@jayballer67 gotta remember KJ was boxing out the opposing big men on every team so they wouldn’t get the rebound. Which is why you saw our trio of wings rebound so well. That overwhelming big man KJ was assigned to will have to box out Hunter to keep him from getting his 10 rebounds a game. Which will completely allow KJ to rebound at a much higher rate with his elite athleticism and IQ.

@Texas-Hawk-10 Maybe you’ll be right about that, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see. He finishes lobs and dunks with his head near or above the rim. Imagine he isn’t fighting and having to box out and body the opposing teams biggest player. His matchups will be way more favorable for him guarding and being guarded on the floor. His efficiency in every area should improve. With rebounding being the most notable area to see improvement.

@BShark haha I was sweating out those first few games while KJ was settling into his role. Rarely do I go out on a limb for someone so unproven. I usually leave that to people like you, who seem to have more reliable insider info. You’re definitely right about everyone thinking Zack or Ernest would get the nod at the 5. The 5 has been the biggest surprise this year no doubt.

@dylans What tape have you been watching. “Unathletic”? Perplexing how you came to that conclusion. I think we’ve all seen him play well above the rim in his highlights. Seems like he takes pride in making those kinds of momentum changing plays. Great elevation on his shot and a high release for the most part.

We act like a lot of these athletes couldn’t get an academic scholarship if sports wasn’t in the picture. College athletics is a full time job on top of the academics, and everyone is making piles of cash off them. Most never make NBA/NFL level pro, and they risk getting injured and never making it to the pros while making money for these colleges due to rules unjustly prohibiting them from going straight to the pros. If an athlete gets deceived into committing to a school that never intended on playing them to the level they were pitched and recruited, then they should be allowed to move on the greener pastures.

@TYOHawk KJ should have been playing the 4 spot last year, and could eventually evolve into a 3 and D role towards the end of his career here. We saw glimpses of his shooting ability last year. He was deadly 8 feet and in and showed range out to 15 feet. He will continue to develop those aspects of his game when other players finally develop enough to man the 5 spot consistently.

So disappointing to see Joel settle for jumpers at the end of that game. He should have backed Horford down and either finished over the top or get his free ones at the line. Would have slowed down that late flurry from Tatum. Too much over helping on defense early in the game leaving Brogdon wide open for easy 3 attempts. Gotta give him some credit for making them on the road. 76rs way too loose with the ball towards the end of the game. Joel lowering the ball too many times for the Celtics to strip him. Plenty of mental breakdowns to go around for the team as a whole. Maxey definitely continues to impress. Self had to love coaching him at I believe the team USA 18 under team before heading to Kentucky.

@BShark Maybe a bit overly optimistic with my projections, but he passes the eye test in my book.

@BShark I remember you saying this summer you’d be stunned if KJ averaged anywhere near my projections of 8-12 pts 5-7 rbs a game early on in the season. He’s ahead of schedule and will raise his average points total to 11-12 a game by the end of conference play. He always passed the eye test in my book. Starting to feel comfortable scoring in that 10-15 foot range which will open things up even more for cutters he’s been finding so easily. His passing out of pick and rolls and at the free throw line are a thing of beauty. He’s always looking for Gradey on those back cuts when his defender is sleeping. Even with his size disadvantage, he’s still able to seal his man 8ft from the basket to receive those beautiful lobs from Harris

So many excellent points made by many on here. How many times have we wished a player had developed into what we originally pegged their potential to be, but failed to live up to. Getting so hyped and caring so much about the eventually busts they become. Instead coach can go get the players he knows have developed those aspects of their game with big time college playing experience. Nothing like Kentucky bringing in overhyped freshmen with no college experience or college developed bodies and stamina. The plus I see is Kansas won’t have down years anymore. No more wondering and waiting for a window to have a great team. Each coming year will be National Champions or bust. How painful has it been going into a year knowing the team has a glaring weakness that inevitably will result in an early tourney ouster.

So disappointing to see Joel settle for jumpers at the end of that game. He should have backed Horford down and either finished over the top or get his free ones at the line. Would have slowed down that late flurry from Tatum. Too much over helping on defense early in the game leaving Brogdon wide open for easy 3 attempts. Gotta give him some credit for making them on the road. 76rs way too loose with the ball towards the end of the game. Joel lowering the ball too many times for the Celtics to strip him. Plenty of mental breakdowns to go around for the team as a whole. Maxey definitely continues to impress. Self had to love coaching him at I believe the team USA 18 under team before heading to Kentucky.

@FarmerJayhawk Count me in on that bet. What a poor assumption about basketball athletes. Plus most states offer half/partial scholarships if you have 3.0 or above. To assume 90% can’t average B’s is ludicrous. My high school and college team only had one player under 3.0. Neither was in the nicest part of town if you know what I mean.

We act like a lot of these athletes couldn’t get an academic scholarship if sports wasn’t in the picture. College athletics is a full time job on top of the academics, and everyone is making piles of cash off them. Most never make NBA/NFL level pro, and they risk getting injured and never making it to the pros while making money for these colleges due to rules unjustly prohibiting them from going straight to the pros. If an athlete gets deceived into committing to a school that never intended on playing them to the level they were pitched and recruited, then they should be allowed to move on the greener pastures.

@BigBad great points, not saying you’re wrong. It might take another couple years for someone like Udeh to develope the skills Hunter already has and has proven to be able to demonstrate against P5 “Big 10” competition. He is going to make the game so much easier for everyone on the court around him. 40% from 3 threat that can back his man down from the high post, and vision to find the open shooter/cutter. Someone like Timberlake 40%+ proven sharp shooter who doesn’t wilt or shy away from taking the big shots. Morris is probably the most explosive athletic guard Self has had including Dotson in years, with plenty of Big-12 experience. Probably would have averaged impressive #'s has he not been stuck behind all those returning stars on the perimeter for Texas. Guarding KU is going to be a match-up nightmare for opposing teams. Can’t say that about last year’s team or even the NC team.

So many excellent points made by many on here. How many times have we wished a player had developed into what we originally pegged their potential to be, but failed to live up to. Getting so hyped and caring so much about the eventually busts they become. Instead coach can go get the players he knows have developed those aspects of their game with big time college playing experience. Nothing like Kentucky bringing in overhyped freshmen with no college experience or college developed bodies and stamina. The plus I see is Kansas won’t have down years anymore. No more wondering and waiting for a window to have a great team. Each coming year will be National Champions or bust. How painful has it been going into a year knowing the team has a glaring weakness that inevitably will result in an early tourney ouster.

@Texas-Hawk-10 Maybe you’ll be right about that, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see. He finishes lobs and dunks with his head near or above the rim. Imagine he isn’t fighting and having to box out and body the opposing teams biggest player. His matchups will be way more favorable for him guarding and being guarded on the floor. His efficiency in every area should improve. With rebounding being the most notable area to see improvement.

@jayballer67 gotta remember KJ was boxing out the opposing big men on every team so they wouldn’t get the rebound. Which is why you saw our trio of wings rebound so well. That overwhelming big man KJ was assigned to will have to box out Hunter to keep him from getting his 10 rebounds a game. Which will completely allow KJ to rebound at a much higher rate with his elite athleticism and IQ.

@TYOHawk I pretty much nailed KJ’s stats and progression prior to the start of this past season. @BShark seriously doubted my projections, even though he’s right way more consistently than I am. Like I said a year ago, he passes the eye test. He has the athleticism, drive, and developing skill to accomplish all of the above. It doesn’t hurt that Coach Self can see the same, and has said as much. I’ve been wrong about a bunch of guys in the past, but proud I’ve gotten this one right so far. I agree with you though, I’m overly optimistic with this specific Jayhawk.

@TYOHawk KJ should have been playing the 4 spot last year, and could eventually evolve into a 3 and D role towards the end of his career here. We saw glimpses of his shooting ability last year. He was deadly 8 feet and in and showed range out to 15 feet. He will continue to develop those aspects of his game when other players finally develop enough to man the 5 spot consistently.

@dylans What tape have you been watching. “Unathletic”? Perplexing how you came to that conclusion. I think we’ve all seen him play well above the rim in his highlights. Seems like he takes pride in making those kinds of momentum changing plays. Great elevation on his shot and a high release for the most part.