12C BASKETBALL PREVIEW
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2009
COMMENTARY
WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER 28,2009
Meet the bench: Not all stars are starting players
It's late in the first half and Cole just picked up his third foul. Sherron simply cannot find his shot. Most national title contenders could never overcome such a daunting hypothetical mess. No big two for Kansas? No problem for coach Bill Self.
This year Self can look over his shoulder and find a bench fully loaded with starter-worthy studs. For every potential positional query from point guard to center, Self can employ a well-suited backup ready to prove his worth. It's these "x-factor" players who will keep Kansas as premier performers for a full 40 minutes. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the most
important players of your 2009-10 Kansas Jayhawks bench.
JEFF WITHEY
Last year's retirement of storied coach Lute Olson and the resulting departure of flashy point guard recruit Brandon Jennings hoarded Arizona basketball with a distract-
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Junior Tyrel Reed yells to his teammates on the court in a game last year. He was the first player off the bench in 13 games last season, and shows wisdom that makes him as valuable as other, more talented players
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ing media frenzy.
Amidst the mayhem, all seven feet of the center from San Diego slipped away from the West and found himself in Lawrence.
Now Jeff Withey, Cole's mighty apprentice, is eligible to play and ready to take advantage of his newfound liberty. The transfer freshman possesses masterful shot-blocking abilities, strong post moves, an above average shot and pest-like wits near the cylinder
We could be looking at a clone of Cole here — this kid has limitless potential. If Withey lives up to the hype, he could be the primary reason the Jayhawks hoist some hardware in April.
MARKIEFF MORRIS
It is a thing of beauty to watch the Morris brothers work the paint as a tandem. However much of last year featured the Morrises as one revolving power forward with ten fouls and everlasting energy
With only so many minutes to go around, expect a similar strategy with this year's team. Marcus earned his way to starter's minutes because of a more polished offensive game than his brother's.
Yet it could be easily argued that Markieff is the defensive mauler of the two, Representing Philly like Black Thought and Jimmy Rollins, Markieff has a multi-dimensional game. He can knock down a silky 20-footer, pass like Pistol Pete and snatch boards with his monstrous paws.
As the first player off the bench in 13 games last year, the Academic All-B12 big 12 team member's intangibles were incalculable. Whether it was a three in the corner as the shot clock buzzed to zero
Owning such a versatile inside- outside game, Kansas is lucky to have such a valuable presence waiting in the wings.
or just an off-the-ball pick to set up a lay-up. Reed exhibited much needed wisdom and leadership on the court for such a young and inexperienced team. Wise beyond his years. Reed looks to keep up his scrappy style and steal minutes from his talent-heavier teammates.
MARIO LITTLE
TYREL REED
Some games Mario wouldn't show up. Others he would post 15 points and be the salvaging third musketeer to Cole and Sherron. Injuries rattled most of Mario's season, but he has already proven his status as a lightning rod that can spark instantly off the bench. Rated as Rivals.com's No. 1 JUCO player nationally in 2008, super Mario can contribute solid minutes as a two guard or a swingman.
C.J. HENRY
The lesser-appreciated of the Henry brothers, this combo guard is a redshirted freshman with endless range on his jumper. But the fact that the 23-year-old, 6-foot-4, 200-pound point guard will be challenging sub-6-foot midgids could be the most appealing draw to this Henry's game. By the way, thanks (unkindly) for the tuition money, Yankees.
Johnson's adjustment from high school to Division 1 competition could be the deciding factor as to who gets minutes between him and C.J. Henry. Rivals.com's No. 5 rated point guard recruit in 2009 contains the burst to get to the hoop and a butter-smooth shot to seal the deal. Johnson is the likely successor to Sherron.
ELIJAH JOHNSON
This 6-foot-9, 230-pound leviathan wreaks absolute havoc in the paint. Robinson is a high-energy force that lays claim to plus athleticism for an ideal four man. Of course, translating success in high school to the heat of big 12 play is no easy task.
But Robinson was a five-star prospect and Rivals.com's No. 7 power forward recruit in 2009 for a
THOMAS ROBINSON
reason — he brings the pain.
TRAVIS RELEFORD
The talent is undoubtedly there. It's just difficult to decipher a true role for Releford on such a deep squad. When he plays, the sophomore can get to the hoop in a flash or hit a fade away in a defender's eye. His biggest problem isn't his time, its surroundings.
Bill Self holds a razor sharp swiss army knife of skills on his bench.
Expect a turnstile of substitutions until every player carves out his role with the team. Just know that after the first five, plenty of Jayhawks are willing and able. It is this depth that gives Kansas something that other title hopefuls don't have.
After all, Sherron was the first man off the bench the last time the national title lived in Lawrence.
Edited by Jonathan Hermes