Latest news with #Kansas'
New York Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
What Bill Self has learned about the transfer portal, and what it means for Kansas' future
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Bill Self turned reflective in the last year as he watched another preseason No. 1 team underperform. In his 22nd year in charge, Kansas' head coach had tried to embrace the changes across college basketball that were making it harder to build winners the way he knew best, but as one of the least decorated teams of his tenure stumbled toward an early-March exit, it was time to adjust tactics. Advertisement For two straight offseasons, Kansas has earned a preseason No. 1 ranking only to come up well short of its ceiling. In 2023 the Jayhawks landed center Hunter Dickinson, at that point the most accomplished player to ever hit college basketball's transfer portal, over a group of heavy hitters that included Kentucky, but injuries and shooting struggles derailed that season. Last offseason, Self tried to load up on shooting and wing scorers to build around Dickinson and veteran point guard Dajuan Harris. The Jayhawks started atop the AP poll again, then finished with their most Big 12 losses (nine) and lowest NCAA Tournament seed (No. 7) under Self. This spring was a chance to hit reset and consider a different approach to the portal. 'Recruit fits rather than talent,' Self told The Athletic last week. 'I think on paper, there's been some things that have been done that were more popular in the short term, but did they actually fit as well on how you wanted to play?' The answer is obvious now. The past two portal classes were filled with highly ranked players, but the on-court product at times looked like it was straining to match Self's style. While Dickinson averaged a double-double in each of his two seasons and thrived as a low-post threat, his defensive limitations changed how KU had to play on that end. Guard AJ Storr was the marquee signing of the 2024 offseason after leading Wisconsin in scoring, but within Kansas' offense he proved to be a ball stopper who could never really find his role. Self has built his next roster to look more like his three most recent success stories: the 2019-20 team that was the title favorite before the NCAA Tournament was canceled, the 2022 national champs and the 2023 team that earned a No. 1 seed. 'Interchangeable parts, versatility,' Self said. 'We want guys that can shoot, but guys that could beat their man off the bounce, that can touch the paint off the dribble, that don't need a ball screen all the time to get there. That's what I thought we obviously didn't have last year.' Advertisement Another thing Kansas didn't have last year: NBA talent. It's highly likely that this June will mark only the sixth time in Self's 22 seasons that KU will not have a single player drafted. In those other five years (2004, 2006, 2009, 2019 and 2021), the Jayhawks had at least four players who would go on to play in the NBA. Last season's roster showed the dangers of chasing older players who had produced at the college level but were not the next-level talents needed to contend for national titles. It was also light on sophomores and juniors who had developed in the program. The hope is big man Flory Bidunga, who showed flashes in his first year, becomes one of those homegrown stars. And this winter Self signed arguably the top freshman in the 2025 class in guard Darryn Peterson. Every roster decision this spring was made with those two players in mind. Self calls Peterson, who is the early favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, 'the most talented incoming freshman we've signed.' '(Andrew Wiggins) had a bigger reputation, and deservedly so because he was so freakishly athletic,' Self said. 'But Darryn is the most prepared high school kid that we've gotten. He's beyond his years from a maturity standpoint and from a worldly basketball standpoint. I think he's a guy that can lead a team as a freshman.' Self also has plans to add one more scorer. 'I think we're one piece away,' Self said. 'We're one guy away that can get you 14-15 points, and I think we're close but not done yet.' Kansas has targeted Texas Tech forward Darrion Williams, who averaged 15.1 points last season and is currently testing the waters in the NBA Draft. The Athletic's Sam Vecenie has Williams projected to go 39th, a spot in the draft where a player of his caliber could conceivably make more in college next season. Kansas also had Italian guard Dame Sarr recently visit campus. Advertisement Whoever that last guy is, the plan is to play four skilled perimeter players around Bidunga in a style most closely resembling the 2022-23 season, when Self started three big wings with KJ Adams up front and rarely threw the ball into the post. That team finished more possessions with ball screens than any other Self-coached Kansas team, per Synergy, en route to a Big 12 regular-season title. Defensively, Self wants to be way more aggressive. 'I think we'll look different offensively because we'll have more guys that can make plays off the bounce, but I think defensively we'll be the most different,' Self said. 'Being able to pressure the ball. Being able to extend and being able to guard ball screens different ways. We'll be able to be much more aggressive on those. I think we'll be more aggressive to get the ball out of the best player's hands.' This is where this spring's portal additions come in. Former St. Bonaventure guard Melvin Council led the Atlantic 10 with 72 steals last season, and his off-the-dribble speed reminds Self of former KU point guard Tyshawn Taylor. Tre White, at 6-7, played the small-ball four spot for Illinois and often guarded the other team's best perimeter player. Self calls him a 'jack-of-all-trades forward' who should be able to blend in both big and small lineups. Unlike someone like Storr who needed the ball, White is a willing screener, a ball mover, a good cutter and a shooter capable of draining an open look. Former Loyola Chicago guard Jayden Dawson was also his team's designated defender for the top opposing perimeter player. He'll replace Zeke Mayo as KU's knockdown shooter after making 83 3s last season for the Ramblers. The common thread is that all three can guard, which hasn't been a strength of some of Self's recent portal additions — like Nick Timberlake, Rylan Griffen and Mayo — who were targeted to add more shooting around Dickinson and had their defensive limitations overlooked. Self is also excited about two players he believes are flying under the radar: Elmarko Jackson, who missed last year with a torn patellar tendon, and 6-10 freshman Bryson Tiller, who was rated as a five-star in the Class of 2025 before he reclassified, then enrolled in January last season and redshirted. Self said Jackson's freshman year, when he started 17 games and averaged 4.3 points, was 'too much too fast' because he wasn't ready for that role. Self said there was no doubt he was going to be a starter last year before the offseason injury. 'He's had an unbelievable rehab year,' Self said. 'He'll be better than he ever has been before.' Advertisement While the roster is a little thin on the interior, Self is not overly worried because of what he believes he has in Tiller, who has a skill set Self compares to the Morris twins. The other frontcourt option is 6-8 incoming freshman Samis Calderon, who Self said will be 'the best athlete we have in the gym.' KU also returns 6-4 wing Jamari McDowell, who redshirted last season and Self calls a 'foundation guy.' The biggest concern: There's not much roster continuity, a hallmark of Self's best teams. 'It's impacted everyone all across America too, not just us,' he said. 'And the way that we've won consistently here, and the way Roy (Williams) won consistently here was that freshmen became sophomores, and sophomores became juniors, and juniors became seniors.' Self believes some of Kansas' greatest teams — 1997, 2007, 2008, 2022 — would no longer be possible in today's college basketball. Sherron Collins was willing to come off the bench for two seasons. Jalen Wilson, Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun were all future pros who stayed at least three seasons and waited their turn to become the star instead of chasing that role in the portal. 'That has changed,' Self said. 'But the biggest thing is from a culture standpoint, old guys teach the young guys. (Now) the old guys don't have any more experience than the young guys do. They have experience at prior places, but not experience at the respective school that they choose. I think it has made a difference. I think the thing about it is, you want a blend. You want a blend where you're still building for the future. But that's almost like an afterthought as, 'Let's win today.' Because there's no guarantee those same guys will be there. With free agency, every kid on your roster has an opportunity to test the waters or test his market value each and every year. 'What you view as somebody's value in your own particular budget may be totally different than what somebody else views their value in their budget. So there's no guarantee you're going to get those guys back.' Advertisement No matter the causes of KU's dip, it hasn't sat well with fans, who are used to league and national dominance. Self was asked what his message is to fans who are worried about the direction of the program after back-to-back down seasons. 'Well, the message is, to me, is that it's a double-edged sword, so to speak,' Self said. 'Aren't you so happy that you're at a place where the expectations are so high? The negative is, when expectations aren't met, now it's more dire than what it would be. Kansas basketball hasn't gone anywhere. We've had three or four years that didn't probably meet the standard in our 22 years that we've been here. And I accept that, and I don't disagree, last year being the biggest. But I also think that our talent level has and will continue to be improved.' Self thinks he's learned the lessons of the past two years, and in Peterson he's confident he's about to unleash a star who will help make the Jayhawks' preseason hype last through the early spring. 'The one year which we were average — a 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament — I don't want to say that's behind us because you never know with injuries or whatever else can happen,' Self said. 'But I would say that our fans should be very excited about watching next year's team.'
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Why are players without NCAA eligibility entering the transfer portal?
Why are players without NCAA eligibility entering the transfer portal? NCAA members will not discuss whether or not players will receive five years of eligibility moving forward via legislation until after a final decision on the House Settlement has been made, per an NCAA official. — Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 21, 2025 With the transfer portal deadline approaching on Tuesday, it shouldn't come as a surprise to see an influx of names enter the portal. That's just the nature of today's college basketball. But come Monday, several players who had no remaining NCAA eligibility decided to go portal'ing as well. Clemson's Ian Schieffelin, Kansas' Shakeel Moore and Minnesota's Lu'Cye Patterson are all in the portal despite exhausting the NCAA's eligibility clock. There's a reason for that, though. While it does look unlikely for this upcoming season, the House antitrust settlement (expected this month) could pave the way for the NCAA to give everyone a five-year eligibility clock. If this major change was enacted in time for the 2025-26 season, the past super-seniors could earn themselves yet another year in college. Schieffelin tweeted that he entered the portal just to keep his options open in the off chance he gets an additional year. While I am pursing my options on the professional level I have been advised, due to pending NCAA cases, to enter the portal on the very outside chance more eligibility is allowed. — Ian Schieffelin (@ian_schieffelin) April 21, 2025 Plus, there was no rule saying a player needed remaining eligibility in order to enter the portal. So, it makes sense for those players to keep that open as a contingency.
USA Today
09-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Seahawks host potential underrated OL gem on pre-draft visit
Seahawks host potential underrated OL gem on pre-draft visit The Seahawks are hosting Kansas' Bryce Cabeldue on a 30 visit this week, a source tells me. Cabeldue (6-4 ¾, 306) played both tackle spots in college, making 47 starts over five seasons, but he may project as a guard or center in the NFL; he worked at guard at the Shrine Bowl. — Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) April 8, 2025 Part of John Schneider's job as general manager of the Seattle Seahawks this offseason is to identify underrated talent in the 2025 NFL draft. The Seahawks are especially turning over every leaf in search of help on the offensive line. Finding a diamond in the rough would help improve the overall outlook. That's why it's particularly notable that the Seahawks are hosting Kansas offensive lineman Bryce Cabeldue on a pre-draft visit, according to a report from ESPN's Brady Henderson. Cabeldue primarily played right tackle for the Jayhawks, but NFL scouts project him to play guard at the next level. Lance Zierlein assigned him a grade of 5.98/10, which equates to an average backup or special teams player. "Cabeldue has good pop on contact and can maul his way to wins," Zierlein writes. "He's more athletic than expected inside the box, but his range as a blocker will trail off." Cabeldue earned an invite to this year's East-West Shrine Bowl, where he primarily played guard. The Seahawks possess multiple holes at guard, particularly on the left side following Laken Tomlinson's departure in free agency. Perhaps Cabeldue will be a target in the latter rounds, or via undrafted free agency.
USA Today
20-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bill Self vs. John Calipari: Head-to-head record as coaches meet again in NCAA tournament
Bill Self vs. John Calipari: Head-to-head record as coaches meet again in NCAA tournament Few thing are more exciting in March Madness than watching two Hall of Fame coaches face off against each other. Kansas' Bill Self and Arkansas' John Calipari will do just that on Thursday in the first round of he NCAA men's tournament. It's the third time the two coaches and longtime friends have met in the tournament — but the first two both came in the national championship game. Kansas famously pulled off a miraculous comeback against Calipari's Memphis team in 2008. Calipari got revenge with Anthony Davis' Kentucky squad in 2012. Overall, however, the two have been pretty evenly matched against each other with Bill Self holding a 7-6 edge. That does not include a pre-season scrimmage this year where Arkansas ran Kansas out of the gym. Here's a look at Calipari vs. Self through the years:
USA Today
20-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Kansas frontman Ronnie Platt diagnosed with thyroid cancer: 'Will be behind me very soon'
Hear this story Ronnie Platt is assuring fans his cancer diagnosis is just a "bump in the road." The Kansas lead singer, 62, shared on Facebook Saturday that he has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, but he told followers there is no reason to worry. "Before everyone gets all excited, it has a 99% survival rate, it has not spread," Platt wrote. "It's contained to my thyroid. I just have to have my thyroid removed. Go through some rehab time and be right back in the saddle." He continued, "I have some absolutely amazing people going to bat for me!! as it has been put to me, this is just a bump in the road and will be behind me very soon! so everyone please CARRY ON!" An 'Inside Edition' viewertold Deborah Norville to check for thyroid cancer. How do you spot it? Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. The announcement came after the group last week rescheduled a pair of shows "due to band illness and doctor advisement." A concert that was set for Feb. 14 in Catoosa, Oklahoma, was moved to Nov. 21, while a Feb. 15 show in Durant, Oklahoma, was postponed to Nov. 22. "The band apologizes for the inconvenience and hopes to be back on the road soon," the announcement on Kansas' Instagram page read. After Platt shared news of his diagnosis, the rock band said Tuesday that it would also cancel its March 1 show in Lake Charles, Louisiana, again citing an illness in the group. A show scheduled for Feb. 21 in New Orleans has also been canceled. "Our goal is to be back on the road as soon as possible," assistant band manager J.R. Rees told Ultimate Classic Rock. "Right now, we're all focused on supporting Ronnie through this." Alexis Ohanianhad surgery to remove thyroid nodules that would 'likely turn cancerous' According to Mayo Clinic, thyroid cancer occurs when "cells in the thyroid develop changes in their DNA," and there are multiple types depending on what kinds of cells are found in the tumor. Most types of thyroid cancers are "highly curable," and treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy and radioiodine therapy, per Cleveland Clinic. Platt has served as lead singer for Kansas since 2014 after the retirement of Steve Walsh. He previously fronted the group Shooting Star.
