Kansas Basketball: A challenging, exciting 2018 ahead
2017 has been an absolute wonder year for Kansas basketball. From matching the longest ever streak of regular season conference titles to Bill Self’s induction into the Hall of Fame, it has been an absolute blast for the Jayhawk fans.
The new season brought challenges for the Jayhawks. The 2017-18 season began with KU pegged in the top 5 of preseason rankings. That is when the trouble started. Billy Preston has still not played a minute of college basketball. One is left to wonder if he ever will, although Bill Self remains optimistic.
Even without Billy Preston, the paper-thin front-court held its own in the first few games as the Jayhawks marched to 7-0 record. During this stretch, the Jayhawks won against a talented but young Kentucky team, and over a well coached Syracuse team in Miami. This was largely thanks to a fiery backcourt hitting threes at a high level and Udoka Azubuike being extremely efficient in the paint as well as altering shots at the rim.
Then, out of nowhere, the Jayhawks lost two in a row. Generally, the Jayhawks don’t loose as many during non-conference play, let alone consecutively. The Jayhawks do not lose in Allen Fieldhouse. But it happened nevertheless. Suddenly, we were left wondering about our toughness. We were left praying for Silvio de Sousa coming one semester early. Our prayers were answered and he is now on campus! We still have too little information about Billy Preston’s issue to make any head or tail out of it. We do know that Bill Self asked a football player to help the team practice and play as a walk on.
Will Kansas win the 14th straight conference title?
This is the question on everyone’s mind. Big 12 is strong almost every year. Currently, TCU and West Virgina rank in the top 10. A total of six different Big 12 teams sit in the top 25 of the rankings. It speaks to the depth of Big 12.
Will KU beat other strong teams on the road? Winning in ‘the Fog’ is a given, but to win the Big 12, Jayhawks will need to play hard on the road. We have started the conference play on a strong note and earned a tough win at Texas. We were scorching good from the three, making 17 on 35 tries! But there will be nights when we are not as good from beyond the arc. On those nights, the Kansas basketball team will need to hustle and show some toughness. Oh my…
Next: Kansas Jayhawks: The best story of 2017
Kansas Basketball: From Soft to Strong
Bill Self called this team the softest of all he has coached at KU. But then his sample size is all the great Kansas Basketball teams he has coached. It is pretty good list. No shame in being a little soft early in the season.
Everyone knows that Bill Self is a Hall-of-Famer. He can find our strengths and play to it. Maybe more importantly he can really make his team work hard on the things he needs them to improve upon.
Moreover, Silvio de Sousa is on the campus and may very well debut soon. His physical presence in the paint will aid the Jayhawks show more will in the paint. More than an offensive weapon, he can collect rebounds and the team desperately needs someone to do that. He can also help ‘Dok’ shed his fear of fouling out.
Next: Kansas basketball: Joel Embiid was unleashed in 2017
The truth is that the Jayhawks are still too good to bet against. Devonte Graham is a leader. Malik Newman, Svi and Vick are all players who can carry the team on their shoulders. On their off shooting nights, they just need to find ways to contribute through defense, rebounding and assists.
Udoka Azubuike will continue to dunk almost every single time he gets the ball. He will succeed more often than not. He will also keep on scaring away opponents from the paint. Jayhawk fans, do not doubt. Kansas is still the team to beat in the Big 12. The Jayhawks are chasing history. And as we sing in Allen Fieldhouse, dream on!