Bedore article: Big rotation trimmed to 4

OMG. Are you sure that article wasn't a joke from the The Onion?

Self is truly delusional. He looks at the 1st half without realizing the same guys brought on the 2nd half. Why doesn't he look at past games when we played well.

Did I understand him correctly in that he thinks it isn't fair to put pressure on guys to come off of the bench to try and spark the team when the guys who had been playing had dug a deep hole? What? It's like he is not even acknowledging them as part of the team, who might be emotionally invested in winning even when they haven't removed their warm-ups.

Does Self really believe that it's more important for his core 4 to be "comfortable" as opposed to the team winning?

He has truly lost his way.

This sooo doesn't bode well for the rest of our season and considerably shortens our tournament run

As I said earlier, I just want to enjoy KU BB with my friends, and right now I'm not enjoying any of this. The games are painful to watch, and all of us on this board are so frustrated (rightly so) that discussions are all negative. I'm not pointing fingers - I agree with virtually every comment you all have made. I just am tired of not having anything positive to read about. It's disheartening.

I'm dumbfounded at how Self is acting this season, and the only people more frustrated with all of this than me has to be the players themselves. I'm anticipating another internal conflict ala Greene from a couple weeks ago. I assure you I would have a tough time keeping my mouth shut if I was on the team. Can you imagine the parents and handlers of these kids seeing draft status and skill development plummeting? This entire situation can't be good.

There has been almost zero player development over the past three years - my left arm to have Manning come back. Self is now delegating playing time decisions to four players who have not proven one thing in terms of leadership. In fact, Ellis and Wayne have shown a blatant lack of leadership, or even a desire to lead. This team lacks a true leader on the court, and now there is a lack of leadership from the coaching staff.

I'm officially taking a week off from KU BB and am not going to watch the next couple of games live. I'll tape them and if it seems like they're good games, I'll watch later. I'm hoping for a breather and a re-commitment to KU hoops. I also think this is appropriate for a fan who is disappointed in the KU leadership, and it's my only way of showing them that they are losing my support.

I'm hoping this all gets fixed soon, or else I'll have to start watching soccer.

Rock Chalk.

Hmmmmm. Hunter and I have a lot in common: we are too "old" to be marketable elsewhere. We gotta just wait this gig out until "retirement."

As I advise my talented, younger and eager co-workers, maybe it's time to market your skills elsewhere, because it appears it ain't gonna happen here for you.

(TMI. Been having trouble sleeping lately, so I'm hopeful my reading comprehension is suffering......but is the gist that bill self is keeping 4 players happy by playing who they want on the floor? My gawd, that sounds more like Roy (oh, please please please just LOVE ME) Williams---although I'm not sure his inmates ever ran the asylum; I think their little butts rode the pine! And NO I'm not missing him. I must STILL have faith in our Self....but this morning it is waivering. Maybe I need more coffee.)

Thanks for understanding....Rock Chalk FOREVER!

A self imposed haitus is preferable to my predicament - a raging head cold. I only checked the half time score Mon night - saw KU up by 7, thought maybe things were better. The next morning, checked the final and the box and saw they were worse.
Also, check the comments below the Bedore story - many of that group mostly support HCBS - but not now.

Sounds like there may be some personally issues going on. While I still hope for the best, I suspect Bayhawker will be flying his flag at half mast and upside down soon....

I am one of those that has always supported Coach Self. Sometimes as a coach it is easy to get complacent and begin to believe the hype. I think Coach Self may be there right now. Hopefully he can find the fire again, but once it starts to go it is difficult to get back. May be time for a new challenge for him and time to bring in a young guy with something to prove.

I agree about the absolute insanity of the situation - never let the inmates run the asylum! I see Gary Parrish's article (CBS Sports.com) says KenPom predicts KU at 11-7 in conference, 3 games back of OU. That seems harsh, unless HCBS's decisions re subbing foam over in volcanic fashion. Until they lose a home game or anywhere else but Norman on the road, I still have hope, even while vehemently disagreeing with HCBS's coaching.

So far the flag is still full staff with the beak towering toward the blue. It won't come down until the final game of the season (which I fear will come waaaaaay too soon. ).

Somebody on this board (HE?) years ago mentioned that they make a point of representing the day after a loss just to affirm their loyalty to the ole crimson and blue. I've adopted that practice and painfully struggle to let others know I'm a proud Jayhawk regardless of the score. This Sunday promises to be very painful at the rate things are going. Nonetheless, I remain a Jayhawk for life.

RCJHGKU!!!!!

Reality. Frank Mason and Devonte Graham are not great players. Neither is going to the NBA anytime soon. They have flawed games, and clearly haven't been able to correct their mental approach, resulting in inconsistent play and sometimes downright ugly play. They are no better than average guards.

Wayne Selden is not much better than Frank and Devonte. He cannot create offense, doesn't shoot well when under pressure, cannot shoot with his left hand, demonstrates poor judgement when trying to penetrate, doesn't have great 'handles,' and is a so-so defender. And considering his size and athletiicism, doesn't rebound well at all. Again, an average guard for a top tier Diviision 1 program.

Ellis is terrific, but cannot excel on his own. He needs guards to create opportunities for him, because he simply isn't big enough to score over tall and long defenders. Without a viable offensive partner at the 5, he loses a lot of his value, because he is doubled every time he gets the ball inside of 15 feet.

Lucas is no better than a bench center on most good teams. He's big, and he's big, but he can't shoot, is slow, can't jump, and can't shoot. He would be OK on a team with great guards and a tall and versatile 4, but we don't have that luxury. In short, his inability to score is killing us.

Self is disintegrating before our eyes. It's always easy to defend someone with a great history of success, and assert that current issues are anomalies, and will be corrected soon. Our issues are not anomalies, but the end result of years of diminishing success in two vital areas. One, our recruiting has been less than great. Frank and Devonte were lower tier recruits for a reason, and we're seeing the results of their recruitment today. Both would be OK if they had Aaron Miles or Sherron Collins or even Tyshawn as their partner, but they don't. Neither is complete, and their skills are redundant, not complementary. Self hasn't brought in the kind of PG we need, and we are suffering as a result. In addition, we don't have a competent center, This is not an accident. The recruits we're now getting are either gone before they can make a positive impact, or they are resting their behinds on the bench, buried behind obviously less talented players. As I have surmised, something is wrong with the mentality of this team. Self is distracted, and his players sense it clearly. In short, the program is in crisis, everyone knows it, yet nobody within the 'community' appears willing to state the obvious. I now believe that Self is going to leave KU after the season, either to the NBA or to OSU. He's bored, he's tired, and Lawrence and the 'rumors' are tightening their grip around his neck. Be prepared for another month of supreme angst and a new coach when this season ends.

Of course, there's what we on this board think can/should/will happen with HCBS after this or any season. Then there's those with real power to influence a coaching change (e.g., WEF donors, Alumni Association, AD, Chancellor, etc.). If there's a, what, fourth consecutive postseason flameout, will buzzing start at those levels?

I want to emphasize that this scenario, or these scenarios, are not what I want. I just happen to believe that when inexplicable things happen, there is an explanation, and that explanation is often not a pleasant or happy one. This season has become "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma."

I would never have been so bold as to post what Senex was confident (and learned) enough to say.

As I was drinking coffee this morning the thought hit me:

Is B Self PLANNING on leaving at the end of the season?

We are "stinking it up" (compared to our usual standards).
Has he ceded control to the inmates; which might result in the most vast bench clearing of all time (transfers/early exits to try the draft);
New commitments will be released because the Coach they committed to is no longer at Kansas?

He'd leave a dung heap behind but "most" of the players/recruits he committed to have outs.

whoa...not sure I can take another ugly "splitting of the sheets" in my lifetime.

I'd bet "the league"....not OSU. But I know no-THING! (sgt schultz)

WSG, I'm sending you to the Russian front!

General Burkhalter,

RC

I believe that we're going to be fine at home this season. For whatever reason, these guys actually play pretty well in Allen. Travel anywhere, and the further away, the less effective we become. Saturday should be quite enjoyable, methinks, but I wouldn't be too optimistic about the next road game.

Senex, I always enjoy your input, immensely. In fact, when things are going wrong with the team I look for your posts. This time though I have to disagree that Self is leavin. Unless you have some reliable inside information, I see no reason why he would leave. He had the chance to coach OKC last year I believe and that would have been a dream NBA job. Location and talent all in one.

That said, the team is certainly struggling and it's hard to even watch them. Self isn't giving Bragg or Diallo enough time to make a mistake and figure things out. Which I don't get. I also don't get what happened to Mickleson? I didn't see much wrong with him...not to just be planted on the bench never to see playing time again. Why does he leave Mason and Graham in to just drive in and turn the ball over five straight possessions? Why aren't they pulled and someone else given a chance?

I really don't have an answer for any of what is going on right now. I just hope things get worked out soon.