After reading some articles about current players' draft stock, I've begun some advance worrying about next year's team.  What if everyone who could potentially leave, does?  What is the ultimate nightmare situation for Kansas next year?  A few notes and the official Worst-Case Scenario team after the jump.

First, a few notes.  Obviously, Morningstar, Reed, and Little will be gone no matter what, being seniors.  I'm also (for the purposes of this exercise) assuming that both Morris twins, Thomas Robinson, and Josh Selby will all leave for the NBA.  I will also assume that Ben McClemore decides to listen to Mama and stay in cousin-kissin' country at the last second, limiting Self's recruiting class to just one player.  In addition, I've heard rumblings that Elijah Johnson is unhappy, and there are rumors of a transfer at the end of the year.  In Worst-Case Scenario land?  Boom!  Transfers to North Dakota State, if for no other purpose than to give Fetch a reason to create weekly fanposts detailing his advanced metrics as he tears up the Summit League.

You may notice that Tyshawn Taylor is still on the team.  That's because I cannot conceive of a scenario in which Tyshawn Taylor actually believes it's a good idea to declare for the NBA at this point.  I realize that for some of you, Tyshawn Taylor's presence will actually enhance the horror of the lineup I am about to unveil.  Without further ado, your 2011-12 Jayhawks: Worst-Case Scenario Edition...

Starting Lineup

G - Tyshawn Taylor.  Taylor will decide this is "his time," much like Sherron Collins did his senior year.  Unfortunately, Taylor's "time" will be so sloppy that he becomes the inspiration behind Ken Pomeroy's newest statistical category, "balls dribbled off a defender's foot per possession" (ADJfuckup%)

G - Conner Teahan.  What, you thought Self could resist starting a Kansas-born upperclassman?  Teahan will break a school record by hoisting up 150 three point attempts.  Against Emporia State.  Teahan will hit only 17% of his threes, but lead the team in scoring by making 7.3 of them per game.

G - Travis Releford.  The lone bright spot for the returning Jayhawks.  Releford will be KU's top defender and will score over 14 points a game.  He will also break his femur.

G - Naadir Tharpe.  Due to a lack of frontcourt depth, Self is forced to start four true guards.  This spot is really a tossup between Tharpe and Royce Woolridge, but Self elects to go with the freshman to get him experience from day one.  He will easily be the best true freshman on the team.

C - Jeff Withey.  Withey will stun Jayhawk Nation by showing up to Late Night in the Phog weighing in at just 175 pounds, despite an off-season regimen of sitting in a recliner eating frosting out of a jar while watching reruns of "16 and Pregnant" on MTV.

The Bench

-Niko Roberts - Boy, his first name is fun to say, isn't it?
-Justin Wesley - As an homage to his brother, will develop an allergic reaction to a painkiller injection.
-Royce Woolridge - Will change his number from 11 to 17, his biggest accomplishment of the season.
-June Junemann - Will lead the team in months per name

Overall record: 31-6 (15-1 in conference)

Now, I don't want to sound like a Negative Nelly here, so I feel obligated to lay out the best-case scenario as well...There is an NBA lockout and no draft.  Selby, T-Rob, and the Morri all return, and Ben McClemore makes the right decision.  Tyshawn Taylor will spend the off-season studying tape of great true point guards and will lead the Big 12 in assists.  KU is preseason and postseason #1, beating the hell out of Roy Williams' UNC Tar Heels in the National Championship game.

What a difference an off-season can make.