Kansas Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Jayhawks
By Bryan Mauro
Kansas basketball is one of the best programs in the country. What is in store for the Jayhawks during the 2017-18 campaign?
The Big 12 conference looks to be a race for second place again this year. Kansas basketball appears poised to win their 13th title in a row. Coach Bill Self has had a decorated career as a head coach, and this could be one of his deepest and most talented teams yet. Kansas Basketball will always remain constant as the team never seems to have a rebuilding year and can just reload year after year.
The 2017-18 season will be no exception. Kansas was able to secure numerous top recruits, has some key transfers, and has a loaded roster coming back. If there would be a knock against the Jayhawks with Self at the helm, it would be the inability to develop quality frontcourt players. For Rock Chalk Jayhawk, this year will hopefully be different as they march to a possible National Title.
Projected Starters:
Udoka Azubuike
Azubuike is an explosive player who has the chance to be a superstar in the frontcourt for Kansas. If Azubuike can continue his development and become the player he appears to be, Kansas will be much deeper. Azubuike played 11 games last year, starting six before a broken wrist ended his season prematurely. Looking at the stat sheet, you would not see a player who could potentially impact a game like Azubuike can, but Azubuike is a load inside. He protects the rim and is one of the strongest players in college basketball.
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
“Svy,” as he is affectionately known, is known for hitting over 120 threes in his Kansas career. The Ukrainian player is a Bill Self-type player in that he shoots and play defense. Mykhailiuk looks to build on his 3-point totals this year while also creating more steals. Mykhailiuk has great size for a guard at 6’8.” Mykhailiuk is going to be a leader this year as well, a role he has not had in the past.
Lagerald Vick
Vick, like the rest of the players on the Kansas’ roster, is an athletic freak. With the uptick in minutes that Vick is sure to see, he should easily be another one of the Kansas players to average double-digit points this year. Vick is already a good rebounder, and he can shoot just enough to make you have to pay attention to him on defense. If you give Vick an inch on defense he will take you to the rim and most likely put you on a poster. If you can foul him, then he shoots 90% from the line. Vick is the one starter that is hardest to get a read on. Was last year his ceiling or the floor? Only time will tell.
Devonte’ Graham
Graham has had a decorated career at Kansas. He is already a 1,000-point scorer and a two-year starter. Graham could be the best player in the country, and will undoubtedly be a finalist for the Wooden award. There is not much Graham cannot do on the floor for the Jayhawks. The offense is going to run through him and Graham is going to be leaned on to get the clutch buckets for Kansas. Graham is a fun player to watch.
Malik Newman
A transfer from Mississippi State, Newman was one of the best freshmen in the country in 2015. Newman is a point guard who can really shoot. He should continue the long line of point guard studs to play for Bill Self. Newman has big shoes to fill this year, as he takes over for Frank Mason. While Newman was a freshman at Mississippi State, he made 61 3-pointers and averaged 11 points per game. Newman and Graham is going to be a lethal backcourt.