Going into the NCAA Tournament last year, Kansas was the heavy favorite to win it all. People around the country were putting Kansas on the final line in their March Madness brackets office pools. The Jayhawks cruised through the first round, but Northern Iowa stunned them in the second round. The upset was the biggest of the tournament, and one of the biggest in the last few years.

Kansas finished the season at 33-3, but there is no doubt that last year’s team should have accomplished much bigger things at the end of the season. Kansas will still be a team to watch in the 2010-11 season, but they’ll definitely see a bit of a drop off in their win total.

Kansas Jayhawks College Basketball Offseason Changes

Kansas loses as much talent as any team in the nation. Sherron Collins was a four-year star at the point guard spot, and he will be missed greatly. Cole Aldrich was a tremendous physical presence down low, and this year’s squad will have no one that can match his production. Xavier Henry was only at Kansas for one year before becoming a lottery pick in the NBA Draft this year.

There are a couple of big name recruits coming to Kansas this year.

Josh Selby is definitely the best of the group, and he has the potential to be a star. Selby will be one of the quickest guards in the country, and he rebounds very well for a point guard. The problem with Selby is the NCAA hasn’t cleared him yet. Selby has been cleared academically, but his amateur status is still in question due to possible improper contact with an agent.

Royce Woolridge is a freshman that could make quite a bit of noise for this team. Woolridge is great at taking the basketball to the hoop and finishing in traffic. He is the son of former NBA forward Orlando Woolridge, so he comes from a great basketball family.

Kansas Jayhawks Basketball Predictions: Outlook

Don’t expect anyone to be feeling sorry for Kansas because of all their losses from last year’s team. This is still a team that has far more talent than most teams ever have. Markief and Marcus Morris will take on a bigger role this year. Expect the Morris brothers to fare well down low. Tyshawn Taylor is probably the best defender on the Jayhawks squad, and I expect him to continue to improve in what will be his junior season. Senior guards Brady Morningstar and Tyrel Reed will be expected to step up their play and be leaders in the backcourt.

The Jayhawks may miss Aldrich’s defensive presence as much as anything this year. Aldrich was one of the best shot blockers in the nation, and he gobbled up defensive boards in huge numbers. In order for this team to keep competing at the highest level, they will need someone to step up and be a force down low.

Kansas Jayhawks College Basketball Futures Odds

The Jayhawks are accustomed to being the favorites in the Big 12, but they are actually listed by oddsmakers as second best this season. Baylor is listed at +250 on BetUS, while Kansas is listed at +275 to win the conference. Bookmaker lists the Jayhawks at +1,500 to win the NCAA Championship.

Kansas Jayhawks Basketball Schedule

Kansas is scheduled to take part in the Jimmy V Classic in early December. The Jayhawks will match up against Memphis, who they beat in the amazing 2008 NCAA Championship Game. On the whole, the nonconference schedule for Kansas is relatively weak this year. Kansas must travel to Waco to take on Baylor in their third Big 12 game, so a lot will be on the line early on in the conference season. The Jayhawks will take on Missouri in Columbia to finish off the regular season on March 5.

Kansas Basketball Predictions and Picks

Kansas will certainly be a good basketball team, but they have too many question marks to count on them this year. I don’t expect this team to be down for too long, but I do think the 2010-11 season will be the worst Kansas has had in the last few years. Expect Kansas to make the NCAA Tournament, but I don’t think they’ll do much damage once they get there.

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