Just wanted to put out a quick plug for our KUsports.com online preview magazine, which was just released today and is available for $3.95 plus tax.
We’re excited about a lot of the extra features that are only in the magazine. They include:
• **A behind-the-scenes look at the magazine cover photo shoot.**
Here’s a quick video from photographer Nick Krug showing a bit of what will be shown in the full-length video posted in the magazine.
http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2012/oct/12/35699/
• **A new Q&A with Rivals.com national recruiting expert Eric Bossi.**
Bossi is one of the knowledgeable guys in the business, and he was nice enough to talk exclusively about KU’s upcoming recruiting class to give his insight.
Here are a couple of snippets from the interview:
**Q:** KU commit Brannen Greene has made a pretty big jump in the Rivals.com rankings (from No. 42 to 22) this year. What has he been up to lately that has helped him make that jump?
**A:** I guess he made kind of a big jump, but not a huge one. He’s always been been ranked pretty highly. I think maybe the fear — this wasn’t a bad fear — but that maybe he was becoming a bit too reliant on being a spot-up jump shooter when he’s got such great size and good touch. I thought that this summer he really looked a lot more apt to give a shot-fake and use a dribble or two to get somewhere and use that big body of his to shield off defenders.
So I just think that he’s begun to show a bit more of a diverse game on the offensive end than just being a jump-shooter, which is obviously a good trait. But you still want to be more than a one-trick pony, and I think he’s starting to show that.
**Q:** He’s not ranked by Rivals.com right now, but it seems like a lot of analysts have been really talking seven-foot center Joel Embiid up. Where would you guess he’s going to end up in the rankings?
**A:** I conservatively guessed it yesterday as top 50 to 75, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was more top 25 to 50. I have had coaches from three different schools now tell me they’re convinced he’s going to be in the NBA in three years.
He’s good, and he really is a nice kid. He’s just so happy to be here and to have this opportunity. I’m a human being, too. I want to see kids like that do well no matter where they are.
• **Video from KU commit Conner Frankamp during a shooting workout with his father, Marty.**
During his trip down to Wichita to shoot photos for a feature story on Conner Frankamp, Krug captured various aspects of Frankamp’s after-school routine.
Here’s a short trailer previewing what’s in the full video in the online magazine.
http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2012/oct/12/35700/
• **Tyshawn Taylor videos discussing last year’s NCAA run and this year’s team.**
Get Taylor’s take on Elijah Johnson’s ability to lead and surprise players for this year while also hearing about memories of going against Naadir Tharpe last year in practice.
Taylor gives memories from last year, including this video where he discusses KU’s 87-86 overtime victory over Missouri at Allen Fieldhouse, saying it was “the legit best feeling that I’ve ever had in my life.”
http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2012/oct/12/35701/
The online magazine also includes audio from KU coach Bill Self at KU media days where he discusses individual members of this year’s team, an exclusive podcast from Tom Keegan and myself previewing the year and additional photos from our archives and also submitted ones from KU’s European trip this summer.
Those who buy the online magazine also will have access to all our preview stories in the print magazine, which includes player profiles, photos and a Big 12 preview.