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Kansas Basketball: 3 things the Jayhawks need for Christmas in 2018

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Lagerald Vick #24 and teammate Dedric Lawson #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks smile after receiving awards after Kansas' 87-81 win over Tennessee Volunteers at the NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament at Barclays Center on November 23, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Lagerald Vick #24 and teammate Dedric Lawson #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks smile after receiving awards after Kansas' 87-81 win over Tennessee Volunteers at the NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament at Barclays Center on November 23, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 28: Quentin Grimes #5 of The Woodlands College Park H.S. attacks the basket against Romeo Langford #22 of New Albany High School and EJ Montgomery #3 of Wheeler High School during the 2018 McDonald’s All American Game at Philips Arena on March 28, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 28: Quentin Grimes #5 of The Woodlands College Park H.S. attacks the basket against Romeo Langford #22 of New Albany High School and EJ Montgomery #3 of Wheeler High School during the 2018 McDonald’s All American Game at Philips Arena on March 28, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2. Quentin Grimes playing to his potential

Grimes was a highly regarded recruit when he chose Kansas. The plan was for him to step in and help fill the void left behind by starts DeVonte’ Graham and Frank Mason. Those two players were huge catalysts in the Jayhawks continued dominance over the Big 12, as well as their recent NCAA tournament runs. Grimes has been given every opportunity to take hold of a game, and has been given the lion share of the minutes at one of the guard positions. The guard has yet to separate himself from the pack, and does not appear to be the sure-fire one and done guard he was when he entered school.

Coach Self currently has Grimes playing the off guard, if the freshman does not pick up his play soon he may be coming off the bench. If the demotion to the bench can spark Grimes it would benefit Kansas in the long run. Currently. As of today, Grimes is still the starter and Jayhawk fans are waiting for the breakout to come. If the guard were to put things together and figure it out on the offensive end, it would further validate the fact that Kansas is a legitimate National Title contender.

As it stands now, the Jayhawk program is well on its way to another conference title, but winning a National Title without better guard play overall may be their downfall. Coach Self is going to keep riding Grimes and use the trial by fire approach. The 7.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest is not what anyone expected when this highly touted player arrived on campus. The season is still young and conference play in the Big 12 has yet to start. Grimes has plenty of time to have his arrival in Lawrence. Coach Self is hoping it is sooner rather than later.