November 19, 2021

Why Ochai Agbaji's improvement is astonishing

Listen, it’s early. KU’s three games have been a neutral site gig against Michigan State, a home game against Billy Gillespie-coached Tarleton State (absolutely hilarious that this game took place on Friday night, not even close to a coincidence, 3 AM coffees were definitely enjoyed) and last night’s game against Stony Brook. KU had some great moments in all three games, and look extremely dangerous when they can get out running.

But, at the moment, nothing stands out as much as senior Ochai Agbaji’s extremely visible improvement.

I’ll talk about the eye test stuff first. We’re all seeing it. The improved Ochai Agbaji moves decisively, and the end product is absolute destruction so far. He finds his spots, and gets the ball up quick. He’s splashing everything; he’s made 7 out of his first ten three-pointers before going 4-11 last night. He’s a greater above-the-rim threat than ever, and has finished a few tough lobs. Last night, there were 3-4 open looks he missed that he usually cans, so he could have easily cracked 30. It’s three games, I know, but what we’ve seen feels much bigger than an early season scoring streak.

That ball fake at the :22 mark? I’ve never seen anything like that from Ochai. And it was 🧊🧊🧊. Last season, Agbaji tried to do to much when he had the ball, and didn’t do enough away from it. This year’s approach could not be more different. He’s decisive, making the right play almost every time, and attacking relentlessly. Will he be able to lock in on defense like he’s locked in on offense? TBD. His early season approach suggests there’s even more room to grow.

Much has been made of Agbaji’s offseason decision to participate in the NBA Draft process to get feedback1. No one enters this program wants to come back to school. It’s going to take some really strong critiques to push someone out of pro ambitions, as being undrafted isn’t the end of the world anymore. (If you’re undrafted, at least you get your pick of NBA training camp.) NIL considerations definitely softened the blow a bit for Agbaji, as one of KU’s most visible players (“One of the best players in the conference,” Self said on an episode of the Jayhawker pod). Whatever feedback he got, he used.

Like I said at the beginning, it’s three games, but the games against Tarleton and Stony Brook might be more telling about how KU wants to play than the Champions Classic matchup against Michigan State. Self still wants to feed the post—in his halftime interview, Self expressed frustration that McCormack didn’t have more touches early in the game last night—but if the Jayhawks can get out in the open, they’re going to be creating matchup nightmares all around the floor. The Jayhawks are going to break people in the open court.

Also, I am encouraged by the fact Zack Clemence is getting good burn. PLAY BIG Z.

I liked some stuff on the in-house Jayhawk pod, so let’s talk about it for two seconds

KU has a podcast called “The Jayhawker Podcast,” and while the guests are good (Devonte’ Graham! Roy! Chris Harris!) the interviews are often quite dull. The show’s first host, Brian Hanni, “The Voice of the Jayhawks,” is really sticking to the party line. He does do a good Big Announcer Voice though.

Recently, Wayne Simien has taken over, and the conversations have gotten a lot better. (I also loved Wayne on the Tarleton State broadcast, even though he said “we” an awful lot!). The latest Bill Self conversation is bite-sized, but there’s some pretty good stuff.

The big things: Kansas plays Missouri on December 11, and it’s the most-discussed game of the season’s schedule, by far. Self barely even mentions the Kentucky game—that’s old hat by now. I always love to hear his preseason breakdowns of players. Coming out of the portal, he saw Jalen Coleman-Lands as the “perfect” fit. Bill Self got the message, and he figured out how to use the portal to benefit KU, something it’s clear he’s excited to do in the future. (He’s already shopping for a high-volume big man for next year and sounds downright gleeful about it). It’s also intriguing to hear Self’s thoughts on whether NIL compensation disparity will affect a locker room, but he seems refreshingly level-headed about it.

It’s worth a listen!

A parting message for the Streakers

With the new season final here, I’ve received a big influx of subscribers. It’s very heartening, and I’m so grateful that so many of you take time to read these emails and share in our mutual Jayhawk insanity. I made a flier for an alumni event, complete with a QR code, and a bunch of people signed up that way—if this is you, you’re real as hell. Thank you.

Many new subscribers sign up for the free tier, which makes a ton of sense for a newsletter where I don’t end up paywalling much. Here’s what makes my newsletter a little different from most Substack publications—I donate all of the subscription income. All of it! I’m no hero, I want to be clear that I’m not huffing my own diesel here. but that’s why I started the newsletter, and it’s been incredible to give over $10k to organizations, people and causes supporting social justice. I want to keep doing it! And give away even more!

If you enjoy the newsletter, please tell your friends or your Jayhawk networks. Groupchats, Facebook groups, Jayhawk alumni gatherings in YOUR city… the more the merrier. I’m reluctant to give away discounted subscriptions (less money to donate) and I think $5 a month ($50 for the full year) is a fair price, but if that’s something keeping you from subscribing, I’m happy to help.

I’m not sure I’ve revealed this before, and it’s buried on the platform, but I also have a Super Streaker tier for if you REALLY fw with what I’m doing at Streak Talk. If you sign up for that, I’ll basically do anything you want me to do. Me and Nick Bradford will COME TO YOUR HOUSE, if you want. I think anything is possible if you elect to become Super.

Thank you for reading this. Rock Chalk.