University of
Kansas (5)
by Jeff Feyerer
Each year, it seems like someone is
ready to usurp the Kansas Jayhawks at
the top of the Big 12 Conference, but
each year, Bill Self ’s team winds up in
first place as if it is the only possible
outcome.
Projected Starters
G
5-11
PT%
83.82
G
PTE
22.46
6-2
PT%
35.90
G
PT%
73.61
F
PT%
67.92
F
Frank Mason
Devonte Graham
PTE
6.92
6-5
6-8
6-9
PT%
0.00
HS100 AC/AA
89
2-AC
HS100 AC/AA
65
Wayne Selden
JR
NBA
SO
NBA
JR
PTE
6.35
HS100 AC/AA
13
HMAC
NBA
75
PTE
22.65
HS100 AC/AA
31
1-AC
NBA
PTE
0.00
HS100 AC/AA
6
NBA
12
Perry Ellis
Cheick Diallo
SR
FR
Bench Rotation
G
6-8
PT%
20.21
F
PTE
-0.78
6-8
PT%
49.58
F
G
PT%
36.46
HS100 AC/AA
95
Jamari Traylor
PTE
2.68
6-9
PT%
0.00
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
HS100 AC/AA
Carlton Bragg
PTE
0.00
HS100 AC/AA
22
6-7 Brannen Greene
PTE
10.02
HS100 AC/AA
36
SO
NBA
17
SR
NBA
FR
NBA
JR
NBA
Despite the departure of 2014 NBA
first overall pick Andrew Wiggins
and the inconsistencies of supposed
freshman stars Kelly Oubre and Cliff
Alexander, Kansas finished 27-9 last
year, leaning on power forward Perry
Ellis and finding a new floor general
in point guard Frank Mason. A second
straight season losing in the Round of
32 may have been disappointing, but
it hardened a now deep, battle-tested
group for a return to greatness in 20152016.
The Jayhawks will be led again
by Ellis, who has the ability to score
with his back to the basket or facing
up for a jump shot with range out to
the 3-point line, making him one of
the most versatile post players in the
country. Ellis may not have skills (lack
of lateral quickness, no defined NBA
position) that translate well to the NBA
level, relying more on hustle and guile
to get the job done, but 15 PPG in Big
XII play is not easy to do. With added
frontcourt depth for the Jayhawks this
season, Ellis may be able to conserve
some of his energy banging around in
the paint for more perimeter scoring
opportunities.
The floor general will be
undersized, but gritty junior, Mason.
After coming on late in 2013-2014,
Mason seized the role last year finishing
in the top 15 in Big 12 conference play
in minutes played, offensive rating,
assist rate and FTA/FGA rate. With
a lack of true scorers on the Kansas
roster, Mason was asked to do more
scoring (12.6 PPG) than the Jayhawks
would probably like, but being equally
adept at penetrating and distributing
allows Coach Self some flexibility with
Mason’s role.
Next to Ellis and Mason, Self
will field one of the deepest units in
the country. Senior F Jamari Traylor
functions as the muscle and rim
protection in the middle and will be
backed up by top 25 recruit Carlton
Bragg, and a pair of developing 6-foot10 players Hunter Mickelson and
Landen Lucas.
In the backcourt, 6-foot-2
sophomore Devonte Graham will most
likely start next to Mason, while 6-foot7 junior Brannen Greene shot better
than 40 percent from deep last season.
Also contributing will be 6-foot-8
sophomore Sviatoslav Mykhailuk, a
player who despite averaging only
11 MPG last season, has NBA scouts
talking about him as a potential
BBALLBREAKDOWN | 12