Friday, July 13, 2007

Mayer

Mayer: Kansas truly loaded

By Bill Mayer

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Millionaire Julian Wright has removed himself from the Kansas basketball equation, and Darrell Arthur and Brandon Rush have medical obstacles to overcome before they are re-included. Those are players of merit whose absence would devastate a lot of college teams. Not so at KU.

Bill Self would have to do far and away his best coaching job if he faced a whole season with "the other guys." Yet flawless tutelage of that talent would put Big 12 eminence well within reach. With Arthur apparently lost for no more than six weeks due to a stress fracture and with Rush due to be back from knee surgery as early as Dec. 1, Self should have all 17 bodies on the current roster.

Yet the other 15, including at least one walk-on, would make all but about 10 or 12 U.S. coaches' eyes bug out in delight.

Not many tutors would cringe at having seniors Darnell Jackson and Sasha Kaun, at 6-foot-8 and 6-11 and muscular as the starting "bigs." The euphoria would thicken further if they had three-guard support from Russell Robinson, Mario Chalmers and Sherron Collins. Any one of them could start for just about any other team. Look for Jackson, Kaun and Robinson to have banner seasons in whatever lineup they populate.

The proud, dedicated RusRob is taking this business of senior quarterback darn seriously. He'll be the aorta that courses through the Jayhawk circulatory system. Truly good seniors can do wonders for teams with league and NCAA ambitions. Chalmers has skills he hasn't even used yet, and Collins if he's healthy and in top condition can leave opponents grasping at the wind. Maybe senior Jeremy Case finally will play games the way he sparkles in practice.

If Arthur is ready for knock-down-drag-out combat, he, Jackson and Kaun with their experience and ability can perform victorious miracles. What coach would look away from that trifecta? Freshman Cole Aldrich may give KU a four-big crew that rates with the very best

If Rush is at his best by at least Jan. 1, he might again be the effective wingman that lets Self unleash those guards to drive foes nutty. Self also might experiment on the wing while waiting to see if Rush can cut it.

Some observers think senior Rodrick Stewart is on the verge of delivering as he was expected to. He could get a try on the wing. If he falters, they're talking a lot about the promise of freshman Tyrel Reed as a scoring threat, and I hope Brady Morningstar gets every possible chance to show what he can do, which is a lot.

Freshman Conner Teahan from Rockhurst, the Missouri prepster of last year, bypassed scholarships to walk on here, and he might blossom like a Ryan Robertson down the line. We're talking big-time potential for the non-Wright-Arthur-Rush contingent, and one of Self's problems might be too much talent. Most guys would settle for such a curse, however.

The six listed as seniors are Robinson, Stewart, Case, Kaun, Jackson and Brad Witherspoon. Many coaches would gladly settle for a lineup of the first five.

Big 12-wise, Kansas State will be menacing with Bill Walker and Michael Beasley. Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State are lurking in the bulrushes. But Kansas is far and away the favorite, particularly if Arthur and Rush deliver their best goods.

Fun to speculate. Let's hope the football season is so good we don't have to turn to the old "at least there's basketball" until it's time to celebrate the glories of both seasons.

Comments

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

Great article, Mr. Mayer.

July 13, 2007 at 8:31 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Kirk (anonymous) says...

Unfortunately this team faces no competition until the postseason. One-on-one NBA play will carry the day until we meet a poised, disciplined, tested team in the regional final and lose, yet again.

July 13, 2007 at 8:47 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kevbo (anonymous) says...

I enjoyed it too. Well done.

July 13, 2007 at 8:59 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Kirk (anonymous) says...

kevbo and 1972 --

Usually everyone except me bashes Mayer's articles. But now two huzzahs? Is that because he doesn't really SAY anything this time? Other than "hooray for our talent".

Posters tend to want cheerleaders.

July 13, 2007 at 9:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

wannabe (anonymous) says...

Arizona
USC
Depaul
Georgia Tech
Boston college
then the big 12
we will have to play KSU twice (they will be ranked most of the year)
texas
TAM
Baylor (will be pretty good this year)

too bad there is no competition until the pastseason

think before you post moron

July 13, 2007 at 9:31 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Kirk (anonymous) says...

wannapee --

I'm not impressed with that list of second and third rate teams.

The Big XII lost everyone and everything, right down the line. Arizona probably won't be ranked, and shouldn't be. And there's only one team from last year's Sweet 16 on our schedule, and only what, 4 or 5 tournament teams altogether.

July 13, 2007 at 9:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

AzHawk97 (anonymous) says...

Mayer pitched us a softball this time. Probably didn't want to further salt our wounds with his normal ineptness to go along with the freakin' MU photo.

July 13, 2007 at 9:55 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

Kirk,

I understand your unhappiness with the schedule, but here's the problems - money and tv.

Money because teams want home games, especially the big programs. Big time opponents want as many home games as possible so they can fill up their arenas and pocket the gate. And since the big time teams are already assured of being on national tv a certain number of times regardless of who they play, their pockets won't hurt if they don't show down with each other.

That said, I think your criticism of the KU schedule this year is misplaced. Georgia Tech is a very solid squad. They lost some early declarees, but they are still legit. Arizona only lost a couple guys off a team that was young and underacheived.

USC is bringing in maybe the best recruiting class in the country. They will be a handful, probably ranked in the top 15. Boston College is always solid and is a consistent force in the ACC.

The Big XII was "down" last year with a lot of new coaches adapting to new programs. This year, only A&M, Colorado and K-State have new head men. A&M has a kid coming in that has been a monster on the U19 squad and they are led by former Hawk Turgeon. Beware the Aggies. K-State has Beasley, a healthy Walker and other top recruits. They will be better than they have been in the last decade. Colorado brought in Air Force's old coach, who made the Academy a strong representative in the WAC.

Iowa State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Nebraska all have coaches who will be in their second year with their programs, so they will be better for not having to deal with the transition and unrest.

Texas doesn't have Durant, but Barnes is a good recruiter who always seems to find somebody. Baylor is steadily improving after their program's tragedy.

My point is, if you really look at the schedule, it's fairly strong. Not as stout as it could be, but far from being weak. It's not like you can accuse KU of ducking anybody.

July 13, 2007 at 10:21 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

Kirk...

back up a step bro. Anyone here can tell you that I'm guilty of overprotecting Mayer. I've written a thesis on how to defend him in the posts. I've praised his historical perspective. I've lauded him for speaking unpopular truths. You say everyone but you bashes him, but you need to get a grip. Youre wrong.

As far as the cheerleader thing, I assume you mean posters want the writers to say only positive things about the team. Well strike two, at least as far as I'm concerned. What I want from the writers is to shoot straight and tell it like it is. What I want from the posters is to offer their opinions and do so adamantly (even if I disagree with them). What I want from both sides is respect for the Crimson and Blue.

July 13, 2007 at 10:40 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Kirk (anonymous) says...

just -- Good points all.

But I'm not blaming KU. Most of the problem stems from a totally depleted Big XII, whose two best teams after KU last season lost everything that mattered: A&M's brilliant head coach and superb guard; and UT's world-beating Durant. KSU's legendary dirty but proven head coach bolted (though I have no doubt that their two most talented players will present one-on-one nightmares that many teams won't be able to handle).

Let's get the Kentucky series going again. And frankly? Let's start one with UNC.

We brag about our tradition. Let's highlight it by playing the teams on our level -- teams deeply woven into our own history.

BC, G-Tech, and USC are annual also-rans. We can, and should, do much MUCH better.

July 13, 2007 at 10:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

soapboxstew (anonymous) says...

This is the tough Conference schedule year. We are @ A&M, @ Texas, and @ OK ST. Don't forget K-State twice, and better remaining North division opponents than last year. Iowa St., Nebraska, and Colorado will be much better than last year. Colorado and Nebraska retain their best player and will be better prepared to win this year.
Non-conference is a perfect combination of hard games and gimme games. We have enough easy ones' to get to the tourney with a #3-#5 pre-season ranking. Meaning if we blow most of our hard games we will still be in the tourney.
Arizona is fur real. They have an equally talented team with a better chance for cohesion. They brought in a new coach for defense. They have the usual host of McD's All Americans, most notably Chase Bud., and freshman Jared Bayless. Bayless avereged 37 pts. a game in High School (check it on Rivals). 'Zona also plays in Hawaii before they meet us, which means they will be used to playing top talent and we will have not played anybody. They will be better than they were last year, and they will be our first real test.
The remaining good games in our non-conference schedule come against opponents that are almost always in the tourney. They will challenge us as much as we need to be challenged. Add that to the fact that the conference schedule will take us to loud, packed gyms, then you can see that the schedule is perfect for a run in March.

July 13, 2007 at 12:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

soapboxstew (anonymous) says...

The teams that we compete against in recruiting, and are top non-conference teams are: Kentucky, Memphis, OH ST., 'Zona, and rarely UNC.
I have no desire to go up against Roy @ UNC unless we have to. I only ever want to see him in March, and I hope we can avoid him then. Loosing to him adds insult to injury, and beating him gives me no added pleasure. The other teams are solid home-and-home series choices.

July 13, 2007 at 1:04 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Kirk (anonymous) says...

soap -- We "rarely" compete against UNC in recruiting? Hmm. Why did Roy come see Tyrel Reed play? I'm sure Self would readily admit: we compete against all the big dogs for all the blue chip players.

Headliners like Kansas/UNC, Kansas/UK, and Kansas/Duke would make for awesome viewing and great stories.

Yes, there are a couple strongish teams on our schedule who will be sniffing around the bottom of the top 25. But it's all very un-challenging at our level.

July 13, 2007 at 1:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

robot (Robin Smith) says...

the problem with trying to gauge the quality of a schedule for college hoops is that the turnover of players happens so quickly that the general opinion of teams is slow to keep up. There are going to be teams this year that are good that nobody predicts. In recent seasons such as last year KU plays good teams whose reputation does not precede them. We got dissed by other fan bases for losing to Depaul who just sent a guy pro in the first round and they still have another first round guy on the roster. We got no love for beating USC and they made a splash in the tourney. Same for BC. In years past we got dissed for losing an away game to Villanova with Moody as our senior leader. The following year they were favorites to win it all. We also got dissed for losing to Nevada who had a nobody named Fazekas and he wasn't even their centerpiece. The point is we play teams who with hindsight were quite good and were simply underrated.

Most of the rankings are just hype and it's hype from two years ago. KU is playing a good schedule. Also Texas was more than Durant which you should know if you have watched them.

July 13, 2007 at 4:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Kirk (anonymous) says...

robot -- you make a good case for the also-rans. But the really big fellas are always pretty much the same guys. And we're not playing 'em this year.

I like the second class citizens, and I'm glad we're playing teams like USC along with all the complete washouts that happen to stink up our schedule. But it's time to create some excitement by inking a few big time series with teams like Duke, Kentucky, and UNC. It can only make us stronger.

Texas was Durant last year, unless you're talking football.

July 13, 2007 at 4:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmcmich1 (anonymous) says...

Exactly Kirk, took the words right out of my mouth: Texas was absoultely Kevin Durant last year--I can't even remember the name of another person on their team, and I did watch him, er, them multiple times last year.

July 13, 2007 at 5:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KURUSH1530 (anonymous) says...

They rode Durant because he was an amazing player, the only freshmen to win POY actually. That doesn't mean Texas didn't have other talent on the team. Who is this Craig Brackins coming in for Iowa State? Looks pretty good. Big 12 won't be THAT bad people. Plus, it's not all about playing big time opponents. Playing teams that have a chance at there conference title is very important, even if they are mid-majors. Nobody knew Kentucky would be getting Gillesspie until late, so I'm sure the schedules were so conflicting it was near impossible to get a home-home match up. USC is a good one, they are getting A LOT of exposure nowadays. I've said in the past that Arizona won't be good, I kind of retract that because they are bringing in a lot of good Freshmen, but they did lose 4 guys that played significant minutes for them. They'll be ranked though.

July 13, 2007 at 6:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkitup (anonymous) says...

I sort of agree with Kirk and yet I disagree as well. I think the Big 12 will be better than what people expect, however I also think KU's nonconference schedule could be a little better. Yes, we are playing some good teams but it would be cool to play some more solid teams. Also, I wish we would play some more MVC teams. I think that would help as well come tourney time.

July 13, 2007 at 8:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ralsterKUMed95 (anonymous) says...

Whatever team, whomever we play, home or away, BOY I sure would like to see 60min of ball, and a focus-determined mindset as a team identity this season. It is that kind of resilience that minimizes chances for upsets like in the nonconf season last yr. Someone said it well above--prior to the season, who knew what some kid named Durant or Fazekas or whatever + his team is capable of. Especially when they try to put their crosshairs on some 'bigtime' program like KU. Weve got a great amount of talent + major amount of experience along with veteran leadership. I dont know if it gets any better (on paper) than this years KU squad. We lost our team leader in turnovers (Ju), so we ought to do way better in that regard right away. Now we just have to go get it done night-after-night, in a way that showcases all this experience and talent (and toughness). One of the toughest teams KU has fielded, from guard to center--they shouldnt be afraid of anything.

July 13, 2007 at 10:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

ralster...

do you want that sixty minutes in two thirty minute halves or four fifteen minute quarters?

July 14, 2007 at 7:09 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hometownhawk (anonymous) says...

Roy has said he will never schedule regular season games against us. Remember when he said that was his "worst nightmare"? So that one's out of the question.

July 14, 2007 at 10:23 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Kirk (anonymous) says...

hometownhawk -- Quite right. But Roy ALSO said he was "stayin'".

People say things. Then they turn and do other things entirely.

I see a common interest in such a series, greatly.

July 14, 2007 at 11:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayhawkPhil (anonymous) says...

Great, Mayer goes from cheap shot artist to patronizing butt kisser in one article and suddenly he is a acceptable?

July 14, 2007 at 6:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

what makes him "acceptable" jayhawkphil is that he is a dedicated and true fan who offers his perspective from many years in the service of the crimson and blue. your stamp of approval is not required

July 15, 2007 at 10:47 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Kirk (anonymous) says...

jross -- that's telling him. I agree.

July 15, 2007 at 5:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayhawkPhil (anonymous) says...

What he is is a "dedicated and true" fan of himself.

July 15, 2007 at 8:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

your malcontent for the man says more about you than it does him. He's only tried to contribute to the history and legend of KU, and here you are...lambasting him for his efforts.

So what that he may carry different opinions than you? All of us here are the same with each other. But how do you jump from that to saying he is narcissistic?

Really, JayhawkPhil, we've seen better posts from you.

July 16, 2007 at 9:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jpstrayer (anonymous) says...

I guess the "60 min of ball" would be quadruple overtime games...I don't think I could take a whole season of that.

July 17, 2007 at 1:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jaminrawk (anonymous) says...

Um, is it just me or have we already played big teams over the past couple of years? We played Florida last year, Kentucky and Arizona the year before that, Kentucky in 2004-2005 (there's your KU - UK series), Michigan State and #1 at the time Stanford in 2003-2004, UNC and UCLA in 2002-2003, etc. KU does play big name teams. Arizona will be good this year and so will USC and Georgia Tech.

July 18, 2007 at 2:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )