Another KU basketball season is about to begin, and the Jayhawks are ranked number one in the country by everyone! This deep and experienced squad offers much reason for optimism—they have talent and depth at every position. If returning young players improve and the newcomers hold their own with the veterans, the Hawks might separate themselves from the rest of the country as North Carolina did in 2009. Here is my analysis of the 2010 Kansas players.

Cole Aldrich (Junior Center, 6’11 245 lbs.): Aldrich was recently named a preseason All-American, a well-deserved honor for the big man who is being called the best pure center to play for KU since Wilt Chamberlain. It’s been said Aldrich worked on strength and conditioning in the off-season, and it’s nice to see he hasn’t ballooned up to 275 or 280 lbs (as Eric Chenowith did, sacrificing forever his quickness and jumping ability). Aldrich should be able to reduce his minutes while maintaining his statistics—the mark of a team with depth. Aldrich looked tired by the end of last season, relying more on fade-away jump shots than head fakes or power moves inside. Hopefully he can stay fresher throughout this season, remain powerful inside, and perhaps contend for player of the year awards.

Marcus Morris (Sophomore Power Forward, 6’8” 225 lbs.): A summer in the weight room should allow Morris to more effectively compete with power forwards without sacrificing his finesse game. A skilled player at a power position, Morris can give opponents fits if he can improve his stamina and stay out of foul trouble. Has the ability to move to small forward if he can defend the three spot (a move Coach Self seemingly wants to experiment with), and can create mismatches with the versatility of his game. A breakout campaign is not out of the question.

Xavier Henry (Freshman Small Forward, 6’6” 220 lbs.): More has been said of Henry’s “warrior mentality” than his game so far, but it is far too soon to wonder if his abilities have been overstated. Many consider Henry to be the next Brandon Rush with extraordinary physical skills, a nice jump shot and the ability to drive to the basket. If he can add Rush’s ability to rebound and defend, KU will be in great shape. A reporter referred to Henry as “ordinary” and “hardly a one-and-done” player, but Henry has everything he needs to excel.  In the early part of the season, he has sometimes held onto the ball too long causing plays to break down, but this is hardly a fatal flaw and should not diminish fans' perception of his game. 

Sherron Collins (Senior Point Guard, 5’11” 205 lbs.): The heart and soul of this year’s team, Collins could also contend for player of the year honors and, along with Aldrich, was named a first-team preseason All-American. Collins is often his own worst enemy as he continually struggles with his weight and conditioning (perhaps leading to the injuries he’s sustained over the years). In early season games he has turned an ankle and suffered cramps from dehydration, and one hopes Collins isn't in for an unlucky senior season.  On the court, Collins must trust his teammates and not try to do too much—if he can accomplish this, he should improve both his field goal percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio. Collins is the undisputed leader of this team and a fierce competitor. 

Tyshawn Taylor (Sophomore Shooting Guard, 6’3” 180 lbs.): Emerged as the on-court leader of the Team USA-Under 19 squad that won an international gold medal, Taylor hopes to build on his success last summer and become a vital cog in the Jayhawk machine. A combo guard who can shoot or bring the ball up court, Taylor must improve his shot and rely less on driving to the basket; he needs to cut down on turnovers, also, and early season games has not indicated improvement in any of these areas. If the summer is an indicator, however, Taylor should be as valuable as anyone on this team besides Aldrich and Collins.

Jeff Withey (Freshman Red Shirt Center, 7’0” 225 lbs.): A transfer from Arizona that is ineligible to play until second semester, Withey sustained an injury that hopefully won’t set him back too much. His presence on the team allows Aldrich to reduce his minutes and keep the Morris twins at their natural forward positions, which makes him a vital key to the team’s success. He’s purported to be better on defense than offense so far, but it’s also said he has a reliable shot.

Markieff Morris (Sophomore Power Forward, 6’9” 240 lbs.): Markieff Morris will endure at least another semester as backup center to Cole Aldrich until Withey becomes healthy and eligible, but should be ready to show his stuff at power forward. He demonstrated a complete game in flashes as a freshman, and if he can put it all together in the same game, he will be a fine player. He has been working on his outside shot, but is more likely to find points on the interior as a backup at center and power forward.  Early games provided him an opportunity to show what he can do, and he appears ready to provide a reliable inside game and help Aldrich inside. 

Brady Morningstar (Junior Red Shirt Small Forward/Shooting Guard, 6’3” 185 lbs.): Morningstar will not play until second semester as penance for driving under the influence and violating curfew, but he should be rested and ready to contribute when his number is called. One of the best three-point shooters and defenders on last year’s squad, he was physically outmatched at times and also appeared to wear down by the end of the season. He should do better with fewer minutes, in a reserve role behind Xavier Henry.  Games played without him so far have shown how valuable his contribution was a year ago.  As the only missing starter, one would think the Hawks would look better on offense--a tribute to his ability to pass and move without the ball.

C.J. Henry (Freshman Red Shirt Shooting Guard, 6’4” 205 lbs.): The enigma of this season’s recruiting class as Henry hasn’t played competitive basketball since 2005. Highly regarded then, he opted instead for professional baseball but still has aspirations to play in the NBA. Jayhawk fans are wondering what they’ll get in C.J.—a physically mature athlete skilled enough to excel in two sports, or a player attempting to remove considerable rust from his game? It's still too early to tell, as a knee injury has limited his practice time and kept him from participating in KU's early games. The one game so far he appeared in, Henry scored eight points in limited duty, so the potential is there.  Stay tuned.

Tyrel Reed (Junior Shooting Guard, 6’3” 185 lbs.): Reed is so superbly conditioned, when a player beats him in speed or conditioning drills it makes the local newspapers. He is a splendid shooter that frequently provided clutch three-point baskets last season, and the rest of his game is steady and reliable. Reed will continue to see court time despite the addition of three wing players in the off-season because his game is mistake-free, and should benefit from the minutes Brady Morningstar’s suspension makes available.

Thomas Robinson (Freshman Power Forward, 6’9” 230 lbs.): Everyone called Xavier Henry the prize of the 2010 recruiting class, but in practice this is the guy everybody talks about. Coach Self refers to his “motor’, which means he likes the Robinson’s hustle. He is considered a relentless rebounder who could take some pressure off Aldrich, or even steal away some of his rebounds! He is so good there is talk of playing the Morris twins at small forward sometimes, and is presence should make it virtually impossible to get the Hawks’ front line in foul trouble.

Mario Little (Senior Small Forward, 6’5” 210 lbs.): A personal favorite, Little’s effectiveness springs from the mismatches he creates. He is adept at the post-up game but can take the ball outside and drive or shoot. This combination of skills allows him to post up smaller opponents and lure bigger players outside, and it will be interesting to see how Coach Self uses the unique skills Little possesses. Little has decided to red-shirt this season, and when the best player in Junior College basketball red-shirts due to a lack of playing time, it is a sign of how deep the Jayhawks are.

Travis Releford (Sophomore Shooting Guard, 6’5” 205 lbs.): Releford struggled at times last season but emerged as a “hustle player” called on to steal possessions and provide relief for the overworked Brady Morningstar. Has the size to play either wing position, but must work on his shooting and ball handling to earn meaningful minutes.  His game has been compared to Steve Woodberry’s, but so far he lacks Woodberry’s shot or court savvy.  Releford also decided to red-shirt this season, although Bill Self hedged his bets by asserting he might play him if he had to.

Elijah Johnson (Freshman Point Guard, 6’2” 183 lbs.): The freshman guard from Las Vegas is said to possess good speed and athleticism, and he should play significant minutes as Sherron Collin’s backup, particularly if Tyshawn Taylor remains prone to turnovers. Also mentioned at times as a red-shirt candidate, Coach Self quickly realized how much Johnson could help the team and opted to play him. He possesses a good outside shot and fits in the mold of combo guard that Coach Self prefers.

Connor Teahan (Junior Shooting Guard, 6’5” 215 lbs.): Teahan is an invited walk-on who hoped to contribute the way Christian Moody did several years ago, and probably could have if this Jayhawks team wasn’t so good. He possesses good size and athletic ability, and has a reputation as a fine three-point shooter, based on his 60% accuracy from beyond the stripe his freshman year. Teahan can reliably contribute as a small forward or shooting guard when needed. Because the team is so talented, Teahan was also emerged as a red-shirt candidate, but wanted to play instead.

Jordan Juenemann (Sophomore Shooting Guard, 6’4” 195 lbs.): A walk-on who saw action in five games as a freshman, Juenemann has yet to score a point in a game, but is still a fan favorite. When Juenemann enters the game, the Rock Chalk chant can’t be far behind. An outstanding student, Juenemann is a well-liked practice player who is upbeat and positive.

Chase Buford (Junior Shooting Guard, 6’3” 210 lbs.): An invited walk-on with strong KU ties, Buford usually is out on the court when the game is no longer in doubt. The son of former Larry Brown assistant and current San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford, Buford’s role is to hustle in practice, keep morale high, and be a positive influence on the bench and in the locker room. Buford is also outstanding in the classroom, and the Jayhawks will benefit from his presence on the team.