree. WVU was in control in the first half and ran out of gas in the second. I am sure all the conference coaches will remember this.
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I doubt WVU will shoot that poorly against us, especially in Morgantown which they have won the last 2 meetings. Losing Staten was huge for having that go-to leader. Their guards really rebound just like last year so if our rebounding doesn’t start to improve that’s another area of concern when playing them. I remember them getting all their missed shots in their win last year against us.
They really are just a gimmick team, high reward, high risk situation that Huggins has created. Williams scares me especially if Diallo hasn’t ascended to starters minutes when we play them.
