SB Nation Kansas City: All Posts by Owen RCT

Kansas Jayhawk News and Notes 5.23.13

2013-05-23T12:48:05Z

Kansas Football

KU football adds Miami Ohio wide receiver Nick Harwell | KUsports.com
Pretty big addition from what everyone is saying, and it sounds like there could be more.

Kansas Basketball

No consensus on McLemore's draft position after lottery | KUsports.com
“I just think McLemore has real superstar quality,” Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix told the Orlando Sentinel. “I think he’s a more athletic version of Ray Allen. He certainly finishes better than Ray. After a couple of years, he could really blossom into one of those franchise 2-guards.”

Misc

Mike Krzyzewski to return as Team USA men's basketball coach - ESPN
This is now official.

Daily Dime - ESPN
Missed opportunity for the Pacer. Great game though.

UNC's Loren Shealy wins SI's female College Athlete of the Year award - College Athlete of the Year - Kelli Anderson - SI.com
Meet SI's college athletes of the year.

Kansas Jayhawk News and Notes 5.22.13

2013-05-22T13:22:53Z

Kansas Basketball

Opinion: Wayne Selden sizes up recruits | KUsports.com
“I would probably go with Paul Pierce,” Selden said, asked to name his favorite player. “He’s a traditional Celtic, been there forever. I haven’t met him recently, but I had pictures taken with him when I was 6 or 7 at a celebrity all-star game.”

Tarik Black strong, physical | KUsports.com
“He’s not afraid of contact, likes a physical style of play, is not a threat to make any type of outside shot, an average free-throw shooter, good defender who gives them size, strength — a guy who played a lot of minutes at a high level,” Ballard added.

NBA Draft

2013 NBA draft -- Cleveland Cavaliers win NBA draft lottery; Orlando Magic get 2nd pick - ESPN
Cleveland would probably be more likely to pick Noel. Looks like Jacque Vaughn might have a decision to make with the no. 2 pick.

2013 NBA Mock Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers select Nerlens Noel - NBA - Chris Mannix - SI.com
Incumbent shooting guard Arron Afflalo has three years and $23 million left on his contract, but it will be difficult for the Magic to pass on McLemore, a Ray Allen-type shooter with superior athleticism.

College Football

100 days until the start of the college football season - ESPN
The countdown is on. It's 100 days until the college football season starts and it can't get here soon enough.

Kansas Jayhawk News and Notes 5.21.13

2013-05-21T13:23:04Z

Kansas Basketball

Memphis forward Tarik Black transfers to KU | KUsports.com
“We are thrilled he has chosen to play his final year of college basketball at KU,” said Kansas coach Bill Self, who has seven scholarship freshmen, three sophomores and two juniors on the roster, with Black the only scholarship senior. “He will be a huge addition both physically and emotionally, especially from a leadership standpoint, as he will be the most experienced guy on our team entering next season.”

KU basketball team adds Memphis transfer Tarik Black - KansasCity.com
“Tarik has played in a ton of big games and certainly has had good experience at Memphis,” Self said. “He’s used to winning and can help us in both of our big positions. He can play the four and the five and we look forward to moving him around. He’ll be an impact player that certainly changes the outlook of our team and makes us more versatile.”

Here's what type of player KU is getting in Tarik Black | The Newell Post | KUsports.com
There's a saying in baseball that goes, "There's no such thing as a bad one-year contact." If you were wondering why teams like Duke and Kansas were in on Memphis forward Tarik Black, who started just five games for the Tigers a year ago, it's mostly because of this same concept.

Tarik Black headed to Kansas after transferring from Memphis - ESPN
All the additions should help the Jayhawks continue to be a Final Four contender after the loss of star freshman Ben McLemore, who entered the NBA draft, and four seniors.

They said it ... about Tarik Black | KUsports.com
“Black is a unique player because he’s a senior who hasn’t come close to reaching his ceiling. He’s big and mean and physical — an intimidating figure who will make anyone’s All-Airport team. His arrival in Lawrence couldn’t come at a better time for a KU squad that is young and inexperienced in the paint. The lack of consistency (and, sometimes, effort) that kept Black from peaking at Memphis won’t fly with Bill Self.

Kansas Jayhawk News and Notes 5.20.13

2013-05-20T13:55:42Z

Kansas Basketball

For Kansas basketball, recruiting never ceases | KUsports.com
“Recruiting is a never-ending process,” said Self, KU’s 10th-year coach, who has signed top-15-ranked players in Wiggins, Josh Selby (1), Xavier Henry (8), Julian Wright (8), Wayne Selden (12), Mario Chalmers (12) and Brandon Rush (13) at KU. “Not a day goes by you don’t do something recruiting-related with prospects you are seriously interested in.

McLemore shows off athleticism at NBA combine | KUsports.com
His maximum vertical jump of 42 inches tied him for first at his position. His standing vertical jump of 32.5 inches placed him third and his three-quarter-court sprint of 3.27 seconds tied him for fifth.

Ben McLemore talks about allegations his AAU coach took money - College Basketball - Seth Davis - SI.com
An NCAA spokesperson wrote in an email, "We are absolutely interested in talking to people to gather as many facts as possible, especially from those who no longer are a part of the NCAA but want to get to the truth."

McLemore speaks about AAU coach, agent allegations | KUsports.com
Not sure McLemore should speak on the topic.

Kansas Football

Chiefs sign KU football's Opurum as fullback | KUsports.com
Sounds like there is some competition at fullback but good for Toben. Hopefully he can catch on.

Grads big part of KU football | KUsports.com
On Sunday, 15 members of Kansas University’s 2012 football team made the traditional walk down Campanile Hill and became college graduates.

College Basketball

Bracketology - NCAA College Basketball Brackets and Predictions - ESPN
Bumping us to a no. 2 with Arizona as the no. 1 out West.

Mike Krzyzewski considering return to Team USA, report - ESPN
"I think it's very close to being resolved," Colangelo said in the SI.com report. "That's all I can say for sure. "Give it another week and it should be resolved."

Which teams are now the best value to win it all in 2013-14? | One And One - SI.com
Andrew Wiggins' decision to play for Kansas not only sent Lawrence into celebrations while three other campuses grumbled, it also was the last major piece of the puzzle in terms of looking ahead to 2013-14.

Kansas Jayhawk News and Notes 5.16.13

2013-05-16T15:23:04Z

Kansas Basketball

Relationship with Bill Self likely biggest reason that Wiggins opted for Kansas over Kentucky | vaughtsviews
“I know he loved Self from prior conversations he had with my husband. My husband loves him (Self), too. His host mom said Bill Self was more like Rob than (Kentucky coach) John Calipari and that is how Andrew is. He is not a flashy kid. He is not about pomp and circumstance. He’s just a humble kid.”

Bill Self basks in glow | KUsports.com
“Comparing him to LeBron is not fair,” Self said. “From a physical standpoint, they are both about the same height. LeBron is obviously much thicker and bigger physically. Andrew is extremely long at 6-8. His wingspan may be 7-1, 7-2, and they can both fly. There are some similarities in that. Both are freakish athletes.”

The nation's reaction to top recruit Andrew Wiggins choosing Kansas | Seen it? | KUsports.com
"He's the best high school player who has come around in a long time. He's freakishly athletic and has great size and great length. He's a special player and a special talent in our conference."

Kansas Basketball: The Other, Non-Andrew Wiggins Recruits
Bill Self and his staff had to “settle” for four recruits ranked 34th or higher nationally in the Rivals150. Even if Wiggins had gone elsewhere, that’s worth popping champagne for. And yet … how often have you heard pundits and fans salivating over them, particularly in comparison to the new Wildcats? Here’s all you need to know about Kansas’ “other guys.” If they join forces with Wiggins to lead the Jayhawks to great heights, don’t act so surprised.

Kansas Football

Ravens sign KU’s Dayne Crist | KUsports.com
Well hey, there's this.

Misc.

1. Len Bias — The 20 Greatest Basketball Players to Never Play in the NBA | Complex
Pretty interesting countdown.

Kansas Basketball 2013-2014: What will Bill Self's Jayhawk Rotation Look Like?

2013-05-15T14:00:15Z

It happened. Andrew Wiggins chose Kansas and immediately escalated the expectations for Kansas basketball in 2013-2014. Kansas already had a great class coming in, now it might just be the best class Kansas has ever assembled. Fans in Stillwater and Waco and across the Big 12 suddenly went from cautious optimism as it pertains to ending the Jayhawk's league winning streak, to a little bit of concern. The Big 12 will be strong at the top next year, but now Bill Self and Kansas are right back in the thick of it without question.

With Wiggins now in the fold, what does this new look Jayhawk lineup look like in 2013-2014. Kansas is coming off a year where they started four seniors and one big time NBA prospect. All five of those players are now gone and Kansas will return just two players who have contributed major minutes. At this point the lineup appears to have a little more clarity, and that's where the fun begins.

At point guard one would expect Naadir Tharpe to take the reigns to start the season. Tharpe is a junior, showed flashes of being a pretty good distributor and he's one of the few upperclassman on the roster. Off the bench Kansas is looking at probably one of two freshman in this position and possibly a mix of both. Conner Frankamp is a tremendous shooter and will be a very solid player for Kansas. Frank Mason is a point guard that Bill Self is very high on and if he reaches the potential that Bill Self sees he will be a great addition on both ends of the floor.

The shooting guard spot likely goes to Wayne Selden. Selden is a good sized, physical incoming freshman that can handle the ball, shoot well and attack. Bill Self has mentioned his ability to play anywhere from the point up to the wing so it's possible we'll see him in multiple slots. Off the bench Kansas is probably looking at a player like Frankamp again or a sophomore Andrew White who provided a nice shooting spark at times this past season. At the end of the day Bill Self does use sort of an interchangeable approach with his guards so it's hard to put people into slots without the disclaimer that this will be fairly fluid and we're likely talking about four to five backcourt players settling in by league play.

The wing will obviously be occupied by Andrew Wiggins. This is the no brainer pick of the year. He'll be able to impact the game with his length and athleticism on both ends of the court. Off the bench Kansas will be looking at a pair of shooters with good size in Brannen Greene and Andrew White. White probably fits in this spot better than he would at the shooting guard spot, but just as White could potentially slide down, Selden could also slide up in to this spot if Kansas goes small.

At power forward Kansas will look toward Perry Ellis. Ellis came on strong late this past season and he will be expected to be a more visible leader on the interior this year. Ellis is very fundamentally sound. Throughout the 2012-2013 season he would make the perfect post move, get to the rim and just miss the look. As he settled in, got used to playing at the college level, all those misses started turning to makes and he really turned into a player in the month of March. If that trajectory continues he'll be a major contributor for Kansas this year. After Ellis it's likely Jamari Traylor off the bench at this point. Traylor is an athletic energy guy that has a high ceiling but still a bit of work to do.

The center spot is either going to go to Landon Lucas who took a redshirt this year or Joel Embiid who has a chance to be a tremendous center and defensive presence for Kansas at some point. Embiid is all about potential, Lucas has yet to see the court due to a redshirt season. Really both of these players are a bit of an unknown, but Bill Self and his system has churned out solid bigs year in and year out so the opportunity is there. There is also probably a shot that a Kansas could at Tarik Black to this equation and he would provide a veteran physical presence inside which could change the look of both the four and five spots for Kansas.

Pretty incredible that Kansas can turn over five starters and still look like a team with a tremendously high ceiling with the pieces they'll be adding. Factor in the development that Kansas has been known for and you'll likely have some players already on campus step up to the plate. The competition is going to be intense, the non conference schedule is going to be a trial by fire, but by league play this is a group that has every bit of the potential to take Kansas and Bill Self to a 10th straight Big 12 title. That's an incredible run to think about.

Kansas Jayhawk News and Notes 5.15.13

2013-05-15T12:54:47Z

Kansas Basketball

Wiggins did it his way - The Herald Dispatch
"The other schools were great, but Kansas had my heart," Wiggins said as he sat relaxed in Huntington Prep head coach Rob Fulford’s office following the ceremony. "That’s it. I followed my heart."

Opinion: Wiggins may share something with Wilt, Danny | KUsports.com
Sure, Rivals had Josh Selby ranked No. 1 a few years ago, but Selby just happened to be the last No. 1 in a year there wasn’t a clear-cut top recruit. There were nearly as many No. 1-ranked prospects as there were recruiting services. This is different. The moment Wiggins reclassified from a Class of 2014 recruit to 2013 he shot to the top of a very talented class. He’s been called the best high school recruit since, take your pick: Kevin Durant, Greg Oden, LeBron James.

Addition of Andrew Wiggins brings clarity to KU basketball lineup | Tale of the Tait | KUsports.com
Regardless of your opinion on OADs, the addition of Wiggins, a 6-foot-7, 190-pound wing from Huntington, W.V., who can do a little bit of everything, not only makes the Bill-Self-led Jayhawks the favorite to win a 10th straight Big 12 title but also puts Kansas firmly into the preseason Top 10, perhaps even the Top 5. Not bad for one of last year's No. 1 seeds that lost all five starters, many of whom played key roles on the Jayhawks' run to the national title game in 2012, as well.

Andrew Wiggins signing makes this Bill Self's best, not first, reloading job | Double-Chin Music | KUsports.com
A lot can happen in 10-plus months, but right this minute it feels as if John Calipari and Bill Self will coach against each other in the national-title game for the third time in seven years next April in Cowboys Stadium.

Andrew Wiggins to Kansas: Not all No. 1s are made equal - NCAA Basketball - Sporting News
This sort of recruitment arrives only every few years, with big-name schools involved in the pursuit of outsized talents and everyone in the process aware of what might be possible for the winner.

No. 1 prospect Andrew Wiggins picks Kansas - CBSSports.com
Given all the buzz and attention given to Wiggins and his recruitment over the past couple of years, there was a stark contrast with the way it ended. Since the Canada native reclassified to the class of 2013 – and immediately became the No. 1 overall player – his recruitment went through the roof. Of course, Wiggins was the same sought-after player when he was a member of 2014, but the decision to reclassify ramped things up in a major way.

Andrew Wiggins, consensus No. 1 college basketball recruit, picks KU - KansasCity.com
A 6-foot-7 small forward, Wiggins has been labeled as one of the top recruits in the last decade, an athletic specimen who is expected to become an All-American candidate at whatever school he was to choose. He also elevates a rebuilding Kansas squad back into the national discussion after the Jayhawks lost their five leading scorers off a Sweet 16 team in 2012-13.

So, who is Andrew Wiggins? A primer on the premier player - CBSSports.com
Well, being the No. 1 overall recruit in this class and perceived as the best in a decade, naturally, Wiggins does so many things well. Watch the video below as proof. One thing that stands out to me: the kid cracks off the floor and adjusts his body to dunk with such ease. And he's a premier defender.

No. 1 prospect Andrew Wiggins chooses Kansas Jayhawks - ESPN
"I don't know that he's got to change anything," Fulford said Monday. "He's wired to score and I think that's what he'll do. He's going to continue to be who he is.

Wiggins followed heart in signing with Jayhawks | KUsports.com
"I just followed my heart. Kansas had my heart so that’s where I wanted to go," Wiggins, a 6-foot-8, 215-pound small forward said Tuesday morning after signing a letter-of-intent with KU.

For Kansas Jayhawks, the wait for Andrew Wiggins was well worth it -- college basketball - ESPN
On Tuesday afternoon, the best high school basketball player on the continent -- the most hyped prospect since LeBron James, and probably the best, too -- proved he is possessed of not only otherworldly basketball gifts but also a preternatural ability to keep the world from knowing a singular piece of information.

Andrew Wiggins picks Kansas, but now the pressure is on -- men's college basketball - ESPN
On Tuesday, the average kid declared that he would play at Kansas. He did it quietly -- no television appearance, no grand gestures of tinkering with various ball caps before making his choice.

Wiggins to Kansas creates many questions -- for him, the Jayhawks and college hoops | One And One - SI.com
The Jayhawks have a ton going for them — blueblood program, an elite coach, a track record of good NBA draft placement, a great fanbase, a great national schedule with huge TV exposure — but they offer all of that without the accompanying level of craziness of Kentucky and the possible pressure/potential clash of egos/crazy competitive league of North Carolina.

Bill Self 'cool with' Andrew Wiggins spending summer with Team Canada - NCAA Basketball - Sporting News
“I don’t think I’ve ever had anybody like him,” Self said. “He’s athletic like Ben (McLemore), but he’s quite a bit bigger. I’m hearing the LeBron comparisons, and I saw LeBron play in high school. I’m not sure that’s a fair comparison for anyone. But from a pure athletic standpoint, I think he’s one of the best athletes in the college game at his size for a while.

Andrew Wiggins to Kansas: How big an impact will he have in 2013-14? - NCAA Basketball - Sporting News
"Wiggins will get able to get by on superior athleticism and high-intensity motor at the NCAA level, but to compare him to guys like LeBron and Kobe is premature. His perimeter game is a work in progress, especially as he gets ready for his first NBA game 18 months from now."

It’s not Andrew Wiggins fault you want to know everything about Andrew Wiggins | CollegeBasketballTalk
But here’s the thing: Wiggins hasn’t asked for any of this attention. He doesn’t want it. You want proof? Wiggins isn’t announcing his college decision on ESPN even though he could probably convince Disney to broadcast a press conference on Good Morning America if he truly wanted to. He’s doing it quietly in front of friends, family and teammates … and a single reporter.

The Wiggins Effect

An updated look at the Top 25 for 2013-14 season - NCAA men's college basketball - ESPN
Now that uber-recruit Andrew Wiggins has chosen a school, Jason King updates his early Top 25 for the 2013-14 season.

Updated Preseason Top 25, post Andrew Wiggins | CollegeBasketballTalk
Another big bump post Wiggins.

Kansas Football - Big Day for Charlie Weis as well

KU football lands commitment from East St. Louis linebacker | KUsports.com
A few hours after the Kansas University men’s basketball program landed Andrew Wiggins, the top player in the Class of 2013, the KU football program picked up an oral commitment from linebacker Kyron Watson, the No. 4-ranked outside linebacker in the country, according to ESPN.com.

KU football team pumped not pouting about Andrew Wiggins joining Jayhawks | Tale of the Tait | KUsports.com
I think a player like Wiggins probably makes Kansas notable not only in the basketball world but also in the broader athletic world and that obviously includes football.

The Ugly Side of Things

Douchebags of Twitter vs Andrew Wiggins
The ridiculousness of twitter and sports fans.

Kansas Basketball Recruiting: Bill Self Reacts to Andrew Wiggins Signing

2013-05-14T19:28:41Z

Kansas Basketball Recruiting: Bill Self Reacts to Andrew Wiggins Signing