No Perfect Season

On Sunday, my Jayhawks lost to a seriously understaffed Tennessee Volunteer's team. While the loss eliminated any chance of a perfect season or retaining the #1 ranking for the entire year, it was not a surprise. A week before, the Jayhawks had provided a glimpse of what they were capable of by manhandling a pretty decent Temple team on Temple's home court. The win was a quality win in any one's book. The Jayhawks struggled to dispatch Cornell, using 39 of the 40 minute game to do the job. Cornell is good, but should not have been able to take KU to the limit.

Most of the rest of the pre-conference season was spent beating up on much lesser opponents on their home court. The conference season begins on Wednesday (tonight) against Nebraska. The Big 12 conference season has few "easy" games and the Jayhawks will be tested in just about every game. Getting through the conference with 2 or fewer losses would be an accomplishment and should be enough to win the conference championship. I thought today would be a good day to assess the coach and each starter based on their performance so far this season.

• Bill Self - Bill is a great coach who, no doubt, will have his team in shape come March. I think his only blunder this season was scheduling so many games in Lawrence. With the exception of the Temple game, his team has struggled in every road game, even when playing Memphis at a neutral site (St. Louis). The team just doesn't seem comfortable outside of Allen Field house.
• Sherron Collins - Sherron has established himself as the leader of the team. He his the only player who seems capable of making plays in the clutch. It has become obvious that only he wants the ball when KU needs a basket. Sherron is playing as an All-American is expected to play.
• Cole Aldridge - Even though he averages a double double, Cole's play has been somewhat disappointing. Cole has not been dominate in many games as an All-American should. Only his rebounding and shot blocking has been consistent all season. The number of missed put-backs or lay ups has been shocking and inexcusable.
• Xavier Henry - A talented freshman has been playing like a freshman. Against the lesser teams he can and has dominated. Against good opponents he seemed tentative. When the game is on the line, Xavier would rather pass the ball to Sherron.
• Tyshawn Taylor - Tyshawn has shown flashes of offensive brilliance this season, but the repeating theme of his game is turn overs. He is careless with the ball. In certain games after a turn over, Self will put him on the bench for a few minutes. When Tyshawn returns his passes are weak and tentative as if he is trying too hard to not commit a turnover. Tyshawn must learn how to play aggressive and reduce turnovers, or he will continue to disappoint the KU faithful.
• Morris Twins - I comment on the twins together because I really cannot tell them apart (other than one wears #21 and the other #22). Their games are nearly identical. Both have really bulked up and improved since last year. While neither will become superstars, both are physical players that can dominate their certain opponents. They are bangers that can wear down the opponents big men. KU cannot look to either Morris to carry them to a title, but both are important to KU's success.

I am hoping that Sunday's loss to Tennessee will serve as a wake up call to the players. They have been highly acclaimed as the best team in the country but have done little to prove it. They can reclaim the #1 spot later this year if they can begin to play like the best team in the country. KU has the deepest bench in college basketball, and at times shows the best balance. These are their strengths. Until they begin to consistently use both, they will struggle against lesser opponents.

No team will get through the current season unbeaten. Even Kentucky and Texas had near losses this season. As the sole unbeaten teams, they will see their opponents best game every game, every night. The longer they go unbeaten, the stronger the desire to knock them off becomes.

All that matters is who is ranked #1 after the NCAA tournament. Kansas, Kentucky and Texas remain the favorites.