Would any player for KU start for KSU this year?

[OregonSmock]

withey wouldn't start at k-state.  he sucks. JO is actually decent.  releford wouldn't start over McOrebounds.  /thread.

Releford is a better player than McGruder, and you'll find that out soon enough.  Withey would easily start at K-State, just like pretty much every other scholarship player on KU's roster.  Thanks for playing.

[pissclams]

LOL

[OregonSmock]

LOL

LOL it up, bruh.  Give Releford two years of playing time at a scrub program like K-State and then we'll talk.  Same with Withey.

[0.42]

this thread is gonna go platinum

[kitten_mittons]

Johnson started a few games for KU last season and was a solid role player for us.  He would have started at K-State from day one, just like Releford.  Withey would start at K-State as well.  You're talking about guys who had to wait for their time to shine at KU (an elite program with tons of talent) as opposed to guys who went to K-State and were able to play right away (due to a lack of quality depth).  It's hard to compare, because a guy like McGruder wouldn't have played much at KU until this season, similar to Releford/Johnson/Withey. 

Beems 101. 
     a. Insert validating comment whenever possible.

[Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!)]

i'm not saying that K-St is a horrible bball program by any means, Martin is a really good coach (motivator), who gets the most from his players. That being said, he simply doesn't assemble the same quality of talent that Self does (even in his down years - talent wise), that's all i'm trying to point out

Robinson, Taylor and Johnson have been used more as role players in past years to future pros/upperclassman, but are all capable of having break-out seasons due to their talent-level and new found prominent roles on this year's squad. So their stats from previous years are useless (which you'll know). And the rebuttal from K-St fans will probably be; well why were they role players if they are so good? Well, Self has had stacked rosters for the past several years, causing them to wait their turn. Here's another "stat" for you'll; KU in the past 5 seasons has won more games than anyone in the history of the sport (in a 5-year span), but hey, K-State beat KU twice in that time-span so K-St's got that going for them

at the end of the day, just alittle friendly banter between rival fans (i've notice you guys sometime play coy to entice KU fans to keep posting on topics). i won't post anything vulgar or attack anyone, just having some fun. i have great respect for K-St and their fans (as passionate as fans get) good luck this season

I, like the other members of the board, aren't sure who Johnson and Taylor are.  I assume, like Robinson, they were buried behind nba talent at guard last season.  Is this correct?

BTW, what other players in the Big XII are nba caliber?  I assume you're a scout or somethings, because you have Taylor and Johnson as #2 and #3 big xii nba point guard prospects, and who would make such a list other than a scout.

[Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!)]

I thought tehan played for the Royals   

he's 6'6"???

[OregonSmock]

i'm not saying that K-St is a horrible bball program by any means, Martin is a really good coach (motivator), who gets the most from his players. That being said, he simply doesn't assemble the same quality of talent that Self does (even in his down years - talent wise), that's all i'm trying to point out

Robinson, Taylor and Johnson have been used more as role players in past years to future pros/upperclassman, but are all capable of having break-out seasons due to their talent-level and new found prominent roles on this year's squad. So their stats from previous years are useless (which you'll know). And the rebuttal from K-St fans will probably be; well why were they role players if they are so good? Well, Self has had stacked rosters for the past several years, causing them to wait their turn. Here's another "stat" for you'll; KU in the past 5 seasons has won more games than anyone in the history of the sport (in a 5-year span), but hey, K-State beat KU twice in that time-span so K-St's got that going for them

at the end of the day, just alittle friendly banter between rival fans (i've notice you guys sometime play coy to entice KU fans to keep posting on topics). i won't post anything vulgar or attack anyone, just having some fun. i have great respect for K-St and their fans (as passionate as fans get) good luck this season

I, like the other members of the board, aren't sure who Johnson and Taylor are.  I assume, like Robinson, they were buried behind nba talent at guard last season.  Is this correct?

BTW, what other players in the Big XII are nba caliber?  I assume you're a scout or somethings, because you have Taylor and Johnson as #2 and #3 big xii nba point guard prospects, and who would make such a list other than a scout.

Taylor will be a 4-year starter this year. 

[Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!)]

surprised I've never heard of that nba prospect.  you'd think someone that good would be making a little more noise on the court over the course of three seasons.

ku must be pretty awful this season

[OregonSmock]

surprised I've never heard of that nba prospect.  you'd think someone that good would be making a little more noise on the court over the course of three seasons.

ku must be pretty awful this season

He's got elite speed/athleticism, but he needs to work on making his jumpshot more consistent.  I think he'll get a shot in the pros, along with Johnson.

[Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!)]

surprised I've never heard of that nba prospect.  you'd think someone that good would be making a little more noise on the court over the course of three seasons.

ku must be pretty awful this season

He's got elite speed/athleticism, but he needs to work on making his jumpshot more consistent.  I think he'll get a shot in the pros, along with Johnson.

you should facebook pm about his jumper.  that's information he'd probably like to know, ya know, to improve his draft stock.  I bet he and this person no one has ever heard of named Johnson are as delusional about their nba prospects as you are.

[OregonSmock]

I thought tehan played for the Royals   

he's 6'6"???

Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year two years in a row coming out of high school.  5th year senior who redshirted last season due to KU's depth, and is contributing nicely so far.  I'm pretty sure the Tehan that you're thinking of got traded to the Chicago White Sox about a year or two ago. 


 

[Kat Kid]

withey wouldn't start at k-state.  he sucks. JO is actually decent.  releford wouldn't start over McOrebounds.  /thread.

Releford is a better player than McGruder, and you'll find that out soon enough.  Withey would easily start at K-State, just like pretty much every other scholarship player on KU's roster.  Thanks for playing.

Man oh man.

[OregonSmock]

surprised I've never heard of that nba prospect.  you'd think someone that good would be making a little more noise on the court over the course of three seasons.

ku must be pretty awful this season

He's got elite speed/athleticism, but he needs to work on making his jumpshot more consistent.  I think he'll get a shot in the pros, along with Johnson.

you should facebook pm about his jumper.  that's information he'd probably like to know, ya know, to improve his draft stock.  I bet he and this person no one has ever heard of named Johnson are as delusional about their nba prospects as you are.

Hmmm... well I just checked draftexpress, and both are projected in the 2nd round next year, and their stock could go up if they have a big year. 


http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2012/


2nd round:


10   Tyshawn Taylor  PG
21 years old; 6'3"; 180 lbs.
Kansas, Senior

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Tyshawn-Taylor-5528/

Joseph Treutlein

Playing the most amount of minutes on the #1 ranked team in the country, Tyshawn Taylor is having his best season as a collegian, even if he still has a fairly modest stat line. He is also leading his team in assists despite spending as much time off as on the ball, and is performing more consistently than he has in any of his previous seasons.

On the offensive end, Taylor is the team's primary point guard, usually bringing the ball up the court and getting the Jayhawks into their offense, making quick decisions and rarely unnecessarily holding onto the ball. Using his excellent size, good first step, quickness, and change of direction ability, Taylor has a knack for finding open spaces on the floor and can get by most college opponents with ease. He's done a good job developing his vision and feel over the years, showing nice ability to recognize double teams and find the open man. He shows excellent ability on drive-and-dishes when he keeps his head up, and also makes a lot of simple passes in the flow of the offense.

While Taylor's point guard abilities have grown noticeably in his time in college, he's clearly still developing and is prone to making errant decisions with his dribble at times. That said, playing in Kansas' offense where he spends so much time off the ball and is forced to make quick reads and rarely overdribble should definitely be helpful in his transition to the NBA, where he won't have to make the play style adjustment most college point guards do.

In terms of his own offense, Taylor has a decent groundwork of skills in all areas but doesn't really excel in any one. He shows the most potential with his ability to attack the rim due to his speed off the dribble combined with his body control and ability to change direction. He relies mostly on simple moves going to the basket, doing a great job utilizing screens to get the step on his man and showing a strong second gear in the lane.

While Taylor shows no problem getting past his man and getting virtually wherever he wants on the floor, his ability to finish both at the rim and in the lane is still a work in progress. At the basket, Taylor doesn't show the greatest elevation in the half-court and shows problems finishing over weak-side defenders. He has tried to compensate this by developing his array of floaters and runners in the lane, which in the long term should be to his advantage, but at the moment he doesn't finish any of them with consistency. To his credit, his speed and potential with pick-and-rolls should play better in the more widely spaced NBA, where he should be able to get some less crowded forays to the basket.

As for Taylor's perimeter game, he has a respectable jump shot with college three point range, but it's never been a big staple of his game (just 1.2 attempts this season), and his efficiency from behind the arc has always hovered in the low to mid 30's. He shows excellent elevation on his shot with a high and quick release, but his mechanics aren't very polished and he has a strong tendency to jump into his shot. The most immediate gains to his offensive game would likely come from taking this segment of his game to the next level, and will likely be a big priority for him after the season ends.

On the defensive end is where Taylor is perhaps most impressive, as he has ideal physical tools for a point guard with his 6'3 frame and excellent lateral quickness and instincts. His fundamentals are very good and he shows great tenacity on this end, often getting into his stance well past the three-point arc. He's prone to overextending himself at times and can bite on pump fakes, but when he's zoned in he's very tough to shake off the dribble while he's also consistent with getting his hands up to contest shots.

Looking forward, Taylor's key role on the best team in the country is going to give him plenty of important exposure in March and April, and the learning curve he's shown at point guard over his three seasons should be attractive to NBA teams in spite of his unimpressive stat line. The fact that he's a two-way player with great physical tools and flashes some very impressive skills at times will also help, and he could see himself creep into some first round discussions as the draft draws nearer, depending on which other players decide to enter their name.
[Read Full Article]

17   Elijah Johnson  SG
years old; 6'2"; 183 lbs.
Kansas, Junior


http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Elijah-Johnson-5827/


Matt Kamalsky

Elijah Johnson's time seems to have finally arrived in Lawrence. Posting gaudy efficiency numbers in a bit role playing behind highly touted and more experienced guards like Josh Selby, Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar in his first two years on campus, the rising junior seems poised for a breakout season.

A top-25 recruit according to the RSCI coming out of high school, a big reason why the expectations for Johnson are so high are based on the fact that he has absolutely everything you look for in a NBA point guard physically. As we noted last time we wrote about him, the Las Vegas native is explosive in transition, fluid when he's weaving through the lane, smooth in the open floor, and has the size and strength to fit right in at the next level. Among prospects at his position in the college game, few have the raw tools on par with what he brings to the table.

The question for Johnson is not so much how his physical tools translate to the pro game, but whether he will rise to the occasion and be able to maintain his efficiency when Bill Self turns his loose as a key cog in his backcourt. The promising signs he showed as a freshman translated into small stretches of strong play last season as a sophomore, but the young guard hasn't had the opportunity to truly put everything together in a role that would clue scouts into his true NBA potential.


Despite his lack of consistent minutes, Johnson's skill set already manifests itself a few different ways. His terrific leaping ability and body control allow him to finish consistently, and often acrobatically, around the rim, whether he is receiving the ball off of a designed lob or cut to the rim. Johnson is also a capable jump shooter, knocking down 24 of his 56 (43%) attempts last season and appearing especially comfortable hitting shots with his feet set. As a point guard, Johnson shows a willingness to make the simple pass and make good decisions as a distributor. His speed gives him potential as a dynamic playmaker, but he did not tend to force the issue like many young players at his position tend to do. While all of the things Johnson did bode well for his future, they don't guarantee him much until he shows that he's capable of doing them consistently at a high-level.

As Johnson transitions into the larger role he seems destined to play this season, there are a few key areas of his game that NBA scouts will be paying especially close attention, most of which revolve around his ability to create shots for himself and others off the bounce while maintaining his efficiency. Likely the most significant aspect of his game they'll be watching will be his ability to create on the pick and roll. He only operated in the two-man game on a total of 9 possessions last season according to Synergy Sports Technology, and considering how significant pick and roll play is in the NBA, his ability to make things happen in the half-court with the ball in his hands will be constantly under the microscope.

On the defensive end, Johnson has all the tools to compete at a high level, but scouts will also pay close attention to his ability to consistently put the clamps on opposing point guards on a nightly basis. Johnson has had some good moments on the defensive end in the past, and has truly exceptional lateral quickness, but like all young guards, could stand to continue improving his fundamentals, become more of a factor defending off the ball, and specifically do a better job recognizing and working around screens.

Johnson is not the first highly touted recruit to start his career on the bench, and he would not be the first less-than-experienced prospect to put it all together as an upperclassmen either. While he has yet to prove the things he'll need to prove in order to legitimize his draft stock, he has proven to be an efficient role-player, and has all the tools to be successful when he begins to see significant minutes. For those reasons alone, Johnson is a player to pay especially close attention to this season as he could rocket up draft broads and a prospect we'll surely be revisiting as he teams up with TyShawn Taylor and Thomas Robinson to step up in place of the Morris twins.
[Read Full Article]

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz1dGVk4tBt
http://www.draftexpress.com



Oh, and by the way, Thomas Robinson is projected to go #6 overall in next year's draft:


1st round:


6   Thomas Robinson  PF
20 years old; 6'8"; 220 lbs.
Kansas, Junior

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Thomas-Robinson-5496/



 

[Trim]

[OregonSmock]

withey wouldn't start at k-state.  he sucks. JO is actually decent.  releford wouldn't start over McOrebounds.  /thread.

Releford is a better player than McGruder, and you'll find that out soon enough.  Withey would easily start at K-State, just like pretty much every other scholarship player on KU's roster.  Thanks for playing.

Man oh man.

PG:  Irving/Rodriguez vs. Taylor/Tharpe  (edge: Kansas)
SG:  Spradling vs. Johnson  (edge: Kansas)
SF:  McGruder/Jones vs. Releford/Teahan (edge: K-State)  - I will give you McGruder >>> Releford for right now
PF:  Samuels/Gipson vs. Robinson/Wesley (edge: Kansas) 
C:  Henriquez vs. Withey (edge: tossup)  - both guys can really contribute defensively and have both shown flashes of brilliance



You guys can hate on Withey all you want, but the truth is that he's got potential to be really good.  The kid was #36 overall in Rivals top 100 for the class of '08 and originally committed to Arizona:  http://rivals.yahoo.com/kansas/basketball/recruiting/player-Jeff-Withey-47100  (offers:  Arizona, Boston College, Gonzaga, Indiana, Kansas, Texas, Syracuse, San Diego, San Diego State [he's from San Diego, CA]).  Henriquez might very well be a better player, but I think Withey will be pretty good once he gets some playing time and develops a little more confidence. 

As for the rest of your roster, it's solid, but as of right now, McGruder is the only guy I could honestly see starting for KU.  Like I said, I'm not sure Releford wouldn't have the same type of numbers and stats at the end of the end day if he had been on a team like K-State for his first two/three years in school.  McGruder is a good player, though, and I expect him to have a good season for K-State this year (even though he played like crap in the exhibition game).

[Spaces]

 

[Kat Kid]

withey wouldn't start at k-state.  he sucks. JO is actually decent.  releford wouldn't start over McOrebounds.  /thread.

Releford is a better player than McGruder, and you'll find that out soon enough.  Withey would easily start at K-State, just like pretty much every other scholarship player on KU's roster.  Thanks for playing.

Man oh man.

PG:  Irving/Rodriguez vs. Taylor/Tharpe  (edge: Kansas)
SG:  Spradling vs. Johnson  (edge: Kansas)
SF:  McGruder/Jones vs. Releford/Teahan (edge: K-State)  - I will give you McGruder >>> Releford for right now
PF:  Samuels/Gipson vs. Robinson/Wesley (edge: Kansas) 
C:  Henriquez vs. Withey (edge: tossup)  - both guys can really contribute defensively and have both shown flashes of brilliance



You guys can hate on Withey all you want, but the truth is that he's got potential to be really good.  The kid was #36 overall in Rivals top 100 for the class of '08 and originally committed to Arizona:  http://rivals.yahoo.com/kansas/basketball/recruiting/player-Jeff-Withey-47100  (offers:  Arizona, Boston College, Gonzaga, Indiana, Kansas, Texas, Syracuse, San Diego, San Diego State [he's from San Diego, CA]).  Henriquez might very well be a better player, but I think Withey will be pretty good once he gets some playing time and develops a little more confidence. 

As for the rest of your roster, it's solid, but as of right now, McGruder is the only guy I could honestly see starting for KU.  Like I said, I'm not sure Releford wouldn't have the same type of numbers and stats at the end of the end day if he had been on a team like K-State for his first two/three years in school.  McGruder is a good player, though, and I expect him to have a good season for K-State this year (even though he played like crap in the exhibition game).

Well, I'd rather have Spradling than Taylor.  Considering they both play point guard it seems like a valid comparison.  I agree with the rest of it, but will just mention that K-State has two of the best three 4's.

[OregonSmock]

I would be surprised if KU won in Manhattan this year, just based on how tough it is to play there now and how intense your defense is at home.  I see KU winning in Lawrence by double digits, though. 

[DQ12]

Remember when Whithey (sp?) had to get a ton of PT against JO last season?

Holy cow.*

 

*combo-fan perspective

[Dr Rick Daris]

withey wouldn't start at k-state.  he sucks. JO is actually decent.  releford wouldn't start over McOrebounds.  /thread.

Releford is a better player than McGruder, and you'll find that out soon enough.  Withey would easily start at K-State, just like pretty much every other scholarship player on KU's roster.  Thanks for playing.

Man oh man.

PG:  Irving/Rodriguez vs. Taylor/Tharpe  (edge: Kansas)
SG:  Spradling vs. Johnson  (edge: Kansas)
SF:  McGruder/Jones vs. Releford/Teahan (edge: K-State)  - I will give you McGruder >>> Releford for right now
PF:  Samuels/Gipson vs. Robinson/Wesley (edge: Kansas) 
C:  Henriquez vs. Withey (edge: tossup)  - both guys can really contribute defensively and have both shown flashes of brilliance



You guys can hate on Withey all you want, but the truth is that he's got potential to be really good.  The kid was #36 overall in Rivals top 100 for the class of '08 and originally committed to Arizona:  http://rivals.yahoo.com/kansas/basketball/recruiting/player-Jeff-Withey-47100  (offers:  Arizona, Boston College, Gonzaga, Indiana, Kansas, Texas, Syracuse, San Diego, San Diego State [he's from San Diego, CA]).  Henriquez might very well be a better player, but I think Withey will be pretty good once he gets some playing time and develops a little more confidence. 

As for the rest of your roster, it's solid, but as of right now, McGruder is the only guy I could honestly see starting for KU.  Like I said, I'm not sure Releford wouldn't have the same type of numbers and stats at the end of the end day if he had been on a team like K-State for his first two/three years in school.  McGruder is a good player, though, and I expect him to have a good season for K-State this year (even though he played like crap in the exhibition game).

your sf stuff is all messed up. jones is like six two at best and 160. also will be interesting to see what releford does. not a whole lot of really great basketball players play as a freshman and then take a redshirt their sophomore year.  i'd also maybe compare him to dom more than gruds. dunno though. he's kind of like a combo of the two.

[Kat Kid]

Yeah, I mean I was going to really rip OregonHawk for not knowing K-State's team better, but then I remembered I thought Connor Teahan was not even a real black guy until I watched their Hays scrimmage.

[Dr Rick Daris]

Yeah, I mean I was going to really rip OregonHawk for not knowing K-State's team better, but then I remembered I thought Connor Teahan was not even a real black guy until I watched their Hays scrimmage.

well i mean i think it's fair and all. juggle players and leave some other ones out and then bam! your team has the best five starters or whatever. i appreciate him taking the time.

[Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!)]

Objectively speaking, if all of K-State's players improved as much in the off-season as the ku players did, there isn't a guy on ku's roster that would sniff the rotation.

It's a fact!

[sys]

remember when you and ku fans were agog about taylor going pro as a soph, and i lolled @ the crap out of you?  that was really smart of me, in retrospect.