Kansas basketball: Five takeaways from Jayhawks win over Fort Hays State
By Kyle Jones
Kansas Basketball Takeaway No. 4: Lack of Depth Will be Tested Early and Often
Most college teams like to play somewhere around 9-10 players in any given game and throughout the season. Rumors of Zach Clemence planning to redshirt leave the Jayhawks with just nine realistic options for playing time. While that is likely enough to get through the season, any injury could cause the depth to really be stretched thin.
The talent that KU has on their roster is near the top of the country, but playing multiple games a week for four straight months is tough on any level of athlete. Considering the amount of great teams that the schedule presents, the Jayhawks could certainly wear down at times during the season.
I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if Clemence has his redshirt removed at some point, especially if there is an injury to Dickinson, Adams, or Braun. This is one of the better starting lineups in the entire country, and they will probably account for close to 75% of the total minutes in most games.
However, the 25% of minutes that the bench players get can often be the difference in wins and losses, as well as second-round exits and Final Four runs in March. If a starter happens to miss any time this season, it could be a tough stretch for the Jayhawks.