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Yes, cannot underscore getting double-digit rbds from Mason (& Ellis). Just like Spangler going a little quiet for a good stretch in the KU-OU game, or just getting outpositioned just enough times for it to make a difference for KU. All the little things matter, and if ALL of the statistical categories are focused on and practiced on, then it adds up to the Man’s win %.
Easy to see why KU wins, but very hard to duplicate that by other teams. Or even by ourselves with constantly cycling rosters. WSU is a good example of meeting the bar in several statistical categories until this year (TBD), Marshall teaches the same principles that Self does.
The flip-side of this is that continuity of excellence must be passed down from upperclassmen to the frosh…and that system almost broke down with Naadir Tharpe not quite passing the torch from EJ/Tyshawn. You wonder how drastic a step it was for Self to boot Naadir off the team, and hearing him explain it first-hand, it seemed the on-court & in-practice leadership by Naadir was sorely lacking (Self gave practice play example of bad advice by Naadir)–Self said candidly “Mason was supposed to be this good his frosh year, but was affected by Naadir”. Its almost like Self dismissed Naadir due to basketball system breakdown almost more than he dismissed him for the improprietous selfie with the drunk blonde 37y/o school RN…It’s taken 2 years to get guard-play back to superlative levels. Self had to make a drastic culture-change, and Naads paid the price, so that the program does not…Having to re-teach all the basics that he did to RussRob, Chalmers, Sherron…Excellence cultivated & sown, once again.
