Even Hall of Famers have off years

We can point to the players, and their lack of killer instinct, or their lack of defensive quickness, or their lack of understanding of the offense, or their lack of rebounding prowess, but there is one person who is primarily responsible for where we are, and where we will be at year's end - Coach Self.

I love the guy, so don't go killing me for talking bad about the legend. But even legends have a bad game or year every once in a while.

Self has exactly seven scholarship players active, with virtually zero inside presence. Of the seven active scholly players, maybe three would be starting on a standard KU team. We're already seeing walk ons playing important roles at important times of the game. Our hopes are now placed on the return of another highly touted freshman player who seems to have a low motor, and is likely ineligible, and on the early arrival of a high school player. That's not what KU fans should be hoping for.

I'm still fascinated as to how Self pulls this off by year's end, but he dug this hole, and I'm counting on him (with optimism I will add) to figure this out.

He's also gotten some bad luck. This time last year, we all probably assumed that we'd still have Carlton Bragg and Dwight Coleby on the team. Throw in Billy Preston and we'd be plenty deep with post players. With that in mind, using some scholarships on transfers who wouldn't be eligible right away seemed like a good strategy to "bank" some talent for the future.

Bragg flamed out and clearly has issues. Coleby jumped ship too. Now, there are rumblings that Preston may never suit up in a KU uniform. Now all of those guys sitting on the bench waiting for next year are seen as a liability since they can't play.

Yes, the buck stops with HCBS and I never had illusions that this team could get to the FF with only (these) 7 players in the rotation. Nevertheless, we've had unexpected circumstances with the roster that we've had to deal with.

NotO, your points are factual, but I don't see the events you mention as things that Self couldn't control to some degree, and I don't see them as bad luck.

Self can't control injuries (Dok) and early NBA departures. But he can control his roster, and things like bringing in the likes of Bragg and Preston, both of whom showed a similar lack of motor (per Self's own words), a similar lack of desire to play in the post, and a similar penchant for off court issues, are all on Self. Letting Coleby get away, and bringing in that grad transfer who lasted two practices, is on Self. Offering scholarships to so many transfers who can't play this year was Self's decision (though I'm not sure there were kids who could play that were still available and worth the scholarship this year).

I'm just confused as to what the plan was for this year.

Good points AZ, and I can't disagree entirely. Then again, we've done pretty well with recruiting over time.

Bragg was highly ranked and highly skilled, He "aced the interview" only to become a problem when he got here. Preston (or Alexander before him) was similar, but got caught with a hand in the cookie jar.

I also think that Self has, at times, felt like he could develop some guys into post players (i.e. Perry Ellis) and it's not always possible (Bragg...or Ellis for that matter, lol). Lightfoot seems to be in that role now.

Finally, Graham and Mason were both nobodies when we got 'em and they turned out pretty good. It's bad enough, IMHO that the NBA looks at drafting teenagers based on "potential", but in college you're doing the same thing and don't have nearly the flexibility to trade kids, not renew their contracts, or find replacements.

Self's plan for this year? I'm guessing that he envisioned Dok, Preston and Coleby at the 5. Bragg/Vick/Lightfoot at the 4 and we've got plenty for the remaining 3 spots with Cunliffe coming on board at semester.

Final example: Landon Lucas. I'm guessing he came in with fairly high expectations. They didn't pan out and he was a 2nd tier player until he was needed and then he BECAME a very solid player. That kid had a roller coaster ride.

I don't envy recruiting and managing a roster. So many top ranked kids come with baggage, and some of them never quite make the transition from adored high school all star player to having to play harder than ever for little glory when they get to D1.