Everyone has such a smaller margin for error now with roster construction.
As KU is finding out, they aren't in the same class (and never have been) as the truly elite programs as it relates to recruiting (Duke, Kentucky, etc.). Those programs can reload every single year (and have been for a long time).
KU simply can't keep that same pace and reloading every single year doesn't jive with how Self has built the program. They really lucked out in 2022 because two of the three best players on that team (Braun, Agbagi) were local kids who were underrecruited and "blueblood" KU was able to easily snatch them up (or, I suppose you could say their eye for talent was good). That team will go down as Self's last great team because that type of roster (players who worked their way up the ladder) sprinkled with a couple of key transfers simply isn't going to work at a top 10 level any more (see KU in 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25).
