The Kansas Jayhawks will soon take the court for the 2010-2011 basketball season, and expectations will again run high. Last year’s squad compiled a glossy 33-3 record, but the season ended poorly when KU lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Northern Iowa. Sherron Collins, Cole Aldrich and the Henry brothers (Xavier and C.J.) have all departed but the cupboard is not bare. Second-team All-American Marcus Morris, his twin brother Markieff, Tyshawn Taylor and sharpshooters Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar all return for KU. Jeff Withey, Thomas Robinson and Elijah Johnson should be better with a year of experience under their belt. Throw in Josh Selby, the number one high school player in the country and red-shirt forwards Mario Little and Travis Releford, and KU should again be able to compete with any team in the country.
It is impossible to say what KU’s squad will ultimately look like, but there are a few things that fans would enjoy watching.
Wouldn’t it be nice if….
1. …Jeff Withey’s second year as a Jayhawk was as good as Cole Aldrich’s? Aldrich gave the fans a glimpse of what he could do in the 2008 Final Four, and he didn’t disappoint in his sophomore season. Jeff Withey was highly touted as a high school center, and there is no reason he couldn’t be a very good player for KU. It would be fabulous if Withey could improve enough to start for the Jayhawks.
2. …KU could utilize defensive pressure with the same intensity and effectiveness they did in the 2006-2008 seasons? No opposing players had it easy when Russell Robinson and Mario Chalmers played together in the backcourt. Tyshawn Taylor, Elijah Johnson and Josh Selby have the height, speed and athleticism to excel defensively, and the Morris twins have exceptional quickness for frontcourt players. It would be great to see KU pressure the ball as they once did.
3. …Josh Selby proved to be basketball’s next great point guard? I don’t mean the next Derrick Rose or John Wall—I’m looking for an Isiah Thomas or Allen Iverson. No one will know what KU has in Selby until he steps onto the court, but it would be magnificent if he was even better than advertised.
4. …Markieff and Marcus Morris could grow an inch or two without losing speed or quickness? If the twins were 6’10” instead of 6’9” and 6’8”, they would have an easier time inside and create all kinds of mismatches on the perimeter. The high-low offense would become impossible to defend, and they could fill in at center far more capably. They are fine as they are, but another inch or two would make a big difference.
5. …Elijah Johnson and Thomas Robinson emerged as big-time players in their sophomore years? Like Jeff Withey, Johnson and Robinson didn’t get many on-court opportunities in their first year, but their game wasn’t sufficiently developed to warrant extended minutes. If both players came back with more confidence and polish, it would make a big difference.
6. …Mario Little and Travis Releford emerged as big-time players after a red-shirt season? Little and Releford have considerable potential, but it wasn’t going to be realized on the 2010 team with Xavier Henry. The 2011 season could be their time to shine if they worked on their game during the last year.
7. …Brady Morningstar could play the way he did as a sophomore? Morningstar was a key starter for the 2009 Jayhawks. He made intelligent passes, timely shots and often guarded the other team’s best player. When Xavier Henry arrived, Morningstar’s game suffered, despite Bill Self’s continued confidence in him. If he could become the player he was as a sophomore, KU would be better on offense and defense.
8. …Tyshawn Taylor focused on basketball? Instead of questioning his role with the team, talking about transferring on his Facebook account or battling with football players, it would be great if Taylor focused on basketball. He has all the tools to excel, but every aspect of his game needs polish. His ball-handling is suspect, his jump shot is erratic and his passing can be wild. He will no longer play in the shadow of Sherron Collins—if he wants to be great, it’s time to get started.
9. …Conner Teahan could play with the joy and abandon he demonstrated as a freshman? When Teahan arrived on campus he hoped to make an impact similar to fellow walk-on Christian Moody. In his first season, it appeared as if he could. He became a fan favorite with his outside shooting and rode a season-long hot streak that gained the attention of coaches and fans. His star fell after that first season, however. It would be nice if he could offer some quality moments off the bench, whether in key moments or mop-up time.
10. …Josh Selby could be ruled eligible to play for the Jayhawks as soon as possible? Nearly a month into the fall semester’s classes, Selby is still being investigated by the NCAA to ensure his amateur status wasn’t compromised by his relationship with Carmelo Anthony’s business manager, Robert Frazier. It would be nice to get this resolved and play some basketball.
It will be interesting to see what comes true from my wish list. It would make for a fun season to see these things happen for KU, and there is no reason why they could not. If all of them happened, KU would be flying high and looking for a perfect season. One item is most important, however: for the Hawks to be great, Josh Selby must be declared eligible. They will be good with or without him, but they need Selby to compete for an NCAA championship. Here’s hoping the NCAA allows him to compete.
Good luck to Coach Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2010-2011 season.
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!
Kansas Jayhawks Men's Basketball 2010-2011: Player Profiles and More
