Self lauds positive attitudes and energy

"I'm enjoying being around them and coaching more because there seems to be more positive energy," Self said. "It’s starting to get fun and fun is imperative."

He doesn't say it, but I have to think a part of that is the absence of the cloud that was around Lagerald.
And pregame Fran Fraschilla (yeah, I know, but he does say some things that make sense) said that his sources told him LV won't be back

Combining the two... thoughts?


Lots more in this presser, too. Enjoy!

Bill Self says KU has more positive energy during three-game win streak

Continuing the preceding thought -- does Vick leaving = addition by subtraction?
Was his being Wally Pipped by Ochai Agbaji leading to him unintentionally poisoning the attitude well as he failed to live up to the hopes people had for him this season?

Self's comments about the recent positive attitude and energy of the guys, and it being fun to coach them, support such a supposition.

In general...

This is nowhere close to the team envisioned at the start of the season.

Personnel losses have meant guys have had to step up.
Those personnel losses actually seem to allow the remaining guys to play looser, as few expect them to be as successful as past teams, or even as this team was originally anticipated to be, especially with KSU in the driver's seat (even now if KSU wins out they are Big XII champs).
With the loss of senior leadership, the mantle of team leader has been taken by freshman Dotson, who arguably has made this team his in the past weeks, even with Dedric being Mr. Double Double and Ochai emerging as a contender with Devon for Big XII Freshman of the Year. (Think of it - KU could have this year's FOY in Dotson and Newcomer of the Year in Dedric... would Dedric end up POY? Hmm...)

Self has had to remove red shirts and step up to play former "role" guys longer than he otherwise might. He even noted (I am inclined to describe it as "admitted") last week that the guys seem to be playing better as they haven't had to worry about the quick hook if they make a mistake because circumstances have forced Self to play the few cards remaining to him. The result is that they are playing more and growing into their new roles, whether it be a new starter like Big Dave McCormack or filling the first guys off the bench roles for bigs (Mitch once again stepping up big when called upon) and smalls ( KJ playing key roles in the last two games as his playing time has increased).

Should KU manage to win at least another share of the conference title this year, I have to think that Self will end up as Big XII COY this time around.

Let me caveat this next additional comment with acknowledgement up front that I have no idea what is going on with Vick. The following comments are pure speculation based on what I have seen and heard regarding Lagerald over the course of the last two years.

I note that Lagerald's personal problems seemed to have come to a head as his play faltered.
To what extent was one the cause, and the other the effect -- and which was which?
Chicken or egg?

From what I can tell Mom Vick has not been egregious in her helicoptering, but she has made comments to the press when Lagerald has not been talking himself. Could his leave of absence actually be her doing, strategically pulling him from competition because she sees he is faltering and she looks to mitigate further damage to his professional stock going forward? If so I think that doing so would hurt his stock more, but parents are protective people and don't always make the right calls in trying to protect their kids.

Again, I don't know. There may be real, basketball unrelated issues going on at home that led to his leaving.

All I do know is that I read and hear people with connections (e.g., Fraschilla) noting that the word leaking from sources in the program (nothing official) is that Vick will not be back.

And while I am sorry to see his KU career end this way, I am appreciative of what his departure seems to have led to for the guys left behind to carry the flag.