There’s Something About Kansas

Every year, when the college basketball season arrives, I do two things.

First, I look for the early Cinderella; the team that gives top-ranked teams a scare, or sometimes pull off the upset. These are the teams that I remember come March. This year, I believe I've found one in Oakland, who lost a heartbreaker to Michigan State and then promptly stunned Tennessee in a show of resilience.

The second thing I do? I look at how Kansas is doing.

There's always something about the Jayhawks. Every year, when it's time to fill out the brackets, I always pick Kansas to go deep (in fact, the last three years I've picked KU to win the national title). Kansas teams, especially under Bill Self, typically play a deep bench, loaded with good shooters and solid guard play, something that almost always shines in March.

Of course, last year, Northern Iowa proved that they had fantastic guard play of their own. Despite the fact that the Panthers destroyed my bracket, here I am again watching the Jayhawks progress through another season.

This year, Kansas is playing ... well, like Kansas. The Jayhawks are 9-0, with only UCLA providing a serious scare. Four players are averaging double digits in scoring, led by the dynamic duo of Marcus (16.9 ppg) and Markeiff (12.3 ppg) Morris. Tyshawn Taylor has really grown into his role and is averaging over 6 assists a game, spreading the rock beautifully with his teammates. Except for G Tyrel Reed, every Jayhawk is shooting over 50% from inside the arc. KU has a assist/turnover ratio of 1.65:1 so far, and nine players are averaging more than 15 minutes a game.

The scary part? Following a 76-55 win over Colorado State, Self says his team has regressed. He's far from satisfied. And this is all before Josh Selby has suited up and taken the floor in a Kansas uniform. Speaking to reporters, Self said that Selby would bring a boost to his team, but that was the problem. His team shouldn't need such a boost during the season.

High expectations generally produce high results. Kansas didn't play their best against the Rams; shooting just 46 percent from the field and 58 percent from the line. However, they out-rebounded Colorado State 47-27 and let's face it, when you play bad and win by 21, that says a lot about the quality of team that you have. Though not satisfied, many a team would gladly trade the positions they sit in with Self.

As for Selby, he is an electric freshman guard who should provide a few highlights each game for Kansas. However, the key is whether he'll fit as the last cog into a title puzzle. KU needs Selby to take command and run the point as a court general. Though he's a point guard, if he can provide a further perimeter threat and allow both of the Morris boys some extra breathing room, KU could become a very dangerous team.

Hopefully, for KU as well, Selby can be a consistent free throw shooter. Similar to the Memphis team they beat for the national title, Kansas has a potentially serious Achilles heel when it comes to shooting free throws.

Nevertheless, as incomplete as the season and this team is, there's always something about Kansas that keeps you intrigued. Maybe it's the tradition of Allen Fieldhouse. Maybe it's the dominance of Big 12 basketball that's stood the test of time. Perhaps it's the fact that each Jayhawk team looks the part of a Final Four contender. Maybe it's the fact that, besides the ACC and Big East, there's another team that always garners consideration.

It might be none of those things, or all of them. But, when thinking about March, yet again, you have to take another glance at the Jayhawks.