He is an off guard, athletically, he wont be a mismatch, he moves his feet on defense and is physical. Ball handling and getting the shooter first mentality out of his game could be a challenge, even this past summer, he took a lot of shots outside of the offense during international play. But he is a smart kid with good basketball IQ, coaches kid. The thing for you guys(KU) is having too many chiefs and not enough indians next year. i.e not enough distributors and more scorers.

Spin it how you want. I wasn't impressed. If you want to think he's going to light the world on fire as a freshman, fine. I don't think he will. I think he has the tools to contribute eventually, but I'll be impressed as hell if it is in year one.

Like I said, I hope I'm wrong.

too each their own. There's a reason why people that watch basketball do like him, and you dont. Perhaps you dont know what your seeing?

Hope so. I'd shit purple twinkies if he lights it up next year.

Most freshmen don't make a significant impact in their first year. I don't think he's saying anything too crazy here. In fact, it's probably likely.

In before your edit. He is a shooter, he gets hot more often then not. He shoots in rhythm and creates his own shot. Size is a disadvantage but is better suited at off guard. Has the quickness you dont expect(white guy) not sure he fits as a true PG, but a guy that if the game is on the line, you'd want him to shoot. Not sure he needs to contribute next year, but type of player that will find a way onto the court.

That was the whole premise of the conversation. The discussion was whether or not Frankamp would hold down the PG position next year. I find that unlikely. I think odds are Self will get quite a bit of production out of him through his career, but I don't think it will be year one. That was the context of everything I was arguing.

I'm not at all saying he doesn't have skills or won't amount to anything. I'm just saying, he's got a long way to go to get a lot of minutes year one.

Tharpe is the starting PG next year. There's no discussion on this. Or if there is, there shouldn't be. Now, backup PG duties may fall to a freshman, but I see White or Adams there before I see a frosh doing it.

This.

I bet next years chart at PG is going to be Tharpe, Adams, Mason. Next year is going to be all about developing talent and watching another freshman sensation in Selden. I don't think we'll be winning 30 games, but I hope I'm wrong.

White is not a PG

Tharpe will be the starting PG next year but I could see Selden handling it a lot. The guy is a very good passer and very physical with the ball in his hand.

Tharpe, Adams, Mason at the 1, Seldon & Frankamp at the 2. (My guess... I see Frankamp as more of an SG than a PG).

Exactly.

And it's unfortunate. Tharpe is the PG this team needs. Can drive, dish, and shoot.

TT could get to the hoop off the dribble, which is something EJ struggles with....and which is something this team needs.

I just heard Bill Self's post game interview... holy shit he didn't hold back LMAO Just verbally bitch slapped every member of the team.

Or at least in the lane. But to be fair, when Robinson is down there, there are some more options.

The thing about TT was he could get by anybody in the country anytime he wanted. EJ can't create like that and frankly neither can anyone else on the team right now. If a team can throw a wrench in the works of our offense, our best option is to find Withey. It'd be nice to have someone get in the lane more, but against tough competition, we don't have anybody that can consistently beat people off the bounce outside of the offense.

The real key for this team is to keep the offense going.

Blair Kerkhoff‏@BlairKerkhoff

USA Today coaches poll: 1. Indiana. 2, Fla. 3. Mich. 4. Duke. 5. KU. 15. KState, 20, Mizzou. 22 Wichita, 24 Ok State

I would put us ahead of Duke.

Duke shouldn't even be top 10 afaic.

But we probably shouldn't be 5 either.

KU’s Elijah Johnson says Sunday’s three-hour team meeting with head coach was productive

Kansas University senior Elijah Johnson is hoping a Sunday pep talk from his coach — during a three-hour team meeting in Allen Fieldhouse — is just what he needs to turn his season around.

“We talked a lot yesterday. We talked a whole lot yesterday. ... I like the confidence he (Bill Self) is putting in me. I know he’s still riding with me no matter what. I’m just trying to grow up right now,” the slumping point guard said Monday.

He turned the ball over on the final possession of KU’s 85-80 home loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday.

“Usually I don’t,” Johnson said, asked if he needed a pep talk once in a while, “but yesterday I did. I definitely needed one yesterday and coach gave it to me. I didn’t realize until I went home that’s what I got. He gave me one.”

Self on Monday told the media that Johnson will remain the team’s starting point guard.

“He’s my guy,” Self said. “We have the best chance to win when Elijah is in the game.”

As far as other messages in the meeting in the fieldhouse, Johnson explained: “He called us in as a team. We sat over there for about three hours yesterday talking about what we didn’t do hard, what we did do hard and it balanced out the wrong way. We got outplayed. They outplayed us. There were a couple plays he showed us where players from their team were diving on the ball and there were four people on our team standing around watching them do it. The same thing with rebounds.

“Everything on the court falls back on me. I never rallied our team at the end of the game. I blame that loss on me 100 percent because no matter what was going on in timeouts on the court, regardless, a senior guard always rallies the team up and gets the fieldhouse to turn up and take care of the job. I never did that. I had a blank face out there and I didn’t like that at all.”

Johnson said he was struggling about this time last year as well and turned it around. He said he’ll fix the problem at practice.

“Personally I don’t think I’m doing a good job at practice,” he said. “I’m kind of pacing myself and it’s coming back to haunt me now. I think that’s what I’m struggling with now.”

For more on Johnson struggles, Self’s vote of confidence in the senior floor general and the Jayhawks, see Tuesday’s Journal-World and KUsports.com

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2013/f...-hour-team-me/

"Turn the season around." Lol. Top 5 team in the country, perennial title contender needs to turn the season around. Love Bill Self. Dude means business.

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How is Missouri still ranked after losing to a terrible LSU team last week? There are either a lot of shitty teams in the NCAA this year or the coaches don't have a clue what they're doing (probably both, really).

Oklahoma State should also be higher than 24.

Because they knocked over another tomato can in Auburn since then

Selden looks like an absolute boss.

:LOL: predictable for sure.

A know-nothing troll chiming in is perhaps even more predictable.

As I've been saying for weeks now (long before KU's loss to them), OSU is the 2nd best team in the B12 and the closest thing KU has to a real threat in conference. Their difficult road schedule to start the B12 season gave the illusion that they weren't in the public eye, but they clearly are. The talent is there and they just did something that no team had been able to do in three years (win at AFH). They deserve significant credit for that.

OSU was ranked 21 in KenPom before the KU game (which was 2nd in the conference) and they're 18 now (still 2nd, but by an even greater margin over KSU/Baylor). ESPN's BPI rating also has them at 18. Knowing that, they should clearly be higher...certainly above MU (49 KP, 35 BPI) and probably above that overrated KSU squad (27 KP, 38 BPI) as well.

It was actually two years ago that KU lost at AFH. But, your point is still valid.

Still a long time. I think it was about 4 years between losses before that Texas one. I've actually attended each of their last three losses there and I have to say that Marcus Smart's performance on Saturday may have topped both Acie Law's and Tristan Thompson's. He was incredible, just willed that OSU team to victory in a very tough building to win in.

Let's be honest without Elijah killing our momentum with bad shots and turnovers we win by at least 15.

Who do you think crushed Elijah's spirit and caused him to lose any semblance of confidence? Marcus Smart. He took that game away by force.

I don't buy it, he simply took what was there. Elijah has been coasting all season and it finally bit him in the ass. If Self had kept Tharp in we win that game.

I blame Self for not pulling EJ out at the half. He kept him in, I couldn't believe it.

You don't buy that Marcus Smart both mentally and physically dominated Elijah Johnson in that game? Because to me, that's exactly what happened. You can explain it away by his laziness, lack of focus, or coasting, but he just got beat in the end by a guy who wanted it more. And so did the team.

You blame Self for not pulling their starting guard at half for a guy who has never proven the ability to consistently do anything productive? It would be one thing if Tharpe was playing well, but he's 9 for his last 33 and still is making bad turnovers and playing poor defense. He's not exactly the answer here unless he dramatically improves his play (like, say, he did in December).

If they are to go on any type of run at the end of the season, they are going to need EJ to start playing better. He can't do that from the bench behind a guy who isn't ready to start.

I can't because Elijah has been playing poorly for quite some time.

While true, that doesn't have much of anything to do with what specifically happened in Saturday's game between EJ and Smart.

Smart was good but he didn't do anything we couldn't prevented if we played tougher. If EJ plays smarter we come away with the win despite the poor start. I'm glad we did lose though especially at home it's more humbling for the guys. Most of his points came from like 5 feet of the basket anyway he didn't have an epic performance lol. And they hit a shit load of 3s that don't usually fall come on.

It could be worse fellas. We could be losing at Arkansas by 20 with under 6 to go.

Actually, that makes what he did even more impressive. Nobody has challenged the basket/Withey all season and come away with anything good. Smart destroyed this team by doing exactly that.

Arkansas sucks, they're just barely hanging on at this point.

Yeah, they aren't good, but they are trying to let Florida back into it.

Florida loses and Aaron Craft sucks bawls.

New Kansas recruit...

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People are still whining about the Okie loss? Does that loss actually mean something? KU will win the league again and get a 1-seed and play in KC. This changes nothing

Aaron Craft is still a ****ing hacking bitch.

End.

And they're (i.e. Dickie V) still saying he should be national player of the year defensively. Load of shit. Michigan is going to win this game and crush him.

I don't see anybody whining about anything.

Yeah, the broadcast is all full of fail. They keep saying it is an amazing atmosphere and it is just now getting loud. Hell you could hear their gay ass music like a ****ing NBA game. LAME.

Frankamp had 48 points tonight. Dude went off.

:rockon: Against who?

Aaron Craft ****ing sucks.

This. I had a pretty serious hate fest going on this evening. I wouldn't mind so much if the media would leave him alone and the refs would CALL A ****ING FOUL. It's not as bad as handsjob, but getting there. And handsjob was a better player.

But but but Florida is going to run the table and is the beat team in the country / natl media

21 of 22 from the line. The good news is hes not just a shooter. He gets to the line at will.

North tops East behind Frankamp’s 48 points
By Joanna Chadwick/The Wichita Eagle

Published Feb. 5 at 11:43 p.m. | Last updated Feb. 6 at 6:10 a.m.

Gallery: Frankamp scores 48 as North beats East 71-63
During postgame interviews, North boys coach Gary Squires consistently references the key contributions of any player not named Conner Frankamp.

So after Tuesday’s 71-63 win over visiting East, Squires pointed out how well juniosr Zach Beard (10 points), Tarius Williams (10) and Sean Bernard (four rebounds) played.

And then the conversation returned to where it began, with Frankamp, who scored a game-high 48 points, his third game this season of 40 or more points. He has seven games of more than 40 points in his career, the most in City League history, including the top two point totals (52 and 48).

“He’s been shooting it well in practice lately,” said Squires, whose team improved to 13-2 overall, 10-1 in the City League. “I knew that one of these nights, he’d just go for a big night because in our shooting drills and stuff, he’s been lighting it up. When he gets it going….”

Frankamp hit 11 of 20 field goals, 5 of 12 three-pointers and 21 of 22 free throws. He scored all 10 of North’s first-quarter points and 19 of its 21 fourth-quarter points. East scored 11 in the final period.

He awed the fans with his five threes, most from deep beyond the three-point line. He used a cross-over move to drive inside for a basket.

But his free throws were near perfect. He made 12 straight in the fourth quarter.

“He gets it up on his fingertips,” Squires said. “He arches it. He has a soft touch, and the other thing, he’s so confident and he works at it, too.”

After every practice, Frankamp shoots to make 25 straight. If he misses, he starts over.

“I try to keep my technique and shoot with arch,” Frankamp said. “I feel that’s the most important thing with free throws…. I just try to keep my elbow under the ball and keep my feet squared to the goal.”

While North made 28 of 32 free throws — Beard was 4 of 4 — East struggled. The Aces made 7 of 21 free throws, missing their first eight, which prompted the North student section to chant “we make free throws.”.

“It was a huge disappointment for us,” said East coach Joe Jackson, whose team didn’t make a free throw until the third period. “We ended up 7 for 21, that won’t get it done. You’re going into their place and Conner shot more free throws than we shoot as a team, and when we shoot 33 percent from the line and we put their best player to the line more than our whole team goes, it’s not going to be good for us.”

East (9-6, 7-4) made runs on North, jumping out to an 18-10 lead, thanks to four threes by sophomore Semajae Jones, who finished with 21 points.

And then Jones made three three-pointers after being fouled on a three attempt with 3:33 to go in the third, tying the score at 42-all.

East led after three when Nick Griffin hit a three-pointer to end the period. East still had opportunities late, getting a three apiece from JJ Normore, who had 14 points, and Jones.

But while North made 10 straight free throws in the final 1:48, East made 2 of 7 from the line in the final 2:14.

“It came down to free throws tonight,” Jackson said. “We beat them in almost every category in the stats but free throws. That hurts us.”

I came. Hopefully he can teach the current hawks how to do it.

Game day!

I wish the game was against a little bit more of a competitive team after the loss at home.

Yeah, I just hope they come out and destroy them from the tip and Tyler Self plays 15 minutes. I'll be epic pissed if they let them hang around and play their same shit basketball of late. They'll still win handily playing lazy, but it does 0 good for them to just win. They need to be destroyer of worlds good.

Yep. Need a twenty point victory to be satisfied tonight. They better lay it on them.

Conner looks and plays like any other HS player I've ever seen.

He's not quick...he can shoot....but he's going to be just like Ellis when he gets here.....he's a very big fish in a very small pond....and he will get eaten up and beaten up by the bigger stronger and faster guards in this league.

WTF....are you blind? He's not quick? Have you not watched his highlight video reel? You seriously just have to be trolling

Even still, do we as fans learn much from a potential 20 point drubbing against the B12's worst team?

Do you think the players learn from it?

No. And I agree. I wish we had a challenge. If we play shitty, that will tell everybody a lot though.

Not trolling....like i said....he's a big fish in a small pond.

Ellis looked amazing in HS as well. Face it, there's not a whole hell lot of talent in KS HS bball.

He's going to get a big awakening when he gets to Lawrence.

Personally I hope he's the next Kirk Hinrich.

If I am remembering correctly - Connor is regarded as a pure shooter, whereas Kirk wasn't. At least coming out of high school.

Shame on you, leave him in no matter how poorly is playing. We need him IN!!!

I think you're wrong. He's a very gifted scorer. And he's not slow at all. Plus, he knows when to pass it for the easy score. He has done well against international competition. The place where he will probably struggle is playing defense the way Self requires.

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Aw Geez, don't these politicians have more important things to work on?
 

Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Statehouse Live: Bill would require KU to play Wichita State University in basketball

By Scott Rothschild



Topeka — This week, the state of Kansas has three college men’s basketball teams ranked in the Top 25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
But one of those teams, Wichita State University, doesn’t play the other two, Kansas University and Kansas State University.


That would change under legislation introduced Tuesday by state Sen. Michael O’Donnell, R-Wichita.


Starting in the 2014-15 academic year, KU and K-State would each have to schedule a nonconference game with Wichita State.


“These are absolutely going to be sellout games,” O’Donnell said.
O’Donnell said the matchups would be a hit with basketball fans and promote the state. He said the games would also decrease travel time for the teams.


Similar legislation has been filed before and clanked off the rim.
But O’Donnell noted he has a powerful teammate running the floor. Senate President Susan Wagle, a Republican, is from Wichita.


O’Donnell originally proposed making state funding to KU contingent on playing Wichita State.


But he removed that provision before officially introducing the measure, saying he didn’t want his proposal to be confrontational.


He said that the measure was not a top priority of his but that he wanted legislators to at least discuss the idea. Other states have passed similar bills to create in-state rivalries.


KU and Wichita State have not played since 1993 when KU defeated the Shockers, 103-54.


Tim Caboni, KU’s vice chancellor for public affairs, said he appreciated O’Donnell’s “excitement and support of Jayhawk basketball, and his enthusiasm expressed through this bill.” But, he added, “It would be our great preference that Coach (Bill) Self along with the staff in Kansas Athletics craft the annual basketball schedule for KU.”


In a recent interview with ESPN, Self was asked why KU won’t play Wichita State.


Here was his answer: “Kansas hasn’t played Wichita State for years, way before I was the coach at Kansas. … Iowa plays Northern Iowa because the state Legislature says you have to. If someone were to come and say something that it’s law, then we would have to. But you schedule to benefit your own school, not to benefit others. You have to benefit your own school. I want to play games that benefit us, and, from a financial standpoint, it’s hard to play games away from Allen Fieldhouse since that’s our main source of budget every year.”


O’Donnell said that under his proposal, he would let the schools figure out where to play the games.

Horseshit if you ask me.

What. The. ****?

Glad our awesome legislature took a break from eviscerating our educational funding to address this pressing issue. I'm thrilled to see our tax dollars used in such a productive fashion.

Jesus. I know WSU has wanted to play KU for years and they have basically refused because it's a lose/lose game for KU.....so let's whine so that someone makes it a law that KU plays them.

There has to be some kind of constitutional challenge crap or something they can come up with to prevent politicians from playing armchair Athletic Director.

With the following stipulations:
a.) the legislature shouldn't be involved in this kind of stuff
b.) Sen. Michael O’Donnell, R-Wichita is a douche-y doofus, a douchefus if you will, with no leadership qualifications other than to carp the far right mantras.

I would still like to see KU schedule WSU on some regular basis. Clearly, KU has much less to gain, but there are a ton of KU fans in Wichita that would love a chance to see them. And I think WSU brings some mid-major competition that KU could stand to occasionally practice against. I think WSU brings more of a competition benefit to KU than scheduling American U, or whoever that slow bunch of white guys from DC were that we played earlier this year.

Of course, 7 minutes in and OSU shooting ****ing 8% at home. Where was this shit on Saturday?

8? Really?

They were 1 of 12.