Kansas basketball: 3 reasons why Kevin McCullar makes KU the nation’s best team

3. Kansas basketball will have one of the best back-courts in the entire nation.

Just as many crimson and blue fans imagined last year, the combination of Dajuan Harris, Gradey Dick, and Kevin McCullar shaped up to be one of the best backcourts in Division I. Harris and McCullar, specifically, were two of the best defenders in the conference.

The two combined for 4.2 steals per game, as their aggressiveness on the defensive end was a huge factor during the 2022-23 season.
Whether it was leading to fast-break points or getting massive stops when needed, the two always seemed to deliver. Harris could lock down opposing guards, and McCullar could defend all five positions if needed.

This upcoming season, they have the potential to be even more daunting for opposing teams. McCullar and Harris will have more prominent roles than they did last year due to the departure of Jalen Wilson, so the ball is in their court to lead this team to an appearance in Phoenix, Arizona, this season, where the Final Four will be held.

Nick Timberlake, Arterio Morris, and Elmarko Jackson are all candidates to start at the two, and Morris is yet another elite defender. The three of them together would create nightmares for offenses all over the country and, in return, should lead to a high-tempo Jayhawk offense, no matter who is scoring for them.