When I read about this and they said fund raising wasn’t going to be enough. I wondered how many alumni are or have played professional ball? How many ex players became coaches at different levels?
Why not ask some of those guys for some backing?
Unless they knew Hurley was going to retire soon and knew finding a replacement would be almost impossible.
But it’s always sad to see any school close their doors.
This was an incredible story.
After dealing with lots of teenagers and listening to them and working with kids who lost a friend or family member to suicide. All I can say is there are no answers.
There’s no right or wrong. You can do everything in your power and it’s still not enough.
It hurts.
Does anyone know the number of Division 1 teams that are located within the Eastern time zone?
There are 347 Division 1 basketball teams. It does seem there are more D1 teams in the Eastern time zone than the other three time zones (putting Alaska and Hawaii in the Pacific time zone for sense of ease) together.
Just wondering on a keyboard what the odds are on Eastern time zone teams winning it all compared to the percentage of teams located in said time zone compared to the number of schools located outside of the Eastern time zone.
My late afternoon two cents on this, is to me this year it seemed the further you moved West the softer the team was.
You always here coaches say they want that “Philly tough” or “New York Tough” kid on their team.
After watching UCLA a few times this year, Ball didn’t like contact, he avoided it at all cost. Oregon may have been the toughest team in the Pac12 this year and it wasn’t Dorsey or Brooks that made them that way. Bell was their toughest piece until he went against Meeks who had a career night against him.
Who was KUs toughest player the past two years? The kid from Virginia Frank Mason. Speaking of of Virginia, West Vitginia plays a tough game inside the paint. Fouls or not they are a physical team. Maybe Tony Bennet should incorporate some of that to his Virginia team.
Duke didn’t have the toughness this year. Kentucky had Bam. South Carolina had a few guys taking a que from their coach. Gonzaga had the bearded giant and Williams-Goss who were both very tough physical guys.
Maye, Meeks, and Berry were all tough guys and played very physical ball. The toughness of the title game really affected Just Jacksons game.
So be it population, playgrounds or whatever on the east coast that toughness goes a long way.
Again that’s just me adding my two cents and not saying anyone is right or wrong in their beliefs.
I was worried after the 2008 National Title what Self would be able to do by replacing so many parts to the wheel gone. All he did was get a few late recruits and use the “next man up” philosophy and kept winning and recruiting for seasons to come. Self has a way to fit players in roles that work for them. This year Josh at the 4 instead of the three. A stretch 4 but it not only helped Josh but opened things up for everyone on the floor. So it should be fun to see the difference between what the team looks like from November to January.
@JayHawkFanToo shouldn’t his first goal be to get them out of the cellar of the SEC?
Maybe working his way up to competing for a conference title?
Will be a cold day in He!! When MU wins a National title.
@HighEliteMajor I always took issues with Refs who anticipated a call and blew their whistles early thinking there was going to be a foul. Cause once that whistle blows it’s not like football and they can wave it off. The other thing that got to me were officials that were overly dramatic when making a call.
Those things may or may not have cost me a few warnings.
@JayHawkFanToo You are a lucky man to have family. Wouldn’t trade family for anything in the world. I miss my wife every day. Never had kids of my own, just the kids who played for me. It’s missing them come back to town and seeing how they’ve grown up. But the internet helps a little with that.
But Minot uh. And I thought I was in he middle of nowhere. Lol.
@jayballer54 where will KU be ranked st the end of this season?
Ended the regular season as #1. Will we be 4th? 5th? 6th? Can’t see us going too much lower than that.
@JayHawkFanToo Got enough firewood to last. Collected a lot with this cabin but there are plenty of trees around.
There’s a sign in the Postoffice that reads, “Welcome to God’s country. Because if your car breaks down only God can fix it.”
It’s pretty true
When I split the land and built the road decided that the two cabins would be within a half mile. That way if all else fails we could snowshoe and play cards and see somebody.
I enjoy being up here. Last winter which was my first had a few questionable weeks but this year it was all good.
@JayHawkFanToo Sometimes we need to get away from analytics and just use the good ole eye test. There are far more officials that don’t seem to make as many controversial calls as he does. Usually when an official blows his whistle he can only make half the crowd happy. He seems to upset 100% of the crowd when he blows his.
Not sure why
Kentucky fans didn’t know what to expect with Higgins calling their game. Believe he handed out more technicals last season than any other official in D1.
How the NCAA has allowed Mr. Higgins to be an official in the Final 4?
I condone their threats of his life or any harm to his family. But when they call him out for making horrible calls, they aren’t wrong.
@dylans Well yeah you can get lost on the wrong road. Usually there’s somebody there to let you know though. There’s a few trails that go back and forth across the boarder. But there is a border crossing there with border patrol.
I will have been here two years in June. Wasn’t planned, just kinda fell on my lap. Lost my wife 23 years ago and lost contact with her parents shortly after. Well when her dad passed, he left everything to me as she was an only child and he had lost his wife a few years after his daughter. There were 200 acres in Montana included. So when I found out and I visited I decided to retire and move. Sold half to an old coaching friend and he lives across the road basically.
This summer the cabin should be finished. Built a aluminum barn first and built living quarters in it for the time being.
Thanks to having a satalite I can get tv and internet. There is no cell service for about 40 miles south. There are days turning into weeks you just stay inside. Too much snow or too cold.
But I have a snow machine, 4 wheeler, and my truck. Most of the people that live near by are good with checking on us older types. Lol. There’s also a group of guys that will come around everynow and say hi, but you never go say hi to them. They don’t like trespassers much. You can probably put two and two together there. Lol
Not sure how many more winters I’ll spend up here, but a few more at least. Then might travel south or travel elsewhere for a few months and enjoy this Graceland from May to October.
No plans yet.
I’m learning a lot about recruits and having a good time looking them up.
Thanks for all those with insight on all of this.
Can’t wait to see how it all unfolds for next season.
@Blown You are right. Kansas was the last team west of the Mississippi in 2008. While Arizona in 1997 was the last team west if the Rockies to win it all.
@wissox Great so you were the reason they sold that 1 season ticket last season.
Just south of the Canadian border about 4-5 miles as the crow flies. Whitlash MT. Only way to get here is on dirt roads. Lothair is the closet town to me.
Retired up here. It’s not for everybody but I completely enjoy it. Spent 17 years in Wyoming before that.
Enjoy the fishing, hunting and just watching the wildlife.
@wissox yikes. Thanks for that. Fat thumbs and new phone.
Sorry
Frank earns Unanimous First Team All-American honor and is only Unanimous pick this year.
First KU player since TRob in 2012 to be first team.
Players were voted on by the same AP writers who vote for the weekly top 25.
Hart of Nova
Ball of UCLA
Swanigan of Purdue
Jackson if UNC
Josh Jackson was third team.
@jayballer54 Have often thought this season that Frank would fit very well in Pops system. He’s a smart player. A team player and plays hard. All things Pops likes from his players.
Nice share @Statmachine
The one thing that’s been a constant at Kansas is the recruiting. Roy always had solid classes, Self seems like he finds one or two guys late that make impacts for his teams.
Next year should be another solid team if those who are to return do as the article points out.
@globaljaybird I didn’t mean to step on toes or throw stones or upset the apple cart. As I have stated what I was doing, why I was doing it and I decided to comment on it due to the fact of the age of it. I’m not sure why you feel the need to threaten (even in a very hidden manner) my intentions or throw flags like a football ref. Perhaps I didn’t come to the right place as a KU fan? If I can’t write or express something if my own will without the hetoric of others come crashing down like a ton of bricks because it doesn’t sit well with them. I replied to you because of the comment you made about it all Being fishy or something and searching IP addresses. No you didn’t use my name, and geesh I’m truest sorry I used yours. Wasn’t my intent to rile you up and stir the pot.
Again to anyone else I offended or up set I am sorry and new and that was not my intention.
Moving on
@approxinfinity Mmmm didnt even think of it that way. Thanks for pointingg that out.
@cragarhawk Whitlash, MT hence the name here. Not much around. Not much to do but stay warm in the winter and enjoy the outdoors once we thaw out.
@Crimsonorblue22 I’d hope not.
I’ve got the chance to meet a lot of coaches in the 15 years I coached HS ball. I got to meet Coach Self at a coaching clinic in 2006. Was brief but he is a great person. He shook hands with people and talked with us lonely HS coaches just to see how we were doing. Listening to him talk Xs and Os was an amazing experience.
@globaljaybird This is what I googled and this was the 5th headline so I read it. To reply I signed up today.
I don’t know anyone here.
Wasn’t trying to start an argument, was just wondering why someone would write this three years ago and have this year in the post.
Then I read more and more and am enjoying things here.
If for some reason this doesn’t set well with you I can delete my account an Hi on enjoying my retired life and prepare for flyfishing right out side my house.
The retired life is good.
Sorry I tried to add this to this post originally and it didn’t work then I added it to the wrong post and don’t know how to delete it now. Butbhere it is. Sorry. All
@Fightsongwriter There are actually people out there that have not only said this but tweeted it talked about it on radio and on other sites.
Me, no I wouldn’t fire a coach like Self unless there were internal issues such as NCAA infractions.
Did the writer of this thread three years ago is not suggesting Slef be fired either for what I can understand. He is asking if Self leaves, be it on his own or by someone else’s hand.
Self runs one of the most respected programs among HS coaches in the country. The coaches can help a kid decide what’s right for them and where to go and I know that parents push kids in other directions for their own sake.
I have no issues with self being at KU.
@Texas-Hawk-10 I understand that point of view and wanting to know.
Sat in a coaching clinic in very early 1990s and listened to football coach Tom osborn talk about his issues in bowl games and against Oklahoma. And how fans were always on him and wanted him fired or to change what he was doing the weeks leading up to those big games. How he’d go home and try and to think of ways to make those changes. From personell, to different coaches to going to a different school to coach. It weighed on him. He then decided that if he stood his ground good things would happen.
Wishing a few years he played for 4 national titles in 5 years and won three. Now he is known as one of the greatest college football coaches.
Not saying Coach Self can’t change things but what in your opinion does he need to change from Sweet 16 to Elite 8 in 48 hours?
Maybe his scouting of the other team? Manning. Dooley and a few others have left and they did scouting. They moved on so maybe that’s not it?
Maybe his philosophy? There are so many coaches in college basketball that the goal each season is to make the final 4. Not to win it all. They just want that chance in the Final 4. So the pressure starts on day 1 for some of these teams to reach that milestone of the Final 4.
There are an infinite number of reasons why something doesn’t work or doesn’t happen. Sometimes in life and in sports we just need to accept we can’t fix it or figure it out and just keep pushing forward.
Having coffee with an old coaching friend (vicious rival at one time) we got to talking about Self and how there were some on twitter saying he should be fired. (Hence how I found this place by googling just “fire bill self”).
It got brought up if KU were to fire Self. How many openings wouldnthere be right away as ADs all over the country would want to hire him? Would it make the coaching carousel spin out of control?
@nuleafjhawk Good to know. Gotta have something to fill my time during retirement now that basketball is over and I don’t get to scout any more.
@nuleafjhawk This place seems pretty alright. Got some good reading in today. Some laughs and a few head shakes.
What a day 1
@nuleafjhawk Yet how many people called you out on it?
@Texas-Hawk-10 So the defensive intesity the improved in the second have just happened! That wasn’t an adjustment made by the coaches?
I feel like you are asking to hear a story about Bill Self in the under 12 timeout telling jokes are pointing out a celebrity in the crowd ala Joe Montana in smthe suoer bowl pointing out John Candy innthebhuddle before the 49ers went on a game winning drive?
Different people handle pressure differently. Maybe Frank put so much pressure on himself to carry the entire team it affected him? How does Coach Self stop that? Bench him?
As a coach you can prepare prepare and teach and talk about it. But once the flame of the game is lit. Things change.
@Eric-san As a retired coach in public I would take the blame for 90% of our losses. Never once did I blame a player or team for the loss. The other 10% were bad nights, bad breaks.
To me what happened Saturday was just that a bad night. Especially after the past three games came soneasily. Once you hit that bump in the road it just adds added pressure to the situation.
Last year KU won by around 18 points a game before losing to Nova. This year they were winning by around 30.
So when everything is falling and the ball bounces your way wow the feeling of ease makes the game easy.
When the shots aren’t falling or the ball bounces out of your hands into the opponents you seem to push the issue a little more adding pressure.
http://es.pn/2n94ST1 Cal getting it from National media for not winning it all enough.
@BeddieKU23 No I didn’t think he’d stay for his entirety but was just wondering.
Never know though. Maybe he loves the experience of campus life?
Oh who am I kidding.
@chriz would agree with that
@BeddieKU23 How many games didnhe play in this year? Can’t be that many.
The reason I ask is say he does become a project and he stays for all 4 years could he get an extra year due to a medical hardship like Gonzagas Karnowski did afternolaying just 6 games last season???
Not say Dome will be a guy who is here that long but just a question.
@chriz wasn’t comparing the two teams but more of the fan bases.
Do you think their fans had lots to say as to why he wasn’t getting past the Sweet 16?
We’re the blaming it on lack of talent? Need to recruit better?
Kinda seeing that here from a few folks.
@jaybate-1.0 Agree. At any level he good do great things.
I saw thisbthe other day and I met Geno mid 90s he’s an amazing guy and what he is saying here is so so true.
https://mobile.twitter.com/justinebward/status/845374613634928641
@mayjay of course, since Bill already tried that last year by getting rid of Brannen Greene, and it didn’t work!
That’s funny. Well played.
Those two kids became pretty dynamic the next two years as teammates. They pushed each other to be better in the summer and just fed off of each other’s energy.
#14’s dad asked me what I said to him after his freshman season to make him work even harder. This kid was talented as a pg. handles for days. Court vision and a good shoot. Natural leader. I told his dad it wasn’t me. Wish I could take credit but it was his competition onnthe team. Unfortunately after his junior year he tore his Achilles heel and ACL in a bad wreck and was never able to play any more. His leg was orettt screwed up.
@jaybate-1.0 said:
Frank is the Ernie Banks of KU Basketball and if you know of Ernie you know that is the highest praise!!!
Yes. Yes it is.
You could see how bad Frank wanted it the other night. How often in all the games he played at KU did you see him get after another player verbally on the court? He did it with Svi, he did it with Josh too against Oregon, perhaps a few other teammates got it too that the camera didn’t catch.
The other thing I love about Frank was win or lose, great game for him or whatever. He always gave credit to his teammates and coaches. He never set blame to anyone. In a loss he gave credit to the other team and coaches.
He was modest beyond belief. And a true leader. I hope someday he’s on a sideline coaching young boys into becoming young men the right way.
@mayjay I posted this in the thread that brought me to this site earlier this morning.
“Complaining about a problem without a solution is whining” President T. Roosevelt
I had this quote in my classroom and locker rooms through my time.
I had a junior player come up to me in my 3rd as a coach and ask me why a freshman was getting more time at practice with the 1s. At first I tried to tell him that this other kid was a better player without saying that to him. Then I remember this quot, and I asked him if he knew why and what he could do to change that? I asked him to come up with a solution by the next day and let me know and we’d talk about it.
He wrote out a list of five solutions.
That kid became an assistant for me 6 years later and replaced me as head coach after I retired. It was that note that made me want to work with this kid. He didn’t whine. He didn’t quit or make excuses. He tried. He learned and now he’s winning not just at basketball but teaching and life.
@Texas-Hawk-10 Could be the players want to be the ones who get coach over that hump and out the pressure on themselves?
They get tight. They get “puckered” (which seems to be the word of choice around here). They try to hard to get coach the next Final 4.
Look at how they have played this past season. Once Number 13 was wrapped up it seemed the guys were a little more relaxed. You hear them and coach talk about how non of them want to be the team that snaps the streak of conference titles and they put that pressure on themselves.
Maybe the same can be said about the players wanting it so bad for coach in the Elite 8 that they put the pressure on themselves.
And once shots stop falling you tense up a little more to try to get the next one in and so on.
@jaybate-1.0 The lack of bench was disheartening to me. It seemed like it was 7 guys to play, one injured guy post surgery, another guy healing and getting into game shape and then the other half of the bench was walk ons that are there for practice.
As a former coach it is just important to have guys not only that can run the scout team but mimic the ability to a point of the opposing team as well. KU didn’t have that unless perhaps past players were coming in to practice against the starting 5.
I don’t see college basketball staying with a true 5 anymore. But going to tall and athletic, such as Oregon, Louisville and UNC for a few. Versitle players playing multiple positions. Almost like what Josh Jackson could do. Ball handler, driver, post up, shooter.
Heart can go along way, look at Frank Mason. His heart made him a great player. He wasn’t the most athletic guy on the court, he wasn’t the purest of shooters. But there were times he was the best player on the court for either team playing. Why was that? Heart. Hard work. Determination. Bescuase he had heart.
@nuleafjhawk as a former student and teacher I do ha e say that unless it’s a long term sub that the subs still follow the lesson plan of the teacher.
They don’t go in and change the whole course of study in one or two days.
Also the students usually try and show up said substitute teacher by breaking normal classroom rules or being a rebel. Driving the substitute to yell, cry or drink in frustration.
@jaybate-1.0 Isn’t that the same as Gonzagas roster? Mid major recruits. One 6 star recruit in a 7ft freshman.
What does South Carolina have in regards to 5 star recruits?
Does Oregon have guys that came out of HS as 5 stars?
Ok ok UNC has some 5 stars on their team.
Does anyone know (or care) what Gonzaga fans blamed Mark Few’s curse of the Sweet 16 on?
He had only reached the Elite 8 once before this year with 6 apparences in the Sweet 16.
This is in 17 total apparences before this year.
@mayjay Kentucky with Fox and Bambam and possibly UCLA with that on guys son (refuse to say that name, a disgrace to the game) and Leaf. I I know they call Leaf a stretch 4 but he’s a tall kid. Won’t play in the post in the league much. Duke with Bolden and stretching to Jackson at guard.
Those are the ones off the top of my head. Don’t think Zona had any, nor Louisiville.
@mayjay There are no one and dones in this years Final Four.
Not unless the freshman Collins the 7footer from Gonzaga (a role player) takes the leap.
So I googled “fire Bill Self” cause apparently that’s a thing now.
This was the 5th one down to click. I wonder how @JRyman new this year would spark this debate three years ago.
Then again @JRyman hasn’t posted for over a year after some looking into it so maybe he fell off the cheering stage for KU? Is it cause they still have Bill Self as coach?
Sure Coach Self has had it rough since 2012. But these loses aren’t as bad as those first round loses to the Bucknells and Bradleys. He survived those set backs in sore he will from the Oregon loss as well.
But why did the writer use this year as a time Self might leave or be fired?? Was it because they saw when son Tyler was graduating? Did they see the weakened in recruiting and lack of depth? Why this year and not last or next years?
I don’t think Self leaves. Where is he going?
But could you imagine the spin cycle the coaching carousel would take if Coach self was fired from KU? How many other coaches would be fired just so they could get their hands on Self for their head coach?
Remember what President Roosevelt reportedly said “Complaining about a problem without a solution is whining.”
Yes I am a new member as I wanted to comment on something I saw online last night.
Now to read other commentary on the rest of this board.