[JoeWolf1]

 I watched KU’s exhibition game last night against D2 school Emporia State which is located about an hour from Lawrence. KU’s depth is pretty staggering as they just kind of experimented with lineups the entire game, especially the first half.

The game was never close, but the lineup of Graham, Selden, Green, Alexander and Ellis really got it going in the 2nd half, rattling off what seemed like about 15 points in a couple of minutes. Here are my player notes, since a lot of these guys are going to have their names called in the next 2 or 3 years.

Cliff Alexander – Cliff is a big powerful guy, especially his lower body. He has tree trunk legs and lower base make him really effective on the glass. He was one of the main forces behind the Jayhawks biggest runs, where it seemed like he dunked about 4 straight possessions, in both half court and in transition plays. His jumper is cringe worthy at this point, he banked in a 15 footer, and attemtped another on that was way off a little later. He also lauched a 3 in garbage time, which was…interesting. He’s going to be a good NCAA player, but I think his raw nature will render him an undersized brawler in the NBA. Still, 12 points 6 rebounds in only 13 minutes. He’s clearly ready for the jump to NCAA ball, I think he’ll be about a 10 point 8 rebound player this year.

Kelly Oubre – Kelly has loads of potential, and a great NBA body, but he didn’t do much last night. His outlook is the same, but he was barely noticable last night outside of a nifty double clutch layup that he made look really easy. Finished with 2 points and 4 rebounds, but never got going. Still has a great deal of upside, but a down game after a pretty nice debut.

Svi Mykhailiuk – The 17 year old from the Ukraine got the start last night, and had a really solid all around game. He’s got a smooth jumper, and although it wasn’t falling, his 4 misses were barely off mark. Finished with 3 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, but there was a lot to like about his time on the court. He is a smart, attentive defender, who although isn’t the most atheltic, he’s smooth on the court, good at pushing tempo, and is an overall confident and intense player. He’s also a guy who knows where everyone is, and zipped a number of perfect passes they may not have been a basketball assist, but a hockey assist, setting up a teammate down the line. 

Devonte Graham – Graham had a really good game scoring 10 points and dishing out 3assists ( 2 alley oops I think ) in only 14 minutes, while only turning the ball over once. He’s really quick, and another good on ball defender for Bill Self’s squad. Graham has real potential in the drive and kick game, and is a high level ball handler with a good bball IQ. Really good at capitalizing on momentum, which is a great natural instinct for a point guard to have. I think Graham could have NBA potential as a 3 or 4 year player, definitely a guy to keep an eye on.

Wayne Selden Jr – Wayne had a rough start, but his groove in the 2nd half. He finally started to show some of that slashing ability late in the game, hitting a really high difficulty double clutch layup, and was smart about taking only good shots. Worked as a facilitator too, dishing out 6 assists to 0 turnovers. This is a good sign after his first game was pretty terrible, he looked really confident in the 2nd half. Wayne really needs a good year to not see his stock fall this year. This was a good step in finding his stride before playing high level teams, but I think he’s needs to find his identity and not have many quiet games where to hold onto the hope of being a top 15 pick. 

Frank Mason III – Mason is his same Bulldog self, and really took it to the lower competition. He looked like he was crusing the whole game, being a terror on defense and going 4-5 and dishing out 4 assist to 0 turnovers in 21 minutes. I wasn’t able to see a lot of improvement in his game, because he could blow past everyone and shut down his man. Still not sure he’s an NBA guy. He’s a 5’10” combo guard, but I think he’s on track to have a very good NCAA career.

Brennen Greene – Greene had an interesting game, he hit his 1st three, and did a couple dumb things that got him pulled and yelled at on the bench. After that he came out with a lot of aggression, and crashed the boards, got to the foul line off energy plays. Even got the start at half time, and finished with 10 points. He’s doesn’t move well laterally, and will have trouble playing defense in the NBA, but he has real potential as a screen shooter and shooting specialist. Jumper is super smooth.

Landen Lucas – The formerly kind of average built ( not fat but no muscles ) Lucas has gotten in great shape, and not only looks leaner, but moves a lot better as well. He’s super fundamentally sound, with great footwork, knowledge of where to be in post up situations, and great habits of keeping the ball up. At 6’10” he was clearly too much for a team who’s front line was 6’7” and 6’8”, but his off season workout program has yeilded exciting results. He had 14 points in 12 minutes against a much inferior team, but after 4 years he could be 2nd round possibility now that he’s transformed his body.

Jamari Traylor – Traylor didn’t start playing ball until he was already in high school, and because of this he just keeps improving every year. At 6’9” and blessed with great athletic ability, Emporia State had no answer for his energy, but he didn’t miss a shot and went for 9 and 5 in only 18 minutes. He has some NBA appeal because he’s a high caliber athlete, and is still improving on a year to year basis. His ball handling is coming along, but his shot is still a ways away. More likely a D-Leaguer or overseas player, he my have some late 2nd round appeal by his senior year. Comparing him to another Big 12er, he could continue to develop a lot like Quincey Acy, only instead of 6’6” he’s more like 6’9”.

Perry Ellis – Ellis is KU’s most experienced player and crused through this game. He seemingly yawned his way to 13 points 6 rebounds and 3 assists. You can see he’s transitioning to a more perimeter skillset, and has clearly worked on his ball handling despite being asked to play down low against the smaller ESU team. He’s in good shape, and is more athletic than he was as a freshman. He dunks and finishes oops, where he used to lay them in. He’d flat out get eaten alive down low in the NBA, and I think he knows it. I think he’s a 2nd rounder because of his skill, but he’s not really a guy I like to stick around a long time in the league. I think going Jared Dudley and focusing on his outside shot may be his best bet. 

Hunter Michelson – Really a tough energetic kid, plays out of control at times, but is strong, mobile and a legit rim protector at the NCAA level. He fouled out in 14 minutes, but scored 11 points and showed nice instinct as a post passer throughout the game. Not much of an outside shot, but has a soft touch around the rim. Not sure what to think of his NBA outlook, but he’s big and mobile which never hurts.

 

 

 

 

[MattP31Participant]

  Thanks for the info. While I am not a Kansas fan myself, last year’s team was probably my favorite team in the country to watch outside of my own team because of all the interesting pieces that they had with Wiggins, Embiid, Selden, and Ellis. I have to say this year they are even more intriguing with Selden and Ellis back, Alexander, Oubre, Graham, and Svi. 

Especially interested to see Alexander. One of those rare guys that before he has played a college game has some thinking he is a future NBA superstar and some thinking he’s a tweener/role player type

[MattP31Participant]

  Thanks for the info. While I am not a Kansas fan myself, last year’s team was probably my favorite team in the country to watch outside of my own team because of all the interesting pieces that they had with Wiggins, Embiid, Selden, and Ellis. I have to say this year they are even more intriguing with Selden and Ellis back, Alexander, Oubre, Graham, and Svi. 

Especially interested to see Alexander. One of those rare guys that before he has played a college game has some thinking he is a future NBA superstar and some thinking he’s a tweener/role player type

[juves4783Participant]

texas fan here, but i gotta say that i think ku is going to take it all this year.  ellis and alexander are going to be a tough matchup with ellis’ perimeter skills.  mickelson and traylor add great depth.  oubre and seldon are one of the top wing combos off the bat and the euro kid is getting a lot of great reviews.  pg will be the only question mark but mason played well last year and graham sounds pretty legit.  legit enough that frankampp transferred.

 

 

[juves4783Participant]

texas fan here, but i gotta say that i think ku is going to take it all this year.  ellis and alexander are going to be a tough matchup with ellis’ perimeter skills.  mickelson and traylor add great depth.  oubre and seldon are one of the top wing combos off the bat and the euro kid is getting a lot of great reviews.  pg will be the only question mark but mason played well last year and graham sounds pretty legit.  legit enough that frankampp transferred.

 

 

[Drumline1997Participant]

 Am I the only one that is completely in love with Lucas? I watch him and all he does is make plays. He has a solid body, great post moves and just produces. Right now I dont think KU will beat Kentucky but in that game I think Lucas will come up big and will be one of the only bigs on KU that can match up with Dakari Johnson, Karl Towns and Willey Stein.

 

[Drumline1997Participant]

 Am I the only one that is completely in love with Lucas? I watch him and all he does is make plays. He has a solid body, great post moves and just produces. Right now I dont think KU will beat Kentucky but in that game I think Lucas will come up big and will be one of the only bigs on KU that can match up with Dakari Johnson, Karl Towns and Willey Stein.

 

[Jayhawks2011Participant]

KU is going to be a team that is matchup proof this year.  They have so many guys that can play multiple positions.  They have so much depth its going to be hard for self to cut down his rotation to the usual 8 or 9 that he plays.  

Graham is a player who blew up his senior year and then went to prep school in order to play at a bigger program.  He is a pure pass first point guard who will probably end up starting towards the end of the year.  Coach Self has compared him to Aaron Miles.

Oubre still has a lot of work to do and looks like he could stay two years in the mold of Selden.

Brannen Greene is a player who I think will be a very good role player at the next level.  He is a 6’9 dead eye shooter who has a quick release.  If Wiggins had not gone to Ku i think he would of started at the 3 and been very good.  He has had some offcourt issues but with time he could become an x factor and be someone who can get hot and score 20 on any night.

 

This KU team is gonna be fun to watch this year, and will probably play a more uptempo style compared to what we are used to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

[Jayhawks2011Participant]

KU is going to be a team that is matchup proof this year.  They have so many guys that can play multiple positions.  They have so much depth its going to be hard for self to cut down his rotation to the usual 8 or 9 that he plays.  

Graham is a player who blew up his senior year and then went to prep school in order to play at a bigger program.  He is a pure pass first point guard who will probably end up starting towards the end of the year.  Coach Self has compared him to Aaron Miles.

Oubre still has a lot of work to do and looks like he could stay two years in the mold of Selden.

Brannen Greene is a player who I think will be a very good role player at the next level.  He is a 6’9 dead eye shooter who has a quick release.  If Wiggins had not gone to Ku i think he would of started at the 3 and been very good.  He has had some offcourt issues but with time he could become an x factor and be someone who can get hot and score 20 on any night.

 

This KU team is gonna be fun to watch this year, and will probably play a more uptempo style compared to what we are used to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

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