Through the Phog
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Kansas basketball: Strengths and weaknesses of the rebuilt Jayhawks roster

By Kyle Jones

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - DECEMBER 17: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks fist bumps guard Dajuan Harris Jr. #3 during the first half of the college basketball game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena on December 17, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - DECEMBER 17: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks fist bumps guard Dajuan Harris Jr. #3 during the first half of the college basketball game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena on December 17, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Nicolas Timberlake #25 of the Towson Tigers (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Nicolas Timberlake #25 of the Towson Tigers (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Weakness — Outside Shooting

The Jayhawks have had their fair share of elite outside shooters under Coach Self, including six players in the top 10 for most three-pointers made in school history. Having good outside shooting is crucial in today’s game, as it allows you to space the floor for the players that like to drive and attack inside (i.e. Dajuan Harris and Hunter Dickinson). It is an area that KU may have trouble with in the upcoming season.

Timberlake is an elite shooter and will absolutely carry a majority of the load in this particular area of the offense (I personally think he can have a season similar to the one Gradey Dick had last season). However, after him, there are significant questions as to who will be able to put the ball in the basket from the perimeter.

Harris has shown that he can make shots when left open, but he still hesitates to even look at the rim when there is a defender within reach of him. He may be asked to be a bit more aggressive with his shot this season due to the lack of other options around him.

Morris shot just 33 percent on a couple of attempts per game as a freshman at Texas, and it’s never a great idea to rely heavily on freshmen to be consistent shooters. One or two of these guys will need to step up and become at least a threat from the outside, or defenses will begin to face guard Timberlake (like they started to do to Dick towards the end of last season) and will feel much more comfortable doubling down on Dickinson in the post.

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