4B
LATE NIGHT IN THE PHOG
KANSAN.COM
+
BASKETBALL GAMEDAY
2015-16 TOP PROJECTED KANSAS BASKETBALL PLAYERS
SCOTT CHASEN
@SchasenKU
AT A GLANCE
This year's veteran-laden men's basketball team is absolutely loaded. The team has two legit point guards in Mason and Graham, loads of talent on the wings and a slew of big men that should be pretty solid, even if highly touted freshman forward Cheick Diallo isn't cleared by the NCAA. Even without a true superstar recruit, this Kansas team will be highly ranked to start the year.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Frank Mason III junior, point guard
Last year, Mason posted an absurd streak of double-digit scoring games, which lasted for over 20 contests. Against just about any opponent, Mason can get to the rim at will while also being able to step out and knock down a jumper or dish out assists, rather than looking for his own shot. As a junior, Mason should be even better than he was last year.
QUESTION MARK
Who starts at the three?
The biggest question on the team is obviously whether or not Cheick Diallo will be eligible, but outside of that, it remains to be seen who will start at the three. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk seems to be the early candidate for that position, but Self could also opt to start Mason and Graham together, and move Selden to the three. Brannen Greene is also an intriguing option, especially with his shooting ability.
BY THE NUMBERS
1,157 Perry Ellis leads all active Kansas players with 1,157 points
954
New KU assistant coach Aaron Miles posted 954 assists in his college career, the most by any Big 12 player in the last two decades.
Last year, Bill Self won his 11th straight Big 12 title, so now he has two more than home losses in his Kansas career
"Lob-rence" returns. In addition to its overall depth, one of the best things about this year's roster is how skilled some of the players are. In addition to the backcourt guys, there are players like Carlton Bragg Jr. who, with time, should continue to develop an already diverse skillset. That should lead to better ball movement, and more importantly, more lobs.
BIG JAY WILL CHEER IF
MEN'S TEAM
PROJECTED STARTERS
Frank Mason III, junior, guard
There really isn't much that Frank Mason III can't do on a basketball court; on offense he can penetrate and dish or find his own shot, while on defense his speed in being able to swipe the ball away and athleticism in getting up for a board round out his game. Really, the only question left to answer is how much Mason has improved from year-two to year-three. Has he peaked? We'll soon find out.
Devonte' Graham, sophomore, guard Devonte' Graham is definitely the team's purepoint guard, but he just happens to be playing behind a guy who could be an All-American. For Graham, getting to work with new assistant coach and former Kansas point guard, Aaron Miles should be absolutely crucial to his development as a player, and he'll certainly have the opportunities to show that growth on the court this season, as coach Bill Self seems to have a lot of confidence in the sophomore
Wayne Selden Jr., junior, guard
Who is the real Wayne Selden Jr.? Throughout his first two years, Selden has had times where he's looked like an All-American and future NBA Draft lottery selection, but he's also had moments to shine where he's just faded into the background. This is Selden's chance to step out and shine. After absolutely dominating at the World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea, the stage has been set for Selden; now he just has to capitalize
for Selden, now he just has to capitalize.
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, sophomore, wing Mykhaliiuk is listed at 6-foot-8, but he may even be taller than that, as he claimed at Kansas men's basketball media day that he has not checked his height in some time. Despite not being able to play with the team over in South Korea, Mykhaliiuk was able to refine his game, working with strength and conditioning coach Andrea Hudy over the summer. However, Svi is still just 18 and still has a lot left to
Perry Ellis, senior, power-forward Along with Mason, Perry Ellis seems to be about the closest thing to a sure bet that you're going to get when it comes to Kansas basketball. Between the last two years, Ellis' points-per-game, rebounds-per-game and assists-per-game totals have varied by a grand total of 0.3, 0.2 and 0.2 respectively, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, considering he's been in the top two on the team in total points and rebounds over the last two
PROJECTED STARTERS
WOMEN'S TEAM
Lauren Aldridge, sophomore, point guard Aldridge is Kansas's top leading scorer returning from last year's team. Aldridge was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team last year. To this point, her best career game came against Oklahoma State, where she posted 16 points. She also had a career-high 10 assists against TCU back in February. Expect Aldridge to lead the team as a sophomore, with the most playing experience back from last year's team.
Kyliie Kopatich, freshman, guard
Kyle Kopatich, freshman, guard Kopatich is a young freshman who was a highly recruited player out of Olathe South. Kopatich tore her ACL during her senior year, but now she is back and ready to go for her freshman campaign at Kansas. Kopatich was named the 2014 Sunflower League Player of the Year, and she was the runner-up for the Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year during her junior year at Olathe South. She is one of four McDonald's AllAmericans on the Kansas roster
All-Americans on the Kansas roster
Chavla Cheadle, sophomore wing
Cheadle is the second leading scorer returning from last year's team. Last year, she started in 29 games and averaged 5.1 points per game. On several occasions last season, Cheadle was known for a drawing a four-point play and boosting the Kansas offense. Cheadle's break-out game was against Arkansas State, where she scored a career-high 19 points. Expect the sophomore to get a better shot at being one of Kansas' leading scorers after contributing as
Jada Brown, junior, forward
Brown has started 44 games for Kansas in her two years. Brown really didn't have too many top-tier performances, but her best game came last year against Alabama. In that game she scored 12 points, well above the total she averaged as a sophomore (2.1 points per game). Brown is expected to have a much bigger role this year, and she should contribute more on the front line for the Jayhawks.
Caelynn Manning-Allen, junior, center Manning-Allen dealt with injuries during her first two years, but she seems to be in line as one of Kansas' most improved players. Last year, she averaged just 2.1 points per game but was second on the team with 11 blocks per game.She had a career-high four blocks against Oklahoma State last February,but the task at hand is now a large one. She has to step in and replace Chelsea Gardner, who was one of the country's best players last
DYLAN SHERWOOD
@dmantheman2011
AT A GLANCE
A new era is beginning in Kansas women's basketball with Brandon Schneider replacing Bonnie Henrickson as head coach. Schneider posted a career record of 401-138 in his 17 years as a head coach in two tenures at Emporia State and Stephen F. Austin. Now we'll see if he can have the same success against tougher competition coaching in the Big 12.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Lauren Aldridge sophomore, point guard
Aldridge is determined as a leader on this team after a breakout freshman season where she started in all 32 games. Aldridge averaged 81 points per game and five assists per game as a freshman, which was good enough for third in the Big 12 last year. Aldridge scored in double figures on 12 different occasions and still has room to improve.
QUESTION MARK
Who replaces the seniors' scoring?
With two 1000 point scorers gone in Chelsea Gardner and Natalie Knight, who is going to replace all that scoring? Aldridge seems a plausible candidate, but a surprise player like Manning-Allen, Cheadle or even one of the freshmen — such as Kylee Kopatich or Tyler Johnson — could step up. With four seniors gone from last year's squad, the Jayhawks will need offensive production, and they'll need it right away.
BY THE NUMBERS
64.2
28
The percent of scoring Kansas lost from last year to this one. Kansas returns just 21.5 points per game (out of 60)
The number of wins Kansas women's basketball has had over the past two seasons after appearing in back-to-back Sweet 16s
Sweet 16s
The number of seniors on the team this season
BABY JAY WILL CHEER IF
Frontline players can get easy points and Aldridge controls the team. This is a very young team with very little experience and no seniors to depend on. Aldridge and Cheadle have to step up with the experience they got on the team last year, while Manning-Allen and Brown need to carve out their roles.
---
+
---