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November 6th,
2006
By Joel Welser
jwelser@collegehoops.net
Broadcast Basketball
Kansas
Jayhawks
Overall Rank:
#3
Conference
Rank:
#1 Big 12
2005-06:
25-8, 13-3, 1st (t)
2005-06
postseason: NCAA
 Over the last 15
games last season,
Kansas started three freshmen and two
sophomores. The group went 13-2, including the disappointing
loss to Bradley in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. If
last years team could win the Big XII, a year older and wiser,
this team should dominate. Whether or not that means a victory
in March is another question.
Who’s Out:
Forward Christian Moody saw his playing time diminish with the
influx of talent in Lawrence. The former walk-on earned nine
starts his senior year and averaged 3.4 points and 2.9 boards.
Jeff Hawkins and Stephen Vinson ended up relatively far down the
depth chart by March, but still provided quality minutes off the
bench. Micah Downs transferred after his first semester at
Kansas. In 13 appearances, the guard averaged 4.3 points and
2.2 rebounds.
Who’s In:
The
perimeter found some depth with Sherron Collins and Brady
Morningstar. Collins is rated as one of the best point guards
in the class. He’s a great ballhandler, finisher and long range
shooter. The only knock on the 5-11 Chicago, Illinois native is
the fact that he’s 5-11. However, Collins is tough enough to
make that a moot point in the end. Morningstar often gets
overlooked in this class, but the Jayhawks will need the guard
to fill in some minutes. Walk-on Brennan Bechard, a transfer
from Barton County Community College in Kansas, will use his
sharpshooting to provide more depth. Darrell Arthur will battle
for a starting job in the paint. The 6-9 forward is an agile
big man who can face up and hit the mid-range jumper. He’s a
great rebounder, but needs to develop a low post move or two to
add another dynamic to his game.
Who to Watch:
On
the perimeter, few teams can match the pure talent of Russell
Robinson, Mario Chalmers and Brandon Rush. Robinson, the
underappreciated point guard, will have the job of making all
the scoring talent around him happy. Chalmers and Rush both had
tremendous freshmen campaigns. Chalmers averaged 11.5 points
and 3.8 assists, while Rush added 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and
2.0 assists. Rush has the ability to take over a game, but he
usually won’t have to with this roster. Jeremy Case and Rodrick
Stewart will battle for minutes off the bench with the
newcomers.
Final
Projection:
Sasha Kaun* and
Julian Wright are the returning starters up front. Kaun is a
solid defender and Wright is an amazing finisher. C.J. Giles**
and Darnell Jackson are experienced options off the bench.
Giles is a great shot blocker and averaged 6.2 points and 4.8
rebounds as a sophomore; however, his status with the team is
uncertain after some off the court issues. Jackson will do the
dirty work under the basket and is strong on the glass. Throw
freshman Arthur into the mix and the Jayhawks have a deep and
talented frontcourt. An issue could be chemistry and playing
time. It’s never a bad thing to have so much talent, but Coach
Bill Self has to keep everybody happy and make sure they
understand their role on the team. They’ll have until March to
sort it all out, because this much talent won’t be watching the
tournament on the couch. If they get over the first round upset
hurdle that has haunted the Jayhawks for the last two years,
these guys can win the whole thing.
* - Kaun will be out
until early December due to a knee injury.
** - Giles will not be
rejoining the team from suspension until at least mid-December.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Russell
Robinson, Junior, Guard, 9.3 points per game
Mario Chalmers,
Sophomore, Guard, 11.5 points per game
Brandon Rush,
Sophomore, Guard, 13.5 points per game
Julian Wright,
Sophomore, Forward, 8.5 points per game
Sasha Kaun,
Junior, Center, 8.2 points per game
Also:
Complete Big 12 Preview & Ranking
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