This team...

[NDballer13]

Re: crippling injury, I wonder how much Bryce mattered and matters to this team, and what we would have looked like in January if our burger boy was turning the freshman corner rather than out hurt.

Eh. I wasn't seeing anything from him that suggested he was going to be more than a piece.

Have we ever have a freshman guard get really good during the season?

I'm sure I'm overlooking someone, but it feels like they're either really good pretty much from the start, or they aren't major impact guys as freshmen.

I'm not saying KU would be a Top 5 or Top 10 team with him, but I do think there is something to the only two losses with him being to Gonzaga and OSU. Especially considering he was in the game against OSU when the big comeback was being made and KU seemed to control all the momentum when he got hurt. Still think they should have won that game, but his impact can't be denied.

[jfish26]

Re: crippling injury, I wonder how much Bryce mattered and matters to this team, and what we would have looked like in January if our burger boy was turning the freshman corner rather than out hurt.

Eh. I wasn't seeing anything from him that suggested he was going to be more than a piece.

Have we ever have a freshman guard get really good during the season?

I'm sure I'm overlooking someone, but it feels like they're either really good pretty much from the start, or they aren't major impact guys as freshmen.

I'm not saying KU would be a Top 5 or Top 10 team with him, but I do think there is something to the only two losses with him being to Gonzaga and OSU. Especially considering he was in the game against OSU when the big comeback was being made and KU seemed to control all the momentum when he got hurt. Still think they should have won that game, but his impact can't be denied.

I hear ya.

And hopefully we find out you're right, soon!

[ousdahl]

That’s a good point about that game.

Maybe we keep the momentum going, maybe not. We’ll never know though, cuz that OSU guy did that pro wrestling top rope jump body slam onto Bryce.

[sdoyel]

FWIW, we are now #2 in conference-only team defense per KenPom.

We are top 3 in every category except 3pt% defense and steal%.

[PhDhawk]

What's our FG% on shots inside 5 feet?

Has to be the worst we've had.

[sdoyel]

What's our FG% on shots inside 5 feet?

Has to be the worst we've had.

We are actually 4th in 2pt%...

[PhDhawk]

What's our FG% on shots inside 5 feet?

Has to be the worst we've had.

We are actually 4th in 2pt%...

I'm only interested in bunnies...especially in the first half.

[MICHHAWK]

I was torn today between watching that first half, or watching my grass grow. Both equally a thrill.

[ousdahl]

Whatcha got up there in Michigan, fescue or bluegrass?

[twocoach]

I was torn today between watching that first half, or watching my grass grow. Both equally a thrill.

Honestly, I watched a few ugly minutes and chose to go get my hair cut and run some errands. Sounds like I didn't miss much. Heard a chunk of the 2nd half on the radio driving around town.

[TDub]

Whatcha got up there in Michigan, fescue or bluegrass?

Probably a bluegrass mixed with a perennial rye grass

[randylahey]

A fully healthy Bryce Thompson might have made the difference in @OSU or @OU.
Were leading both those in the 2nd half.
But he's only had double digit scoring twice - once in the very first game, the other v Washburn.

Bryce might have a little bigger impact on this team than some people would think just looking at statistics. he has a confidence and aggressiveness to him. and can attack and create some offense

[pdub]

He’s a top recruit for a reason.
But not a game changer yet.
Should be here at least two more seasons, which are the kinda guys I personally like to see play at KU.

[NewtonHawk11]

Good little snippet with Self here. Maybe why he’s been a bit more calm than usual on the sidelines this year.

[jfish26]

Good little snippet with Self here. Maybe why he’s been a bit more calm than usual on the sidelines this year.

I'm not sure what to make of that line. Part of me reacts along the lines of, "your job is to win basketball games!"

[CrimsonNBlue]

I think I'd shit on coach K pretty hard if he said that. So, sorry Bill, if you're going to play, you might as well win.

[jfish26]

I didn't listen to the interview, so maybe I'm guilty of taking the words out of context. I get that individuals - players and coaches alike - have concerns personal to them. This guy's dad had emphysema and is at risk. That guy's grandparents live in senior housing.

I'm not trying to be dismissive of that aspect of it.

I don't like the idea, though, that Bill gets to choose how important winning is, to him.

Is that fair? It's certainly fair in the sense that it's what he bargained for.

[ousdahl]

yeah Self sounds kinda roiboimetery.

Never thought I’d see the day.

What’s next, his hair’s not real either?

[jfish26]

yeah Self sounds kinda roiboimetery.

Never thought I’d see the day.

What’s next, his hair’s not real either?

Well, uh.



I just don’t get the benefit of saying this out loud. It’s just validating the concern.

Why wouldn’t you say, “Our focus has, you’re right, turned to guys like the cats we’ve had a lot of team success with, guys who we will have for three or four years. We’re always in the market for top talent, but the talent has to fit the team, not the other way around.”

Say that.

[ousdahl]

That’s way better coach’s talk.

But it is also pretty crazy this has been going on since the fall of 2018.

Interesting that in 2020 a lot of those dudes went g league. And a year before that, a lot of those dudes went dook.