An extremely early view at the upcoming roundball season

While I'm sure many of you still have that stomach punch feeling from March, there are signs of hope that this year's team will perform better and advance further than it's predecessor. I'm not predicting 40-0 like some, but the combo of hunger, talent, experience and leadership will be unstoppable.

Ewing Theory. Started by sportswriter and NBA junkie Bill Simmons, it states that when a team loses a star player that was very hyped yet failed to win anything, next year's team is usually written off but bounces back to reach new heights. Sports are littered with examples of this: Patrick Ewing, the namesake, gets injured and team makes the  Finals, RedSox trade Nomar mid-season and win World Series, Peyton Manning leaves Tennessee and they win BCS whatever the hell, and Brady takes over for Bledsoe rest is history.

What does this have to do with KU? Well we lost 3 hyped stars who failed to win anything in their time together. Sidenote: I am only counting Sherron's 09-10 season and mean no disrespect to his clutch title game performance or heroic one-man title defense. Through addition by subtraction and returning talent we shall return to the promised land. Each rotation player has something they will be bringing or taking off the table.

Departures

1. Xavier Henry
While he was an extremely talented freshman, he was not a polished or dominant player and his lack of a handle handcuffed him to being a spot-up shooter. Even though he performed admirably, you could tell he had one foot out and one foot in. His points will be missed but they will be made up.

2. Cole Aldrich
Great rebounder and dominant post defender. He erased everyones mistakes and ignited crowds with his blocks. Nobody will be able to replace that, but Cole also took a few things off the table offensively. Self's sets rely on the high ball screen which was not his forte and his low-post moves were more Dwight Howard than Hakeem Olajuwan. Last year we would start games deliberately throwing it down to Cole then gradually go away from him as he kept bricking. He got his points more in the flow of the game rather than creating his own shot. Also his great D caused the rest of the team to be lazy on that end, which is no fault of his, but expect more in your face pressure this year. Even if it's not a "press".

3. Sherron Collins
The legend is undeniable and was earned through countless clutch plays. No Steal, No 3, No Title. And his John McClaneian title-defense as the lone returning contributer was a season for the ages. But if you look at last year in a vacuum, his play was not conducive to winning. He held the ball, took ill-advised 3's and seemed a step slower than his "lesser" teammates. Part of it is his injury. After playing his Soph. year on a bad knee and stress fracture, he was never the same and sadly it killed his NBA chances. (Look at tape of high school and Fresh. Sherron and I bet you see a difference. Same handle and first step but he no longer has the spring that made him equal among giants). He literally gave himself up for that title. But his sub-par play still submarined the season because he took too many shots that should have been going inside for higher % shots. You can expect less stellar but steadier pure point guard from Taylor this year.

'10-11 Squad:

1. Ty'Rady Morningreed
I expect Brady to get squeezed out of the core lineup. He has no more athletic or shooting ability than his replacements. Reed, on the other hand, should thrive as the 3rd guard in a rotation that can run and jump out the gym. He's a lights out shooter with ice water in his veins and a gritty there's no effin way we're losing this game mentality. Random thought: Two plays illustrate Relly's game. The strip at the end of regulation in Manhattan. The inbounds steal at the end of the UNI game that mirrored Sherron's in 08.  

2. Je'Thomas Robinwithey
This tandem should be good for 10 fouls, 16 pts 10 reb, and a mismatch nightmare. We will pound teams with the Morri then trot out their replacements that could start on any other team in the country. How many starters, much less subs, could match up with a smooth 7-footer and a 6'9" kangaroo that loves nothing more than dunking and rebounding? 

G Tyshawn Taylor
This is the main benefactor of addition by subtraction. After waiting 2 years as the backup QB, the freedom to run his own huddle will do wonders for his game. Jumper or not, his ability to break down the D off the dribble and create for himself or others is a prized gift. Look at John Wall or Rondo, they couldn't hit a three to save their family but they live in the paint and get others open looks. So unless Self foolishly makes him play off the ball, expect so-so stats with stellar team play. Random thought: Last two times Taylor played PG- HS SR 10p 5a 32-0 while playing for Hall of Famer Bob Hurley Sr. USA U19 14p 4a with 18p 6a 5s in the final.

G Josh Selby 
While he's yet to play a game for the Hawks, even Jesus Shuttlesworth would say he got game. I expect him to do a better job of the blue-chip freshman role than X did. A 6'3" package of instant offense with hops and a handle, he's also got some playground toughness in his game. Random thought: Selby grew up playing in the elite DC playground Goodman League where Kevin Durant plays every summer.

F Mario Little
Nothing against Releford, but if he couldn't beat out Little when he was playing on one leg I don't see it happening now. Little though, should bring senior leadership, defense and rebounding to the table. While he's no slouch on offense, by taking a backseat it will allow everything to run smoother. Sometimes less is more. 

F Marcus Morris
If you were to create a college power forward there's a chance he might look like this: a 6'8" 245 beast with a non-stop motor, the rebounding gene, low post moves, 50% on FG's and oh what the hell how bout a silky J and 3-point range. Marcus will be the man. A walking double-double and commander of double teams, the offense will run through him. The thing I love about McMorris even more than the tantalizing skill-set is his hunger. He just wanted it so bad last year and he hadn't even tasted disappointment yet. Random thought: Marcus' game reminds me of Rasheed Wallace minus the crazy. Both are the rare breed of PF's that can get you 20p 10r yet step behind the line and knock it down. 

C Markieff Morris
BIll Self called him the most improved player last year, but he should take the trophy home this year. He's an inch taller and several pounds bigger than Marcus with skills that perfectly complement his brother's. He can get you 12p 10r, protect the paint, and hit a 3. Most importantly, he should flourish playing alongside his brother. Whenever they where on the court together they always knew where the other was and threw the crispest passes to each other. Random thought: Markieff suffers from Robin Lopez syndrome. That's where your twin is a slghtly better player which causes people to severely overrate the talent gap.

So there you have it. Last year we had an extremely talented group of players that couldn't quite mesh together in time. If you remember, the biggest pre-season question was how will minutes get spread out and who will red-shirt. This year we've trimmed the fat off the roster, can go 9 deep with Brady, Elijah and Releford waiting in the wings. We've got rebounding, depth, athleticism, an alpha dog, crunch-time scorers, a PG, post D, a shooter and role players. Everyone in the starting lineup can guard or score on their man and most importantly we are a year wiser and hungrier. I expect nets to be cut down and I'm not talking about a regional final.