Kansas hosting standout freshman guard who could shift offseason momentum in their favor

It is no secret that Kansas’ roster has been ravaged by the NCAA Transfer Portal. And whether or not players, fans, or coaches like it, Kansas is going to have to use that same portal to build up its own squad ahead of Bill Self’s 24th season at the helm. 

While Kansas has landed the likes of Keanu Dawes, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 12.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, on a strong 54.6% field goal rate. It is clear that KU still has work to do in order not to have to rely on a freshman-laden class next season. 

Over the coming days and weeks, various portal prospects will be filing in and out of Allen Fieldhouse, each seeing the history and tradition that playing for Kansas offers, and as of this morning, according to Michael Swain of 247Sports, there could be a hidden gem visiting soon.

Blyden could be an answer to KU’s wishes

Last season, the Jayhawks’ offense labored as the corps only averaged 75.1 points per game. A mark good enough for 161st in the country. 

Kansas was forced to rely on its defensive strengths way too often last season, and when it couldn’t keep teams away from scoring, the scoreline would quickly turn into a blowout loss, as seen in KU’s 86-75 loss to West Virginia, its 84-68 loss to Cincinnati, and its 70-60 loss to Arizona State.

Blyden’s freshman season saw the Michigan native notch 16.4 points, four rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Doing so on a strong 46.1% field goal rate and a 40.7% three-point rate, with a season-high of 36 coming in Toledo’s 84-79 win over Western Michigan. 

The freshman is currently ranked as the nation’s 86th-overall player and 17th-ranked point guard. 

Blyden not only brings extremely promising shooting splits, but also an acute passing IQ, as a steady 2.43 assist-to-turnover ratio offers. With Kansas bringing in the likes of five-star guard Taylen Kinney to the point guard position, Blyden will likely factor as the team’s shooting guard. 

Of course, you have to consider Toledo’s strength of schedule net rating of -1.20, which is a stark difference from last year’s 16.63, that Kansas faced, meaning that the competition inside the Big 12 is obviously higher than that of the MAC. However, with the multiple years of eligibility Blyden has remaining, there is no telling just how great a player he can develop into, even if his sophomore season sees an adjustment period.

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