Brady Morningstar, Withey Key Return to Kansas's Title Pursuit

The first semester of school is over at the University of Kansas. That typically means an exodus of the nearly 30,000 members of the student body from Lawrence. 

For Brady Morningstar and freshman transfer Jeff Withey, the end of the semester signaled the beginning of eligibility. With Michigan coming to Lawrence the day after the semester ended, there was a decent opportunity for both to play. 

Not surprisingly, only Morningstar got minutes in today's 75-64 win over the Wolverines. 

It wasn't a shock to see Withey sitting on the bench for the game's entirety while Morningstar played 22 minutes. Morningstar knows the offense and defense like the back of his hand, while Withey will need some time to ease into the Jayhawks scheme. 

So, what does the eligibility of these two players mean for the Kansas Jayhawks going forward?

At best:

The Jayhawks will add a senior guard (in Morningstar) who knows how to run the offense, who can also be an accurate shooter all over the floor, and also add another body to the already-deepest front court in the nation (in Withey).

Kansas was already five-deep at the guard positions. Morningstar brings on court vision that some of the other guards lack. Bill Self will be able to manage games with even more precision than he already can with his multiple back court choices.

In Withey, it gives Self an option he really never had during his tenure at Kansas, a true five-spot guy that can back up the starting center, Cole Aldrich. Having another seven footer that can play well in the post, and stretch his game out to the 12-foot area, could potentially make Kansas unbeatable down the stretch. 

At worst:

Withey takes an eternity to gel into his role as a legitimate backup at the five spot, and Self has to lean on Markieff Morris and Thomas Robinson (both just 6'9") as deputy to both Marcus Morris and Cole Aldrich.

The other scenario the Jayhawks will be hoping to avoid will be the possibility of Morningstar disappearing on the court with Tyrell Reed and Tyshawn Taylor, giving Self productive minutes. 

Likely scenario:

If the game against Michigan today is any indication, Morningstar will progress over the course of the next couple of months to the point where he's producing similar numbers to those he put up last year.

I'm guessing he'll play around 25 minutes, flirt with double digits in scoring, and provide that additional senior leadership that will come in handy come tournament time.

As far as Withey goes, I think he may struggle to play.

However, the comparison of situations between Withey and Aldrich during each of their respective first years is really startling. Aldrich was able to get minutes in February and March during his freshman year because he was constantly banging bodies with current NBA players Darnell Jackson and Darrell Arthur during practice.

Withey has fellow freshman and future lottery pick Thomas Robinson to compete against in practice as well as both Morris twins and Cole Aldrich. I'd expect that facing such competition day in and day out during practice will make him develop into a contributor quickly. 

Make no mistake, Kansas just got better.

They got better because they added a senior leader who can contribute to the team at either point guard or shooting guard. The Jayhawks also got better because their incredibly strong and deep front line just got one deeper. 

The prospects for Kansas to cut down the nets in April were high through their first nine games. The addition of senior guard Brady Morningstar and freshman Jeff Withey make the prospects for Kansas even greater as the team gets into their conference schedule as well as March and April.