Can KU Win Its 8th Straight Title?

To be honest, I don’t know how to answer this question.  My first instinct is to say it will not be possible for KU to win another Big XII championship this season.  There is one thing I have learned though.  Never count Coach Bill Self out.

It certainly will be an uphill battle.  KU is very short on experience and depth.  The fact the NCAA ruled three of the Jayhawks’ incoming freshmen as only partial qualifiers, and therefore not eligible to play this season, was a big blow.  KU will be mighty thin across the frontline.  Self and staff will really have to coach up the present roster, which only has eight recruited players and some former walk-ons and transfers.  They will have to play smart and disciplined and hopefully they can stay healthy and out of foul trouble.

The cupboard is far from bare.  Senior guard Tyshawn Taylor and junior, pre-season all-American, post player Thomas Robinson are definitely talented.  They can certainly lead this team to success but they need to be leaders on and off the court with smart play and avoidance of off court shenanigans.  Athletic juniors Travis Releford and Elijah Johnson have seen playing time in the past but it will be nothing in comparison to what the Jayhawks need from them this season.  Releford may even be asked to play some on the interior.  He will be undersized there but has shown the heart and versatility to contribute inside. 

The slender 7-footer junior Jeff Withey needs to produce much more than he has in the past.  He will need to be able to score on offense and he needs to be a force on defense while curtailing his fouls.  Senior Conner Teahan needs to continue his accurate three point shooting and he may also be asked to play some minutes on the interior.  After these six players though, the question marks really start to pile up.

Naadir Tharpe is a true, pass first point guard and by all accounts will see plenty of playing time.  I have a small degree of worry because under Self, point guards have been slow to adjust to the college game as freshman.  Another freshman is Merv Linsay.  While Lindsay has some nice height, I think is more of a big guard, although he does have a reputation of being a tenacious rebounder and that may get him some minutes as the season goes along.  The last two players to figure into a possible rotation are transfers Kevin Young and Justin Wesley.  Both are listed at 6’8” but are slender of build.  Both will be counted on to play minutes in the front court.  Hopefully their athleticism will make up for their lack of bulk.

A trio of walk-ons completes the roster.  Jordan Juenemann, Niko Roberts, and Christian Garrett will be bodies for practice but I’m not sure how much game time they will see.  Self has used Juenemann in the past in more than just clean up duty.  I also think Garrett could surprise with some athleticism and may pull in a handful of minutes with hard work.

I look for KU to play at a little faster pace than in the past.  Although Withey is not fleet of foot, the sculpted Robinson runs the floor well.  The rest of the roster is filled with athletic roadrunners and since KU will not be able to out physical many teams, running and gunning seems to me to be a very good option.

KU also has one of its hardest early schedules in the Self era.  The second non-exhibition game is in New York against #2 ranked Kentucky.  They then play Georgetown in the Maui Classic.  Possible opponents there include Duke, Memphis, UCLA, Michigan, and Tennessee.  They also play #3 ranked Ohio State and USC in December.  It would not be out of the question to see the young Jayhawks with four or five losses by the start of conference play.  Keep in mind also that KU loses four annual, guaranteed wins against Nebraska and Colorado.  Instead, they play all six of the former South division teams twice.  That is a big difference in their schedule and usually I wouldn’t worry much about that but with this team’s lack of size and experience, this will be very tough.

The Jayhawks will certainly have to grow and mature dramatically as a team to finish high in the Big XII standings.  The conference is loaded with talented teams and there are absolutely no pushovers on the road.  Self will have to do his best coaching job for this squad to have a chance of even glancing at first place.   I am willing to accept a few losses here and there if KU is competitive and the team grows and improves as the season progresses.  As always, I believe Self will get the best out of his players.  He has been willing to alter his teams’ style of play to fit his personnel.  He will have to this season.  When it all comes down to it, I will not bet against Bill Self to win another conference championship.  That being said, I will not be disappointed as long as KU finishes in the top half of the Big XII.  I expect more but I must be realistic as well.  I trust Self and we shall all have to wait and see if he can pull off a miracle.

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The NCAA and Ineligible Student Athletes

I wish I understood more.  I wish I understood the process more thoroughly.  I wish I had more details because right now I am just a tad bit angry and frustrated.  I wish I could understand just how the NCAA Clearinghouse works.  But I don’t. 

I do know that all student athletes attending NCAA Division I and II schools must be deemed eligible by the NCAA Clearinghouse.  I know players must take so many core courses in high school and maintain a certain GPA in these courses.  I know student athletes must score a certain number on their SATs or ACTs. And, of course, student athletes must graduate from high school.  This is about the extent of my knowledge.

I don’t what core courses are required.  I don’t know what GPA is consider high enough and I don’t know what the SAT and ACT scores need to be.  I am sure, though, that these numbers are all set to a reasonable standard for student athletes.  If I only wish I knew more.

My frustration stems of course, from the fact that three of the University of Kansas’ freshmen basketball recruits were ruled ineligible to participate in the 2011-2012 season.  They were allowed to enroll and take classes but are partial qualifiers.  I have no idea what that means.  How does a student athlete partially qualify for college?  Why are they not allowed to practice, but not play, until the second semester?  Why are some not allowed to practice of play for a year?

How come it takes so long to review the records of college basketball recruits?  There are only 120 Division I schools for football but each school brings in twenty plus recruits a year.  There are three times as many basketball schools but most programs usually don’t bring in more than 3-6 recruits.  You seldom hear of football players waiting around for the Clearinghouse.  They seem to all be cleared by the time school starts in August yet it seems to take longer for the hoopsters.  I have read it is because football players don’t play at numerous high schools like top basketball players do.  For all I know, this may be true.  It seems like a shallow excuse for the NCAA though. 

I do know that many top basketball prospects do play for multiple high schools over their career.  It is my opinion that this is not ideal anyway.  Many of these players transfer to prep or private schools during their careers.  It would seem to me that these institutions should be better academically and should be preparing these student athletes for college.  Why else do they exist?  I don’t understand how players can attend these types of high schools and can’t qualify, or worse yet, partially qualify, for college eligibility.  And why does it take so long for the Clearinghouse to make their decisions.

It is my opinion that a legislative body is necessary for college sports. There needs to be a checks and balances system in place to keep colleges from cheating.  I just am not sure how effective the NCAA is. They don’t seem to be consistent at all.  It appears to me that powerful BCS football programs are not held to the same standards when it comes to punishment as programs as other schools or sports.  The BCS football pantheon has players who take money from boosters, sell swag for profit, and have family members selling the children to the highest bidders.  The punishments for these programs seem weak.  Players are allowed to continue their careers and are allowed to participate in bowl games.  A local college basketball player last season was suspended for 4 games for getting a couple hundred dollars worth of clothes from a department store.  I’m not saying that is not appropriate but I think sometimes football players and programs aren’t punished as stiffly as they should be. 

I understand the NCAA has to maintain standards for student athletes.  It seems to me that the penalty for these so called partial qualifiers is a bit stiff.  The rules don’t seem to consider the interests of the student athlete.  Why not allow the student athletes to play the second semester if they make the grades in summer school and their fall classes?  Why not try to work with the schools and kids more often?  Help them get to a place where the can be better students and participate in their sports without missing a whole year.  I just think there should be a better way.

I understand that the public does not get to see the details of each situation or why the NCAA rules the way it does.  There is a degree of privacy that is the right of every student athlete.  I just wish the process was better explained and better understood.  I just wish there were better options for the student athletes who have some issues academically to be able to improve their standing quicker.  I definitely don’t have many answers.  There are a lot a people out there smarter than me who should be able to figure out a better way.

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What Will Be the Market For Pujols & Fielder

A few nights ago, I was watching MLB Network and they were discussing where super star first baseman Albert Pujols mind end up after the season ends and the free agent market opens.  Harold Reynolds predicted that the career Cardinal would not be back in St. Louis next season.  I decided the possible destinations for Pujols and fellow free agent-to-be Prince Fielder, was worth a look.

The first round of the playoffs was as exciting and dramatic as any fan could have possibly hoped for.  We can only hope the second round will be the same.  As the first week of the post season unfolded, though, I found myself intrigued by the possible landing spots for two of the biggest names still playing.  Both Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols will get long term, big dollar contracts but who will be their suitors. 

The usual big spenders probably won’t be in play and that’s what makes this situation interesting.  The Yankees, Red Sox, and Phillies already have first base manned by stars.  The Yankees and Red Sox could sign one of the free agents as a designated hitters but both already have massive contracts tying up extra dollars and both need to add pitching, which never comes cheap.  Other teams like Detroit, the White Sox, and Angels are all locked up at first. 

There is a large number of teams that either would never, ever spend the money needed to sign either one or they already have good, young talent ready to start on a daily basis.  These teams include Tampa Bay, Pittsburg, Arizona, Colorado, San Diego, Kansas City, Florida, Atlanta, Houston, Seattle, Minnesota, Oakland, and Cincinnati.  The Dodgers are out because of their public financial problems.  I suspect the Cubs, unless they can significantly reduce their payroll, are probably also out.  Milwaukee has already tried to sign Fielder and he seems intent on moving on, so they are more than likely out as well.  

So, who is left?  My initial thought was the Mets would be out because they are in a similar financial situation as the Cubs.  Still, you can never predict what a big market team may do.  I would be surprised if they come at either star very hard.  The Indians would normally not pursue the big names but this is a team on the brink of annual competition and either Fielder or Pujols would be a gigantic help.  I’m not sure they will be a serious suitor or not.  San Francisco has the young Brandon Belt but he could be moved to the outfield if the Giants decide that their horrible offense needs a major upgrade.  I would not discount the Giants in this race.  The Rangers are loaded with offense but they do not have an everyday first baseman and have shown a willingness to drop some big money.  I imagine Texas will be in on the discussions.  Toronto been trimming payroll for a couple of years now and I am not sure what parameters ownership has put into place but the Blue Jays are an up and coming team and a big bopper at first would fit in nicely here. 

That leaves the Cardinals, Orioles, and Nationals.  I would be amazed if St Louis doesn’t work something out with King Albert.  He is the face of their franchise and the best hitter of our generation.  I can’t imagine he will get the 10 year deal he wants – from anyone.  I would anticipate maybe a seven year deal for around 175 million.  I just don’t know if this is in the Cardinals budget.  My gut feeling is they will make a deal to keep their super star.

So, now we look at the two teams sharing the national capitol’s audience, the Nationals and Orioles.  Fielder would be a good fit for either.  The Nationals are building a team featuring young, developing stars but have also been aggressive in pursuing big ticket free agents.  Add Fielder to Werth and Zimmerman, plus the young guys on the edge of success, and you have a pretty potent lineup.  The Orioles have struggled for the last decade to find an identity.  They have wavered back in worth on trying to build from within and from trying to buy a competitive team.  Neither has worked.  Offensively, they have not improved noticeably over the last few years and have few can’t miss prospects in their system.  Two years ago, the farm system was loaded with live, powerful arms, but thus far, they haven’t panned out as Baltimore had hoped.  If the Oriole brass thinks they are close, maybe they make a big run at Prince.  While this option may seem far fetched, it is the kind of signing the Orioles have been willing to make in the past.

What do I think will happen?  I already mentioned I thought St. Louis will sign King Albert.  If I were to lay money, I would bet on the Nationals landing Fielder.  I think the Rangers, Blue Jays, and Giants push up the salary and Prince may end up with a contract similar in length and money as what Pujols gets.  Of course, some dark horse with more money than sense will probably come up with some ridiculous offer for one of these guys and then all bets are off.  I have learned to never be surprised about some of the contracts signed by these baseball super stars.  Few of them make much sense.

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the playoffs.  They should be exciting.

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