Kansas College Basketball Predictions 2010-11
November 17, 2010
The Kansas Jayhawks are ready to make another run at a conference title this season. They finished 33-3 overall last season, including 15-1 in conference play. It will be tough to replace 49 % of their offense, two top draft choices and the winningest player in school history. Head coach Bill Self is one of the top recruiters in the nation, and he’ll have no problem keeping with the winning custom here in Lawrence with what he has returning and the new guys coming in. Marcus Morris, Josh Selby and Tyshawn Taylor will be three guys that Self relies on to carry the load this season. Morris and Taylor are juniors who united for 20 points per night last season, and Selby is a freshman point guard who is almost a certain Top-10 selection in the 2011 NBA Draft. A deep bench will have Kansas contending for another conference championship.
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College basketball picks are offered right here at college basketball free picks. Jack Jones looks forward to working on his 37-23 (62%) college basketball run to pick up right where he left off last year.
Frontcourt:
Twins Marcus and Markieff Morris return for their junior seasons, and though it will be tough to replace Cole Aldrich, that combo gives Kansas a solid base in the paint. Aldrich was taken 11th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft, and his rim protection will be missed. But Marcus averaged 12.8 PPG and 6.1 RPG last year while Markieff put up 6.8 PPG and 5.3 RPG and both will probably take on even bigger roles this year. Marcus really upped his play within the Big 12 schedule, averaging 14.2 PPG and 7.3 RPG in league games. Sophomore Thomas Robinson and Jeff Withey supply strong depth off the bench. Although Withey is no Aldrich, he’s a 7-foot presence inside and could be one of the league’s top shot-blockers if he can earn the minutes.
Backcourt:
Sherron Collins’ leadership will be tough to replace after being on the team for a school-record 130 victories in his four years at Kansas. There’s no question that leadership along with his toughness in crucial-game situations cannot be replaced. Selby is actually an upgrade over Collins when you look at athleticism and overall talent. He is Self’s top-rated recruit of all time, and was rated among the Top-5 prospects coming out of high school by nearly every service. Taylor will give Selby some help in the backcourt, catering the experience. But Taylor must overcome some of the troubles he had on and off the floor last year. Brady Morningstar and Tyrel Reed give this team some senior leadership off the bench it desperately desires. After redshirting last year, senior Mario Little will supplant Xavier Henry in the starting line-up at small forward. Little was the 2008 Junior College Player of the Year, so he has proven he can get the job done. Self believes this team will be much more athletic than last year’s roster, but it will need to find that leadership that cannot be taught if they are going to make the most out of this talent.
Jack’s Pick: 1st Place in the Big 12 – Though Aldrich, Collins and Henry are gone, there is still enough leadership and depth on this team to win the Big 12 once more. The Morris Twins along with Morningstar and Reed provide the experience, while getting Selby and Little offer the athleticism and talent to take the place of what has departed. Few schools in the nation have a better home-court advantage than the one in Lawrence, and no team in the conference can equal the talent level of the Jayhawks. I trust in Self to put it all together as he’s established he can do, and if Selby can live up to the hype this team will compete for a national title.