No one will truly be able to gauge how next season’s KU squad looks until the season is well underway. What this means is that until now, fans have to settle for creating their own perceptions of this transfer-laden squad.
And so far, you wouldn’t be wrong to have questions about it, but questions aren’t always a bad thing.
If you were hoping for a team stacked from head to toe with Big 12 experience, then you have another thing coming your way. The only player on next year’s roster who has consistently seen Big 12 opposition is power forward Keanu Dawes. While Dawes has done well in his time with the Utah Utes, he doesn’t jump out as an All-Big 12 contender right now.
But if your goal is to see a more balanced team that isn’t so one-dimensional, this outfit should grab your attention. While last season saw the ball get stuck too frequently in the hands of star guard Darryn Peterson, often creating flat possessions, this year’s team is providing the proper support around focal point Tyran Stokes.
Bill Self sets challenges for several players
On Jon Rothstein’s “Inside College Basketball Now,” Kansas head coach Bill Self discussed the puzzle pieces that fit this squad together, while also setting the expectations for what would make a successful season for several players.
“I also think we're unproven. Can Keanu Dawes be a 14-and-8 guy?, opened Self.
Last season with the Utes, Dawes averaged 12.5 points per game, going along with 8.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Funnily enough, one of Dawes’ best games came against KU last season, when the former Rice transfer notched 22 points and 12 rebounds in the eventual 71-59 win for the Jayhawks.
“Can Tyran, as a freshman, do something like Melo [Carmelo Anthony] did with Syracuse?”
Safe to say if Stokes can match Carmelo Anthony’s 22.2 points and 10 rebounds on a 45.3% field goal rate, his recruitment would be considered a massive success. Obviously Anthony went on to win the NCAA title with the Orange, a narrative that is still a bit too far-fetched as of right now.
“Can Leroy and TK and our respective bench, be consistent enough and shoot 37%, 38% from three for the season?” While Taylen Kinney’s shooting rates were inconsistent in his last season in the OTE, the Toledo transfer Blyden is bringing a 40.7% three-point rate and fellow transfer Dennis Parker Jr. shot 37.7% from beyond the arc last season.
“And then, of course, do we have a five guy that can anchor?
As of publishing, the Jayhawks will be using a center combo of College of Charleston transfer Christian Reeves and sophomore Paul Mbiya. Reeves is recovering from shoulder surgery he underwent during the summer, opening up the possibility for Mbiya to assert himself as the team’s starter.
“I think the answers to those are yes, but that's if everything goes perfect. We don't have as much margin for error. We need to stay healthy, but I do like our chances,” closed Self.
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