KU Basketball: Projecting Starting Big Men for Jayhawks
By Joel Wagler
The KU basketball team lost four big men from last season’s team that contributed heavily. Replacing those minutes may be easier than expected.
The Kansas Jayhawks under head coach Bill Self have done an amazing job of reloading when they have lost numerous players from year to year.
This season appears to be no different. Kansas lost star forward Perry Ellis, reserves Jamari Traylor and Hunter Mickelson, and freshman disappointment Cheick Diallo, but still have a fully loaded front line.
The Jayhawks feature two returning players, both of whom came on as the season unfolded last year. Senior Landen Lucas brought stability to the line-up when he was made a starter in January.
Sophomore Carlton Bragg Jr. seemed to improve as he got more comfortable in the system over the course of the season.
Also, on last year’s roster but sitting out due to NCAA transfer rules was Dwight Coleby, who joined the Jayhawks after two years at Ole Miss. He’s played in 62 games and has seven starts in his career.
Self added two key freshmen to this season’s mix – Udoka Azubuike and Mitch Lightfoot. The Jayhawks experienced some bad luck and poor performances from freshmen big men the last few years, so it is difficult to count on these youngsters right out of the gate.
Junior transfer Evan Maxwell is also on the roster after transferring from Liberty, but will sit out this season in accordance with NCAA rules.
How will the minutes play out for the five big men in the mix? There will be plenty of playing time for the players who step forward.
Let’s take a look at who might gain the most playing time as the season progresses.
Next: Developing Freshman