2020-21 Jayhawks

[jfish26]

DMac may be more of a "world destroyer" than you guys are giving him credit for.

Plus Mitch baby!

I think McCormack will be good. Not just a solid positioning/footwork guy like Lucas or Sasha. But also not an eraser like Withey or Doke.

[NewtonHawk11]

We will take a step back in Kenpom ratings in both major categories - adjO and adjD.
Last season we finished 8th and 2nd respectively.

I see more like a top 20 adjO ( 17? ) and a top 10 adjD ( 9? ).

I'm much more bullish on the defense than you are.

It's not going to be the kind of defense with a world-destroyer at the back, but the size and athleticism everywhere should be really tough to deal with (and there's a world-destroyer at the front).

I agree with this completely. Yes no true rim protector, but the length and athleticism of all positions is going to be a pain for all opponents. Considering that the 11th guy off the bench is going to be long and athletic too just shows that foul trouble may not mean much to this team.

[CrimsonNBlue]

We will take a step back in Kenpom ratings in both major categories - adjO and adjD.
Last season we finished 8th and 2nd respectively.

I see more like a top 20 adjO ( 17? ) and a top 10 adjD ( 9? ).

I'm much more bullish on the defense than you are.

It's not going to be the kind of defense with a world-destroyer at the back, but the size and athleticism everywhere should be really tough to deal with (and there's a world-destroyer at the front).

Which is more effective against today's style of play. This year's defense doesn't get torched by Auburn, for example. Wasn't just a coincidence that last year's defense was one of Bill's best against the 3 after we ditched the 2-big nonsense.

[jfish26]

We will take a step back in Kenpom ratings in both major categories - adjO and adjD.
Last season we finished 8th and 2nd respectively.

I see more like a top 20 adjO ( 17? ) and a top 10 adjD ( 9? ).

I'm much more bullish on the defense than you are.

It's not going to be the kind of defense with a world-destroyer at the back, but the size and athleticism everywhere should be really tough to deal with (and there's a world-destroyer at the front).

Which is more effective against today's style of play. This year's defense doesn't get torched by Auburn, for example. Wasn't just a coincidence that last year's defense was one of Bill's best against the 3 after we ditched the 2-big nonsense.

And, a completely unexpected leap from Doke (physically and mentally) made it all work.

[CrimsonNBlue]

I'll continue to pound the drum that it's not coincidence that his improvement coincided with the one season we had with him where he was in good condition/shape.

He just couldn't get there with the injuries. Would also be interesting to know what Nijem did differently than Hudy.

[PhDhawk]

I think he improved all 4 years. Both in terms skill and conditioning. Obviously the two big injuries were major setbacks. But his conditioning/athletic improvement seemed almost linear. Really what made his improvement from Jr. to Sr. year surprising was that it continued.

[CrimsonNBlue]

But his conditioning/athletic improvement seemed almost linear.

Not saying he didn't improve each season, but really disagree here, and I think the foul numbers spell that out.

And, yes, again, it's hard to measure it out because it was like he played every other season.

[PhDhawk]

well, most guys make one big jump in improvement, some two. I'm not sure there are many who do it three times, but that's what Dok did. It's remarkable how hard he worked (and continues to work) to get better.

[CrimsonNBlue]

I count 2 as he didn't look great next to Dedric, but regardless, the last one was incredible. His measurables really make it seem like he's going to stick in the league when even KU fans, myself included, quickly dismissed that notion most of his KU career.

[MICHHAWK]

I never doubted the Big Fella.

[pdub]

This been posted?

"Kansas returned to its traditional position atop the conference last season, and even Baylor's strength entering this season isn't going to keep some observers from considering the Jayhawks the team to beat until further notice. But does this KU team have the pieces to win a national title? To which of Bill Self's previous teams does this squad most easily compare?

"In terms of roster composition, I think 2012-13 might be a decent comparison. Self had to replace Tyshawn Taylor and Thomas Robinson and needed an immediate offensive impact from freshman Ben McLemore. But that team started 19-1. I think this year's group could have a few more growing pains."

"This current KU team, which has just lost leading scorer Devon Dotson and dominant big man Udoka Azubuike, reminds me of the one Bill Self had in 2014-15. Those Jayhawks had just lost Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid. Back then, Kansas fans wondered: Where is the scoring going to come from?"

"Of course, to the great consternation of Jayhawks faithful, only one of those 17 teams has won a national championship. And the upcoming edition seems a bit too young and inexperienced to become the second. I expect Kansas to improve as the season progresses and challenge for another Big 12 title but advance no further than the Sweet 16."

"But the great concern in Lawrence should be the potential for limited crowds at Allen Fieldhouse and the possibility KU could lose its true home-court advantage. Still, they won't be alone in that.
Maybe this is like the 2008-09 season, the year after Bill Self's national title run? That team reached the Sweet 16 as a 3-seed behind the efforts of Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, as the freshman versions of Tyshawn Taylor and the Morris twins learned the ropes (none of them averaged double figures)."

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... est-league

[CrimsonNBlue]

'09? '15?

Maybe I'm too close, but that feels really disappointing with this group.

[pdub]

Yes.
I think we have a better squad than those.
I don't see a normal circumstance where we don't end up top 10 in kenpom.

In 14-15 and 08-09 we finished outside the top 10.

In 13 we ended up 8th.
The Michigan win alone probably would have had us another spot or two higher.

[ousdahl]

09 and 15 were both younger lineups than what we’re working with this year.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Good value.

https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/ ... 92673?s=20

[pdub]

That’s GREAT value.
I’d take that if I still gambled.

[Soklous]

Tyon Grant-Foster, Kansas: Long, skilled, and versatile, the 6-7 wing can play multiple positions on the floor and was rated as the top junior college prospect in the country. Expect him to have an immediate impact in Lawrence.


https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status ... 40579?s=20

[pdub]

Dude in blue under armor hoodie is not impressed.

[ousdahl]

Kansas Athletics announced today a fan cutout program that will provide the best fans in college basketball an opportunity to have a version of themselves at Allen Fieldhouse for the 2020-21 basketball season.

To honor the NCAA-record 62 regular season league titles by the Kansas men’s basketball team, all fan cutouts are $62. Have a custom fan cutout of yourself, a friend, or family member inside Allen Fieldhouse all season long and collect your cutout after the season. Fans wanting to purchase a cutout can visit www.KUcutout.com and follow the specifics steps to complete the process.

Proceeds generated from this program will benefit the Jayhawk Relief Fund which was created to assist with financial shortfalls from the COVID-19 pandemic.

[pdub]

Dunno if KU Athletics is trolling us but that website is down.