Bench issues, Elmarko Jackson’s decision, DK McDonald’s hire | KU Jayhawks Q&A
Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self wouldn’t blame the NCAA transfer portal when asked if that’s the reason why KU’s bench is struggling.
It was a diplomatic answer for a unit that’s No. 335 in bench points per game (12.57).
“I think we did a really good job in the portal in getting what I consider the best player (Hunter Dickinson) in the portal,” Self said. “We just haven’t done as much good as we potentially could. I think we could have maybe been developing depth in large part because of my decision to say that we got to take away three scholarships over three years, maybe we get two now and if we stay healthy.
“Knowing that Zach (Clemence) would redshirt if he came. Those are decisions that I made, so I have no one to blame on those decisions besides me and the NCAA ruling — so there are no excuses. We got nine guys.”
Self’s answer was smart because every opportunity is a chance to sell yourself to the next transfer player. Not simply blaming the system itself probably earned him credibility points.
How coaches treat players is something that I’m sure players are paying attention to in this day and age of college hoops.
The reality of the situation for KU’s bench problems is that it’s caused by a mix of players underperforming expectations and a legal issue (Arterio Morris).
Nobody expected KU freshman Elmarko Jackson to struggle this much with the transition to college basketball. After all, he was a projected NBA lottery pick in nearly every NBA mock draft before the season started.
Plus, who expected Nick Timberlake to shoot 36%?
KU’s bench issues are a big problem in conference play, as it’s clear the starters had tired legs in this week’s loss to K-State.
Luckily for Jayhawk fans, rotations are always shortened by the time the conference play ends. There are also longer gaps between NCAA Tournament games and extended halftime breaks.
With that, let’s get into another Kansas Jayhawks mailbag:
Four out of the last six McDonald’s All-Americans have transferred from Kansas after one year. If you had to guess, do you think Elmarko is next? —- @joeyygrimes
That’s a great question. It’ll depend on what Jackson’s role will look like next season and whether he’s willing to wait until Dajuan Harris leaves so he could potentially be KU’s point guard of the future. Harris, of course, is poised to come back for another season.
If Jackson is willing to stick around, I think it would be more beneficial to his growth than leaving for an opportunity to perhaps play more minutes elsewhere. We’ve seen KU players take a leap in their third or fourth season (Jalen Wilson, Ochai Agbaji) and end up in the NBA.
Right now, Jackson is learning to make an impact without being the primary ball-handler this season — a skill that’s crucial for his NBA dreams. He’s trying to improve; he was recently seen putting up shots with a student manager after a KU women’s basketball game.
Spring football game at CMP this year, or any update on that? — @GrantMetsker
A KU athletics official told The Star that Kansas will play its spring game at Children’s Mercy Park, but details are still being finalized.
Bold prediction for 2024 Football season is..? @kylecoffey11
I’m unsure how bold it is, but I expect the Jayhawks to be in the Big 12 Championship Game next season. How well KU fares this fall is, of course, largely contingent on the health of quarterback Jalon Daniels.
If he can stay healthy next season, the Jayhawks will be formidable. KU returns much of its production and has brought in six important transfers.
And the departures of Texas and OU to the SEC means the Big 12 is wide open.
A summary of DK McDonald please. @ELindison
On Thursday, KU officially announced D.K. McDonald as the Jayhawks’ new co-defensive coordinator/cornerbacks coach.
McDonald brings 22 years of experience to KU, most recently as the defensive backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles.
“D.K. is a well-respected defensive coach and high-quality person and will be a great fit with our coaching staff and players,” KU coach Lance Leipold said in a news release. “ D.K. has coached at a very high level and brings great college football, Big 12 and NFL experience and has built great continuity with his staffs throughout his career.”
The biggest thing about McDonald is the experience he brings to this staff. He started his career at Edinboro University in 2003 and has steadily risen since.
McDonald played a crucial role in making Philly the second-ranked defense (301.5 ypg) in the NFL during the 2022 season. The Eagles led the league in fewest passing yards allowed per game (179.8) and finished third in opponent passer rating (81.6), fourth in interceptions (17) and fifth in passes defended (81).
Before he joined the Eagles’ staff, McDonald spent five seasons at Iowa State. He mentored three safeties — Greg Eisworth, Lawrence White and Isheem Young — to All-Big 12 accolades in 2020. As Iowa State’s DBs coach, he coached three players to a combined five All-Big 12 honors.
He’s an impressive hire.
Are they still calling the complete rebuilding of Memorial Stadium a “renovation” and if so, why? My understanding is that the only part that will still exist is the field itself. @TheRealDrOgo
KU is calling it a renovation because the stadium is not being entirely torn down and rebuilt.
