Kansas Jayhawks
Big 12 (24-9, 14-4)
It looked like Kansas was in for a tough year after losing four non-conference games. However, it turned out falling to Villanova, Colorado, Florida and San Diego State was not bad. At the time a full-strength Colorado squad was very good and every other team was consistently ranked in the top 15 from January to the end of the regular season.
Big Wins: 11/12 vs Duke (94-83), 1/13 at Iowa State (77-70), 1/29 Iowa State (92-81)
Bad Losses: 2/10 at Kansas State (82-85), 3/1 at Oklahoma State (65-72), 3/8 at West Virginia (86-92)
Coach: Bill Self (11 seasons at Kansas)
Why They Can Surprise:
Andrew Wiggins, Perry Ellis and Joel Embiid have taken over the Jayhawks. Wiggins entered the year as one of the most hyped freshmen in this class and has lived up to the expectations. He leads the team with 17.4 points per game and adds 6.0 rebounds. Ellis had a disappointing freshman campaign, but reached his potential as sophomore, averaging 13.6 points and 6.5 rebounds. Speaking of potential, Embiid is still brimming with it despite a surprisingly productive season. The freshman averages 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds 2.6 blocks. All three of those players will hear their names called in the 2014 NBA Draft should they opt to go pro.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Wayne Selden Jr. is a likely first round draft pick as well. The athletic wing can finish around the basket with the best of them. However, Selden, Wiggins and junior point guard Naadir Tharpe are not the most dangerous outside shooters. Tharpe is pretty consistent, but he needs to spend his time setting up the rest of his teammates…which he does quite well. With all of the interior scoring threats Kansas has, they get a lot of open looks from long range. Wiggins and Selden need to take advantage of those opportunities. The Jayhawks also commit too many turnovers. That happens with youth and inexperience and eventually it could come back to bite the Jayhawks.
Probable Starters:
Naadir Tharpe, Junior, Guard, 8.7 ppg, 5.2 apg
Wayne Selden Jr., Freshman, Guard, 10.2 ppg, 2.5 apg
Andrew Wiggins, Freshman, Guard, 17.4 ppg, 1.6 apg, 6.0 rpg
Perry Ellis, Sophomore, Forward, 13.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg
Joel Embiid, Freshman, Center, 11.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.6 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Tarik Black, Senior, Forward, 4.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Frank Mason, Freshman, Guard, 5.7 ppg, 2.0 apg
Jamari Traylor, Sophomore, Forward, 4.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 79.6 (23rd in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 69.7 (159, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 49.7 (6, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.3 (76, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.6 (230, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.9 (141, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.6 (150, 6)
Rebound Margin: 7.1 (12, 3)
Assists Per Game: 15.3 (32, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.2 (250, 10)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013 NCAA Second Round win over Western Kentucky
2013 NCAA Third Round win over North Carolina
2013 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Michigan
2012 NCAA Second Round win over Detroit
2012 NCAA Third Round win over Purdue
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over North Carolina State
2012 NCAA Regional Final win over North Carolina
2012 NCAA National Semifinal win over Ohio State
2012 NCAA National Final loss to Kentucky
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Boston U
2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over Illinois
2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Richmond
2011 NCAA Regional Final loss to VCU
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Lehigh
2010 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Northern Iowa
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over North Dakota State
2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over Dayton
2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Michigan State
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Portland State
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over UNLV
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Villanova
2008 NCAA Regional Final win over Davidson
2008 NCAA National Semifinal win over North Carolina
2008 NCAA National Final win over Memphis
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over Niagara
2007 NCAA Round of 32 win over Kentucky
2007 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Southern Illinois
2007 NCAA Regional Final loss to UCLA
*all team stats through 3/9
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
