People have been talking aboout North Carolina and Memphis among the premier national championship contenders. Let's not forget about the 12-0 Kansas Jayhawks.
My friends, this Kansas team has a deep and talented backcourt. With Sherron Collins back, joining Russell Robinson, Mario Chalmers and Rodrick Stewart, I feel it is the best backcourt in the land. Then add and the ability of Brandon Rush to play on the perimeter, and this group is special.
Rush, a preseason All-Solid Gold pick, is still rounding into form after off-season knee surgery. He has started just three games this season. When he is back on track, watch out!
There are a lot of teams with talent in the backcourt, but the Jayhawks have the most depth. When Collins was sidelined, this team did not miss a beat.
Bill Self has the Jayhawks guarding exceptionally well, utilizing their defense as offense. When you can generate offense off of steals, that is a real positive. Kansas is so dangerous in transition, forcing 20 turnovers per contest. That is one reason why the Jayhawks are shooting over 52 percent from the field early in the campaign.
The inside attack of Sasha Kaun, Darnell Jackson and improved Darrell Arthur must be more consistent. Arthur is the top scorer in a balanced attack; five Jayhawks are currently averaging double figures in scoring. How much talent does Self have to work with? No player is averaging even 29 minutes per game.
The resume has a handful of nice Ws, including Arizona, USC, a dangerous Miami-Ohio team and Georgia Tech.
We have to wait until February 11th for the biggest showdown, a battle in Austin, Texas against the Longhorns. It looks like the Big 12 will be a battle of backcourts between Texas and Kansas. I can't wait to see the Jayhawks match up against D.J. Augustin and A. J. Abrams. That should be awesome, baby with a capital A!
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
