It's time for a topic of discussion that crossed my mind yesterday towards the end of the game at Missouri...

Kansas has basically locked up a number one seed in the NCAA tournament. There's not much else to accomplish.  They have shown they own the Big 12, to the tune of 15-1.  So, the next logical thing to consider is this: do we go all out for the Big 12 tournament title, or do we use it as an opportunity stay sharp, but rest some guys that may be a bit fatigued after 30 games?

On one side you can say that this should never be a question and that every game should be treated the same.  Fair enough.  I don't disagree with that.  You could say that it shows weakness to rest guys and lay off it.  You could even argue that half-assing it through one, two or three potential games could do more harm than good to the current rhythym of the team and the way they are playing.  These would all be valid points.

The other school of thought might go something like this: this team has gone only eight deep for the last three months or so.  That's a lot of minutes per game for those regular eight players.  Not only should they be a bit tired, but a few have either nagging injuries or are playing with a slightly more serious one.  Cole Aldrich has a reported stress fracture in his leg.  He's up to two knee braces now.  Marcus Morris has a torn ligament on his shooting hand.  He has obviously struggled and not been the same player since that injury occurred.  Sherron Collins has had everything from back spasms to cramps to a tweaked knee and ankle this year.  He takes a beating every game and gets right back up.  Albeit, sometimes not in such a hurry.  Those are arguably the three best players on the team this year.

If I'm inclined to have a say here, I almost think that I have to go with the latter.  I'm not saying sit the starting five and start Teahan, Buford, Juenemann, Robinson and Withey.  Not at all.  Play the regualr guys, but do so sparingly.  Give Elijah Johnson, Thomas Robinson and Jeff Withey more substantial pieces of the minute pie.  Make sure they each play 16-18 minutes a game in the Big 12 tournament.  Let Conner Teahan take off his warmup jacket in less than a 20 point game.  Shake it up a bit and see what happens.  Mostly, give Elijah, Thomas and Jeff chances to gain valuable experience for next year while resting the big guns charged with the task of winning six in a row later on.  After all, winning those six would be better than winning three in Kansas City, then just three in the NCAA tournament, would it not?

Now, that said, I'm not openly advocating for either side.  I'm just sharing my opinion on the matter and providing a space for everyone else to do the same.  There will certainly be folks on either side of this debate...