-Landen Lucas stepping up makes KU a completely different team. Hadn't been worried about them because their inside game was so weak(Azubuike injured, Bragg maddeningly inconsistent, and Lucas looking like a big dumb oaf out there), but Bragg/Lucas are at least serviceable now. If they continue that trajectory and Jackson's shot selection continues to improve, they'll be right there. But unless that happens, they're in that second tier, IMO. They'll get a two-seed because they'll only lose four more games and they'll win their conference tourney, but they have the lowest ceiling of any teams in the top 10, IMO.
-So at this point, who do you put on Jackson? That kid's a problem.
-Looks like we won't be at the ballpark this year for the first time in about 9 years. Neither girl interested in playing softball. I'm glad they're finding other stuff they love, and neither of them are good enough at softball to be nudged into continuing to play, but man...this is the first time they will have stopped doing something that I'm really gonna miss. Love summer nights out there.
-I have no idea why Kevin Knox WOULD come here with the logjam we appear to have on the wing next season, but just keeping him away from Duke/UNC would be worth the take.
-I thought Thad Matta might have reached the crisis point at OSU, losing their first four Big Ten games(and getting beat by FAU). But I watched their game against MSU and I think he has something to work with. He just hit a bad recruiting stretch taking kids who weren't right for his system/style. Running them off, rearranging the staff, and recalibrating his recruiting focus, and I think they'll be fine next year. Plus, I honestly can't see another place where that guy would/could go. Seems like a natural lifer for that place. Jay Wright hit a similar stretch about 6-7 years ago and had to regain his footing. Could see Matta doing the same.