Commentary: Jayhawk hoops recruiting [2010]

Clearly this past season didn't end on a high note. After dropping only two games all year, the Jayhawks fell victim to another mid-major in March. It was a wacky season for college basketball, but now it's time to look ahead to next year. Lawrence, Kansas is one of the few places where you're expected to compete for the National Championship on an annual basis. Despite three critical departures off last year's roster, expectations will yet again be through the roof for Bill Self & Co. After all... it's Kansas, we don't rebuild... we reload!

The Departures
Next year's starting lineup will likely feature some new faces, after losing Cole Aldrich, Sherron Collins and Xavier Henry. These three accounted for 50% of the team's scoring in 2010. But what will be missed even more is the leadership they provided, particularly Collins. The two-time All-American was a human spark plug for four seasons, and his toughness was contagious. And although Aldrich was limited on the offensive side of the ball, he was practically a one-man zone in the paint. You can't put a value on Aldrich's impact on the defensive side of the ball. Furthermore, he was a model student, an academic All-American, and was a true class act for the University of Kansas. Freshman Xavier Henry came in with some heavy expectations. Some questioned his desire to play at the collegiate level, but he was a great teammate and said all the right things. In a teary-eyed press conference on April 7th, Henry declared for the NBA draft, ultimately becoming the first one-and-done player in school history. So how will the Jayhawks try to replace what these three stars brought to the table every game?

The Newcomers
With three available scholarships, the Jayhawks only raked in a 2-man class in 2010. But they still managed to land their #1 target: Josh Selby. After winning the McDonald's All-American dunk contest - thanks to his between-the-legs throwdown - Selby eventually became the #1 overall prospect in Rivals' final recruiting rankings.

Although the Baltimore product stated "he knew from the jump that he was going to go to Kansas" during this press conference, Selby was hardly in the bag from day one. The one-time Tennessee commit reopened his recruitment last July. And it quickly became a three-horse race between Kansas, Kentucky and Tennessee. During his official visit for Late Night in the Phog, Selby got to see first-hand the relationship between the coaching staff and the players. With the graduation of Sherron Collins on the horizon, Selby would be called upon to fill his shoes immediately. Collins even helped recruit Selby to Lawrence as his replacement, stating that Coach Self is the best person to help him mature on and off the court, and get to the next level. Taking those words to heart, Selby ultimately committed to Kansas during the Jordan Brand Classic in Madison Square Garden on April 17, 2010.

The Josh "Showtime" Selby highlight reel...


So with Josh Selby all but assured a starting spot in the Jayhawk backcourt next season, what's the scoop on KU's lone other 2010 signee, Royce Woolridge? Well, his recruitment clearly didn't possess the fanfare of a typical bluechipper. First, he pledged extremely early - towards the end of his sophomore year in high school. Second, he continually tumbled down the recruiting rankings, starting at #77 before ultimately checking in at #117. Scouts determined Woolridge lacks elite athleticism, quickness and adequate size to succeed at the collegiate level. When looking at the current Jayhawk roster, most believe a redshirt is likely in store for Royce this upcoming season. But he's more than capable of filling a "Tyrel Reed" type of role down the road. And let's face it... he's got some game too.

The "Rolls Royce" highlight reel...


Filling Cole Aldrich's shoes
The frontcourt talent on last year's team was already plentiful, but someone needs to man the post for the Jayhawks next year. So who's most likely to step into that role full-time? Probably a combination of Markieff Morris and Jeff Withey. While neither are even close to dominant on the defensive end, both already appear to be farther along offensively than their predecessor, Aldrich. With a full offseason to add some bulk (i.e. Withey) and further mature (i.e. Mk Morris), Kansas possibly might not miss a beat next season.

Filling Xavier Henry's shoes
This one might not be so clear-cut. The small forward position will continue to be a mystery. It's anyone's guess as to who the starting candidates will be. But it appears the early favorites are Travis Releford and Mario Little, who both redshirted a season ago. These two are complementary players, so it is unlikely that Henry's absence won't be noticed. Hopefully, there is enough depth in the backcourt to offset the loss in production from Kansas' first one-and-done player in school history.


So let's open it up for discussion: Josh Selby steps in for Sherron Collins. A Jeff Withey/Markieff Morris combo relieves Cole Aldrich. And a Travis Releford/Mario Little combo replaces Xavier Henry. Do you think Kansas has enough returning firepower and did enough damage on the recruiting trail to compete for a seventh straight Big XII championship and beyond? What should be the measuring stick for next year's Jayhawk squad? What are your expectations?