Two Reasons Jayhawks Will Be 2010 Champions

At the University of Kansas men's basketball banquet this past Monday night, guard Sherron Collins and center Cole Aldrich both announced that they would not be going to the NBA just yet.  The two can legitimately claim to be the best returning players in the NCAA at their respective positions, and after exceeding this year's expectations with one of the youngest teams in the country, there is only one more goal to reach. 

The 2009-2010 season can only end with another national championship for the Jayhawks if the ever increasingly spoiled KU fans are to be happy a year from now. From every indication, Collins and Aldrich plan to win their second national title in three years.

Do not discount the fact that these two players and this staff have already won a championship.  While Aldrich was a role player on the 2008 squad, Collins was as crucial to that championship run as any player on that team, even though he was not a starter.  They both have rings and the experience left them wanting to lead their own team to the top.

In his first year as a significant player, Aldrich was consistent, efficient offensively, and at times, dominant defensively. Collins, while learning to trust his teammates more as the season progressed, is closer to becoming the complete package at point guard for coach Bill Self.

The most recently named National Coach of the Year, Self, and his staff will make this team better and tougher. Don't forget just how good the young Jayhawks were this year.  Kansas controlled most of the Sweet 16 game against this year's runner-up, Michigan State, before some poor decisions down the stretch ended a remarkable season. 

The maturity is coming.  Freshmen, Tyshawn Taylor, Markieff Morris, Marcus Morris,all played significant minutes throughout the year.

Marcus Morris and Taylor were starters for most of the year. Another freshman, Travis Releford, also proved he can be counted on to provide some valuable minutes.

Sophomore Brady Morningstar, second on the team in minutes played and possibly the best Jayhawk defender, and sophomore Tyrel Reed both showed the ability to hit big, three-point shots, but will probably not have the pressure of playing so many minutes due to incoming freshman talent. 

Normally, the largest leaps in improvement for college athletes come between the freshman and sophomore years.  Expect all of the rookie Jayhawks to become stronger and more confident in the off-season.  And based on what assistant coach Danny Manning has shown he can do with big men that are willing to work and learn, I would be shocked if we did not see major improvement from Aldrich as well.

Also, don't forget that for depth, KU has added Arizona transfer, Jeff Withey, a 6'11" athletic center that will be able to start play after first semester, and will help take pressure off of Aldrich.

And now the exciting news...

The incoming freshmen are athletic point guard, Elijah Johnson, and Thomas Robinson, a physical forward that has a reputation as a relentless rebounder.  Both are highly touted and have an opportunity to play significant minutes next season.

That's what we know for sure.  The recent defection from Memphis by coach John Calipari has left open the possibility for several high profile recruits to end up in Lawrence.

They include Xavier Henry (previously committed to Memphis) and his brother, CJ (who would most likely have to sit out a year after transferring from Memphis), Lance Stephenson, and Daniel Orton, a 6'10", 260 lbs. center who is rethinking his commitment to Kentucky.  Both Xavier Henry and Stephenson are 6'6", athletic guards, with Henry being a big time shooter.

My take is that the Henry brothers are coming, and that Stephenson will go to St. John's.  I don't think Orton will end up at Kansas since Aldrich is coming back.  Since little used Tyrone Appleton and Quintrell Thomas have both decided to transfer, there are scholarships available.

The worst-case scenario is that Stephenson gets impatient and commits to St. Johns, and the Henry brothers choose Kentucky.  But even if that were to happen, KU is coming back stronger and hungrier with veterans, depth, and more athletic ability.

Name another school with an All-American point guard and a future NBA lottery pick as a true center?  I didn't think so.  Yep, the pieces are in place for Collins and Aldrich to lead the Jayhawks to Indianapolis next April, and I fully expect that they will be cutting down the nets on April, 5, 2010.