2010-11 Kansas Basketball Predictions

The Kansas Jayhawks are set to make their attempt at a Big 12 championship this season. They finished 33-3 overall last season, including 15-1 in conference games. It will be difficult to replace 49 % of their point production, two top draft choices and the player with the most wins in school history. Head coach Bill Self is one of the best recruiters in the nation, and he’ll have no trouble continuing the winning tradition here in Kansas with what he has coming back and some fresh faces. Marcus Morris, Josh Selby and Tyshawn Taylor will be three players that Self depends upon to carry the load this season. Morris and Taylor are juniors who combined for 20 points per contest last season, and Selby is a freshman point guard who is nearly a shoe-in for a Top-10 selection in the 2011 NBA Draft. A deep bench will have the Jayhawks competing for another conference title.

Frontcourt:

Twins Marcus and Markieff Morris are back for their junior seasons, and though it will be difficult to replace Cole Aldrich, that combo gives Kansas a sound base down low. Aldrich was selected 11th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft, and his rim protection will be missed. But Marcus put up 12.8 PPG and 6.1 RPG last season while Markieff put up 6.8 PPG and 5.3 RPG and each will probably take on even bigger roles this year. Marcus really upped his play within the Big 12 schedule, averaging 14.2 PPG and 7.3 RPG in league action. Sophomore Thomas Robinson and Jeff Withey supply sound depth off the bench. Although Withey is no Aldrich, he’s a 7-foot presence inside and has the potential to block a lot of shots if he gets enough time.

Backcourt:

Sherron Collins’ leadership will be missed after being a part of a school-record 130 victories in his four seasons as a Jayhawk. There’s no doubt that leadership along with his toughness in crucial-game situations cannot be replaced. Selby is actually better than Collins when it comes to athleticism and overall talent. He is Self’s top-rated recruit ever, and was ranked in the Top-5 prospects coming out of high school by about every service. Taylor will give Selby some help in the backcourt, catering the experience. But Taylor must overcome some of the issues he had on and off the floor last year. Brady Morningstar and Tyrel Reed give this team some senior leadership off the bench it desperately desires. After redshirting last year, senior Mario Little will supplant Xavier Henry as the starting small forward. Little was the 2008 Junior College Player of the Year, so he has proven he can get it done. Self thinks this team will be much more athletic than last year’s squad, but it will need to find that leadership that cannot be taught if they are going to make the most out of this talent.

Prediction: 1st Place in the Big 12 – Though Aldrich, Collins and Henry are gone, there is still plenty of leadership and depth on this team to win the Big 12 once more. The Morris Twins along with Morningstar and Reed provide the veteran leadership, while getting Selby and Little offer the athleticism and talent to take the place of what has departed. Few schools in the country have a better home-court advantage than the one in Lawrence, and no squad in the conference can match the talent level of the Jayhawks. I trust in Self to put it all together as he’s established he can do, and if Selby can live up to the hype this team will contend for a national title.

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