What is it about Frankamp that makes you think he'll be a better player than Mason next year? He showed virtually nothing. No playmaking ability, no defense, and he didn't even hit his shots (which were generally open threes).

Don't undersell Cliff. He will be a force. Tharpe needs to transfer to Purdue or some dump like that

If they can get Turner, maybe Perry won't play as much as next year. But if they don't, hard to imagine him not being a very significant piece again with his scoring ability.

Better defender because he actually understands where he should be and understands how his man is a threat even when he doesn't have the ball. Too many times Mason would just sag off of his man and then be out of position when that guy came off the screen for an open three.

Better decision maker. Didn't pick up his dribble. Didn't drive into trouble, then jump and hope someone is there for a pass after he's already left his feet or put up a bad shot. You're right that he didn't hit his shots nearly as much is he should have but all of his shots where the right shot to take. Neither Mason Nor Tharpe can say that.

I understand that, but Frankamp has no lateral quickness. He can't keep his man in front of him and his poor defense is perhaps the primary reason he couldn't get on the floor this year. Mason can at least do that much and with his athleticism, he has the makings of a much better defender going forward.

Frankamp knew his limitations, I suppose you could say, but that's because he had such significant ones. Mason is a much better playmaker, both for himself and others. He can create his own shot as well, while Frankamp showed no ability to that (or break down the defense at all).

Personally, I'm very excited by what I saw from Mason this season (an interesting fact is that one of his top statistical comparables is freshman Tyshawn). I don't see how any KU fan couldn't be. He didn't always make the right decisions, but he showed no fear in big moments. It's a good trait to have.

Thing is, Frankamp doesn't HAVE to break down a defense. The other perimeter players are good enough (or should be) to get in position for a good pass.

Mason can break down a defense just fine, and I imagine his decision making will only get better.

These guys are FRESHMEN. To think they're not going to mature is naive. They WILL get better. And they're already damn good. The present sucks, but the future is bright (as always).

For whatever reason, I just wasn't that excited about our team this season. I felt that, outside of our 1-and-done players, the team was just pretty "meh". Hopefully next year they give me something to truly be excited about. I know a lot of fans felt the same way. Me and KC Connection for example...neither of us were surprised that we fell to an inferior Stanford squad today. I didn't feel that bad after the loss at all. Normally I'm just depressed as hell after a tournament loss. That loss to Michigan last season? I felt awful after that. Today I feel just fine. We'll be back here next season.

If he's going to be the type of PG that creates shots for himself and others (which is what you want from PGs), he needs to be able to break down a defense. He can't do anything of the sort right now.

And obviously I'm not saying Frankamp can't improve. Happens all the time. I'm just saying Mason showed great signs this year, while Frankamp didn't show much of anything in that regard. He barely even played.

He needs to get a little stronger and quicker. But the mother****er can shoot. For some reason they werent falling this year, but in flashes it showed.

I personally think he should be shooting 3's over Selden. Selden to me reminds me of a stronger Keith Langford. That guy should be driving to the hoop.

What's with this Hunter Mickleson kid? Is he any good?

Watching the other two games makes me remember the times we were actually fun to watch. Self wins like a bitch but I'm honestly weary of these garbage hackfests and surviving 2-13 shooting lines. It's boring to watch and frankly other people around the country were probably grossed out by our game. He needs to start letting shooters play more so they can get a rhythm rather than yanking then every time they give up a bucket.

Watching Kane and all these other point guards makes me nauseous that he can't land anyone worth a squirt. Since Tharpe doesn't play defense either what do we have to lose by playing Conner over him? Self needs to look himself in the mirror when he keeps seeing these atrocious shooting lines in the NCAAs. He's causing it

I still think this team's peak level was better than every other team, but we never saw it that often. About halfway through the season it just became apparent this team was missing something. You kept expecting it to click, but it never did. Call it a consistent intensity/focus level or just that desire to be great, but it wasn't like other Self teams in that regard. And that was even with Embiid. It's a shame to lose to an inferior team, but I think everyone (OK, maybe not BL) had already braced themselves for this one a long time ago. It's not crushing in the least, at least not by our usual standards.

I'm just glad I got to see a little bit of Wiggins and Embiid's development before they go on to be great players for the next decade plus.

Good year. Self's first double digit loss season. I think he'll have extra motivation next season.

He blocked shots at Arkansas. That's about all he did well, though.

If you knew anything, like the BIG PICTURE, you'd know we're still the best ever.

Some Perspective
 

For all the people that want to bash the Kansas Jayhawks because they hate KU, or for all the KU fans that are pissed at Bill Self and the players, READ THIS: Here is what you must be forgetting. Bill Self lost all 5 starters from last year.

58% off all scholarship players this year were Freshmen. Yes. 7 out of 12 players were Freshmen. Mason, Frankamp, Selden, Lucas, Greene, Wiggins, and Embiid were all Freshmen. Ellis, Traylor and White were only Sophomores, and they barely played last year. Black, who is a Senior, was in his "freshman" year in Self's offensive and defensive systems. Only 1 player had significant playing time under Self, and that was Tharpe.

Just think about that. 7 Freshmen, and 3 Sophomores, a first year Senior, and a Junior, replaced all 5 starters from the year before, played the toughest schedule anyone can remember, won the statistically toughest league in college basketball, and gained a #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Was this loss disappointing? Yes. Was this season a disappointment? HELL NO.

This young team played a non-con schedule that was unreal, played a conference schedule that saw them play ranked team after ranked team, and they won the league. I wish we could have won today, but given all the info I just posted, I am proud of this team, and proud to be a Jayhawk. If you think this team underachieved, that is your problem. Rock Chalk.