#kubball going with a different look for this year's media guide cover.
Players? No.
Rings? Yes. pic.twitter.com/ir2MWbZGh3
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) October 20, 2015
This looks familiar. @KUHoops with the #Big12MBB regular season trophy. #11Straight pic.twitter.com/arwXXQrgb2
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 20, 2015
For Hield, one of the great misconceptions about the conference is that Kansas is perceived as the only power sometimes, simply because of the Jayhawks’ string of titles.
“Every time Kansas wins, it’s usually another team that’s a game out of first place,’’ he said. “It’s not as bad as everybody seems to make it out to be, but Kansas is good. They’re consistent with the stuff they’ve been doing in that system. But it’s time when somebody puts an end to that streak and hopefully it’s Oklahoma.’’
…Monte Morris, junior guard, Iowa State.
“It would be good to beat KU out in the regular season,’’ Morris said. “We’re not going to keep it quiet. That’s what everyone’s goal is. We went 2-1 against them last year. Honestly it wasn’t even us losing at KU, it was us losing at K-State and Texas Tech. You take those losses away, and in Norman, and we win it. It wasn’t so much Kansas. It was us not taking care of business.’’
TCJ
“Every time Kansas wins, it’s usually another team that’s a game out of first place,’’ he said. “It’s not as bad as everybody seems to make it out to be, but Kansas is good. They’re consistent with the stuff they’ve been doing in that system. But it’s time when somebody puts an end to that streak and hopefully it’s Oklahoma.’’
…Monte Morris, junior guard, Iowa State.
“It would be good to beat KU out in the regular season,’’ Morris said. “We’re not going to keep it quiet. That’s what everyone’s goal is. We went 2-1 against them last year. Honestly it wasn’t even us losing at KU, it was us losing at K-State and Texas Tech. You take those losses away, and in Norman, and we win it. It wasn’t so much Kansas. It was us not taking care of business.’’
TCJ
Another #Big12MBB Media Day in the books. Bring on the season. pic.twitter.com/h7Rh1jcpQk
— Kansas Basketball (@KUHoops) October 20, 2015
Speaking at Big 12 Conference media day, Self said his early plan is to start point guards Frank Mason and Devonte' Graham alongside each other, freeing up the Jayhawks to shift a shorter player — such as Wayne Selden — to small forward.
"If you really studied our team, the last two years, we were very, very big on the wing. And that was great in some ways, but we lost a lot of play-making playing that way," Self said. "... I think (starting Selden at small forward) gives us more play-making. I think it gives us more speed, and we'll create more easy baskets for our big guys because we'll have better passers in the game."
Self said Tuesday that Selden is battling an ankle injury, but the team plans to give him back-to-back days off in hopes he will be near 100 percent by the end of the week. A two-point-guard lineup would move Selden to the wing, where he could aid the desired improvement in tempo.
Add the presence of Graham, and the sum could alleviate some pressure off Mason, who played 33.5 minutes per game last season. Self envisions a rotation at point guard to prevent Mason from dominating the ball as often as he did last season.
KC Star
Kansas coach Bill Self says the biggest change to college basketball this year won’t be the new 30-second shot clock.
Instead, it will be a new emphasis on freedom of movement that should drive up foul totals.
“After our (coaches) meeting today, I’m going, ‘We foul five times every possession,’ based on the way it was explained to us,” Self said at Tuesday's Big 12 Media Day. “I’d say a big concern is just getting our guys to understand the way the game has to be played. Not the way the game should be played. The way the game has to be played and still be effective doing that.”
Two years ago, the NCAA attempted to enforce rules that allowed less contact on the perimeter. That resulted in frequent whistles early in the season, though those fouls tapered off late.
“This won’t trail off,” Self said, “because it’s the mandate from the head of the heads all the way down to everybody.”
…“The most physical team in the past, it seemed like to me, always had an advantage. We took great pride in our teams being physical,” Self said. “The most physical team now — the team that hits first, the team that doesn’t allow you to get to your spot, things like that — those are going to be the teams in foul trouble that the opponents are shooting a lot of free throws.”
Self says there could be more whistles in many areas, including hand-checking, screening and displacing post players.
“I’ll be shocked if games in which my team plays doesn’t have multiple games this year where there’s 60 free throws shot,” Self said. “It may not seem like that’s possible, but that’s a lot of stoppages, and that makes for a long game.”
Boxouts also are an area that could be watched more closely.
“I’ve always been a guy that, ‘Hey, on a block out, hit and go get.’ Now, ‘hit’ is illegal,” Self said. “You’ve got to change your techniques on how you do things.”
One advantage KU has is a deep bench. Self typically likes to whittle down to a nine-man rotation, but he said having six viable frontcourt players could prove beneficial.
“I think there’s a chance you could play 11 this year,” Self said, “because I think everybody’s going to foul until they get used to the game.”
TCJ
Ellis, Mason and Mickelson meeting reporters at #Big12MBB Media Day #kubball pic.twitter.com/aZA3a6ZkbD
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) October 20, 2015
“Perry has been our best player so far,” Self said. “We’ve got good balance in our frontcourt without question. We’ve got six guys I’m confident we can put in there at any time,” he added of the ‘bigs’ group of Ellis, Carlton Bragg, Landen Lucas, Jamari Traylor, Hunter Mickelson and Cheick Diallo if he’s eligible.
While noting that “we are not near as deep on the perimeter as we are inside,” he also has able bodies in Svi Mykhailiuk, Brannen Greene and Lagerald Vick to battle for minutes with Mason, Selden and Graham.
“I think this year we could play nine (in rotation) — five perimeter players and four big guys,” Self said. “The (rules) meeting I just sat through ... there’s a chance we could play 11 this year because I think everybody is going to foul until they get used to the game. I think inside depth is going to be important.”
LJW
Here's what I know. KU's Frank Mason, Jr. Is under appreciated nationally and will play with huge chip on both shoulders this year.
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) October 20, 2015
Well, this is familiar.
Another year with a stacked Big 12 -- albeit one with slightly less depth than a year ago -- and a foursome of Brutuses (Iowa State, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Baylor) all aiming for Caesar (Kansas). The most significant storyline of the season, the one that will linger through March, is Kansas' pursuit of its 12th consecutive Big 12 championship. The Jayhawks' run is a remarkable stretch that still hasn't garnered adequate adoration.
Favorite: Kansas
Diallo's situation matters because the likely lottery pick would give Bill Self the perfect complement to Perry Ellis' hybrid game. Diallo's a shot-blocker and the perfect component around the rim. But the Jayhawks should still be favored without him.
Still, this isn't a Kansas (and everyone else) season, even if the Jayhawks have a complete roster. Steve Prohm's Iowa State squad will be led by Wooden Award contender Georges Niang, Jameel McKay's all-universe defense and Monte Morris' gifts off the dribble. Juwan Staten is gone at West Virginia, but a Devin Williams-led reboot in Morgantown ain't nothin' to joke about. Baylor is a promising unit, and Oklahoma returns most of its standouts from last season, including Buddy Hield, a likely preseason All-American. But no team matches Kansas' depth and talent. Frank Mason III, Landen Lucas, Wayne Selden, Ellis, Diallo (maybe) and more. The Jayhawks could, should, secure their 12th consecutive Big 12 crown.
ESPN Big 12 Preview($)
Perry Ellis with a big smile. #Big12MBB #kubball pic.twitter.com/WxAUkf6doi
— JayhawkSlant (@JayhawkSlant) October 20, 2015
In college basketball these days, top players rarely stick around for long, the best of them using school merely as a year-long springboard to the NBA.
Things are a little different in the Big 12.
While there are still plenty of talented freshmen on Big 12 rosters this season, the bulk of the premier players are back from last year. Many had the chance to leave school, but they instead chose to return, giving the league the veteran flavor of a bygone era.
AP
Getting ready for Big 12 Media Day. For some reason @milessimon wanted to take a picture of the Kansas jersey. pic.twitter.com/gKGxj38SBo
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) October 20, 2015
This crew means business!
@KUAthletics fans, RT if you think you're the #1 fans in the @Big12Conference! #Big12MBB pic.twitter.com/HYnfo7NZVo
— Campus Insiders (@CampusInsiders) October 20, 2015
Recognize any of these Jayhawks at #Big12MBB Media Day? @KUHoops pic.twitter.com/2JYJLdENs3
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 20, 2015
Andrew Wiggins was voted "most likely to have a breakout season" by NBA GM's.
Here's why: pic.twitter.com/3ZkQOYs1Ir
— FanJam (@FanJam) October 20, 2015
“Pay Heed. The game you love began here. Respect those who came before you. Make their legacy your own. Because destiny favors the dedicated. And rings don’t replace work. In this game you don’t get what you want. You get what you earn. We are Kansas. Together we rise. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!”
Big 12 / College News
□ Bob Huggins fashion alert □ pic.twitter.com/b3WDRqmzR0
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) October 20, 2015
Curtis Shaw on what happened 2 years ago when changes fizzled: "I truly think people in the hierarchy panicked."
— CJ Moore (@CJMooreBR) October 20, 2015
Biggest emphasis in "rule changes" is officials saying we're ACTUALLY going to call things! That's why coaches always skeptical.
— CJ Moore (@CJMooreBR) October 20, 2015
True story: A Jamari Traylor clip was one of the video examples of illegal screening. https://t.co/jFDvrjmkIq
— Eamonn Brennan (@eamonnbrennan) October 20, 2015
Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said title game deregulation has cleared several NCAA steps, expects approval at NCAA convention in January.
— Chuck Carlton (@ChuckCarltonDMN) October 20, 2015
USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo says the next head coach of USA Basketball is likely to come from the NBA.
In an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio, Colangelo said that the “odds are that it will be a professional coach.”
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who has won five NBA titles and is considered the league’s best coach, is one possibility, sources said.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who was hired in 2005, said Monday he will step down after the 2016 Rio Olympics. He could eventually succeed Colangelo as Chairman.
Zags Blog
The Pac-12 has become the first major conference to integrate student-athletes into its official voting governance structure.
The conference announced Tuesday that it is adding the Pac-12 Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) to conference athletic directors, faculty athletic representatives and the senior woman administrators as the newest subgroup of the Pac-12 Council.
AP
A reminder: Under NCAA new head coach accountability if there are violations -- even if coach didn't know -- HC is held accountable.
— Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) October 20, 2015
Either Rick Pitino masterminded an incredibly reckless, foolhardy scheme to lure recruits, or he hired the guy who did. Neither a good look.
— Jeff Eisenberg (@JeffEisenberg) October 20, 2015
The maelstrom of controversy and scandal that has taken over college basketball will not lead to a Rick Pitino resignation, according to Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich.
Jurich put out a statement today that reads, "Coach Pitino has no plans to step down, he has a long-term contract here and he absolutely did not know anything about the allegations."
…Pitino told Yahoo Sports on Tuesday, "There's only one person who can speak on this matter, and that's Andre McGee. He owes it to his teammates, coaches and the university to tell the truth. The truth has got to come out, and not just to the NCAA."
CBS
"I don't think there's any chance in my mind that Rick Pitino will remain" coach at Louisville. - Seth Greenberg https://t.co/sqAedtHolM
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 20, 2015
One agent said the AmeriLeague has yet to pay any of the former NBA players it signed. @DLeagueDigest 1st broke story on president resigning
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) October 20, 2015
Wake Forest men’s basketball guard Codi Miller-McIntyre is expected to miss four to six weeks following recent surgery to repair a foot fracture, the school announced Monday.
Coach Danny Manning said that Miller-McIntyre had surgery on the foot during the weekend, but did not specify which foot.
Miller-McIntyre averaged a team-best 14.5 points last season while starting all 32 games.
Link
Vanderbilt Preview
Football is the king in this country. Pro. College. Preps. We are a nation consumed by the pigskin.
And yet, college basketball keeps pushing deeper into football season. Earlier start dates mean more conflicts with football.
Castiglione believes that is hurting college basketball.
"Starting the season later in the calendar year is advisable," he said. "I want to keep an open mind as to exactly when, but I really believe starting the regular season around Thanksgiving week is definitely doable."
Hear, hear!
There's been scuttlebutt in the past week about the start of the college basketball season being moved back so far that March Madness becomes a thing of the past. Apparently, some college athletics types are interested in moving it back a month, from mid-November to mid-December. The shift would shove the NCAA Tournament from March and early April into April and early May.
It's a horrible idea.
For starters, that would put the NCAA Tournament up against NBA and NHL playoffs. While neither of those two leagues is as popular as the insanely popular NFL, millions of sports fans are swept up in their playoffs.
Why would college basketball want to try to go head-to-head with that?
The Oklahoman
Big 12 Composite Schedule
Recruiting
#1 2016 Prospect @Mitchlightfoot will Announce His Decision at 1pm Saturday at the @ArizonaPreps Fall Showcase pic.twitter.com/rEgASwtlCH
— AZ Power Basketball (@AzPowerBball) October 20, 2015
Gilbert Christian forward Mitch Lightfoot has set a time to announce his college choice Saturday in Gilbert and, the way many analysts see it, he won't be doing the I-10 shuttle afterward.
A story on 24/7 Sports said Kansas was "surging" in its Crystal Ball for Lightfoot, with now 69 percent of participating analysts saying he's headed to Lawrence, with the remaining 31 percent saying it'll still be Arizona.
It's possible that the commitment of Lauri Markkanen to Arizona last weekend dampened the mutual attraction between the Wildcats and Lightfoot.
However, even though Markkanen and Lightfoot are both technically power forwards, they are much different prospects probably being recruited for different reasons.
Markkanen is a 6-foot-11 stretch forward with a proven ability to hit three-pointers. He's not expected to play more than a year in college.
Lightfoot is a 6-foot-8 forward with a relentless motor around the basket and good character. He has a longer projected timeline in college.
Link
Twelve of the 28 five-star prospects in the country remain uncommitted but as they continue to take visits and cut their lists, more and more information on their collegiate choices has begun to emerge. Here’s a look at where the most recent intel suggests these prospects are leaning at present:
No. 1 Harry Giles (PF, 6-9, 230, Oak Hill Academy (VA)/Winston-Salem NC) -- Duke Blue Devils
No. 3 Josh Jackson (SF, 6-7, 195, Prolific Prep (CA)/Southfield, MI) -- Arizona Wildcats
No. 5 Malik Monk (SG, 6-3, 185, Bentonivlle/Bentonville, AR) -- Kentucky Wildcats
No. 7 De'Aaron Fox (PG, 6-3, 185, Cypress Lakes/Katy, TX) -- Kentucky Wildcats
No. 19 Jarrett Allen (C, 6-10, 235, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal/Austin, TX) -- Kentucky Wildcats
Allen cut his list to eight and is coming off a recent visit to Notre Dame which reportedly went well. Nonetheless though, it's starting to look more and more like Allen could be headed to either Kansas or Kentucky, schools he'll will visit in back-to-back weekends to end the month of October. Ultimately, it might come down to the domino effect, given that both schools are in the mix for Marques Bolden. If one guy ends up at Kentucky, the other could be sealed for Kansas.
No. 20 Marques Bolden (C, 6-10, 240, DeSoto/Dallas, TX) -- Kansas Jayhawks
Coming off what was described by all reports as a great visit to Kansas, Bolden canceled planned trips to both Kentucky and Duke last weekend, fueling speculation that Bill Self had taken over the driver’s seat in Bolden’s recruitment. While Alabama is also looking to make a push, the expectation that Bolden now ends up at Kansas is what ultimately could push Allen to Kentucky.
ESPN ($)
Recruiting Calendar (updated for 2015-16)
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