Projecting your College Team: Kansas Jayhawks

Landing the most sought after recruit in recent memory to cap off an already stellar recruitng class certainly has created tons of buzz and lofty expectations around a program perenially expected to make a run at the final 4. Everyone is familiar with Kansas’ insane recruiting class, so for my projection I’m going to start out with some analysis around returning Jayhawks many of you may not have seen much of and my predictions of how they will fit in next season.

Nadir Tharpe – Tharpe is the fearless jitterbug point guard that, as a junior, will be the most senior player logging regular minutes for the Jayhawks next season. He provides “big shot” potential, the ability to find the open man and a very nice spot up three point shot. Where it gets a little shaky is his decision making and shot selection. He is a little prone to dumb turnovers, but when push comes to shove I have a feeling he’ll be reeled in and expected to pass the ball and manage the game next season. That is a good thing for the Jayhawks because despite his flaws, he’s the closest thing to a real point guard KU has had in years past when compared to Johnson, Taylor, and Collins. He’ll give you some great clutch moments, a few bumps, but next year I think with his natural point guard ability, he’ll be a 6 or 7 apg player.

Jamari Traylor – Mr. Traylor is going to be the test to see how much difference Danny Manning made in Lawrence. He is essentially the same player Thomas Robinson was when he came to Lawrence as a freshman. 6’9” a mans’ body and a knack for rebounding. Traylor is also a very good shot blocker blocking 2.5 shots per 30 minutes and logging 5 games of 2 or more blocks while playing very limited minutes. He probably would have been KU’s starting center if Black wouldn’t have come to Lawrence, but Traylor will probably play 15 mpg backing up the PF and C positions.

Perry Ellis – Ellis was one of the highest touted players the state has produced in the past few years and had a reputation for being a beast on the glass with a mature post and faceup game. He came to the Jayhawks and furrowed a few brows with a slow start, but by the time the Big 12 tournament rolled around Perry hit his stride earning a spot on the all tournament team. He averaged 8.6 ppg 5.5 rpg in only 15 mpg in the Big 12 and NCAA tournament and next season he’ll operate as a low post scoring option and high low post player that even in this loaded lineup will probably be around a 8-10 ppg scorer.

Andrew White III – Andrew White III has a sweet shot and a freaking huge body. He is one of those guys who shot up about 4 or 5 inches during his senior year and at a well built 6’6” he looked like he still wasn’t too used to his new body last year. That didn’t stop him from showing flashes of that shot. White has NBA potential as a 4 year player, but he has some work to do, but I suspect as he gets used to being 6’6” ( maybe 6’7” to be honest ) he’ll be a dangerous option. He hits the glass hard for a wing player and could probably play the college 4 in small lineups. I look at him to provide releif at SG, SF and PF this season and be around a 4 or 5 ppg player brought in to spread the floor.

Landen Lucas – Landen Lucas is coming off a redshirt freshman year, but from what I saw of him during the exhibition games last season he is a legit 6’10” with long arms and a pretty good shooting touch. This KU team is loaded and although I don’t expect Lucas to play a big role, he’ll certainly be logging minutes and providing depth at the C position.

The lineup I expect is as follows.

PG – Tharpe \ Frankamp \ Mason ( possible Redshirt candidate )
SG – Seldon \ White III \ Frankamp
SF – Wiggins \ White III \ Greene
PF – Ellis \ Traylor \ White III
C – Black \ Emiid \ Traylor \ Lucas

When push comes to shove this team has amazing expectations and a ton of hype. As there is a Wiggins, Seldon, or Emiid post seemingly everyday I went a bit of a different route with my piece, but this team has it all. A young star, another young star, an upper classman at point, a legit experienced starting center being backed up by an athletic freak and plenty of depth an talent. Will this work? I have no idea, but I think it’s going to be fun to watch.