Even Bill Self admits to discussing hanging another banner in Allen
Field House with his team leaders, senior G Sherron Collins and junior
C Cole Aldrich.
“They have a chance to leave their mark on this place like few others
have,” Self said.
Don't misunderstand: Self's not calling his shot. He's not trying to
show anyone up, and he's not trying to let his players know how much it
means to him. He never even mentioned his little finger. But if you got
enough Prairie Village Burritos and Iguana Dip in him, he'd probably
admit that he likes his chances this season. He talked freely
about how much he likes his team at KU Basketball Media Day.
He says this team is similar to the national championship Jayhawk squad
from two seasons ago, talent-wise, but he says there's a monumental
difference between the two groups.
“That team that won it was coming of a 33-5 record and winning the
league and the conference and losing in the first round and in the
elite eight and was battled-tested. They were tough,” Self remembered.
And your current squad, Coach?
“This team basically didn't operate last year in a pressurized
situation because everybody was happy with their performance. You go
14-2 and go to the Sweet 16, a lot of people probably were telling them
how good they did where that team before was driven to do better.”
Self says that his latest edition of the team isn't as athletic as the
national championship crew, but they're bigger and better equipped to
handle an injury.
“I think this team is probably deeper, which doesn't always translate
into positive things because you can only play so many guys. If a key
injury occurs, if your key players go out, whether it's injury or
discipline, it's going to hurt, but maybe if a key injury or two
occurs, we have enough depth to overcome it.”
Self states unequivocally that as Collins and Aldrich go, so go the
Jayhawks, but their roles have changed. Self wants Aldrich to show more
leadership, and so far he's pleased with the way the big Minnesotan
(yah, you betcha!) has stepped up to that challenge.
“Cole's getting more and more comfortable in that role and guys do
listen to him,” Self said.
He also needs Collins to let go of some of the scoring load and spend
more time making the players around him better.
Self said, “(Collins) has got some guys this year he can
distribute to and that he has some confidence in that are maybe a
little more proven from a scoring capability. I still want him to look
for his shot, but I don't think he'll feel the pressure of last year.”
Collins will still have the green light to do what he thinks he needs
to do to help the Jayhawks win, and while Collins knows he's got more
offensive help, Self knows who's going to want the ball when the game
is on the line.
“I see Sherron as being a guy who could really care less who shoots the
ball the first 30 minutes and then the last 10, he's going to be the
one who will want to shoot the ball,” the coach said.
Self thinks 7-0, 225 Arizona transfer Jeff Withey will play an
important role in Aldrich's productivity because another big body means
that unlike last year, Aldrich won't be forced to guard the other
team's best big man, even when he's in foul trouble.
One of the players expected to help out in the front court is 6-9, 230
freshman F Thomas Robinson. Self loves players whose motors never stop
running, and he has one in Robinson. He expects this
freshman-in-a-senior's body to make an impact on the KU front court,
including speeding the development of Marcus and Markieff Morris.
Self planted his tongue firmly in his cheek and broke this Morris twins
newsflash to the gathered media: “I don't know if you guys ever noticed
this but they could be frustrating at times.” Hilarity ensued. Despite
inconsistent play, however, Self praised the twins for their hustle and
enthusiasm. Robinson will force them to become more consistent.
“He's got a motor. If (the Morris twins) are not playing full speed,
(Robinson will) go right through 'em. Once he gets comfortable – and it
may take him awhile to get comfortable – it's going to be hard-pressed
not to put him on the court for significant minutes,” the coach said.
Self continued on the Morris brothers, “(Marcus) and Kieff's bodies
have improved. I think Marcus is a really talented guy. He's a skilled
four man or a big three. I could see putting a real big team out there,
and then I could see playing small with him at the four which is
primarily how we played last year. He'll be much more consistent, much
more improved. He's a very good player.”
The twins aren't the only ones with tickets to the gun show, though.
Incoming frosh G Xavier Henry (6-6, 220), along with Robinson, are
impressive, too.
“(Robinson) and Xavier are just different, if you look at them.
Physically, they're just different. They look like 22-year-old men
instead of 18-year-old kids,” Self said. KU's had some impressive young
specimens, but none as “physical-looking” as a freshman as Thomas.
Self tempered the expectations placed on Henry, his prized recruit.
Self tries to shelter all his freshman, but he's never had one like
Henry, who's expected to be off to the NBA after a year at Kansas.
Self explained, “I think expectations would be high for Xavier no
matter where he want to school. I felt like, with the guys we have
returning, there would be less pressure on him where defenses might be
designed to go after him. Expectations will be high, but I don't think
he'll feel pressure because he's got other guys who can pick up the
slack, at least until he gets totally comfortable.
Henry will experience the on-court ups and downs all freshman
experience, Self said, but with such a strong cast, he shouldn't worry
about it.
“He's never played with other good players. He's always been a volume
shooter; he takes a lot of shots to get his points, and in college,
you've got to be efficient. He's really a talented scorer. He just has
a knack for getting the ball in the basket.”
Self also talked about his prized recruit's older brother, coveted in
his own right. CJ Henry was supposed to attend Kansas four years ago to
play basketball until the New York Yankees came along and gave him
several hundred thousands reasons not to play ball for the Jayhawks.
He's back in Lawrence now, a 23-year-old college freshman with unique
sports and life experiences that none of his younger counterparts have
had. That, said Self, makes the elder Henry a real asset to the team.
“He's already impacted our team on a leadership standpoint. He's not
afraid of his own voice at all. He likes that. Some guys are nervous
about saying anything; he doesn't care. But he shouldn't: he's 23 years
old.”
Self said that Henry has been bitten by the injury bug the last few
years, which probably accelerated his retirement from professional
baseball. However, if he can build on where he left off in high school,
he'll make a substantial impact on the Jayhawks' chances.
Self also said he expects good things from senior guard Mario Little
(6-5, 220), although he said that he's excited about seeing Little play
because, well, he's never really seen him play healthy. He showed some
inspired play in spurts last year, but he never really broke loose. He
couldn't due to leg problems.
“He had that rod put in his leg in the spring, and that took the
majority of the summer to get 100% but he's moving better than he has
at any time since he's been here. He'll find his way. He's going to be
healthy enough to give us a lot more than he did last year,” the coach
said.
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