Are we back now?
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I’m thinking we will be back on this thread soon with some good news!
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Tristan Enaruna was good news!
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The backcourt still needs one more guy, unless Agbaji is making a BIG TIME leap as a sophomore. We saw flashes of that potential, but we need that all season, not just a handful of games. Either that, or we will be leaning on Braun and McBride a lot more than most are going to be comfortable with next season.
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Sounds like Ochai’s shins played into his downward spiral.
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Crimsonorblue22 said:
Sounds like Ochai’s shins played into his downward spiral.
That and probably drinking his own kool-aid.
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Crimsonorblue22 said:
Sounds like Ochai’s shins played into his downward spiral.
God I hope so! He was horrid late after being so good early.
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@dylans if I remember right, he took that pad off?
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Hahhaheeee… I thought it might be time to bring back this thread.
Even without the next scholarship taken, I’m feeling pretty solid with this bunch.
It feels like we cut out all the “dead wood” and have a completely fresh group of guys who will bring their own energy, making this team something special. Something real special!
Add in the guys who were part of last year’s loss of the streak, and there will be a lot of determination and focus this year.
My only real question: Whose team will this be? Will we have one guy step up to “ride the bull?” Or will it be “leadership by the numbers?”
I know I hope Devon will lead it or be a huge part of that leadership.
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Not gonna lie, I really like the cut of this team’s jib
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Now it’s official… we’re back! Welcome Jalen!
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Are we all happy or not?
Yes, we missed on several OAD targets. But we landed a core of quality players that should stick around for a while. And let’s hope the drama is gone.
I’m excited to see these guys develop!
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Honestly it’s a better team than we had last year. Dotson > Dotson. Moss > Grimes. Ochai > Vick. Silvio < Dedric. Doke = Doke. And the bench is better. Garrett should be better since he won’t have to do as much. McCormack is a beast for a 3rd big. Wilson lets us play small. And I like McBride a lot more than Chuck.
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I think the 2020-21 squad will look really good. I just don’t know how the 2019-20 group will look. We will be hoping for breakouts from several guys, or guys playing above their history or pedigree to be an Elite Eight/Final Four type of team. But I think this is a Sweet Sixteen type team that could run to the Elite Eight with the right matchups. KU should win the conference (possibly by a comfortable margin). So in that respect we are back, but this is not a national championship or bust type of team, and probably won’t be a one seed.
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Update: we back folks, FF or bust as per usual
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@BShark i like it that he has a quick release on hos shots. He seems to be able to pop a 3 off dribble quite easily.
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@justanotherfan It will be interesting to see which squad is better but my money is heavily on the 2019-20 squad being better. If our line up is Dotson, Moss, Ochai, SDS and Doke, there is a chance we lose all 5 starters to graduation and the NBA draft. Then we could lose Mitch too, if he dont redshirt. I’d bet at least 4 of the 6 mentioned are gone and replacing that many starters and improving seems unlikely.
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Just consider Big Mac. Think of how he started last year and how he ended last year. The gains were huge, and he should even start this year better than he left it last year because of all the banging with Doke and Silvio between now and the season.
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kjayhawks said:
@justanotherfan It will be interesting to see which squad is better but my money is heavily on the 2019-20 squad being better. If our line up is Dotson, Moss, Ochai, SDS and Doke, there is a chance we lose all 5 starters to graduation and the NBA draft. Then we could lose Mitch too, if he dont redshirt. I’d bet at least 4 of the 6 mentioned are gone and replacing that many starters and improving seems unlikely.
Part of why I think the 2020-21 group will be better is that of the group you listed above, only Dotson and Ochai are likely to be true difference makers.
Doke is very good, but we know his strengths and flaws at this point. He’s going to average 13 and 7 if he stays healthy, but he’s not a 20 and 10 or 20 and 12 guy.
Moss, same thing. He’s a good player, but we know what we are going to get - likely 10-14 points per game, with some good three point shooting. He’s not going to show up and average 17 for us all of a sudden.
SDS is a bit of an unknown, but I don’t think he will morph into some sort of superstar. I think he will be a more refined energy player. I see him averaging something like 8 and 8.
Dotson could take a big leap if his shooting is progressing. Otherwise, I would imagine he’s more efficient than last year, but not necessarily a bigger threat without adding some shooting.
Ochai, somewhat similar. He flashed some big time potential, but wasn’t consistent throughout the season with that. He should be a very solid starter, but I don’t know if he’s All American (or even All Conference first team) level.
The 2020-21 group should have more shooting, which is an area that next year’s team is at least thin in, potentially lacking outside of Moss. While Doke is a great player, you almost have to play him with additional rebounders/rim protectors because he’s not as good at those things as his size suggests he should be. That tends to clog the floor. The 2021 team should be able to space the floor better and get even more efficient offensively, whether Dotson returns or not.
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@justanotherfan if Silvio and Och are back the 20-21 squad will be so damn good.
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Expect Wilson and Enaruna to make pretty big SO jumps as well. Both can be special players on both ends.
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BShark said:
Expect Wilson and Enaruna to make pretty big SO jumps as well. Both can be special players on both ends.
Question @BShark you don’t seem all that interested in Braun. What is it that you don’t like about him? I, personally, see a bigtime prospect. Granted, will he star this year? Probably not. But by his junior year I see a very versatile, positionless player who’ll be able to score from anywhere (underrated as an athlete).
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@Marco I think Braun can get about 10 minutes a game next year. Do think he will be pretty good as a JR/SR.
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@BShark was just checking, man. Braun seems to be the forgotten step-child for alot of people, I differ. The guy is 6’8, has a handle and can dish, can light it up from the outside and go inside when needed, and is pretty damn athletic. He seems to have a mean streak too.
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@Marco He’s definitely got a toughness and attitude to him. I do love that about him.
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BShark said:
@Marco I think Braun can get about 10 minutes a game next year. Do think he will be pretty good as a JR/SR.
You think Braun can crack the top 8 in the rotation?
Self has historically gone with an 8 man rotation. Last season and '14-15 are the only two recent years Self has gone deeper and those were by far his youngest teams.
I don’t see Braun cracking the rotation and I can even see Jalen Wilson not cracking the rotation when Self tightens it up for B12 play.
Dotson, Moss, Garrett, and Agbaji will all see good minutes in the back court. Doke, Silvio, and McCormack will see good minutes in the front court. Tge question becomes who gets that 8th spot in the rotation, the freshman Wilson or the senior Lightfoot?
I think we all know that answer based on what Self has shown that he values in the past and that’s experience.
Christian Braun is probably 11th or 12th in the rotation and that spot doesn’t get big minutes once Self trims the rotation.
This isn’t me saying Braun can’t play, but we also have to look at who’s ahead of him in the rotation and all signs right now point to Braun being the 11th or 12th man in the rotation and that equals minimal minutes this season for him.
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The key really is that these players show plenty of improvement during the year. They need to get some spot minutes for that to happen. Self is going to value these guys and will want them to stay Jayhawks. He has to make some minutes available as long as they can show they belong out there.
I think Lightfoot will see plenty of court, though it seems wise to redshirt him, even this late in his career. He’s a true KU guy and he’d be happy to do it. But oh wow will he be needed after this coming year when our post players leave.
Yes, Self values experience. Even higher on the list is defense and Lightfoot is one of our best rim protectors (if not the best).
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Texas Hawk 10 said:
BShark said:
@Marco I think Braun can get about 10 minutes a game next year. Do think he will be pretty good as a JR/SR.
You think Braun can crack the top 8 in the rotation?
Self has historically gone with an 8 man rotation. Last season and '14-15 are the only two recent years Self has gone deeper and those were by far his youngest teams.
I don’t see Braun cracking the rotation and I can even see Jalen Wilson not cracking the rotation when Self tightens it up for B12 play.
Dotson, Moss, Garrett, and Agbaji will all see good minutes in the back court. Doke, Silvio, and McCormack will see good minutes in the front court. Tge question becomes who gets that 8th spot in the rotation, the freshman Wilson or the senior Lightfoot?
I think we all know that answer based on what Self has shown that he values in the past and that’s experience.
Christian Braun is probably 11th or 12th in the rotation and that spot doesn’t get big minutes once Self trims the rotation.
This isn’t me saying Braun can’t play, but we also have to look at who’s ahead of him in the rotation and all signs right now point to Braun being the 11th or 12th man in the rotation and that equals minimal minutes this season for him.
I was saying as a Sophomore or possibly Redshirt Freshman.
I think he redshirts or only gets walk-on minutes this year. I’m already in the mindset of thinking the upcoming season is the “current” season. Sorry for the confusion.
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No OAD, No Drama - I am a happy camper.
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If there’s an injury, Braun could get time. Otherwise, there’s just no room at the inn this upcoming year. Unless Moss does a Charlie Moore impression, or Garrett gets hurt again. I have to admit I am fascinated with a back court in the future with 2 6’8" guys that can both shoot the 3 ( JW/Braun).
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@AsadZ I guess Moss doesn’t count since he’s a grad transfer? Multi-year players are the ones that make the biggest difference IMHO. It takes years of playing in the system (and preferably together) to unlock the full potential of the offense.
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dylans said:
@AsadZ I guess Moss doesn’t count since he’s a grad transfer? Multi-year players are the ones that make the biggest difference IMHO. It takes years of playing in the system (and preferably together) to unlock the full potential of the offense.
Just look at the synergy Svi and Devonte had.
I think Moss is a good one year fit for the team. 23 yo OAD > 18 yo OADm
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Crazy depth this year, and thanks to this year’s recruiting class for the foreseeable future. I mean, here we are talking about redshirting - valid points all - either Mitch or Braun and both of those guys can play! It is a good problem to have, folks. I am very excited about this team. I wonder if coach is thinking about a two platoon system?
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@BShark I agree. OADs are a stop gap or a minor boost. They shouldn’t be the whole show.
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BShark said:
dylans said:
@AsadZ I guess Moss doesn’t count since he’s a grad transfer? Multi-year players are the ones that make the biggest difference IMHO. It takes years of playing in the system (and preferably together) to unlock the full potential of the offense.
Just look at the synergy Svi and Devonte had.
I think Moss is a good one year fit for the team. 23 yo OAD > 18 yo OADm
But the bigger differences in favor of the senior grad transfer are the lack of entitlement and the lack of harboring a player that feels he’s doing KU a favor — the grad transfer needs KU and thus the buy-in is there.
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Man, I’m telling you, I think we’ve got a great chance at a NC. All of the misses aside, I wouldn’t trade this recruiting class for a Hurt or a JRE or even both. And I haven’t smoked anything today, Lol…
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@HighEliteMajor That’s what I was getting at with the age aspect. Older and wiser. I know there was a big difference for me between 18 and 23.
