**** OFFICIAL 2011-2012 Kansas Basketball Repository Thread ****
 

2011-12 Kansas Men’s Basketball (29-6,17-3)
#2 Seed Midwest Bracket
Big 12 Champions


Click for Shedule Results


Next Game: Friday, March 23 vs North Carolina State 9:15pm CST

Kansas basketball signee Naadir Tharpe praised
Brady Morningstar to compete in 3-point shootout
By Gary Bedore

Kansas guard Brady Morningstar pulls up for a three-pointer over Virginia Commonwealth guard Brandon Rozzell during the second half on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Coaches in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council looked at more than cold, hard stats in selecting Kansas University signee Naadir Tharpe the region’s Class AAA player of the year.

“For somebody to average 14 points a game and still be recognized, I think says a lot about Naadir,” Brewster Academy coach Jason Smith said of the 6-foot, 170-pounder.

He averaged 14.5 points and 6.0 assists a game in leading Brewster of Wolfeboro, N.H., to a 31-3 record and spot in the national prep school semifinals.

“Numerous players averaged 20 points a game. I think people realized the role of point guard is facilitating the offense. There is no other point guard in the country I would rather have running my team than Naadir,” Smith added.

“He makes good decisions. He has elite speed, but what separates him is he understands the game. One trait that really stands out is his basketball IQ. He’s a pure point guard.”

Tharpe, who will play in the East-West All-America game at 3:45 p.m. CDT, Sunday in Houston (it’s available live on ESPN3 on the Internet; replay 8:30 p.m., Sunday, ESPNU), is expected to contribute right away at KU.

“He had a real good year. I think he’ll help us. I think he’ll be in our rotation right off the bat,” KU coach Bill Self said of Rivals.com’s No. 91-rated player.

The caliber of competition in prep school figures to help Tharpe make a quick adjustment to Div. I ball.

“We played against something crazy like 80 Div. I signees this year,” Smith said. “All the stuff the normal freshmen have to get used to ... he’s used to it. Even managing time in college. He’s done it here the last three years. And there’s not going to be the issue of homesickness.”

Tharpe, who is originally from Worcester, Mass., but has played at the New Hampshire school three years, chose KU over Oklahoma, Minnesota and others.

“I would say my defense has improved and my jump shot, definitely,” Tharpe said. “I just know I’ll do whatever it takes for my team to be happy. I’ve always been a pass-first guy.”

Tharpe followed KU’s fortunes closely in the NCAAs, including Sunday’s loss to VCU in the Elite Eight.

“Everything happens for a reason, I guess,” Tharpe said. “Of course, I feel for them. That’s the team I’m playing for next year.”

Tharpe said he was amazed at the performance of KU sophomore forward/former Brewster teammate Thomas Robinson, who experienced the deaths of his mom, grandmother and grandfather this season.

“For something like that to happen to somebody that young of an age that fast and for him to still be playing basketball and doing what he does is amazing,” Tharpe said.

Noted coach Smith: “I am mainly proud of Thomas and how he handled tremendous adversity he had to face this year. He is a strong young man.”

Morris honored

KU junior Marcus Morris was named to the Wooden All-America team announced Wednesday. Others: Jimmer Fredette, BYU; Ben Hansbrough, Notre Dame; JaJuan Johnson, Purdue; Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State; Jacob Pullen, Kansas State; Nolan Smith, Duke; Jared Sullinger, Ohio State; Kemba Walker, UConn; and Derrick Williams, Arizona.

Brady to shoot tonight

KU guard Brady Morningstar will compete in the 23rd annual State Farm College three-point shooting contest, set for 6:30 p.m., today, on the University of Houston campus. It will be shown at 8 p.m. on ESPN2. ... KU’s Tyrel Reed is in Houston as one of the finalists for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award, to be presented Friday. ... Marcus Morris is expected to be in Houston as well for the NABC All-America breakfast.

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2011/m...harpe-praised/

Naadir Tharpe = next Aaron Miles.

Also, I think Braeden Anderson is much better than what the scouting services have him rated at while BMac is not really a 5-star. If we get them both, it'll be a huge win. Getting DD on top of that would be a goddamn coup.

:thumb:

We will have the spots. Time for Coach Self to reload...

NANANA NAPA KNOW HOOOOOOOOOW

Who let the reerun in?

WIDE OPEN 333333333S!!!!!!!!!

:facepalm:

So anyone hear which way B-MaC is leaning?

Beings MU doesn't have a coach at the moment...I would think we have the leverage. Does he announce Sat or Sun?

http://earlaustinjr.com/prep-basketball/3751.html


Ben McLemore Says MU-KU Decision Coming In April

29/03/2011 20:44:00 By Cedric Williams


When local high school basketball star Ben McLemore agreed to play in last Saturday’s 2011 RameyBasketball.com Missouri-Illinois High School All-Star Game, he thought he’d avoided the sometimes bitter St. Louis winter weather,and would get to experience a glorious springtime day and night back in his hometown.

Boy, was he wrong about the weather. A severe early spring snowstorm dropped
as many as six inches of the white stuff on St. Louis Saturday afternoon,
catching everyone off guard, including the returning hoops star whose been
attending school in Texas.

“Man, I thought I was gonna be wearing shorts and flip-flops when I got
here,” McLemore said, following Saturday evening’s all-star showcase at
Vashon High. “I can’t believe how it snowed today. It was like December.”

As cold as it was outside though, it was plenty hot inside the Vashon High
gym, where many of St. Louis’ top high school hoopers took on a team of
Chicago-area stars in a game to decide supremacy from the two areas.

McLemore had 24 points and 7 assists for the St. Louisans, but DePaul
University signee Jamie Crockett stole the show, scoring a game-high 34
points to lead the Chicago team to a 111-108 victory over the St. Louis
All-Stars.

“I thought everybody played good,” McLemore said. “I’m just glad to be back
home, and play in the STL again. I had fun. I wish we would’ve won.”

For local hoop fans, now is when the real fun begins.

McLemore remains one of the nation’s highest rated high school seniors who
has yet to sign with or even commit to a college team for next year.

It’s been pretty clear since the start of this season that McLemore has
narrowed his choices to either Mizzou or Kansas, and has several times
passed on opportunities to commit to either school.

Recently, it was announced he would make his decision on April 3, just a few
days before the final signing period begins.

On Saturday, McLemore continued to be non-committal.

“I’m still just looking at Kansas or Mizzou,” he said, as other all-star
team members teased him by quieting chanting to the two schools’ signature
fan cheers ‘Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk’ and ‘M-I-Z. Z-O-U.’ “I know there’s lots
of rumors out there. But I haven’t made my decision yet. And I won’t until
April.”

Among the reported rumors regarding McLemore, is the notion that he prefers
Kansas, and wants to go there, but that his mother prefers Mizzou, and wants
him to choose the Tigers.

“Man, some of that stuff is crazy,” McLemore said. “It’s just talk. I don’t
listen to any of it.”

Another rumor circling the internet, is that McLemore might not qualify
academically for college next season. The concern is that McLemore’s first
high school, Wellston High here in St. Louis, has been de-certified by the
state of Missouri, which could bring into question his freshman-,
sophomore-, and junior-year grades.

There was also some concern over McLemore’s senior-year grades because after
transferring to basketball power Oak Hill Academy in Virginia last summer,
he left that school in February, and is now attending The Christian Life
Center School in Texas.

“That wasn’t a grade problem,” McLemore said. “I broke a school rule. I
didn’t know it was against the rules. But I did it. And I learned a lesson
from it. And now I’m just concentrating on getting my grades good so for
next year.”

There’s even a rumor that ESPN has asked McLemore to not announce his
college choice until the last possible date, because they would like to
carry the announcement live on their network.

“I heard that,” McLemore said. “But nobody’s asked me. Nobody has talked to
me. So to me that’s just another rumor. And I (won’t) worry about it.”

McLemore also said Mizzou coach Mike Anderson leaving to take the same job
at Arkansas would have no bearing on his decision. He also stated he hasn’t,
and won’t, give any consideration to becoming a Razorback. The only choice
for him is MU or KU.

“I don’t know what it’ll come down to,” McLemore said. “I’ve been thinking
about it a lot. And I’m just gonna keep thinking about it, and talking with
my family, and I’ll make a decision in April.”
</pre>

That would be fantastic.

Still trolling, I see. Four days later.

Pathetic.

I would like to see us get Daniels, Porter, and McLemore to go along with Tharpe. Anderson, Simpson, and Trayor are guys that will get recruited over. I would rather have an open scholarship or two for our 2012 class than pick up scrubs.

For 2012 I would like to get P Ellis, J-Mychal Reese, Marcus Smart, Nino Jackson, and Kaleb Tarc, to go along with Zach Peters.

No doubt. He lives in L.A. and his life is so pitiful that the best thing he can do is troll a board to harangue guys that live halfway across the country? Dude, GO OUTSIDE...

...meanwhile, I'm in D.C., and it's raining, but I'm heading out shortly.

I'm not dogging Naadir necessarily as I don't really know much about him. Just watched some videos and what not, but he was measured at a recruiting camp to have a 25 inch vertical jump. I sure hope he is crafty.

He's a true PG, he's not a scorer by any means. Also, can you please never ever predict a 100% KU win ever again? Thanks.

Kentucky Leads For Braeden Anderson

Really sucks that we're so desperate. I mean, they could just be saying that, but it's not a long trip to get to that line of thought.

Like any recruiter, Townsend just tells recruits what he thinks they want to hear. I wouldn't look much into it.

Don't think UK has even offered him yet.

http://espnsportsgo.tumblr.com/








Got this from a buddy earlier. He just thought it was so funny. Figured I'd share so that you all can play a joke on some of your buddies if you wish.

Wut?

This is a joke.

I *****ing hate this day...

Well after a few more weeks, it may be real. Although I feel pretty safe saying Taylor isn't going anywhere.

hopefully we can get some good big men, we are going to run dry on those soon. Marcus will go pro, Thomas Robinson and Markief will be a good duo, but after that there isn't anything right now. Actually I predict that Thomas Robinson will be a total stud next season and go pro next year.

Just got done listening to a reporter from Kentucky. Talking about Cal having 4 5 Star kids coming in next year. Thats just sick. What is wrong with Bill lately? After that Chalmers, Rush, Downs, Wright year I thought Bill was among the best recruiters. KU doesn't even sniff the top 25 classes this year.

It's not just one thing. Cal always has been and always will be the best recruiter in college basketball, that's just the reality. Bill Self's system is a little hard to sell to recruits especially given the fact that there's usually very little playing time available to freshmen. When we had nobody on the team, Bill Self went out and got the class you mentioned.

I can't even ****ing imagine what Cal would do if he was the HC at UNC, Jeeeeeezus titty.

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...1OYt19nhBg&t=1

Are you actually whining about Bill Self's recruiting because he can't measure up to John Calipari's NBA connections?

i miss the old KU thread, it was much cooler


:sulk:

we shud recrut Gaddafi

I reflect on the team after the '08 Championship squad. After losing all 5 starters...I thought we would be average among the league, even with Aldrich and Collins.

You just have to trust Bill when it comes to putting a team together. I don't think anyone thought THIS team would go 35-3 on the season.

Exactly, the stars don't mean shit. Guess what the 2011 #1 draft pick, Derrick Williams, was ranked coming out of high school?

Yeah....this one is off to a depressing start.

No but having at least one big time recruit before April would be nice. I know he will swoop in and get a nice class.

P.S. Word on the street is that Twins are gone (hiring an agent).

I fully expect them to be gone, but that doesn't make it any better for me.

yea, i figure they are unless there is an NBA strike. I don't think they should hire an agent yet though ... just in case.

The real question is whether Trob goes or not

This.

It's almost a given the twins are gone.

The two I am most interested in is TRob and Selby. I would like to see Josh play one full season without interruption. He has great raw talent...just needs another season to mature and learn. If he leaves, he will be one of the biggest bust to sport the jersey in a while. This is going off of the expectations that came with him...which isn't fair. But it's all part of the game.

An NBA lockout looks almost like a given at this point. Over half the teams in the league are losing money.

Someone who pays attention to the lockout/NBA tell me.....how will/could this affect players going into the draft?

Just n the subject of UK. Some reporter today, at John Calipari's press conference, supposedly asked him, "How does it feel to be in your first Final 4?"
I thought that was funny.

How do we know this one will stay on the books?

I'd assume its near the same way the NFL lockout is going to affect rookies, can't sign a contract, teams can't talk to the players post draft other than a media appearance, teams can't talk to any undrafted players. Realistically it means a bunch of them will probably go play in Europe for a year if it happens.

Stole this but its funny.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../calipari4.jpg

McLemore commits to KU as expected.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=628...medium=twitter

I know he is considered a project, but it's something.

wow ... that makes me sad

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/ap...-agent/?sports

Also this. Again, as expected.

Sarcasm...?

sent from my pony-xpress

no, it does makes me sad that we are currently down to at least "it's something"

while Kentucky is having to beat recruits away with a stick because they have so many studs ready to go there.

Next year could be really rough if the NBA doesn't have a lockout.

Ben is replying on Twitter that this is not true.

We still have to wait until tomorrow to find out for sure.

I think some of you worry too much about recruiting. KU basketball will be fine.

Well piss.

"Ben is probably going to commit to KU, but he has NOT done it yet. Telep filmed this in anticipation of the commitment, so he could be first to break the news. He also filmed a Missouri one. This got posted prematurely by some tard at ESPN."

From the Phog

You do realize that he is a top 50 player and a 5 star recruit, right?

Of course. But it's nice to know that great recruits still want to come here, especially after the VCU debacle.

I looked at the top 100 recruits on ESPN and where they are committed to going and not a one was to KU. How come?

Because recruiting isn't done yet.

But I think Naadir Tharpe is top 100.

If losing to Bucknell and Bradley didn't affect recruiting, a loss in the Elite 8 isn't anything to worry about.

can always count on kcc for a good ol' fanship lecture

<table width="415" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1px solid #c0c0c0;padding:3px" valign="top" width="120">http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/81/817769m.jpg </td> <td>
</td><td style="border: 1px solid #c0c0c0" valign="top" width="290"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr><td> Ht: 5-11 Wt: 160
<table width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td>Position: </td> <td align="RIGHT"> PG </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr><td valign="TOP">Year: </td> <td valign="TOP" align="RIGHT">Class of 2011</td> </tr></tbody></table> <table width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr><td valign="TOP"><nobr>AAU Team:</nobr> </td> <td valign="TOP" align="RIGHT">NE Playaz</td> </tr></tbody></table> <table width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="TOP"><nobr>High School:</nobr> </td> <td valign="TOP" align="RIGHT">Brewster Academy
(Wolfeboro, NH)</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td></tr></tbody></table> </td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border: 1px solid #c0c0c0" width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr><td colspan="3" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">2011 Scout.com HS Basketball Rankings (full list):</td></tr> <tr> <td>Pos: PG</td> <td>Pos Rank: #16</td> <td>Pos Rating: http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/rating.gif http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/rating.gif http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/rating.gif http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/rating.gif </td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table style="border: 1px solid #c0c0c0" width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">Scout.com Player Evaluation:</td></tr> <tr valign="top"><td> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" width="50%"> <table width="100%" bgcolor="#009900" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"> <tbody><tr bgcolor="#EEFFEE"><td align="center">STRENGTHS</td></tr> <tr valign="middle" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><td>http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/eval_pro.gif Attack Mode </td></tr> <tr valign="middle" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><td>http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/eval_pro.gif Ballhandling </td></tr> <tr valign="middle" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><td>http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/eval_pro.gif Passing </td></tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td valign="top" width="50%"> <table width="100%" bgcolor="#CC0000" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"> <tbody><tr bgcolor="#FFEEEE"><td align="center">AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT</td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><td valign="middle">http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/eval_con.gif 3-Point Range </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><td valign="middle">http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/eval_con.gif Decision Making </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><td valign="middle">http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/eval_con.gif Explosiveness </td></tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td></tr> <tr><td>Tharpe is a pure point guard who loves to get others involved. If he is scoring it is going to the rim because his jumper is still a work in progress. Tharpe is a nifty ball handler who has it on a string, and then is one of the best passers in the class. He sees the floor well and just has a knack for finding the open guy. Now he does try to force things a little too often, but he still can really set up his teammates.</td></tr> </tbody></table><table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td align="center">
</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border: 1px solid #c0c0c0" width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#e3e3e3">Biography:</td></tr> <tr><td>Poised. Smart. High basketball IQ. Does a terrific job for a young player controlling the tempo and getting his teammates involved. Needs to get stronger, but that will come with time. </td></tr></tbody></table>

umm ... haven't 90% of the top recruits already committed?

ESPN has top 100 recruits committed to all the big boys but Kansas. You guys won it all in 2008. Why won't you have a top 5 class little own not even one top recruit?

here's the recruiting list: full list and yes, it seems like most have committed.

as for our recruiting class being down ... a few reasons imo.

1. we are pretty much full until we find out whether underclassmen are leaving.

2. Self's system is not "show off" friendly for guys wanting to make a name for themselves and jump to the NBA.

Yes, but it's not over.

We won't have a Top 5 class. But we will have a good one.

I just think it's funny to see people worrying about the same things each year (seriously, people like you were questioning Self's recruiting last year and the year before that and the year before that, etc), when in the end, things always work out pretty good.

We're dealing with the craziness of high school kids making decisions here, too, it's best not to focus too much on it, anyway.

Tharpe is our only guy so far

<table width="325px" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="padding:4px; background-color<img src=" http:="" www.chiefsplanet.com="" bb="" images="" smilies="" angry.gif"="" border="0" alt="" title="angry" smilieid="50" class="inlineimg">BEST OF THE BIG 12 </td></tr> <tr><td style="padding:4px; background-color<img src=" http:="" www.chiefsplanet.com="" bb="" images="" smilies="" angry.gif"="" border="0" alt="" title="angry" smilieid="50" class="inlineimg">Ranking the classes (national rank) </td></tr> <tr><td style="padding:4px; background-color<img src=" http:="" www.chiefsplanet.com="" bb="" images="" smilies="" angry.gif"="" border="0" alt="" title="angry" smilieid="50" class="inlineimg">1. Texas (8)
2. Oklahoma State (12)
3. Baylor (13)
4. Texas A&M
5. Kansas State
6. Iowa State
7. Texas Tech
8. Kansas
9. Nebraska
10. Colorado
11. Oklahoma
12. Missouri</td></tr></tbody></table>

Fire Self while we still can, maybe Painter is still available.

it's what fans do for every team in every sport

Maybe I'm not a regular fan, but I just don't see how all this worrying is helpful. KU is going to be great whether they get any of these guys or not.

i have not heard a single person even whisper anything close to "fire self" but the reality is that we have some issues that need to be improved.

imo such as:

1. come tourney time, guard play is at a premium so KU needs to plan for that in terms of scheme and recruiting. We need to recruit/develop better shooters/drivers and need an offensive scheme that keeps their shooting sharp all year long.

2. Our offensive scheme leaves us open to upset, more than the norm, because of it's limits and due to the fact that it's the same exact scheme every game. When facing teams, with less talent than us, it open the door to an upsets by having them know exactly what our gameplan is each and every game. They know if they "clog the paint and shoot the 3 ball" they have a real chance to pull an upset. All year long we need to be working on schemes that prevent "clog the paint and shoot the 3" from working. Hell ... just using multiple schemes would help a ton. Every game we should use multiple defensive and offensive schemes so teams have to prep more.

3. Self needs to look for another "Danny Manning" coach for his guards. The improvement gap in big men compared to small is crazy. Either that or it's Self himself with his coaching style/schemes that hurts their development. i dunno.

now i know you don't agree with any of this so a response is not needed or wanted.

So i will just leave you with something you can agree on:

"Self is the best coach in america and KU losing is just normal tourney occurrences combined with bad luck" /KCconnection

or

"KU would of won the NC if they just had 5 Tyshawn Taylor's they could of put on the court at the same time" /KCconnection

really?


....REALLY???

wow ... entitled much?

we don't need no stinkin' recruits ... WE ARE KU!!!

And maybe Painter can improve them, though we shouldn't get our hopes up.

KU was a top 10 shooting team in the country this season, like they are nearly ever season. And you hated their one slasher/driver in Tyshawn Taylor, but sure, it's always nice to have guys that can create. Releford will take that role next year.
This is a nonsensical statement and based on no evidential support that I can see. A team that's prone to being upset by lesser teams loses more than three games in a season.

KU didn't lose to VCU because they don't play multiple schemes. They lost because their best three point shooters missed some threes that they usually make. It's really as simple as that.

That would be great. Who do you suggest?

I don't see how any reasonable person that with any knowledge about college basketball and the crapshoot that is the NCAA tournament could disagree with that statement. You can put Self's program up against anybody's right now.

For all that the haters said about Tyshawn Taylor, he was the consistently the best player in the tournament for the team, even in the last game. They're going to need that Tyshawn in a big way next year if they want to win the B12.

Is the guy that routinely complains about Bill Self as a college basketball head coach really calling somebody else entitled? LMAO

Dude, I'm not talking trash. I'm a fan of Missouri State so we don't shop at the same supermarket.

I was just shocked at the ESPN list that i saw online.

kinda stretching the definition a little bit ... aren't ya? Just because i don't consider Bill Self "perfect" doesn't mean i'm acting entitled. If nothing else the opposite is true. I believe we better keep working and improving if we want to keep a quality basketball program.

I believe the word you might be looking for is "ungrateful"?

You think KU fans should just be grateful for Bill Self and ignore any possible flaws he may have ie "just shut the hell up and cheer"

Not at all. Anybody with a bit of sense knows that Bill Self is one of the best coaches in the country running one of the best programs in the country (perhaps it actually is the best). Whining about how he runs his offense (which is routinely among the best in the NCAA) or his recruiting (which is routinely among the best in the NCAA) is pretty much the definition of being entitled. You simply don't realize how good you have it.

I don't mean to sound like an arrogant ass, but watching these teams plays in FF really hurt me. KU was obviously a much, much better team than any of the ones playing this weekend, can't help but think "if only." I'm sure OSU fans feel the same way.

Yep, these teams are an enormous step down in quality. Anybody that watched OSU or KU even a little bit during the regular season knows that...they were playing an entirely different level.

The VCU loss will go down as the biggest wasted opportunity in the entire of the basketball program.

How many players on the Jayhawks last Championship team were 5 star recruits?