Growing Pains for Young Kansas Jayhawks: Let's Work the Kinks Out Now

Kansas opened their season Sunday night against University of Missouri Kansas City, and it was a less than inspiring effort, especially in the first half.  The score was tied at half, 32-32, Cole Aldrich picked up two fouls in the first three minutes and sat the rest of the half, and the defense struggled without its anchor inside.

Sherron Collins and Tyrel Reed did everything they could to keep the team in the game, and Markieff Morris was grabbing every rebound that came his way.  The first half was a huge disappointment.

When they came out to start the second half, they went on a huge run to get a double-digit lead. It was obvious that Coach Self chewed out the team at the half, and it worked.

Aldrich came out and scored 13 in the second half, and Collins and Reed continued their stellar play.  Despite all of his fouls, which were called constantly in this game, Tyshawn Taylor played very well too. 

The team shot under 10 percent from long range—that has to change, and fast.  In the second half, KU rebounded well with Aldrich and Markieff Morris grabbing everything in their path. 

Bill Self also needs to work on his guard rotation.  Morningstar and Teahan should only get garbage minutes, and that was obvious Sunday night when both struggled defensively and offensively on the floor.  Teahan got quick fouls, and Morningstar was consistently getting beat.

I don't know if Bill Self was sending a message to his other guards to try to motivate them, or Appleton and Thomas are really struggling that much also.  I though Quintrell Thomas played pretty well defensively when he was in, but he also struggled on offense.

From what I saw in the opening game, the starting lineup should be Aldrich, Markieff Morris, Collins, Taylor, and Reed.  Marcus Morris and Quintrell Thomas should be the first off the bench, followed by Mario Little when he gets healthy.

For all the growing pains these Jayhawks will go through, Collins and Aldrich will carry them through until other players step up.  It looks like Reed may already have done that, along with Markieff Morris.  This team will come together, but it will take time, and KU fans are not very patient.