[JNixonParticipant]

15: Kansas Jayhawks

Frontcourt- This group loses the twins, mid-1^st round picks (who went back-to-back, lol) Marcus (Who was Big 12 POY) and Markieff Morris, both who improved every year and who both could do just about everything from the floor. They will definitely be missed. The C position figures to get extended minutes from Jeff Withey, a C who has buried behind the Morris brothers (particularly Markieff). A 7’ 240 big, he once again got really limited PT last year. He has been raw and foul prone when he’s seen the floor, but the guy will have an impact due to his shot-blocking skills and the fact he has a full off-season to work with Danny Manning. Still, I think he has a chance to be a 9 or 10 ppg scorer, who gets 6 or 7 rpg and around 2. Also the PF will be Jr. Thomas Robinson, a 6’9 230 PF. Robinson has been an adjusted stats heavyweight behind the twins, and figures to be the headliner of the frontline with extended time in store. Robinson is a physically gifted PF prospect, with great athleticism and the quickness and high motor that make him a matchup problem. He is also an outstanding rebounder and a guy who doesn’t have to have plays run for him to score (although he will get plays this season). He needs to add polish to his post game, and to get more consistent with his shot, as well as play better D without fouling, but he’s going to be an impact player. He got good rotation minutes last year behind 2 top 15 picks, so he’s got promise and he should be able to step in and be an All-Conference player next year, and he could lead the Big 12 in rebounding. Look for the Jr. to put up about 14 ppg and 9 or 10 rpg next year. Robinson is a likely 1^st round pick in 2012 if he chooses to declare after the year. Depth will be provided by Fr. Jamari Traylor and Braeden Anderson. The 6’8 225 Taylor is a physically mature PF who plays hard and has athleticism. He isn’t polished offensively will likely contribute energy in limited time on the floor. Anderson, a Canadian, is also strong and developing skills. He has the tools to be a solid player for KU in the long term too. The SF spot figures to see time from Fr. Ben McLamore, the former AAU teammate of Brad Beal, although it’s likely will play 3 guards again. McLamore is a long, wiry 6’5 190 wing with very good athleticism. He is a terror in transition, and has a potential as a perimeter defender. He needs more strength and has raw perimeter tools though, as he is a fairly crude ball-handler and a developing shooter. This group will be worse, but they do have some guys who appear ready to step up. Thomas Robinson looks ready to play, and Withey will get the chances to be a solid C in the Big 12.

Backcourt- They lose their entire wing rotation, which was full of role-playing shooters (Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar) and a pampered Fr. who badly underachieved (Josh Selby, the 48^th pick in the draft to the Grizzlies). The PG, Tyshawn Taylor returns though in what will be his 3^rd straight season running the offense. Taylor, a 6’2 185 lb guy, has decent quickness and athleticism, and he’s one of the best on-ball defenders in the Big 12 when focused, while also being a decent spot-up shooter. He is a rather mediocre ball-handler from the PG spot though, only teases with his mid-range game, and has a few character concerns. Taylor too often in the past, he has lost focus on the court. Taylor has been looked at as an NBA prospect since he was a Fr. (for whatever reason), and he will have a chance to put up the numbers to get drafted, especially if Kansas does well next year. The backups will be combo guard Elijah Johnson, SG Travis Releford, Soph. SG Royce Wooldridge, and Fr. PG Naadir Tharpe. Johnson is a 6’2 PG/SG with explosive athleticism and quickness, good physical tools and also a solid spot-up jumper. He’s an effective slasher too, who can finish above the rim. Johnson is a very basic distributor who is more athlete and physical presence at the PG spot than an actual good PG. He has intrigue, but he’s got to get more productive and prove that he can run an offense well. He should be the backup PG for the 2^nd straight year. Travis Releford is the odds on favorite to take Reed and Morningstar’s roles as a designated shooter in the lineup. Releford, at 6’3 195, is a sound shooter who stays in the scheme and rarely looks to do more. That has held him back some, as he lacks aggression, but he will improve next year with the available time. The 6’2 Wooldridge adjusted slowly to the college game last year as a Fr., but he’s a fairly quick guard who looks for his own shots. The 6’ Tharpe is a true PG with saavy distribution skills and a winning attitude that may see him get time as a Fr. This group has Taylor looking to continue to prove himself and stay focused, and although they lose experienced Sr.’s and Selby’s contributions, they can be replaced throughout with the depth they have.

Overview- Yes, they lose 2 of the best frontline players in the conference, but I like Thomas Robinson emerging into a very good contributor, and I think Tyshawn Taylor will play very well finally for a whole season instead of losing focus. Their wings will be role-specific once again, but not quite as experienced as in the past. They will fare worse than last year though. I look for Kansas to get to the 2^nd round or Sweet 16. Bill Self has talent still and we all know he’s a very good coach.

 

[providencefriars1Participant]

Thomas Robinson is a monster, those adjusted stats that JNixon mentionned were 7.6ppg and 6.4rpg in 14.6mins while shooting 60%. He is my pick for Big 12 player of the year over Perry Jones and Kris Middleton.

[providencefriars1Participant]

Thomas Robinson is a monster, those adjusted stats that JNixon mentionned were 7.6ppg and 6.4rpg in 14.6mins while shooting 60%. He is my pick for Big 12 player of the year over Perry Jones and Kris Middleton.

[JNixonParticipant]

The adjusted numbers I’m talking about is the 20 ppg, 17 rpg, and almost 2 blocks he put up per 40 mins with the pace adjusted (!).

[JNixonParticipant]

The adjusted numbers I’m talking about is the 20 ppg, 17 rpg, and almost 2 blocks he put up per 40 mins with the pace adjusted (!).

[providencefriars1Participant]

O ya my bad, I was refferring to his actual numbers and implying the great adjusted rate 

[providencefriars1Participant]

O ya my bad, I was refferring to his actual numbers and implying the great adjusted rate 

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 My buddy from high school Royce Woolridge was a freshman at Kansas last year but transferred to Washington State since he didn’t get much time, he would have gotten some blow this year with most of the back court leaving.  Oh well, that being said I love T-Rob as a player and a person, and Elija Johnson could make a big leap this year.  

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 My buddy from high school Royce Woolridge was a freshman at Kansas last year but transferred to Washington State since he didn’t get much time, he would have gotten some blow this year with most of the back court leaving.  Oh well, that being said I love T-Rob as a player and a person, and Elija Johnson could make a big leap this year.  

[scoutguruParticipant]

What’s their projected starting lineup? I figured Johnson would start in the backcourt playing beside Taylor. Not necessarily as a pure 2, but as just a guard. Self always seems to just have guards out there who can sorta do a bit of scoring and playmaking, and I figure Johnson will be in that mold too.

[scoutguruParticipant]

What’s their projected starting lineup? I figured Johnson would start in the backcourt playing beside Taylor. Not necessarily as a pure 2, but as just a guard. Self always seems to just have guards out there who can sorta do a bit of scoring and playmaking, and I figure Johnson will be in that mold too.

[JNixonParticipant]

If I had to guess the lineup, I think it’ll be:

PG- Tyshawn Taylor

SG- Elijah Johnson (he’ll probably be the backup PG too, him or the Fr. Tharpe)

OG- Travis Releford

PF- Thomas Robinson

C- Jeff Withey

 

[JNixonParticipant]

If I had to guess the lineup, I think it’ll be:

PG- Tyshawn Taylor

SG- Elijah Johnson (he’ll probably be the backup PG too, him or the Fr. Tharpe)

OG- Travis Releford

PF- Thomas Robinson

C- Jeff Withey

 

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

I like Withey as a person but he’s kind of a stiff as a player and played scared in limited minutes last year.  He’s a solid 7 footer, but he doesn’t play 7 feet tall and has stone hands.   

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

I like Withey as a person but he’s kind of a stiff as a player and played scared in limited minutes last year.  He’s a solid 7 footer, but he doesn’t play 7 feet tall and has stone hands.   

[PaulsJayhawksParticipant]

I love my boys but this year Im a bit nervous.

Starters

Tyshawn Taylor played probably the best of anyone in last years tournament for the Hawks but can he do it without the Morris taking the focus of the defense off him.

Robinson will be a beast and could lead the country in rebounding. His minutes will be increased but so will the attention towards him. I hope for a great season for him though he went through more than anyone should last year.

Releford was coming on strong last year till a severe anke sprain slowed him down. A good defender hopefully he can improve more on the offensive end.

Whithey- the big mystery. Can he make a Cole Aldrich type jump. He was highly recruited and again also suffered from a early season injury which lost him burn in last years deep front court. For the Hawks to do well this is the guy that needs to make a HUGE leap.

EJ-Athletic as hell hope his jumper imporves for him to play the 2.

Bench

All young with little experience. This is the real weak point on the team and I think what hurts them. I like the estimate of 2nd round with  sweet 16 potential.

Can’t wait for college hoops rockchalk!!!

 

[PaulsJayhawksParticipant]

I love my boys but this year Im a bit nervous.

Starters

Tyshawn Taylor played probably the best of anyone in last years tournament for the Hawks but can he do it without the Morris taking the focus of the defense off him.

Robinson will be a beast and could lead the country in rebounding. His minutes will be increased but so will the attention towards him. I hope for a great season for him though he went through more than anyone should last year.

Releford was coming on strong last year till a severe anke sprain slowed him down. A good defender hopefully he can improve more on the offensive end.

Whithey- the big mystery. Can he make a Cole Aldrich type jump. He was highly recruited and again also suffered from a early season injury which lost him burn in last years deep front court. For the Hawks to do well this is the guy that needs to make a HUGE leap.

EJ-Athletic as hell hope his jumper imporves for him to play the 2.

Bench

All young with little experience. This is the real weak point on the team and I think what hurts them. I like the estimate of 2nd round with  sweet 16 potential.

Can’t wait for college hoops rockchalk!!!

 

[leemanParticipant]

J nixon appreciate your views look forward to a new one everyday, i think taylor is gunna shit the bed this yr. He has all the talent and potential to be a first round pick but something just seems to be off. With that said i think thomas robinson is gunna dominate wayne simien style, i havent seen his motor in yrs maybe kenneth faried but i truly believe everything hes been through motivates him even more. I love bill self and i really think kansas will suprise next yr

 

[leemanParticipant]

J nixon appreciate your views look forward to a new one everyday, i think taylor is gunna shit the bed this yr. He has all the talent and potential to be a first round pick but something just seems to be off. With that said i think thomas robinson is gunna dominate wayne simien style, i havent seen his motor in yrs maybe kenneth faried but i truly believe everything hes been through motivates him even more. I love bill self and i really think kansas will suprise next yr

 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Hard to believe this but Kansas will miss its role players more than they will the Morris Twins..Their role players did the dirty work and the little things and that allowed the stars to be stars…

Robinson will have alot of pressure on him to carry this team is he ready for that role,when team defenses will be focused on him ? Taylor will step up his game, he could be an All Amercian..

Kansas still have the talent to be a Sweet 16 team this year…

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Hard to believe this but Kansas will miss its role players more than they will the Morris Twins..Their role players did the dirty work and the little things and that allowed the stars to be stars…

Robinson will have alot of pressure on him to carry this team is he ready for that role,when team defenses will be focused on him ? Taylor will step up his game, he could be an All Amercian..

Kansas still have the talent to be a Sweet 16 team this year…

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