Figured a thread on this possibility was worth starting as we hit the mid-point of the season.

Melvin Council imo has been my favorite transfer in the wild-west portal/NIL craze era. His leadership and charisma on the court, his exciting style of play and non-stop effort is everything we want to see in a Jayhawk player. His road to KU is a tale of rags to riches in a way. Even playing at Kansas this year was only possible by the Diego Pavia lawsuit in Football regarding Juco eligibility. Maybe all of us fans owe him some homage for making it possible for others to benefit like Council has.

Anyway, technically Council's eligibility was over last year but he got the 1-year waiver granted from the NCAA. February 10th is an important date to follow as the same judge that granted Pavia and others the 1-year waiver will hear new arguments from others that joined the Pavia lawsuit on their challenges to the JUCO eligibility rules. Council is currently not a plaintiff in this case I don't believe. He may not want to return to College another year although he'd likely make far more in NIL then a professional career next year. If the plaintiffs win their case, it doesn't give Council another year automatically as that exemption would have to come from the NCAA like it did for this year. There's precedent for it happening but it's wait and see.

As a big fan, I hope he gets another year, wants another year and stays at KU. Wouldn't that be grand for next year's plans?

Took a few days off since last Saturday really put me in a certain mood and needed to unwind from that without saying stuff in the moment.

Glad they pulled out the Win Tuesday.

I went to bed when they were down 15 midway 2nd half, partly for my sanity purposes at that point staring down the reality of being 0-2 in conference play for the first time in 30+ years. The other half is my work schedule makes it difficult to stay up to 11+ during the week. Given the OT and how the game went to the bitter end I can't imagine I would have slept much which would have made it worse.

Is this Karma for the Houston debacle last year or shades of the West Virginia game in 17. Those two certainly come to mind watching the last 15 minutes of this game. Very improbable win. I'd like to believe this will fuel. Some thoughts so far.

• Peterson played a season high 32 minutes and looked noticeably more athletic than we've seen. While he's still clearly managing the issue, he did look good. I hope he can get to 100% but we'll only know when we really see that extra gear/speed/athletic ability that is there.

• On Offense, it certainly feels like this team is starting over with DP in the lineup. Flory and Council have struggled so far to make an impact with him. DP needs to do a better job figuring out how to make plays for them too (only 2 assists in 2 games).

• What has happened to the defense? Either UCF/TCU have really scouted us well with the switching D or something needs to change. Knowing Self he'll buckle down further with the switching. So far in conference play we are making it very easy for teams to T up from 3 and the rebounding efforts have been very poor. Part of the rebounding issues are caused by the switching D.

• Self literally needs to light a fire under the bench right now. In 107 minutes here is the combined stat line of the bench so far: 12 pts, 6 rbs, 6 asts, 6 steals (5 from 1 player in 1 game) from 5 guys. This is where the main issue with this team lies currently. I don't know if it's become a coaching issue, but it's been very inconsistent all year and so far in conference play, well below average. The lack of production from the bench makes it so all 5 starters have no room for error. Maybe Peterson can go for 25+ every night and give us a chance but it's crazy how unproductive our bench is.

• I really hope this win was a wakeup call for the team on the type of effort and execution needed to win in conference play. I expected better and we've seen discouraging things in both games. Self needs to figure this out, it starts with him having them prepared.

Im happy, how bout y'all??

@rcjhdraft said in K State Give Me a Break … Game Chat 7 PM CT:

12 dimes and 1 turnover from Melvin. Fucking ridiculous. No reason this guy can't get a cup of coffee in the nba

Hopefully he can get another year here then make a living in the NBA. So underrated and has traits made for the league

Seeing the joy this team is playing with so far really makes you look back at the last two years and ask what the heck happened in that locker room. So far this group seems to enjoy playing with each other and that's a good thing as we get into the meat of the season where that chemistry and comradery will matter most.

There have been sustained coaching issues since 22.

Recruiting, Roster Building, Development, identity/scheme weaknesses on both sides. The first two might be trending for the better going forward but they are a part of the cog of issues.

I've certainly been humbled the past few years. This year looks like we'll be humbled even further fighting just to make the tournament if the level of play doesn't take a 180 real quick.

Merry Christmas bucket fam

@wissox83

Nice stat drop on the 3pt defense. Some of it is pure luck but I do think the switching defense and the length/athleticism of the team has created fewer good shots for opponents from 3. I see improvements when contesting shots, close outs. This is a good defensive team when they play together.

Upcoming games against NC State & Davidson will test this 3pt defense as both are shooting near 40% as a team. NC St has 4 guys with more made 3's then anyone on KU (35% of their offense this season from 3). 4 guys are individually shooting over 47% from 3 so they look like they will be a difficult assignment on the road next weekend.

The last two games have been interesting to watch with Peterson back and everyone adjusting to him. In the Mizzou game it was Tre White who had the standout game. Saturday it was Council. Flory and perhaps Tiller are also capable of these kinds of games so that's encouraging to see guys can step up and take over when needed even with the "star" back. We may be seeing actual benefit to Peterson being injured. It's good to know that this team isn't just a 1 trick pony.

No Peterson tonight. Won't be the last time someone writes that this season

@drgnslayr

Oh I agree about Hunter, he was the catalyst to our internal issues. I'm not sure he was the only one from last years squad though. There were several that also contributed to it. Im glad this bunch is looking like vintage Self teams from a chemistry and team aspect.

Tiller and Flory staying out of foul trouble has been huge.

@rcjhdraft

Imagine if they brought that effort on the road. That was their A game which typically you only see a handful of times in a season but it couldn't have come at a more opportune moment given how conference play has started.

Last week was rightfully so, a get right week for this team. Couldn't have asked for much better performances against Iowa St & Baylor at home. Both of these games were good for the souls of all that follow this program closely.

A few noticeable changes occurred for the team. Some good changes made by Self that delivered.

• Shortened Rotation to 7. Elmarko and Mari the main subs. Dawson was next (sparingly). Rosario has lost his spot in the rotation. After last week, that ultimately looks like the right decision.

• KU's switching defense saw some tweaks. Guards switching on guards only. Bigs switching on bigs with hard hedges and recovery only. Probably the most important change. Defense fueled offense and we didn't see nearly the amount of mistakes made.

• Improved defensive rebounding & forcing turnovers. Just +1 on the boards but effort was noticeable from the team. Defensive activity improved in forcing turnovers (+10 last week) that led to more transition buckets.

Unfortunately, this team cannot rest on its accomplishments and now has what should be a manageable week on the road. If last week was to be trusted, we should hopefully expect a 2-0 week. That would really jump start this team getting back into the conference race. Colorado & K-ST are a combined 2-8 in conference play as of today. If this team has turned the corner, we just have to find a way to win both games this week.

I actually think this is an important week for the coaches to find some change(s) to improve the efforts on the road. Perhaps the changes made last week will continue to see net positive results but I'm talking more about having the team juiced to compete, the energy and aggressiveness without the home crowd. How do they help this team feel comfortable in the uncomfortable.

Big week ahead

DP rolled his ankle and Self says he won't be 100% for a bit. Can't catch a break

@BShark

+2 spots to #17, O +5, D +2 after game. Missouri isn't good but it was a good game for metrics and such

@Jayhawk_69 said in Kansas Jayhawks vs Missouri Tigers Game Chat 12/7 12:00 CT:

Some day after thoughts

-Flory needs to get back to being efficient around the basket. Be strong and try to draw contact!

-Tiller is a KJ level shooter. Is KJ's strategy of just not attempting 3s, or Tillers strategy of chucking bricks when left open superior?

-Speaking of Tiller, by gum, he and Flory form a menacing front line. Both are shot-blockers who can guard the perimeter

-Maybe one day we will get to see a game where DP just plays with no strings attached. No minutes restrictions, no going to the locker room, no bugs, no sitting the whole second half, no constant cutbacks of the staff working on him on the bench. fwiw, I am not criticizing DP, just commenting on the situation.

-If we want to make noise in March, Tre White has to show up.

Agree on Flory, he's been un-flory like around the rim the past 4/5 games. Rushing shots at the rim that are not dunks.

Tiller can shoot, just in a funk. Similar to Hunter's funk last yr but hopefully he can snap out of it.

White is indispensable out there. Does so many things well that we need. His ability to just draw contact is impressive. When he's on we are not going to lose many games.

Tiller and Flory play better when they are together. I think Self has definitely figured that he gets his best lineup with the 2 bigs on both ends. The only thing missing is that 3rd big they could use as insurance. Doesn't seem like Mbiya is good enough for that despite his massive size. White was supposed to be the 4 here however he has played so much better at the wing and matchup wise he's a difficult cover. If he's gonna shoot 40% from 3, he's going to make it difficult for teams to leave him open.

@approxinfinity

Certainly, took them not guarding him to heart and made them pay.

Council is so fun to watch