It is obvious that the current roster is full of a lot of talented basketball players that just do not fit together. We have done very well recruiting the portal, but the talent just never seems to gel. Our best portal season was in ‘22 when we had a very large group of returners who had played together for a while and filled in a few gaps with transfers. Building a team through the portal does not seem to work for Self. Other programs/coaches seem to make it work (UK this season exhibit A) but Selfs system is so complex that it is very difficult for guys to come in year one and make it work (especially on defense, e.g., Storr). Coach Self has an opportunity next season to right the ship and bring us back to playing a more modern style of ball. With the newcomers plus possible returners, (Griffen, Kease, Diggy, Flory, Tiller, McDowell, Elmarko) we could have a very solid team next year if we can find the right fits in the portal. This season may be a lesson to Self that evaluating players in the portal matters, and that he’s gotta find guys that fit what he wants to do, rather than cobbling a bunch of guys together.

HD is so limited in things and has been as much as a part of the limitations of the success as part of the success that no one can sit there and say he was the right choice while Ejiofor and Udeh were cheaper options that were not nearly as limited. He was a big name from a big school.

Our best transfer in the portal has been Mayo. Look at ISU, their portal guys are mid major guys. Self has chased P4 kids more than the mid major ones. You don't see the GAF factor in many kids he has been involved with and I think that goes to the fact many of them don't really appreciate just how excellent KU basketball is as an overwhelming situation. Mayo has talked about it but it isn't like Bama and Wisconsin have $hit facilities or abysmal fan support or poor travel budgets.

We've seen guys go out there but there isn't a passion you have seen on less talented but more successful teams. Having to turn up the defensive pressure is a way to get the guys to play with more edge bc right now they are wet noodles largely.

The staff is stale, the mentality is lackluster, Self's refusal to let guys play with more ability and learn vs the same old reliable above average but not not likely to be elite rotation are all part of the lower bar performance as the portal stuff.