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| INSIDE THE NUMBERS |
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2000-01 record: 33-4;
16-0 in Big 12 (1st)
Postseason: Lost to Maryland 97-88 in NCAA national semifinals.
RETURNING LEADERS
Points: Collison 15.6
Rebs: Collison 7.8
Assists: Miles 7.0
FG: Collison 59.2%
3pt: Hinrich 48.2%
FT: Hinrich 80.8%
01-02 Stats:
Kansas | Big 12
KEY LOSSES
Drew Gooden | 19.8 ppg
Jeff Boshee | 13.4 ppg
PROJECTED STARTERS
G | Aaron Miles | Soph
G | Kirk Hinrich | Senior
F | Keith Lanford | Soph
F | Nick Collison | Senior
F | Wayne Simien | Soph
Player to Watch
Kirk Hinrich
Senior Guard
Some NBA scouts have him as high top 5 in next year's draft.
DATE TO REMEMBER
That's when the nation's top two preseason teams -- Kansas and Arizona -- meet for an epic non-conference game. It will be a good test to see just where the Jayhawks fit in on
the national level. Could it be a potential Final Four preview?
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KANSAS JAYHAWKS
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Depending on who one listens to, the Jayhawks might just be the top team in the country. Worst case scenario puts Roy
Williams team at No. 3. Figuring out why isn't too difficult. The Jayhawks return five regulars from last season's Final Four team. Kansas has one of the best
senior duos in guard Kirk Hinrich and center Nick Collison. And Aaron Miles proved as a freshman that he can run the point. Wayne Simien will provide inside muscle and rebounding while Keith Langford is a wing player who can score and defend. There is one thing, however, that this group of Jayhawks doesn't
have to deal with -- the pressure of getting to the Final Four. Gone for the most part is the label that Kansas can't get it done in March. With the elimination of that stress, life in Lawrence should be a little smoother. Williams can coach -- and continue his transformation from a guy who constantly pushes his team as fast as they go to one who
knows when to back off. And the players can play. The biggest issues for a Jayhawks team that should still be among the nation's leaders in scoring offense is whether it can make enough perimeter jumpers. While the loss of Drew Gooden is significant, the loss of guard Jeff Boschee is overlooked. Boschee, the Big 12's all-time leader in 3-pointers, provided an outside threat that opposing teams had to defend against. If Miles, Hinrich and Langford can't knock down jumpers, defenses will
become more comfortable double teaming Collison whenever he touches the ball.
TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
Nick Collison sometimes didn't receive the credit he deserved a year ago playing next to Gooden. While Gooden was
spectacular, Collison still averaged 15.6 points and 8.3 rebounds. The senior center has very solid footwork, hands and low-post moves, but he
can also step outside and hit mid-range jumpers. Now the focus of the Kansas offense, expect Collison to put up
numbers in the range of the 19.8 points and 11.4 rebounds that Gooden provided a year ago.
TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
While the Jayhawks have as much talent in the starting lineup as any team in the country, there aren't many other
known qualities. Kansas needs to develop some depth if it wants to duplicate last season's run. Sophomore guard Michael Lee and junior forward Bryant Nash need
to become more than bit players. Freshman point guard Jeff Hawkins -- who redshirted a year ago -- has to be able to give Miles some rest. And
junior college transfer Jeff Graves needs to watch his weight so he can contribute inside.
BOTTOM LINE..............................
Despite depth questions, the Jayhawks are one of the nation's elite teams. Kansas is deservedly the favorite to win the
Big 12 and is almost expected to make a run deep into the NCAA Tournament. A return to the Final Four and a potential national title is
probably expected in Lawrence and that might not be unreasonable. After all, the Jayhawks have a senior duo, loads of talent and the experience
of last season's Final Four appearance.
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