KU Basketball: Way too early starting lineup for 2017-2018 season
By trevb
![Dec 6, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Devonte' Graham (4) signals "six" while head coach Bill Self watches congratulatory messages from former players on his 600th win. Kansas Jayhawks beat the UMKC Kangaroos 105-62 at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Dec 6, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Devonte' Graham (4) signals "six" while head coach Bill Self watches congratulatory messages from former players on his 600th win. Kansas Jayhawks beat the UMKC Kangaroos 105-62 at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a89a0c15d1cd469910f92138f039b202e59264ee91a2f59f5855eb1304b4f3d0.jpg)
KU Basketball has been in and out of talks of possible high school prospect commitments and transfers. Now, in the month of June, the talk has settled. Just enough to project a way too early starting lineup for Bill Self’s next team.
After a bunch of surprise transfer pickups and a few high school commitments, the Kansas Jayhawks have finally settled into the slow months of the summer offseason. While it will be barely quiet for KU Basketball when they head to Italy in August, it seems roster talks have settled.
A few players that had the ability to return made their decisions and a few players transferred out. Other players transferred in, making KU Basketball anything but short-handed roster wise. Leading the helm on the upperclassmen side will be senior Devonte’ Graham, senior Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, and junior Lagerald Vick.
Other new players are Jack Whitman, Billy Preston, Malik Newman, and Marcus Garrett. So with the roster hopefully set, how will Bill Self set up his starting lineup?
Most of the time, Self favors seniority over everything so do not be surprised if he litters the seniors across the majority of the starting lineup.
He runs his teams with a sense of leadership to establish what is expected from the new coming players. Some of these seniors, like Lagerald Vick, have worked hard their entire careers to get where they are now. Other seniors have fallen short and will be matched accordingly with the spot on the team.
So, what will the starting lineup look like next season? Let’s dive in to the most likely candidates for the 2017-18 season.