Less than two years after Kansas basketball coach Bill Self lost all five starters and seven of the top nine players from his 2008 national championship team, the Jayhawks are at it again.
Kansas (14-0) has topped this season’s top 25 polls each week.
“I had no idea,” said Self, when asked if he could have imagined rebuilding this quickly. “But one thing about our guys, they expect to have success. They play at a place where every day there’s pressure on them to perform. I think in a lot of ways that forces the development of young guys more rapidly.”
Kansas has it all. The Jayhawks have experience in senior guard Sherron Collins and 6-foot-11 junior center Cole Aldrich, holdovers from the 2008 national title team and strong All-America candidates. They have one of the nation’s top freshmen in Xavier Henry. And sophomore point guard Tyshawn Taylor, a smooth operator from fabled St. Anthony’s High in Jersey City, N.J., can run the show.
The Jayhawks are considered a cinch to reach the Final Four, but Self isn’t about to take anything for granted. With Big 12 play beginning today, Texas (14-0) is ranked No. 2 in the polls, and Self anticipates traps and challenges around every turn of the conference schedule.
“I really believe this year will be the hardest for us to win the league, and we have a really good team,” Self said. “It’s going to be tougher to win on the road because teams are better, up and down this league. Anybody can go anywhere and get beat.”
While that may sound like chamber of commerce chatter, statistics through nonconference play support the claim that this could be, from top to bottom, the best the Big 12 has been.
Consider:
• The Big 12’s success rate of .828 (140-29) in nonconference play leads the nation.
• The Big 12 stands 28-10 versus the other “Big Six” conferences.
• Only the Big 12 has eight teams with a winning percentage of .800 or better.
• Big 12 teams enter league play sporting a combined record of 105-1 at home. The only hiccup was a home loss by Iowa State to Northern Iowa.
“We’re going to beat up on each other,” Texas A&M coach Mark Turgeon said of conference play. “But it’s going to be fun.”
Kansas State coach Frank Martin, who has his 13-1 Wildcats ranked as high as No. 10 in the polls, believes the 14-year-old Big 12 has never been stronger because the nine coaches that have been in the league for four seasons or less “are establishing their programs and establishing their cultures.” The depth of the Big 12, coaches say, sets it apart.
Colorado (9-5), picked to finish last in the conference, opens league action today at second-ranked Texas, and Longhorns coach Rick Barnes talks as if he couldn’t sleep at night. The Buffaloes boast two of the league’s top scorers in 6-5 junior Cory Higgins (18.4) and 6-6 freshman Alec Burks (16.3).
“Colorado is a very much improved basketball team,” Barnes said. “Jeff (Bzdelik) is truly one of the great coaches. He gets as much or more out of players as anybody you’ll ever see. There’s no doubt in my mind he’s going to win games with that group of guys that he has.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
Five players to watch
G Xavier Henry, Kansas, 6-6, Fr.: May be the nation’s best freshman not named John Wall; flashy (KU-leading 16.1 ppg) yet disciplined.
G Sherron Collins, Kansas, 5-11, Sr.: Built like a fireplug, the Jayhawks’ inspirational leader does whatever it takes.
G James Anderson, Oklahoma State, 6-6, Jr.: Big 12 coaches believe the Arkansas native (21.5 ppg) is the nation’s most underrated talent.
F Damion James, Texas, 6-7, Sr.: Consistent, sometimes understated performer averages double-double of 16.7 points and 10.8 rebounds.
C Cole Aldrich, Kansas, 6-11, Jr.: One of nation’s best defensive big men, averaging 10.0 rebounds and 3.7 blocks.
Five newcomers to watch
G Xavier Henry, Kansas, 6-6, Fr.: Huge get by Jayhawks when he switched from Memphis following departure of coach John Calipari to Kentucky.
G Avery Bradley, Texas, 6-2, Fr.: ESPNU had him ranked as nation’s top signee, ahead of Kentucky’s Wall. Jaw-dropping athleticism.
G Alec Burks, Colorado, 6-6, Fr.: With NBA-like offensive repertoire, sky’s the limit for this bouncy talent (16.3 ppg).
F Marquis Gilstrap, Iowa State, 6-7, Sr.: Do-everything junior-college transfer making most of his one season of eligibility.
C Ekpe Udoh, Baylor, 6-10, Jr.: Springy transfer from Michigan tops Big 12 in rebounding (11.5) and blocks (4.5).
Five key games
Jan. 18: Texas at Kansas State: No. 11 KSU might be Big 12’s third-best team.
Jan. 30: Kansas at Kansas State: Ditto.
Feb. 1: Texas at Oklahoma State: Could be toughest road test for No. 2 Longhorns.
Feb. 8: Kansas at Texas: Outcome may determine a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament.
March 6: Kansas at Missouri: Mizzou probably already has this rivalry showdown circled.
