Morning report 2024-06-15

How many days until LATE NIGHT in The PHOG! ?
and other dates of interest... *Estimate based on first Friday in October. Official announcement expected in July 2024.

KU ATHLETICS

✦ KU MEN'S HOOPS -
There was no reported activity of note for Self & Co since yesterday's report. And with 12 of a possible 13 scholarships filled and "best left" big man transfer Coleman Hawkins committing to Kansas State yesterday (where he should be a difference maker next year), the pickings are slim on the remaining uncommitted transfer portal inhabitants. Here is 247Sports.com's updated listing of the best of the rest after Coleman's commitment, starting with a familiar face. Given the situation, Self & Co will (almost certainly) use the open 13th to finish paying off the IARP debt this year.

✦ KUFB -
• Kansas Football @KU_Football: 8 Jayhawks recognized on Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 teams ??
Tweet
First Team - Cobee Bryant (CB)
Second Team - Devin Neal (RB), Jereme Robinson (DE), Mello Dotson (CB)
Third Team - Quentin Skinner (WR), Michael Ford (OL)
Fourth Team - JB Brown (LB), Luke Hosford (long snapper)

• Still no official word published on aTm transfer OL Bryce Foster's decision, but everyone with any connections is saying it is KANSAS, including Jon Kirby (JayhawkSlant.com). Foster's twitter profile features the words "Rock Cha...inquiries: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.", and apparently his mom has liked a bunch of KU related tweets, including one that read “he chose KU over Oregon”. Kirby reports Foster is really low key, and might not even make a public announcement, just showing up on campus at a time arranged with the staff. Kirby did note on Thursday that Foster wants to get on campus and start working soon. When asked if there would be a "red banner" (commitment) post on Slant when he goes public, Kirby replied "Not sure. Could be a laid back deal. Will see how Foster wants to handle it. Its his decision."
Note that word is Foster will be one of, if not *the*, best OLs for KU this fall. A huge get for Leipold & Co.

✦ KU WOMEN'S HOOPS -
KUSports.com - Greenstein: Evaluating lineup possibilities for KU women’s basketball
www2.kusports.com/weblogs/henry-huddle/2...u-womens-basketball/


ELSEWHERE -
KUSports.com - Greenstein: The new Big 12: What to know about league’s four women’s basketball additions
www2.kusports.com/sports/college/big-12/...asketball-additions/

ESPN.com - Seifert: UFL innovations serving as technology bridge to NFL
www.espn.com/united-football-league/stor...smitters-video-ipads

ESPN.com - Connelly: College football's most influential teams ever: Ranking the top 30
www.espn.com/college-football/insider/st...st-influential-teams

ESPN.com: Charles Barkley says he's retiring from TV after 2024-25
www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40354302/cha...-season-final-one-tv
I note that Barkley only speaks of his TV time with the NBA on TNT. There is no mention made, by him or the writer(s), about whether he will continue to do the NCAA Tournament next year and beyond. I hope he does for a few more years. He is one of the talking heads that I truly enjoy during the tournament.


The Lawrence forecast calls for a breezy day with intervals of clouds and sunshine (it's very dark and overcast as I post this), followed by a partly cloudy and humid night with the possibility of strong nighttime thunderstorms (chance of precipitation goes from nonexistent during the day to anywhere from 43% to 51% from 11PM on).
High of 91F (32.8 C) and an overnight low of 72F (22.2 C).

That is all for now.

Hope you have a GREAT day!

ROCK CHALK!

✦ Thought for the Day
"The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity."
—Amelia Earhart

Bryce Foster has announced his commitment to KANSAS!

247sports.com/college/kansas/article/kan...ommitment-231598523/

ROCK CHALK!

Jon Kirby’s “Quick Take” - (JayhawkSlant)
This might be the biggest commitment in the offseason for the Jayhawks. Going through spring camp, I never got the feel they were settled on the center position. Last fall Mike Ford worked out at center because they knew Novitsky was leaving. But they still went after Shane Bumgardner. This spring Ford had a slight edge in the competition.

Now, they don’t have to worry about that position. I believe Bryce Foster moves to the starting center the day he arrives on campus.

The word coming out of A&M in the spring is Foster wanted to do track and football. He will have that opportunity at KU. Foster has the ability to compete at the national level and will improve in the shot put. That could have played in the decision for him to cancel the visit to Oregon.

Foster informed me today he plans to arrive in Lawrence on Sunday.