***** Official '24/'25 KU Men's Basketball Repository Thread *****

[smithandrew051]

Originally Posted by DJay23

Can anyone think of another example where Self has benched one of "his" guys for an incoming freshman, especially a 2 year starting senior?

I just don't see him sitting KJ. He trusts him and KJ plays his ass off. Self loves those guys. Morningstar, Releford, RussRob, for example.

I get the sentiment of bringing him off the bench, I just can't think of when Self has ever done something like that. As good as Bidunga may be, its hard for a freshman to crack the starting lineup for Self.

He benched Landen Lucas as a senior in favor of Doke as a freshman

[DJay23]

Originally Posted by smithandrew051

He benched Landen Lucas as a senior in favor of Doke as a freshman

That's a good one, 16/17. Lucas began the first 6 games as starter. Then Doke started the next 6 before he got hurt.

Lagerald Vick was also benched his senior year, but he was replaced by Charlie Moore and it wasn't because the other guy was better, or a to have Vick come off the bench as an energy guy.

[smithandrew051]

Originally Posted by DJay23

That's a good one, 16/17. Lucas began the first 6 games as starter. Then Doke started the next 6 before he got hurt.

Lagerald Vick was also benched his senior year, but he was replaced by Charlie Moore and it wasn't because the other guy was better, or a to have Vick come off the bench as an energy guy.

Tarik Black also started at center over Embiid for a bit in 13/14.

Black transferred in from Memphis though, so I don’t consider him one is Self’s guys.

Pretty sure Vick left the team that year for reasons unknown.

[DJay23]

Originally Posted by smithandrew051

Tarik Black also started at center over Embiid for a bit in 13/14.

Black transferred in from Memphis though, so I don’t consider him one is Self’s guys.

Pretty sure Vick left the team that year for reasons unknown.

Vick definitely left. I don't know if we ever found out what that was all about.

I found the article from his benching. Self's reasoning was that Vick had a "rough practice" and that he "hoped it was behind him now." I can't remember what all of the rumors were at the time.

[smithandrew051]

Originally Posted by DJay23

Vick definitely left. I don't know if we ever found out what that was all about.

I found the article from his benching. Self's reasoning was that Vick had a "rough practice" and that he "hoped it was behind him now." I can't remember what all of the rumors were at the time.

KCC probably knows. He was Vick’s #1 fan.

[lawrenceRaider]

Originally Posted by DJay23

Can anyone think of another example where Self has benched one of "his" guys for an incoming freshman, especially a 2 year starting senior?

I just don't see him sitting KJ. He trusts him and KJ plays his ass off. Self loves those guys. Morningstar, Releford, RussRob, for example.

I get the sentiment of bringing him off the bench, I just can't think of when Self has ever done something like that. As good as Bidunga may be, its hard for a freshman to crack the starting lineup for Self.

RussRob started, but he was losing more and more minutes as the year went on.