KCKingdom
Fansided

Kansas Basketball: Spartans have been problematic in Champions Classic

By Mike Norris

AMES, IA - FEBRUARY 13: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts to a call in the first half of play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Hilton Coliseum on February 13, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Kansas Jayhawks won 83-77 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - FEBRUARY 13: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts to a call in the first half of play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Hilton Coliseum on February 13, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Kansas Jayhawks won 83-77 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

In order to beat the Spartans, the Jayhawks have to get production from their newcomers. The good thing for them is there are a lot of talented ones on the roster.

After being spoiled with upperclass leadership at both guard positions the past three seasons, Kansas will be putting its trust in freshmen Quentin Grimes and Devon Dotson. Both were named to the 2018 McDonald’s High School American team, while Grimes was tabbed as the Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year.

Starting their careers in a game like this against an opponent like Michigan State won’t be easy. The guards must be able to control any jitters they may have and make sure to limit turnovers.

The newcomers in the frontcourt for Kansas are enough to keep any opposing coach up at night. Memphis transfers and brothers K.J. Lawson and Dedric Lawson bring new talent to Lawrence that hasn’t been seen in some time.

More from KC Kingdom

If anyone thought the numbers Dedric put up at Memphis two years ago (19.2 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists) were inflated, they only had to look to the first exhibition game of the year when the junior scored 31 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in a win over Emporia State. For his efforts and predicted play with Kansas, the 6-foot-8, 195-pound Lawson was named Big 12 Preaseason Newcomer of the Year.

KJ, who is older than Dedric but a redshirt sophomore, checks in a 6-foot-7, 200 pounds and recorded impressive averages of 12.3 points 8.1 rebounds his final year at Memphis. Throw in freshman, and McDonald’s All-American David McCormack of Virginia’s Oak Hill Academy, and you have a trio of talent playing with Azubuike that forced voters to put Kansas at the top of preseason polls.

All three will be playing their first real game with the Jayhawks as well, and the adrenaline will surely be pumping. Izzo’s squad, filled with many players who are veterans when it comes to the Champions Classic, shouldn’t have to deal with that as much.

KU has the talent — and size — advantage, but will they play tight? The Jayhawks haven’t exactly looked like world beaters in this challenge, going just 3-4 in the seven years it has existed, and have disappointed fans more than once with their performances.

The biggest key will be working as a team and having the players buy into the fact their numbers aren’t going to be as gaudy as their high school stats. Holding on to the ball, boxing out and hitting free-throws will be key. This team won’t shoot as well from three-point range as last year’s record-breaking squad, so can they get back to playing the high-low ball that coach Self loves to see?

Home/Kansas Basketball