Big news coming from Lawrence, Kansas. Bill Self has just about had it with this team and a specific individual. This team can do absolutely nothing to surprise me anymore. They can lose in the Round of 64 or win the National Championship and I would not be shocked if either happened. But, Bill Self has just about had it.
After Kansas lost their 3rd game in Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, when Oklahoma State came in and absolutely kicked Kansas’ ass, Bill Self decided to make some changes. And honestly, it’s about damn time. Kansas is going back to their original Bill Self look, 3 guards and 2 bigs, as Mitch Lightfoot is being inserted into the starting lineup for LaGerald Vick for the foreseeable future.
New Starting 5:
PG; Devonte Graham
SG: Malik Newman
SF: Svi Mykhailiuk
PF: Mitch Lightfoot
C: Udoka Azibuke
Pros:
Obviously, Bill Self is not going to make a move that hurts the team. He is a Hall of Fame coach who loves to win but hates to lose even more. The Jayhawks, as mentioned, go back to their bread and butter with the 2 bigs. There is a guarantee that the Jayhawks will play MUCH better defense, rebound the ball more efficiently and probably show more effort. Another key is Svi gets to return to his normal position. Svi is currently playing both sides of the ball at the four spot. He’s doing an okay job, but that’s not his position and that is a reason behind Kansas’ defensive woes and struggles on the boards. This move will put a band-aid on that to stop the bleeding.
Cons:
Kansas has no depth now in the front-court. They’re playing both front-court players to start the game and if one or both of them get in early foul trouble, the Jayhawks are in trouble. The Hawks do have Silvio de Sousa, but he has shown that he is not ready for the bigger moments yet. So, can this turn out to be bad for Kansas? yes. But Mitch Lightfoot is a smart player and he knows he needs to stay out of foul trouble.
However, all I’ve been hearing is that Silvio de Sousa shows amazing stuff in practice but can’t do that in games because he’s not settled into the momentum of the game. This change will lead to more playing time for de Sousa when Lightfoot and Udoka get tired or in foul trouble. He can play through his struggles instead of getting the hook within the first 2 minutes of playing. If this move can get de Sousa more minutes and playing more comfortably, it can lead to a Kansas Big 12 title and a deep run in the tournament.
What it means for LaGerald Vick:
LaGerald Vick gave up. I don’t know what his thought process is. I don’t know if he’s going through things or if he’s just tired physically, emotionally and mentally. Vick has 2 daughters and he’s doing everything he can to support them, and I respect that so much. It might be tough for him to be away from them and I feel for him, but his job right now is playing high-level basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks and everything else will work out. Obviously, I’m not trying bring his kids into this but for all the Kansas fans out there that are trashing him and giving him a hard time, these 18-22 years olds and they go through stuff. It happens. I understand what it’s like to be a college kid with lofty expectations, and that’s without having two kids.
With that being said, LaGerald Vick does need to try a lot harder. This is a player who was averaging 17 points and 7 rebounds before the Texas game and ever since then he’s been averaging 7 points and 4 rebounds. That is a massive drop-off for a player with a lot of talent. He is too athletic and has too good of a shot to only get 7 & 4.
But the positive for Vick? Bill Self loves his guys, he doesn’t give up on them, and he pushes all the right buttons to get the most out of them. Every player is different and Bill pushes different buttons for different guys, but he gets the same results: the best.
If Vick has the right mindset and listens to what Bill Self says, he will also get the most out of himself. Vick is going to the NBA at one point or another, but he needs to want to get there. He needs to want to put on that Kansas uniform. He needs to want to try hard and win. That comes within himself. And I think, from what I’ve seen with Bill Self getting the most out of his players, this is a good move for Vick.