NCAA Bracket 2011: Ranking This Year's Top 10 Kansas Jayhawks
The Kansas Jayhawks have an unbelievable amount of depth to their roster.
They go two-deep at every position and their seven-foot center does not even make the cut for the 10-man rotation.
This year, Bill Self has the unique ability to substitute in different players or entirely different lineups without missing a beat. If one of his All-American twins gets into foul trouble, he inserts his growing star forward, Thomas Robinson, and the team continues on at a high level.
When Tyrel Reed or Brady Morningstar needs a rest, Self inserts two players in Elijah Johnson and Josh Selby who were 10-times more highly recruited than his two senior guards.
Mario Little and Travis Releford can fill in almost anywhere on the floor and Tyshawn Taylor is playing his highest level of basketball at the best possible time of year.
With so much talent on their roster, I look to sort out the top 10 Kansas Jayhawks of 2011.
10. Travis Releford
1 of 10
Travis Releford is not used as much as he could be for the Kansas Jayhawks.
When he is called upon, the 6'6" sophomore provides great defense on talented small forwards. If there was a star small forward—like Carmelo Anthony in 2003—Releford would be a better defensive option than the smaller Brady Morningstar. However, since not many teams in college basketball have a 6'7"-6'8" small forward scoring threat, Bill Self is better off using his small guard rotation.
Something To Watch Out for: If Kansas plays Duke in the finals, Travis Releford may find himself playing crucial minutes on Kyle Singler.
Future Outlook: Travis Releford has two more years of eligibility at Kansas. With Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar graduating after this season, look for Releford to move into the starting lineup next season.
9. Josh Selby
2 of 10
Josh Selby is the secret weapon for the Kansas Jayhawks.
Although he has been slumping of late, I am almost certain that Selby is going to play a crucial role in at least one win for the Jayhawks in this tournament.
In his college debut against USC, Selby scored 21 points, hit five threes and showed that even as a freshman, he is willing to take the pressure-filled shots.
It may seem like a long time ago now, but there was a time when Selby was heralded as the best recruit since Danny Manning. He has the talent and is just one streaky shooting night away from gaining his confidence and playing time back.
Something To Watch Out for: It is very hard to have your star player (Marcus Morris) play lights-out basketball for six games in a row. There will be a game when Marcus Morris is a little bit off, Tyshawn Taylor is out of control and Tyrel Reed is not hitting from behind the arc. This is when Josh Selby will shine, chip in 15-20 points and advance the Jayhawks to the next round.
Future Outlook: The one-and-done talk should finally be over. Josh Selby is best suited to come back for his sophomore year and start at the shooting guard position. With the early suspension and injuries, Selby still hasn't played a lot of games. He will be a big name next season.
8. Mario Little
3 of 10
Last season, most fans were shocked by Mario Little's emotional, down on the floor, borderline hysterical reaction after the Northern Iowa loss. We watched the screen and wondered, "Why is this guy who never plays having more of a reaction than Sherron Collins?"
This season it makes a lot more sense. In the minutes that Little plays, he is a fierce competitor and shows no fear when attacking the basket or shooting a three. Little can take over games and gives Self much needed depth down low.
What makes Little effective is that he can guard posts (perfect for when a twin gets into foul trouble) but plays offense like a shooting guard. This causes matchup nightmares for other teams and by the time they figure it out, a Morris is back on the floor.
Something To Watch Out for: If the cameras show the bench during timeouts or footage from the locker room, watch out for Mario Little to be an emotional leader for his team. As a senior, Little badly wants this National Championship and will be just as fierce on the sideline as he will be on the court.
Future Outlook: Little has a lot of talent and a pro body, but don't expect anything higher than the Developmental League or overseas basketball.
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7. Brady Morningstar
4 of 10
Brady Morningstar may have had a more effective season last year, but he is still an essential part of this year's squad.
While Tyshawn Taylor and Josh Selby are often up-and-down players, Morningstar is always steady. Morningstar is the best man-to-man defender on the team and shoots nearly 50 percent from the field. Bill Self can always depend on his senior guard.
What To Watch Out for: Morningstar and Tyrel Reed will be called upon to hit threes the rest of the way for the Jayhawks. Watch for Morningstar to have at least one 15-point performance in the next couple games.
Future Outlook: Could see him staying involved with Kansas basketball after graduation, but he does not have a pro career in his future.
6. Elijah Johnson
5 of 10
Elijah Johnson is an incredibly important piece for the Kansas Jayhawks.
During Taylor's suspension, Johnson rose to the challenge and showed Coach Self he is capable of playing the point guard position. Without Johnson, the Jayhawks have no Plan B for when Taylor is playing erratically.
This can not be overlooked; now that Bill Self knows he can rely on Johnson, he is able to tell Taylor to simply play fast. When Taylor plays fast, he can either be an NBA-bound, Rajon Rondo look-a-like, or he can be completely out of control. Now, when Taylor's out of control, Self does not have to scream at Taylor and hurt his confidence, but instead switches in Elijah Johnson for controlled point guard play.
What To Watch Out for: Kevin Anderson—the high-scoring, speedy point guard of Richmond—will be a challenge for the Jayhawks to contain. Expect Elijah Johnson to split responsibilities with Tyshawn Taylor and expect him to play lock-down defense on the Richmond star.
Future Outlook: Elijah Johnson was very highly recruited coming into college. Unfortunately for him, he had to play behind Sherron Collins his freshman year and now Tyshawn Taylor for his sophomore and most likely junior season. His numbers will go up next season and his senior year he will have the poise and effectiveness of a Russell Robinson with the outside shooting abilities of a Mario Chalmers.
5. Tyshawn Taylor
6 of 10
Tyshawn Taylor is playing great basketball right now and is having a lot of fun doing it.
Taylor has scored 58 points and dished out 20 assists in the Jayhawks' last four games. He is flying past defenders and setting up his teammates for easy shots.
Whether Taylor became inspired after Johnson challenged him for playing time or if he's just now figuring out how to play fast while remaining under control, the Jayhawks are benefiting greatly from this improved point guard play.
With the two Morris twins down low, Tyrel Reed and Morningstar spotting up for threes and Taylor scoring 15-20 a night, the Jayhawks starting five is nearly impossible to guard.
What To Watch Out for: Tyshawn Taylor's speed will be on display against Kevin Anderson in the next round. Look for Taylor to pick apart the Spiders guard and lead the Jayhawks high-flying offense.
Future Outlook: If Tyshawn Taylor continues to play at this level the rest of the tournament, he may make the jump to the NBA. However, Taylor would be best suited to come back for his senior year and develop more control in his ball-handling. I see a lot of Rajon Rondo in Tyshawn Taylor and expect him to have a solid pro career.
4. Tyrel Reed
7 of 10
This is the Jayhawks' most reliable guard.
Tyrel Reed is third on the team in scoring, first in steals, first in minutes played and first in free-throw percentage. He does not turn the ball over and averages under two personal fouls per game. Bill Self can always trust Reed to deliver on an open three or make the extra pass when he's covered.
What Reed provides for this team is senior leadership. He was a freshman when the Jayhawks won the National Championship and knows how hard those 2008 guys worked for it. He gives Kansas steady toughness at the shooting guard position.
What To Watch Out for: If BYU makes the Final Four, expect to see Tyrel Reed splitting the minutes with Brady Morningstar and Tyshawn Taylor on Jimmer Fredette. Reed will have plenty of opportunities in the next four games to show pro scouts that he is more than just a skilled three-point shooter.
Future Outlook: I would not have believed it last year, but Reed has an outside shot at an NBA career. I could see him reaching the level of a Chris Quinn, or maybe even be a Steve Kerr figure for a contender.
3. Thomas Robinson
8 of 10
There is so much to say about Thomas Robinson.
The way he handled adversity this year, the way he never complains to Coach Self, the way he sticks up for his teammates and the way he cleans up the offensive glass are all part of what makes Robinson such a special player and an even more impressive person.
Robinson gives the Jayhawks security down low. When Marcus Morris or Markieff Morris goes to the bench, the Jayhawks continue at full strength with Thomas Robinson. Robinson is a freak athletically, his touch around the basket is improving and his defense is top-notch. Without him, the Jayhawks would be severely limited when the twins get into foul trouble.
What To Watch Out for: Richmond's star power forward, Justin Harper, will most likely get one of the twins into foul trouble. Watch out for Robinson to come in and provide the same type of stellar defense he gave the Jayhawks against Tristan Thompson in the Big 12 Championship Game.
Future Outlook: Robinson has a long pro career ahead of him. Right now, I see him having a Tyrus Thomas-type of career, but with one or two more years, Robinson could develop his outside game and become a unique small/power forward threat. His athleticism is Amare Stoudemire-esque and he will be a big name in college basketball next season.
2. Markieff Morris
9 of 10
Markieff may be the lesser known of the Morris twins, but his game is not too far behind his All-American brother.
Against Illinois, Markieff Morris scored 24 points and ripped down 12 rebounds. He leads the team in rebounding and of the 10-man rotation, Markieff shoots the highest percentage from the field, including behind the arc.
Markieff Morris is tough to guard because he can spot up and hit the three or go down low and bang in the post. He has a tendency to get into foul trouble, but with Thomas Robinson coming off the bench, Bill Self can have Markieff play aggressive and not fear for his team falling apart if/when he fouls out.
What To Watch Out for: Teams spend so much time game-planning for Marcus Morris that they forget just how dangerous the other twin can be. Marcus has better post moves and better ball-handling skills, but Markieff can stretch a defense out. If teams bring out their post player to guard Markieff at the three-point line, Marcus has the entire low-post area to work with. If they don't bring a player out, Markieff can stroke the three about as well as any guard.
Watch for Markieff to potentially lead the Jayhawks in scoring throughout the tournament.
Future Outlook: He may not be a lottery pick like his brother, but Markieff could get drafted this year and would be a first-round pick if he sticks around for his senior season.
1. Marcus Morris
10 of 10
This is the most complete player Bill Self has ever coached.
Marcus Morris can hurt teams in so many ways. Down low, he has the post moves of a Wayne Simien. On the perimeter, he can drive to the lane or create his own shot like Brandon Rush. He rebounds like Darnell Jackson and provides leadership on the floor like Aaron Miles.
This may be the best player the Jayhawks have had since Danny Manning.
After the Northern Iowa loss, Marcus Morris dedicated every breathing second to basketball—and his play on the court this year has shown it was worth it. Although he has plenty of help, the title hopes of the Kansas Jayhawks rest squarely on Marcus Morris' shoulders.
What To Watch Out for: Marcus Morris wants to be the closer for this team. Expect some monster games where Morris flat-out wills his team into the next round.
Future Outlook: He can leave now and be a lottery pick or stay another year to develop more into a small forward and have a longer NBA career. At 6'9", he will be a little small to be a dominant big man in the NBA, but with his ball-handling skills, outside shot and high-level post moves, he could become an All-Star small forward. Marcus Morris has the most star potential of any Jayhawk player since Paul Pierce.
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