2022-2023 Lineup

[Deleted User 863]

Another thing I wonder right now regarding lineups is if we play small at times to get some transition offense going. If scoring is an issue, we'll have to sacrifice some defense, and Self has been more willing to do that lately (2022, 2018).

Maybe. But the best way to get out on transition is by good defense. Hard to run if the other team is scoring at a high %.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Is Jalen really taller than KJ?

KU says 6'8" for Jalen and 6'7" for KJ, which means they are probably 6'7" and 6'6" respectively.

Jalen was 6'7" at the combine. I wouldn't be surprised if KJ is 6'4" without shoes.

[Cascadia]

I still can't believe that Mitch freaking Lightfoot turned out to be a key contributor to a national title team at Kansas.

Which contributes to make me wonder if rim protection is now not as important as it used to be.

Ability to move feet on ball screens, ability to switch on the perimeter, and ability to run people off the three point line might be a better indicator of a good defensive team, now. 2023 Kansas has potential to be a great defensive team even without a proven rim protector.

This is where I am at, I think you can have a very good to near elite defense without a shot blocker.

[CrimsonNBlue]

I'm just not at all worried about the defense. I mean, that was supposed to be the bugaboo last season, right? I can't foresee a scenario where this team is worse than last year's on the defensive side.

If I'm wrong, well then a 4-6 seed a year after a Natty is very stomachable.

[CrimsonNBlue]

I still can't believe that Mitch freaking Lightfoot turned out to be a key contributor to a national title team at Kansas.

Which contributes to make me wonder if rim protection is now not as important as it used to be.

Ability to move feet on ball screens, ability to switch on the perimeter, and ability to run people off the three point line might be a better indicator of a good defensive team, now. 2023 Kansas has potential to be a great defensive team even without a proven rim protector.

This is where I am at, I think you can have a very good to near elite defense without a shot blocker.

And last year's team was not a great defensive team, let alone elite.

I think, at this level, especially when you have the athletes that Kansas Basketball is going to have every season, when you can get out and score you're going to win a shit-ton of games. Couple that with a Top 25-ish defense and yeah, you're going to have a shot at a Final Four.

[Deleted User 863]

Is Jalen really taller than KJ?

KU says 6'8" for Jalen and 6'7" for KJ, which means they are probably 6'7" and 6'6" respectively.

Jalen was 6'7" at the combine. I wouldn't be surprised if KJ is 6'4" without shoes.

Wow. Yes Jalen 6'5.75" barefoot.

Maybe (hopefully) KJ has grown a little?

[pdub]

We weren’t a top 15 defense for the season but we were in February and March.

I think we were something like 11th AdjD from Feb on…so the defense absolutely mattered.

And while you may not need a shot blocker, you do need a rim protector…I.e. Udoka probably could have had a number of more bpg but players just stopped driving bc he was there ( noticeable every game in 2020 ).

[twocoach]

I would be pretty surprised if KU isn't a Top 15 defense next season.

[CrimsonNBlue]

What was our last great defense, ok offense team? 2012?

Might look like some of the Chris Beard Tech teams. Might drive me crazy, but we'll love the toughness.

[CrimsonNBlue]

2020 was KenPom AdjD 2, and Udoka really changed things for that team at the rim and on ball screens.

We're not going to have that, but I like the potential of the defensive core of Harris, Dick, McCullar, Wilson, Rice, KJ more than I do 2020 versions of Dotson, Garrett, Moss, Ochai, CB.

We'll be holding some teams to the 50's.

[randylahey]

Why hasn't anyone stated the obvious? We have a lot of good options. But how self chooses to play them together will DEPEND ON MATCHUPS

[twocoach]

Why hasn't anyone stated the obvious? We have a lot of good options. But how self chooses to play them together will DEPEND ON MATCHUPS

Because it's obvious?

Self (and every other coach in every sport) obviously adjusts the rotation based on match ups in the game. What I am interested in is which players are going to improve enough to be a match up win in their match ups. How many match ups this year will Clemence/Adams/Udeh be the better of the match up and in which match ups will they struggle or be the inferior piece that Self has to manage around because he has no better option given that match up he is presented with. The fact that the list of potential players is so small is part of what I like about basketball; a coach only has so many options.

[Cascadia]

randy always thinks he’s making profound comments but they are really basic as fuck.

[pdub]

Well, unless you have a locked and loaded starting five, which we have before, and then you’re fortunate enough not to play matchups and just kick ass.

[twocoach]

Well, unless you have a locked and loaded starting five, which we have before, and then you’re fortunate enough not to play matchups and just kick ass.

It will be interesting to see where KU finds that they have matchup advantages. I guess that is what we've all been talking about this whole time. If Clemence has improved enough that Self can keep him on the floor defensively then he could be a real matchup problem. McCullar will obviously be a matchup problem as he can slide 1-4+ defensively. Lots of interesting lineups this season. I just hope we have enough shooters.

[pdub]

To be clear though, I don’t think this is one of those seasons. I don’t think last year was one of those seasons.

[randylahey]

Well, unless you have a locked and loaded starting five, which we have before, and then you’re fortunate enough not to play matchups and just kick ass.

It will be interesting to see where KU finds that they have matchup advantages. I guess that is what we've all been talking about this whole time. If Clemence has improved enough that Self can keep him on the floor defensively then he could be a real matchup problem. McCullar will obviously be a matchup problem as he can slide 1-4+ defensively. Lots of interesting lineups this season. I just hope we have enough shooters.

If clemence can play center it'll open up the whole court. Not all college bigs are good at coming out and playing defense. Plus it eliminates rim protection.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Yes, just practice, but is that an NBA shot release or what?

[Sparko]

Man. Sublime

[randylahey]

its funny cause posters have mentioned being worried about having enough 3 pt shooting this year. on a team where dick and clemence are expected to play big minutes