Rylan Griffen Visit Coming

9N9

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Feb 23, 2025
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It’s bargain bin when you’re looking for more than a role player. This guy is a role player he doesn’t move the needle. We will have depth for days we need another money shooter ideally someone who can rotate over and play some pg. pope wants the best starting 5 in the country with the best bench behind them. Too many people want it done now when this new window is just opening with returning players and a full portal. With Lowe at PG he needs a stud with him. He is a big question mark and you roll with Lowe and Griffen that’s not a final four back court. We really need someone who will elevate our talent level in the back court. Oweh is great at the 3 but the 2g is a massive talent drop. I’ve seen enough from pope to know he’s wants an elite talent at every spot. After missing out on dent the back court still needs a lot of work.
So, you, an anonymous message board poster, know more about our needs in terms of roster construction than our head coach who literally does this for a living? Yeah, ok. 😂😂😂
 

AJG-15

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2024
1,440
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It’s bargain bin when you’re looking for more than a role player. This guy is a role player he doesn’t move the needle. We will have depth for days we need another money shooter ideally someone who can rotate over and play some pg. pope wants the best starting 5 in the country with the best bench behind them. Too many people want it done now when this new window is just opening with returning players and a full portal. With Lowe at PG he needs a stud with him. He is a big question mark and you roll with Lowe and Griffen that’s not a final four back court. We really need someone who will elevate our talent level in the back court. Oweh is great at the 3 but the 2g is a massive talent drop. I’ve seen enough from pope to know he’s wants an elite talent at every spot. After missing out on dent the back court still needs a lot of work.
I agree. We need someone that is automatic from 3 . Last year we had Brea and JR next to Butler, sometime all 3 of them on the floor. We need two more shooters . I don’t care if they play 2 or 3 that’s interchangeable based on match ups.

Right now our big hole is the outside shooting.
 

wildcatdon

Heisman
Oct 17, 2012
10,067
12,603
113
Also, just saw the Aberdeen kid from Florida entered the portal. Another aspect of This Crazy Time in College Basketball History is the poker aspect of it for coaches. I mean, you can't just rush out in the first days/weeks of portal season and get the best players you can - because as we see even better players will enter the portal later. Other hand, you can't really afford to sit and wait, you may not get those kids and then you have empty hands.
That Aberdeen kid can guard too. Really quick.
 

tls

Heisman
Nov 7, 2007
7,804
14,422
81
Like Griffen .. the few times I saw KU, I wondered why he wasn't getting more run ..

As far leaving Bama, I'm thinking PT was part of it .. adding Youngblood and didn't see it mentioned above but they had that hot-shot freshman Holloway coming in as well

Pope played for RP who had a lot of players who got minutes ..subsequently, not a short rotation coach
 
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Wildcats1st

Heisman
Sep 16, 2017
18,949
28,911
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So, you, an anonymous message board poster, know more about our needs in terms of roster construction than our head coach who literally does this for a living? Yeah, ok. 😂😂😂
Im following the coach and his actions. He’s obviously not satisfied with our back court to lay 2 million on Wilkerson. Now there are 3 players better. Doubt he’s gonna change tactics. He didn’t land his top pg target. He wants a better back court all signs point to
 
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bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
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I agree. We need someone that is automatic from 3 . Last year we had Brea and JR next to Butler, sometime all 3 of them on the floor. We need two more shooters . I don’t care if they play 2 or 3 that’s interchangeable based on match ups.

Right now our big hole is the outside shooting.
Some tend to forget we have some pretty good shooters on the team and coming in.

Dioubate shot 46% from 3 at Bama this past season.

Williams shot 41% from 3 this last year as a Freshman.

Oweh shot a respectable 36% from 3 since coming here.

Chandler shot 35% as a Freshman. He ended the season shooting 54% (7-13) in the 5 SEC and NCAA tournament games combined.

Johnson shot 36% from 3 this last season at OTE.

Jelavic is being touted as a shooter. He shot 32% from 3. I think he will shoot better once he becomes part of a system and shoots less shots. His efficiency will improve.

Lowe shot 36% from 3 as a Freshman, on a better team than he played on this past year. I think his efficiency will improve.

Garrison shoots it well for a big man. 30% from 3 from your 5 spot isn’t bad.

Perry and Noah are both snipers, they just need some seasoning.

That’s 10 with respectable numbers. 8 of which will be in the normal rotation.

I think one more good shooter can do the trick.

We may not have a dead eye sniper like Brea, but should have enough shooters to spread the floor and get good looks.

I’d rather have 3 or 4 good shooters on the floor than to have one great one. One good defender can take away one great shooter. It takes a whole team of good defenders to beat a team with a bunch of good shooters.
 

jessieshorts8

Heisman
Jun 2, 2019
5,256
14,723
113
Some tend to forget we have some pretty good shooters on the team and coming in.

Dioubate shot 46% from 3 at Bama this past season.

Williams shot 41% from 3 this last year as a Freshman.

Oweh shot a respectable 36% from 3 since coming here.

Chandler shot 35% as a Freshman. He ended the season shooting 54% (7-13) in the 5 SEC and NCAA tournament games combined.

Johnson shot 36% from 3 this last season at OTE.

Jelavic is being touted as a shooter. He shot 32% from 3. I think he will shoot better once he becomes part of a system and shoots less shots. His efficiency will improve.

Lowe shot 36% from 3 as a Freshman, on a better team than he played on this past year. I think his efficiency will improve.

Garrison shoots it well for a big man. 30% from 3 from your 5 spot isn’t bad.

Perry and Noah are both snipers, they just need some seasoning.

That’s 10 with respectable numbers. 8 of which will be in the normal rotation.

I think one more good shooter can do the trick.

We may not have a dead eye sniper like Brea, but should have enough shooters to spread the floor and get good looks.

I’d rather have 3 or 4 good shooters on the floor than to have one great one. One good defender can take away one great shooter. It takes a whole team of good defenders to beat a team with a bunch of good shooters.
MD just had 12 total 3's all season.
 

ImTheVillageIdiot

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May 18, 2024
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Im following the coach and his actions. He’s obviously not satisfied with our back court to lay 2 million on Wilkerson. Now there are 3 players better. Doubt he’s gonna change tactics. He didn’t land his top pg target. He wants a better back court all signs point to
I don’t think it’s dissatisfaction with his backcourt, so much as finding someone who can fill a defined role. We want to sign one more sharpshooter wing who can make shots at a high efficiency. That isn’t to say the current backcourt guys don’t fill their own roles. Wilkerson would have been about as good as you can get at filling that role, but I’m still not certain he would have started. Don’t forget the guy we had to fill that role last year, Koby Brea, was not a starter. I think we are one sharpshooter and maybe a depth point guard from having a complete roster.
 
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bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
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Im following the coach and his actions. He’s obviously not satisfied with our back court to lay 2 million on Wilkerson. Now there are 3 players better. Doubt he’s gonna change tactics. He didn’t land his top pg target. He wants a better back court all signs point to
Exactly.

But as we get closer to the portal deadline, the more money these high level guys are going to try to squeeze out of their potential schools. Demand is driving up the price.
 

BlueBloodKyFan73

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Oct 29, 2010
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It’s kind of fascinating that Pope got almost all double digit scorers last year from the portal and may get all single digit scorers in the portal this year other than Lowe. More higher level guys as well.

Dioubate - 7.2
Williams - 9.3
Quaintance - 9.4
Griffin was 6.3
Better hope all this potential pans out or we are screwed. Currently have a ton of optimism about this person will improve, step up, surprise us. I just hope the analytics are correct.
 

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
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MD just had 12 total 3's all season.
True. He took 26 and made 12. He made almost half of the shots he took from 3. He is very efficient. He doesn’t jack up 3’s. He didn’t have to, because he played on a good team. He’ll probably shoot a few more for us, but I still think he takes good shots. He isn’t going to let it fly like Brea or anything.
 

BlueBloodKyFan73

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So, you, an anonymous message board poster, know more about our needs in terms of roster construction than our head coach who literally does this for a living? Yeah, ok. 😂😂😂
Yeah and the other assistants don’t have gobs of analytics in front of them.
 

hoopsdave

Junior
May 19, 2003
913
340
0
Bargains are where Pope excels. Id much rather get someone else, but this might be the best we can do under the circumstances.
He does a great job with the strategy he is employing. I just wonder if we pay too many guys for the sake of depth. We are potentially gonna have to pay 13/14 guys.
Thats too many. If we were paying 11, a SG would be no problem.
And the deep rotation is also making guys hesitant who want to play 30 mins.
 

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
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He doesn’t. I think he’s compared more to Jaxson IMO.
Yep. I think that’s what Pope is looking for, someone to fill that Robinson role.

I think Williams or Chandler is going to fill that Brea role. With better defense.

Here is how I see it:

PG Lowe replaces Butler.
SG Oweh returns.
SF Portal guy replaces Robinson.
PF Dioubate replaces Carr.
C Quaintance replaces Williams.

PG Johnson replaces Kriisa.
SG Chandler returns.
SF Williams replaces Brea.
PF Jelavic replaces Almonor.
C Garrison returns.

G Perry returns.
F Noah returns.
C Moreno is bonus.
 

FLBBNFAN

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Mar 25, 2025
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So, you, an anonymous message board poster, know more about our needs in terms of roster construction than our head coach who literally does this for a living? Yeah, ok. 😂😂😂
You mean the guy who was a captain on one of the greatest college basketball teams ever and played in the NBA lol. Yeah he doesn't know anything right? Where do these people come from.
 
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Nooneputsbabyinacorner

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Aug 19, 2013
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Yup. I think UK's style of play is much more similar to Alabama than Kansas. It is also all about fit and chemistry. That is something Kansas seemed to completely lack this season.
Personally he was a victim of Self’s favoritism for play Harris and Adam’s too much which killed spacing and allowed defenders to double/triple the post and face guard the other two guards since the defense didn’t have to guard the former. This favoritism leaving more talent potential on the bench killed team chemistry.
 
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FLBBNFAN

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Mar 25, 2025
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Like Griffen .. the few times I saw KU, I wondered why he wasn't getting more run ..

As far leaving Bama, I'm thinking PT was part of it .. adding Youngblood and didn't see it mentioned above but they had that hot-shot freshman Holloway coming in as well

Pope plated for RP who had a lot of players who got minutes ..subsequently, not a short rotation coach
I think that is where Pitono has really influenced Pope. Up tempo offense and to do that you need a good deep bench to keep guys fresh. I remember when our opponents were gassed at the 7 minute mark in the second half. Obviously the full court press helped but still Pope wants to play fast.

Also important not to have a drop off when the second wave comes in. It was the second group that sparked Florida's comeback this year.
 

catsfanbgky

All-American
Oct 18, 2006
18,901
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A very underrated player that would fit perfect into the 2/3 position is Nick Dorn from Elon. 6-7 and was only a sophomore last year. Averaged 15/4. Was a 36% 3FG shooter,,,, on 8.4 attempts per game, hitting 3. He lite up UNC and Notre Dame. had 17/5 @ UNC going 5/10 from 3, 24/6 against ND, going 5/6 from 3. Had 29 6/10 from 3 v/s Marshall. Is a 81% free throw shooter.
 

ImTheVillageIdiot

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May 18, 2024
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He does a great job with the strategy he is employing. I just wonder if we pay too many guys for the sake of depth. We are potentially gonna have to pay 13/14 guys.
Thats too many. If we were paying 11, a SG would be no problem.
And the deep rotation is also making guys hesitant who want to play 30 mins.
Pope doesn’t want guys who feel they have to play 30 minutes. This is another “filter” that Pope is using to find the right program guys. Pope is going to beat people with depth. That’s why, even when fans were getting frustrated and begging him to shorten the rotation, he stuck to his guns and said he needs to widen the rotation. If you want depth, you have to build it. Then, if you can dominate with that depth, guys will want to be a part of that program. It’s a giant billboard that says, “Come here if you want to be a part of something bigger than you.” Some guys will be attracted to that and some won’t. The challenge for fans is relearning what it means to “miss” on a guy. I don’t think Pope sees any of them as misses —- I think he sees them as filtered out.
 

KYFOSSIL

All-American
Jan 13, 2005
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Meh...this dude was horrendous for KU last year. There are WAY better options out there. I will take him and he can probably help but I will hope for someone a little more impactful.
I’ll make sure Pope clears it with you first
 

CrimsonCats_rivals

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Mar 22, 2022
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I saw him play a lot for Alabama last year and the year before. I would say he’s solid, and we can do a lot worse, but we could probably also do better.

He was really good at catch and shoot 3s last year, although a little less so this year at Kansas, and is capable of going off and hitting them in bunches in certain games. We certainly could use that. His ball handling isn’t anything too special for a guard, and he isn’t the type of guy who can create his own shot, which I honestly wish we had a little more of. He doesn’t stand out as a matador on defense, but despite looking pretty athletic, isn’t great at it either. Since several people asked, there weren’t any rumored problems with him at Bama, and it’s believed that he simply went to Kansas for money.

I wouldn’t be upset if we get him, but he definitely does seem like a bit of a consolation prize compared to some of the other players we’ve reportedly looked at who play a similar position.
 
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Bluesnky

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Jan 24, 2013
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Yep. I think that’s what Pope is looking for, someone to fill that Robinson role.

I think Williams or Chandler is going to fill that Brea role. With better defense.

Here is how I see it:

PG Lowe replaces Butler.
SG Oweh returns.
SF Portal guy replaces Robinson.
PF Dioubate replaces Carr.
C Quaintance replaces Williams.

PG Johnson replaces Kriisa.
SG Chandler returns.
SF Williams replaces Brea.
PF Jelavic replaces Almonor.
C Garrison returns.

G Perry returns.
F Noah returns.
C Moreno is bonus.
I really hope Pope doesn’t see roster building in terms of roles. We need well rounded basketball players. Everyone needs to defend, most guys need to be able to pass, and everyone should be able to shoot a little bit.
 
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Bluesnky

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I saw him play a lot for Alabama last year and the year before. I would say he’s solid, and we can do a lot worse, but we could probably also do better.

He was really good at catch and shoot 3s last year, although a little less so this year at Kansas, and is capable of going off and hitting them in bunches in certain games. We certainly could use that. His ball handling isn’t anything too special for a guard, and he isn’t the type of guy who can create his own shot, which I honestly wish we had a little more of. He doesn’t stand out as a matador on defense, but despite looking pretty athletic, isn’t great at it either. Since several people asked, there weren’t any rumored problems with him at Bama, and it’s believed that he simply went to Kansas for money.

I wouldn’t be upset if we get him, but he definitely does seem like a bit if a consolation prize compared to some of the other players we’ve reportedly looked at who play a similar position.
So he IS Jaxson Robinson!
 

FLBBNFAN

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Mar 25, 2025
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Yep. I think that’s what Pope is looking for, someone to fill that Robinson role.

I think Williams or Chandler is going to fill that Brea role. With better defense.

Here is how I see it:

PG Lowe replaces Butler.
SG Oweh returns.
SF Portal guy replaces Robinson.
PF Dioubate replaces Carr.
C Quaintance replaces Williams.

PG Johnson replaces Kriisa.
SG Chandler returns.
SF Williams replaces Brea.
PF Jelavic replaces Almonor.
C Garrison returns.

G Perry returns.
F Noah returns.
C Moreno is bonus.
That makes a lot of sense laid out like that. Man what a roster that is.
 

hoopsdave

Junior
May 19, 2003
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Pope doesn’t want guys who feel they have to play 30 minutes. This is another “filter” that Pope is using to find the right program guys. Pope is going to beat people with depth. That’s why, even when fans were getting frustrated and begging him to shorten the rotation, he stuck to his guns and said he needs to widen the rotation. If you want depth, you have to build it. Then, if you can dominate with that depth, guys will want to be a part of that program. It’s a giant billboard that says, “Come here if you want to be a part of something bigger than you.” Some guys will be attracted to that and some won’t. The challenge for fans is relearning what it means to “miss” on a guy. I don’t think Pope sees any of them as misses —- I think he sees them as filtered out.
I agree. That is definitely Popes strategy.
Whether it bears fruit remains to be seen.
I like good depth as well, just wondering if he is taking it a few guys too far for the sake of filtering an elite guy? Hard to find minutes for 13.
 
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bnewt

Heisman
May 29, 2001
8,853
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113
I saw him play a lot for Alabama last year and the year before. I would say he’s solid, and we can do a lot worse, but we could probably also do better.

He was really good at catch and shoot 3s last year, although a little less so this year at Kansas, and is capable of going off and hitting them in bunches in certain games. We certainly could use that. His ball handling isn’t anything too special for a guard, and he isn’t the type of guy who can create his own shot, which I honestly wish we had a little more of. He doesn’t stand out as a matador on defense, but despite looking pretty athletic, isn’t great at it either. Since several people asked, there weren’t any rumored problems with him at Bama, and it’s believed that he simply went to Kansas for money.

I wouldn’t be upset if we get him, but he definitely does seem like a bit of a consolation prize compared to some of the other players we’ve reportedly looked at who play a similar position.
Going by your description, there does seem to be better options available, and some equal, but from smaller schools. Agree, that there needs to be several that can create their own shots. Don't really see that ability in much of anyone, except may the transfer from Pitt, who I have never seen play. Even if someone can create an open jump shot, doesn't have to be a layup