Though some recruits struggle with the transition from high school to major college basketball, Jeff Boschee’s freshman season couldn’t have gone much smoother.
The 6-foot-1 guard started 32 of 33 games, led Kansas with 121 assists, ranked fifth in the Big 12 Conference in three-point shooting, averaged 10 points a game, was named MVP of the league tournament and the league’s freshman of the year.
The North Dakota product’s sophomore season did not go as well. Boschee scored in double figures in 11 of the Jayhawks’ first 15 games, but he struggled down the stretch.
Boschee saw his streak of games with at least one three-pointer end at 38. He temporarily lost his starting job and was eventually moved from point guard to shooting guard.
“Initially, it was disappointing because I got taken out of the starting lineup, and that was the first time that had ever happened to me in my basketball career,” said Boschee, who came off the bench in three games. “I kind of got used to it. Fortunately, I ended up getting back in the starting lineup.”
With the KU offense sputtering, coach Roy Wiiliams moved Boschee to shooting guard and promoted freshman Kirk Hinrich from backup to starting point guard for the final 13 games.
“Last year in the middle of the year, there was a lot of confusion going on,” Boschee said. “I think our confidence was tested a bit in the conference season. We had a lot of rearranging going on. People were frustrated. Knowing what our roles are is a good thing for the team.”
KU posted a modest 8-5 record in those final 13 games, but the Jayhawks expect better results now that both guards have grown accustomed to their roles.
On a team loaded with experienced players, Williams had some difficult choices to make in selecting a starting lineup. But he didn’t have to think too hard about his top guards.
“If I had to play a game today, I’d start Kirk at the one and Jeff at the two,” Williams said the day before the team’s first official practice. “That’s the way we ended up, so they are more familiar with it.
“They both have to be able to play both spots and be able to play them well.”
Boschee showed improvement on defense last year and also drastically improved his assist-turnover margin. After finishing with 121 assists and 110 turnovers as a freshman, Boschee had 100 assists and 55 turnovers last season.
Boschee, who ranks fourth in KU career three-pointers with 160, said he feels comfortable playing either guard position.
“I don’t really care where I play as long as I’m out there playing,” said Boschee, who played both positions in high school. “Kirk and I both do a good job of playing the point. It’s not that big a deal to me.”
But winning is, and the Jayhawks expect to do more of that after finishing 24-10 last season.
One factor that should help Boschee is the return of senior swingman Luke Axtell, who missed the final 14 games due to illness.
The 6-foot-10 shooter draws a lot of attention from defenders.
“Having Luke in the offense freed me and Kirk to get open shots,” Boschee said. “Towards the end of the year, I was getting chased up and down the court.”
Boschee scored in double figures only four times in the 14 games Axtell missed.
The Jayhawks are also hoping senior center Eric Chenowith can bounce back from a disappointing junior season. The big man’s presence inside could make life easier for KU’s perimeter players.
Which brings us to an area Boschee would like to see the entire team improve in.
“Last year we didn’t get to the free-throw line as much as our teams have in the past,” said Boschee, a 77.4 percent free-throw shooter. “If we can cause more fouls, that will make it a lot easier to score points.”