Lucas is gonna end up playing a big role. Really like guys that progress like him

I know I don’t have much reason to doubt the way that Self and company develop bigs, but I’m a bit worried about the forward position. Perry is a scorer, Cliff is unknown as a freshman, but those are the only 2 bigs that can be expected to be more than just role players. Traylor and Lucas will get some rebounds and Mickelson should block some shots, but little else can be expected beyond that.

First world problems, I know.

When you first look at him, he just seems like he's going to be a soft player. But every time he hustles, fights, scraps, and brings down tough rebounds. You can fake scoring. You can fake assists and steals.

You can't fake blocks and rebounds. He gets those. Lucas will play and contribute. He might get minutes this year because of need, but by his Junior and Senior years, he'll get minutes because of production.

What exactly is the problem here? Darrell Arthur could score and Cole Aldrich was unknown as a freshman. Sausha Kaun got some rebounds and Darnell Jackson blocked some shots. Little else was needed beyond that.

First world problems, indeed.


PS Cliff looked like a mother****ing beast. Better feet, better hands, better touch, better awareness around the basket than any time I watched him in high school. He's clearly putting in the work.

Mickelson wasn't long on minutes, but he certainly made the most of the minutes he had. Saw him block 2 shots on the same possession, and scored with ease. He could be a surprise.

I dunno. I feel like Lucas is a great fit in Selfs hi low offense. He's gonna end up being the typical Kansas Big man, in the role of Sasha.

I know its nit-picking. But the biggest role players in 2008 were all upperclassmen on a team that had developed together over several years.


I'm reserving all judgment until we play against a real team. Everyone over 6'8" looked like a beast because it was a scrimmage against a JUCO.

Kentucky awaits in 2 weeks. We shall see.

Yes, but I'm not talking about his physical domination. I'm talking about things that don't improve against inferior competition. Nimble feet are nimble feet. Spacial awareness isn't affected by going against WCS vs. Alex North. I was surprised by those things, not by his physical domination.

You're right about 2008, but I will say that one of the things I love about this team is that Perry, Traylor, Greene, Mason, Graham, Lucas, Sviatoslav, and Mickelson should all be back next year as well. I think Cliff is long gone, and I'm 50/50 on Selden and Oubre.

Oubre might be gone by January.

I didn't get a chance to watch this one; and I'm not all that upset. I am ready to beat the piss out of Kentucky here in a few weeks.

:shake:


I want it too, just sayin.

We need some wins vs Kentucky, 6-21 vs them. (They are 13-23 vs UNC so it happens to everyone). 5-6 since Larry arrived. Ted went 1-11 vs them mostly during the 70s when we were down. A few fun facts:

-We lost in Lexington in 1951. They conveniently missed the return trip next season when we went 28-3 and won it all.

-from 1969-1984 the series missed on one year. After losing at Lexington in 1969 they skipped the return trip when we went 27-3 and got to the Final Four

-after winning three straight with Self 2005-7, Kentucky declined to continue the series

-we finished ahead of them in Sagarin 6 of the past 7 years. Only year we didn't, we played their NC team of 2012 twice

-on12/10/77 we hosted them and held "Adolph Rupp Night" for our former alum at AFH. Rupp died that evening in Lexington.

?

That blows. That's not what exhibition. Is for.

I've been a huge Lucas homer since this time last year. Love to watch him play.

I would like to see Mickelson play quite a bit, just because of this skillset. We all know how big of a difference having a guy who can block shots in the middle is. He's as good at it as any, and that can cover up huge holes defensively.