It's tough to look at KU hoops right now with the Selby situation unclear, but here goes anyway.

My first impression of this team after the exhibitions is that we should be a very good shooting team. Maybe not necessarily a good three point shooting team (more on that later), but a very good shooting team.

Every single player on this roster that will play any kind of minutes can hit a 15 foot shot. Every. Single. One. This means that if we rotate the ball effectively, we should be able to take (and make) high percentage shots on a regular basis. Remember, the #1 determining factor in being effective offensively is the ability to get easy shots. The ability of every player to stretch the defense out to 15 feet should allow for more slashing and less ability to help inside, giving us more easy shots. Easy shots win titles.

We should also be a tremendous rebounding team - on paper at least. I haven't seen the kind of rebounding dominance that I would expect given that Markieff and TRob are both elite level rebounders, and Marcus, Mario Little and Travis Releford all rebound well for their position. We should be a great rebounding team, but I have seen only above average rebounding efforts in the exhibitions.

Defensively, we have had both great stretches and awful stretches. We should be better defensively this season because we have the ability to put several high level defenders on the floor at the same time, and TRob and Markieff should be able to protect the rim adequately to replace Cole's presence.

This should be a good team, probably even a very good team.

But this team will not be great without Selby in the lineup. I am convinced of that.

Simply put, we need a bona fide high level PG. Tyshawn is better if he doesn't have to always be on the ball. When he can look to slash more and doesn't have to worry about getting the team into the offense, he can be more aggressive, which is where he tends to shine. EJ hasn't shown enough consistency to be a primary ballhandler, although he may have that ability. Tyrel, Brady, Mario and Travis have never been primary ballhandlers, and I don't think they will just become primary handlers overnight.

That leaves Josh Selby. If he is eligible, he can handle the ball and let Tyshawn play off the ball a lot more, which makes Tyshawn more dangerous. He allows Tyrel to spot up, which is where he is most dangerous. It keeps Marcus from having to step out to help handle, which gives him a chance to exploit his nightly mismatch by posting smaller guys or destroying bigger guys off the dribble.

Speaking of which, I'd like to see KU exploit that more this year. If Marcus is covered by some 6-5 guy, pound it in to him until they stop it. On the other hand, if they put a big on him, let him step out and work off the dribble, and counter by posting Mario.

My way too early predictions

Without Selby - 2nd in Big XII (losses @ KSU, @ MU, @ OU-trap game, @ Baylor), Sweet 16 loss.

With Selby - 1st in Big XII (loss @ KSU, @ Baylor), Final Four.