NCAA Basketball: Overrated Kansas, dominant Virginia, and more takeaways
By Brian Rauf
1) Kansas is the third best team in the Big 12
This may seem like an overreaction considering the fact that Kansas is ranked No. 5 in the country but I promise you it’s not – especially if you’ve been watching the Jayhawks this year.
Memphis transfer Dedric Lawson has been as good as advertised and is a National Player of the Year candidate but, outside of him, KU doesn’t have much. Udoka Azubuike is dominant but can’t stay healthy, Lagerald Vick has cooled off from his scorching start to the season, and none of their star freshmen are ready to be anything more than role players.
All of that is problematic but their guard play – especially with those freshmen – is the biggest issue. Devon Dotson and Quentin Grimes are going to be really good (especially Dotson) but both are averaging over two turnovers per game and Grimes is averaging more turnovers than assists. Furthermore, they aren’t consistent threats from deep and can be exploited defensively.
That was to be expected but no one else has stepped up in the wake of KU’s many departures. They’re essentially a one or two-man team right now depending on Azubuike’s health and, in the Big 12, that might not be good enough.
Texas Tech has shown that they’re capable of beating anyone in the country and Jarrett Culver might be the best player in the conference. Iowa State isn’t completely healthy yet and just waxed the Jayhawks by 17.
KU may still keep their Big 12 steak alive because it’s virtually impossible for opponents to win at Allen Fieldhouse. But that streak is in jeopardy because, right now, they’re only the third-best team in the conference.