High-impact recruits?

[Deleted User 863]

Anyone notice our players getting visibly frustrated with TGF yesterday multiple times? He is totally lost out there at times. Doesn't know where to stand on certain plays or what to do.

[Deleted User 89]

at least he tries to do SOMETHING

[RockChalk2005]

Anyone notice our players getting visibly frustrated with TGF yesterday multiple times? He is totally lost out there at times. Doesn't know where to stand on certain plays or what to do.

I noticed that, too.

Case in point: The long-range 2 off the bounce. That's just a bad shot. And you really don't want to be taking those unless it's late clock. I get the sense that at the JUCO level, that sort of thing might be allowed because he's averaging a ton of points per game and he has freedom in the offense, but D1 is a different animal.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Anyone notice our players getting visibly frustrated with TGF yesterday multiple times? He is totally lost out there at times. Doesn't know where to stand on certain plays or what to do.

We know what point you're trying to get to: he's not ready to play at this level.

But, we are in a position where he has to because he's the only person on the roster outside of MG that can get to the tin from the perimeter.

[holidaysmore]

JUCO is highly organized pick up ball. Generally the best athletes win. Once you get to the D1 level that completely changes because everyone is a great athlete or they are grown ass men you are playing against.

That being said at least TGF goes hard. He at least has an excuse this is his first year playing and the fact we are asking him to play and be a leader says everything you need to know about the rest of the guys. If other players are frustrated at him maybe they should ask themselves what am I bringing to the table and can my play of late give me the right to judge.

[CrimsonNBlue]

It would take a lot to convince me that most of our problems don't stem from our players being yelled at all summer and noncon to force the ball and offense through a so-so inefficient traditional big as strategy number 1 and 2. We were behind from the start and the offensive sets look like a mess at the end of January.

[TDub]

Not buying that

[pdub]

Me either.

[holidaysmore]

There maybe some truth into that. It was pretty clear that this year the offense would run through Dave and MG. Turns out that both of those guys aren’t really suited to be those types of guys.
It’s puzzling how bad this entire team has progressed when traditionally that has never happened. Something is ajar.

[ousdahl]

Well, this IS the time of year we tend to play like shit.

It’s just much more pronounced this year.

[pdub]

Except Dave has shown he is suited to be that type of guy recently.
13.3 PPG, 52% FG, 23 MPG, last 10.
Perry Ellis as a junior - 13.8 PPG, 46% FG, 29 MPG.

I think that's what you want from him offensively - 13, 14 PPG, shooting above 50%.

He needs to step up his defense ( as does every single player ) and rebounding.
This theory that he is ruining the offense is baseless - he's hitting his shots - and he isn't forcing our offense to miss them.

[twocoach]

Dmac is sure different from Dok. Dok was in control defensively, but Dmac runs around, often out of the box which leaves easy cut for opponents. Yes he shoots better at the line and on the perimeter, but I rather see him dunk inside and grab rebounds. Have he even try dunking in a crowd like Dok?

Dok sucked at defense his junior season, too. His improvement at rhat end his senior season was one of the more impressive things about him. DMac can and will continue to improve. Frankly, he is one of the few players on this team who I think has improved from the beginning of the season.

[twocoach]

It would take a lot to convince me that most of our problems don't stem from our players being yelled at all summer and noncon to force the ball and offense through a so-so inefficient traditional big as strategy number 1 and 2. We were behind from the start and the offensive sets look like a mess at the end of January.

The notion that this is how Bill Self coaches is mind boggling. He isnt a Hall of Fame coach who constantly handles massive roster overhauls by insisting on one style of play and that's it. I know this whole "Bill Self is stubborn and only runs through his bigs" is a popular fan rant but it's simply not reality.

Some fans don't like to badmouth players so they create reasons why it's the coach's fault. But the reality is that the players simply have to play better. We arent hitting a high enough percentage of the good looks that the coach's plays are making available. And some of our players have weaknesses and limitations in ability and skill set that reduce the ability of the coaches to scheme up as wide a variety of good looks as we are accustomed to from a typical KU of the last 15 years.

[CrimsonNBlue]

It would take a lot to convince me that most of our problems don't stem from our players being yelled at all summer and noncon to force the ball and offense through a so-so inefficient traditional big as strategy number 1 and 2. We were behind from the start and the offensive sets look like a mess at the end of January.

The notion that this is how Bill Self coaches is mind boggling. He isnt a Hall of Fame coach who constantly handles massive roster overhauls by insisting on one style of play and that's it. I know this whole "Bill Self is stubborn and only runs through his bigs" is a popular fan rant but it's simply not reality.

Some fans don't like to badmouth players so they create reasons why it's the coach's fault. But the reality is that the players simply have to play better. We arent hitting a high enough percentage of the good looks that the coach's plays are making available. And some of our players have weaknesses and limitations in ability and skill set that reduce the ability of the coaches to scheme up as wide a variety of good looks as we are accustomed to from a typical KU of the last 15 years.

More ridiculous is the notion that a HOF invite means not a single bad coaching decision can be made. There is nothing this team does well right now, and there's certainly blame to go around everywhere.


Bill's bad offenses here have a common denominator: forcing it to mediocre post players.

[randylahey]

honestly I think this team has a pretty talented group of guys. they just arent very tough yet. they need some seasoning. theyll get there

[pdub]

"Bill's bad offenses here have a common denominator: forcing it to mediocre post players."

Bill's worst offenses here.

2019:
Dedric Lawson was not mediocre - in fact, he made 1st team All B12 and averaged 19.4 PPG on 49% FG. He actually led the B12 in scoring.

2015:
Maaaybe you have an argument here. But yet.
Perry Ellis, 1st team All B12.
13.8 PPG, 46% FG.

2006:
He did not "force" it to mediocre post players.
We just struggled a lot scoring and led with our defense.

[pdub]

And this whole leading outside in deal is also a bit misconstrued.
We're attempting 22 3 pointers a game - which is more than any Bill Self team sans the hot shootin' 4 small 2017-18 lineup.

That team shot 40.1% from 3.
This team 35.6%.
And 33.5% in conference.

So the spiel that all Self is doing is just forcing the ball into the post when we're shooting the 2nd most 3 pointers we ever have is kinda, well, made up.

[ousdahl]

I think much of the “forcing into the post” perception may come from the fact our guards would rather pass it to Dave in a triple team than try to just not be pussies about it themselves.

[pdub]

I think it might be best for some people to want DMacs shots to go in even though hes a big rather than hope they don't so their theory of why KU is struggling is valid.

[TDub]

So much focus on the post offense.....and very little mention of our absolutely horrid defense and rebounding. Those are effort driven, and a bad omen for improvement. Its frustrating to watch on both ends....but defense and rebounds can be factors with less talent and more effort