Get ready Hoop Junkies! Only about four months left until the 2010-2011 season! I am ready to rock and hoop season means time to watch my KU Jayhawks and their journey to cut down the nets in Houston at Reliant Stadium!
Forget all the talk about screwed up brackets and UNI, forget the past against Bradley and forget Bucknell!! This is a better Hawks team. This may even be as good a year as '08 when our man Mario Chalmers hit one of the most clutch J's ever against Calipari, super frosh Derrick Rose and the favored Memphis Tigers to win the whole thing!
The reasons for why we will be improved, strangely are the same as why many "experts" think KU may struggle some this year.
Sherron Collins is gone and while the winningest KU player ever, was a pass second, small and sometimes out of control point guard. We were better when he was in and Sherron will always be a fan favorite and KU great. The fact is he still periodically hurt us with decision making and long droughts of poor or no offense. Cole Aldrich declared early for the draft. He was another really good player but very inconsistent. I know many loved Cole and he could definitely change the game on the boards and by swatting shots, but he rarely hit on all cylinders. When all was said and done he was a 10, 10 and 2 guy, a nice but replaceable player. The last factor that the "experts"are citing for why KU will not be as good is the X one, Xavier Henry. X recently declared for the NBA draft, becoming the first Kansas freshman to ever do so, and definitely is not ready. He would have been a solid soph, but whoever gave him the advice to go pro is not looking after X's interest. His mid-range game is weak, he can shoot the 3 but only if his feet are set, and he has no idea when to get his own shot. I predict D League!
Why do I like this year better? Well in short, less mistakes and more stability without Collins. The ability to play quickly and not have to change styles without Aldrich. No need to give Henry looks in the half court and less empty possessions. Bill Self is back and do not forget he will always be a reason for KU's success and I also think Self is better with a little less talent. Remember Tulsa with Shea Seals to the Great 8? A 7 man rotation and one go-to player or two, not a McDonald's All-American squad on the bench and the need to play 10 guys.
The biggest reason for this being a better year? One of those McDonald's guys is coming to Larry and he is a BIG-TIMER. His name is Josh Selby and is the number one rated player coming out. People, he is the real deal, the truth! Watching tape of him reminds you of John Wall. Similar in size at 6' 3" and a slasher type and also a far better athlete than Henry was billed as coming to Lawrence. Not a great shooter but the type of athlete that is very rare. You throw in the best player from last year Marcus Morris to go with his brother Markieff, and red-shirts like Mario Little and Travis Releford and a guy I really like named Thomas Robinson and you have contenders baby!
These Hawks are gonna be nails tough next year. Self got hammered for losing to UNI and is not happy. I guarantee he will be all over these guys for redemption. All the talk about busted brackets and the Bradley and Bucknell references were embarrassing. Anyone doubt what kind of competitor Bill Self is?
My prediction? I like somewhere around 8 losses and a maybe a 2 seed for 2011. This Team will make a deep run in March Madness. I also predict at least a share of another Big 12 title. I am glad K-State is better and hope MU is improving so they can maybe help sharpen us up for the real postseason this year. VC actually believes the Cats will be a better team than the Hawks. I hate to say it VC but you are dreaming. Denis Clemente is gone and so are your hopes. The Hawks will not be fearing the beard!
I can't wait. I mean who else writes a hoop preview in May? Only here!!! We love it!!
Thanks for the memories Sherron and Cole, and thanks for a year X, but get ready to watch a true one and done'r in Selby. Before you "experts" out there start talking about relying on a frosh floor general and all of the usual stuff, remember the last three years and three freshman point guards by the name of Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans and John Wall.
While saying goodbye is difficult, saying hello sure can help ease the pain. Hello Houston and home of the Final Four! Hello Josh Selby! 2011 is the year of the Jayhawk.
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