FanPost

It might be time we start to question Bill Self's coaching

First off, Kansas didn't hurt themselves in the long run with last night's loss at Iowa State. One loss early won't hinder their conference chances at all. But in a greater sense of what went down Saturday Night speaks bigger volumes.
Kansas lost to Iowa State partly due to Bill Self beating his own team with coaching errors.

There was no point for Landen Lucas logging a complete waste of 19 minutes on the floor. Where he turned the ball over 3 times and picked up 4 fouls. Not even attempting a shot or yet even scoring a point recapped his abysmal train wreck of action last night. And for what is was worth, by Self later claiming the reason Alexander didn't play in the 2nd half was "because his motor wasn't working" shows that he is willing to not accept the mistakes he made. Cliff Alexander's motor wasn't working Self? In 14 minutes, besides the enormous two minutes of playing time in the 2nd half, where he got benched the rest of the half for breathing. Alexander contributed with 6 points, 6 rebounds, off 3-3 shooting from the field and NO turnovers. Believe that is very excellent numbers in a short time frame.

You can run the fact that Self has been stubborn in his game plans for years, but at times it indidn't catch up with him. Last night and many altercations it cost his team the game. No matter how many times Naadir Tharpe brain farted in a game last year, Self continuously used him. Point being, in the early stages of the second half last night. Right around the 11 minute mark, Kansas started to make a dent in a 12 point deficit, cutting it all the way down to two. The Jayhawks' defense was forcing turnovers and run outs, making key jump shots.

The run ended and Iowa State turned the game around that evidently might have been the last hope for KU. Where Forward Jameel McKay started to make his presence known, his energy fed off the entire Iowa State team. And yes all of these runs were made when Lucas was in over Alexander. A fine example was when McKay finished a transition alley oop over Landen Lucas, almost forgetting where to be on the floor, ended with him being posterized. What followed was a 6-0 ISU run. Kansas gave up nearly 40 points in the paint and likely most came from the inept presence of Lucas, not Alexander. Jamari Traylor didn't have a great game either and who says Alexander would have stopped most of ISU's runs and breakdowns in transition. Svi absence is the Bill Self dog house is another troubling manner that just doesn't make any sense.

Maybe the only smart move Self made last night was the use of a 4 guard lineup. Oubre did a decent job at the #4 spot and this may open up other opportunities later when KU decides to go small. Bill Self has lost a little of his touch in games and it is easy to tell. Give us a reasonable answer to why you refuse to give this kid an equal shot of playing time Self, don't hide around the corner. Cliff Alexander came to Kansas looking to make an impact for you and he has shown anything but reasons to garner more minutes on the floor. Stop being stubborn and start manning up by not shying away from your "favorite lineups".