2019 Champions Classic

jmmcgr02_rivals363287

All-Conference
Nov 7, 2001
9,728
2,445
0
It is looking very likely that the Champions classic this year in New York will feature the top 4 teams in the Polls. 2013-14 had 1,2,4,5 and 2017-18 had 1,2,4,7.
Should be a great night of basketball.
 

502 Wildcat

Heisman
Sep 11, 2007
22,310
24,115
113
Not sure Kansas will be Top 25

They'll be top 25 for sure, but I don't see a top 5 team there as the OP suggests. Not enough in the backcourt and their bigs are suspect as well. Udoka is a fantastic player when he is healthy - but he can't seem to get through a full season without getting hurt. De Sousa is unproven - averaged 4 points a game and then sat for 18 months.
 

CMD77

All-Conference
Jan 2, 2003
8,955
1,040
78
Not sure Kansas will be Top 25

Kansas has been included on just about every top 5 pre-season list that has been produced. I think CBS Sports is the main one that has them ranked relatively low. They just landed a grad transfer from Iowa today and are expected to land Jalen Wilson as well. Some now have them ranked #1 or #2.

Personally, I don't see anything special about that roster, but I would expect the media to rank them in the preseason top 5.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Conna03

502 Wildcat

Heisman
Sep 11, 2007
22,310
24,115
113
Jeff Goodman‏Verified account@GoodmanHoops
BREAKING: Kansas has filled its biggest need and landed a big-time shooter in Isaiah Moss, source told @Stadium. Shot 42 percent from 3 this past season. If Jayhawks get Jalen Wilson over UNC, I’ll bump them up from No. 2 to No. 1 over Michigan State.

Jeff Goodman [roll]

Moss is a nice pickup for sure. He is a top 20 grad transfer.

Not sure how big of an impact at KU Jalen Wilson will be in year 1 though.
 

RoyKent

Heisman
Feb 3, 2015
23,015
33,287
66
KU is going to be pre-season top 4 easily. May not be correct or how they end up but I guarantee coaches and media have them top 4.

OP is correct, it will likely be 4 of the top 5 teams at the Champions Classic.
 
Dec 6, 2004
3,317
812
0
Jeff Goodman [roll]

Moss is a nice pickup for sure. He is a top 20 grad transfer.

Not sure how big of an impact at KU Jalen Wilson will be in year 1 though.
This the same moss kid that disappears for games at a time according to iowa fans. Lol. Ole toupee is reaching. Love it.
 

502 Wildcat

Heisman
Sep 11, 2007
22,310
24,115
113
KU is going to be pre-season top 4 easily. May not be correct or how they end up but I guarantee coaches and media have them top 4.

OP is correct, it will likely be 4 of the top 5 teams at the Champions Classic.

I'm not saying that won't happen, the media will select whoever they want, I just personally don't see a Top 5 team. With Moss and Wilson I can maybe see them cracking the Top 10...perhaps at #8 or #9. But I just don't see a Top 5 team.

They had more talent, balance, and depth last season and couldn't do much with that team. That same core (Dotson, Garrett, McCormack, Lightfoot, Agbaji) minus Grimes, D. Lawson, and Vick makeup this team...and not a single one-and-done caliber talent added.

Azubuike can't seem to get through a whole season healthy, and Silvio is a complete and utter unknown. He averaged 4 points his debut season and then SAT for a year and a half.

I just don't see it.
 

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
Jeff Goodman‏Verified account@GoodmanHoops
BREAKING: Kansas has filled its biggest need and landed a big-time shooter in Isaiah Moss, source told @Stadium. Shot 42 percent from 3 this past season. If Jayhawks get Jalen Wilson over UNC, I’ll bump them up from No. 2 to No. 1 over Michigan State.

Goodman...LOL!

Can you say Jayhawk homer and UK hater! Only person in the universe that has KU above UK in the preseason.

I've got KU at number 4 behind MSU, UK, and Duke with or without Wilson.

I don't think Wilson adds enough year one to push them past MSU or UK.

Duke and KU are neck and neck, and I would be fine with someone ranking KU at 3 over Duke, because they are very close. It's a moot point, because that will be decided the first game of the season.
 

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
I'm not saying that won't happen, the media will select whoever they want, I just personally don't see a Top 5 team. With Moss and Wilson I can maybe see them cracking the Top 10...perhaps at #8 or #9. But I just don't see a Top 5 team.

They had more talent, balance, and depth last season and couldn't do much with that team. That same core (Dotson, Garrett, McCormack, Lightfoot, Agbaji) minus Grimes, D. Lawson, and Vick makeup this team...and not a single one-and-done caliber talent added.

Azubuike can't seem to get through a whole season healthy, and Silvio is a complete and utter unknown. He averaged 4 points his debut season and then SAT for a year and a half.

I just don't see it.

It speaks to how down college bball will be this coming season. I know, I know, we say that every year, but take a close look at the polls. Take a look at UofL, they lost 14 games last season and are being heralded as a top 5 team this year.

KU has a pretty good squad now (with or without Wilson).

G Dotson/McBride
G Moss/Braun
G Agbaji/Garrett
F De Sousa/Wilson
F Azubuike/McCormick/Lightfoot

That's a top 5 roster.

My main concerns with them are Azubuike's health, how long it takes DeSousa to get back in the flow, and who runs the show when Dotson sits?

If they enter the NCAA tourney with a healthy Azubuike, they are a legitimate Final Four/national title threat.
 

Padsfs07

All-Conference
Jan 19, 2013
3,853
3,654
108
As I said in another thread, Moss saw more playing time was available at "top 5" Kansas than at Arkansas. That speaks volumes to the quality of guards/wings that Kansas has returning.
 
Nov 15, 2008
38,645
57,515
0
Jeff GoodmanVerified account@GoodmanHoops
BREAKING: Kansas has filled its biggest need and landed a big-time shooter in Isaiah Moss, source told @Stadium. Shot 42 percent from 3 this past season. If Jayhawks get Jalen Wilson over UNC, I’ll bump them up from No. 2 to No. 1 over Michigan State.

 
  • Like
Reactions: Blue Wildcat

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
Early comparisons for the Champions Classic:

UK vs. MSU

Projected Starters

Hagans < Winston
Maxey > Langford
Whitney > Ahrens
Brooks < Henry
Montgomery < Tillman

Bench

UK > MSU

Final score- UK 72 MSU 76

KU vs. Duke

Projected Starters

G Dotson = Jones
G Moss = Stanley
G Agbaji > Moore
F De Sousa < Hurt
F Azubuike < Carey

Bench

KU > Duke

Final score- KU 70 Duke 72
 
Apr 8, 2015
633
400
0
Outside of Dotson, Azubuike, and Desousa, I just don’t see any Elite Pieces on that Kansas roster.

I would wager at least two Barrels of WRDO that Moss doesn’t solve their problems on the perimeter.
 

jmmcgr02_rivals363287

All-Conference
Nov 7, 2001
9,728
2,445
0
I'm not saying that won't happen, the media will select whoever they want, I just personally don't see a Top 5 team. With Moss and Wilson I can maybe see them cracking the Top 10...perhaps at #8 or #9. But I just don't see a Top 5 team.

They had more talent, balance, and depth last season and couldn't do much with that team. That same core (Dotson, Garrett, McCormack, Lightfoot, Agbaji) minus Grimes, D. Lawson, and Vick makeup this team...and not a single one-and-done caliber talent added.

Azubuike can't seem to get through a whole season healthy, and Silvio is a complete and utter unknown. He averaged 4 points his debut season and then SAT for a year and a half.

I just don't see it.
Silvio enrolled at Christmas break and played the last half of the year. He averaged 4&4 in less than 9 mpg, better than Richards and EJ Montgomery. In the conf and NCAA tournaments, he averaged 9&9 in 15 mpg. Then he sat a year, but practiced with the team. He is not an unknown.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KUhawks34

502 Wildcat

Heisman
Sep 11, 2007
22,310
24,115
113
I'm not saying that won't happen, the media will select whoever they want, I just personally don't see a Top 5 team. With Moss and Wilson I can maybe see them cracking the Top 10...perhaps at #8 or #9. But I just don't see a Top 5 team.

They had more talent, balance, and depth last season and couldn't do much with that team. That same core (Dotson, Garrett, McCormack, Lightfoot, Agbaji) minus Grimes, D. Lawson, and Vick makeup this team...and not a single one-and-done caliber talent added.

Azubuike can't seem to get through a whole season healthy, and Silvio is a complete and utter unknown. He averaged 4 points his debut season and then SAT for a year and a half.

I just don't see it.
Silvio enrolled at Christmas break and played the last half of the year. He averaged 4&4 in less than 9 mpg, better than Richards and EJ Montgomery. In the conf and NCAA tournaments, he averaged 9&9 in 15 mpg. Then he sat a year, but practiced with the team. He is not an unknown.

He is an unknown. Just like EJ and Nick.

Potential is there, especially for EJ, but they are all unknowns at this point. Azubuike too because of how fragile he appears to be. If he stays healthy he’s a Top 5 big in the country. But can he stay healthy for an entire season?

The backcourts and wings are what separate the two teams right now. We will see how the frontcourts unfold. At least UK has Nate Sestina, the #2 ranked grad transfer. 5th year 16 and 8 guy that is versatile. Obviously won’t average quite those numbers at UK, but he is the most proven of all the frontcourt players mentioned thus far.

You can stick with your opinion, and I’ll stick to mine. I’m just not as high on KU as others seem to be. Not after last season’s debacle. We will just have to see how the season plays out.
 

jmmcgr02_rivals363287

All-Conference
Nov 7, 2001
9,728
2,445
0
He is an unknown. Just like EJ and Nick.

Potential is there, especially for EJ, but they are all unknowns at this point. Azubuike too because of how fragile he appears to be. If he stays healthy he’s a Top 5 big in the country. But can he stay healthy for an entire season?

The backcourts and wings are what separate the two teams right now. We will see how the frontcourts unfold. At least UK has Nate Sestina, the #2 ranked grad transfer. 5th year 16 and 8 guy that is versatile. Obviously won’t average quite those numbers at UK, but he is the most proven of all the frontcourt players mentioned thus far.

You can stick with your opinion, and I’ll stick to mine. I’m just not as high on KU as others seem to be. Not after last season’s debacle. We will just have to see how the season plays out.
When healthy, Azubuike is the most dominant big in the game. Him, McCormack and Silvio will be a top 3 front court. That separates them from UK.
Dotson, Agbaji, Wilson is not a top 5 back court, but it is not too far off. A lot will hinge on how consistent Agbaji can be from the outside. Garret is a top defensive guards in the big 12, and hopefully Moss can provide some shooting off the bench. UK has the better back court, but it isn't the only thing that separates the 2 teams.
Hopefully they will be matched up the SEC/ BIG12 challenge again this year.
We will know pretty quickly how good KU will be. They open with Duke, then will play Michigan St in Hawaii.
 

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
When healthy, Azubuike is the most dominant big in the game. Him, McCormack and Silvio will be a top 3 front court. That separates them from UK.
Dotson, Agbaji, Wilson is not a top 5 back court, but it is not too far off. A lot will hinge on how consistent Agbaji can be from the outside. Garret is a top defensive guards in the big 12, and hopefully Moss can provide some shooting off the bench. UK has the better back court, but it isn't the only thing that separates the 2 teams.
Hopefully they will be matched up the SEC/ BIG12 challenge again this year.
We will know pretty quickly how good KU will be. They open with Duke, then will play Michigan St in Hawaii.

Agree about Azubuike. I just wonder if he can stay healthy. Injuries can happen to anyone, but two season ending injuries in three seasons has to be concerning.

As for your backcourt, it's got holes, but it's still pretty solid. Losing Grimes and missing on Hampton and Tucker really hurt, though. It would have been an elite unit with one of those three beside Dotson. Dotson will hold things together and Agbaji was a nice surprise last year, but after that, it's questionable. A couple of low rated Freshmen that will need a couple of years to produce and Garrett, who can really defend, but has no offense. Even with Wilson at the 3, the perimeter play is going to be an adventure for KU this season.

Self is a good coach and will have them in title contention at the end of the year, IF Azubuike remains healthy.

I've got them at 3 or 4. I think they are right there with Duke pretty even, just a notch below UK, with MSU a notch ahead of UK.