2020-21 KU Men's Basketball Preview

SUNDAY, NOV. 15, 2020 PAGE 1C

Journal-World File Photo

Journal-World File Photo

Courtesy of Kansas Athletics

Journal-World File Photo

DAVID MCCORMACK

CHRISTIAN BRAUN

TYON GRANT-FOSTER

JALEN WILSON

Kansas’ men’s basketball team will get straight back to business when the 2020-21 season kicks off on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26. But there are a lot of new faces on the team and a handful of veterans whose roles will be changing and evolving. In this section, we’ll take a look at Kansas’ roster and make a few predictions about each Jayhawk — specifically, one thing he will do this season, one thing he won’t and one thing he might.

Journal-World File Photo

TRISTAN ENARUNA

Courtesy of Kansas Athletics

GETHRO MUSCADIN

Courtesy of the Tulsa World

BRYCE THOMPSON

2020-21 GAMES: There may be only 27 games this season, but with matchups against big names such as Gonzaga, Kentucky and Tennessee, KU fans won’t be disappointed with the 2020-21 schedule.

Contributed Photo

LATRELL JOSSELL

Courtesy of Kansas Athletics

DAJUAN HARRIS

INSIDE, PAGE 8C Journal-World File Photo

OCHAI AGBAJI

Journal-World File Photo

Marcus Garrett

By Matt Tait lll

mtait@ljworld.com

A

s the Jayhawks’ most experienced player, Marcus Garrett is ready to step up this year and lead the team.

He will: Record 66 or more steals, making him just the seventh Jayhawk all-time to crack 200 The number of steals Garrett needs to join the

He’s the Jayhawks’ veteran, & it’s time for him to shine.

#0

Senior guard from Dallas 6-foot-5, 195 pounds

200 club is low by his standards. And even in a season that will start late and be trimmed down because of the pandemic, it’s not crazy to expect that Garrett could get 66 steals.

Garrett has never reached

the 60-steal mark during his Kansas career. But his steal total has improved during each of his seasons in Lawrence — 35 as a freshman, 43 as a sophomore and 56 as a junior — and there’s no reason to think that trend

cannot continue during the 2020-21 season. Remember, during his junior year, Garrett missed chunks of a couple of games because of ankle injuries.

The magic number of 66 steals would require less than 2.5 steals per game during the expected 27-game regular season, and Garrett has said before that his goal is to get at least five steals each time he plays. And while that doesn’t always happen, of course, he did record three or more steals in 10 of KU’s 31 games last season.

> GARRETT, 6C

Journal-World File Photo

Mitch Lightfoot

By Matt Tait lll

mtait@ljworld.com

I

n the 2019-2020 season, with the Jayhawks overly loaded up front and the prospects for playing time lacking, Mitch Lightfoot decided to redshirt.

And that turned out to be the right call.

The season came to a premature end because of COVID-19, so if he had chosen to keep playing, he would have exhausted his eligibility without even having the chance to make another NCAA Tournament run.

After redshirting, he’s back & ready for a block party.

#44

Redshirt senior forward from Gilbert, Ariz.

6-foot-8, 225 pounds

throughout his time with the program — other than taking charges, blocking shots appears to be his favorite thing to do on the court.

He will: Be this team’s Perhaps his block parbest shot blocker There’s no doubt about ties stem from the fact that this. Lightfoot has been many opponents like to a legitimate shot blocker challenge him. Or maybe Now, Lightfoot will get to reap the rewards of his year on the bench. Here’s a look at what to expect:

they underestimate his ability. Whatever his opponents are thinking, Lightfoot has consistently been willing to challenge shots, whether they’re taken by the man he’s guarding or by someone else.

His ability as an off-theball defender has led to a lot of his blocks.

After blocking just 11 shots in limited time as a true freshman, Lightfoot tripled that during his sophomore season and then added 21 more to reach his career best of 54 blocks in a season during the 2017-18 team’s run to the Final Four.

> LIGHTFOOT, 6C Journal-World File Photo

David McCormack SUNDAY • NOV. 15 • 2020 • 2C

With Azubuike gone, he’s got big shoes to fill in the frontcourt.

By Matt Tait

#33

lll

mtait@ljworld.com

I

t’s been clear for a long time that 2020-21 will be a big season for junior forward David McCormack, because dominant big man Udoka Azubuike won’t be around to overshadow him anymore.

But McCormack’s role got even bigger than that when senior forward Silvio De Sousa announced he was leaving the program last month.

It’s now clear that the Jayhawks will be relying on McCormack and Mitch Lightfoot up front — two proven players with experience who should have

Junior forward from Norfolk, Va. 6-foot-10, 265 pounds

including 31 starts, McCormack has averaged 3.6 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game.

Last season, he recorded a career-best 4.1 rebounds per game and played just 14.5 minutes per night.

This year, McCormack’s 12.5-minute career average should more than double, and he should be capable of pushing the 30-minute mark on a regular basis.

He will: At least double His rebounding numbers his career rebounding should follow. numbers There have been times During 63 games when McCormack has in his first two sea- looked like the best resons with the program, bounder on the floor. But no problem co-existing in KU’s rotation.

The specifics of what that will look like aren’t clear yet. Will they split minutes equally at the 5?

Will they play together some of the time, or will one guy get the bulk of the work? Regardless of how it plays out, KU will need a breakthrough season from McCormack for the frontcourt puzzle to come together.

JournalWorld File Photo

because of his inconsistent usage, that’s never turned into a trend. This year, McCormack has less competition, and there’s a better chance he can deliver those big numbers.

More minutes also means a greater opportunity to be part of the action and the flow of the game.

According to hoopmath.com, McCormack recorded 20% of all of KU’s putback baskets (18 of 88) during the 2019-20 season. That was in limited time and as a second option. It also ranked second to Azubuike, who finished with 30 putback baskets for 34.1% of KU’s total.

> MCCORMACK, 7C

Could Dajuan Harris become the Jayhawks’ next fan favorite? mtait@ljworld.com

they won’t need him to do that, which could benefit him both this year and well into the future.

Regardless of how much he plays or what role he inherits, Dajuan Harris should quickly show this season that he belongs in the Kansas basketball rotation.

And, if matchups or injuries require it, there’s little doubt that Harris would do just fine as a starter. The Jayhawks just might be deep enough that

He will: Quickly become a fan favorite Remember those possessions when former KU great Jacque Vaughn would dribble all the way through the lane, keeping the play alive and waiting for one of his teammates to pop open so he could set them up with a perfect pass?

If not, look them up. If so,

By Matt Tait lll

#3

Redshirt freshman guard from Columbia, Mo. 6-foot-1, 160 pounds

get ready to see more of that from Harris Harris this season.

Harris, like Vaughn, is a pass-first, createfor-others type of player all the way. It’s not that he can’t score — it’s just that he prefers to pass. His vision and ability

to think a pass or two ahead allow him to operate with a style that’s both smooth and exciting, even while he’s not scoring.

Harris is also a pest on defense, and fans typically love pests when they’re on their team.

Harris has a chance to be

involved in a whole bunch of KU highlights this season and will create a lot of smiles for the home crowd.

He won’t: Unseat Marcus Garrett as the team’s top point guard Because Garrett has been so valuable off the ball during his Kansas career, there was a time when Harris serving as KU’s top point guard option might have made sense.

> HARRIS, 7C

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KANSAS HOOPS PREVIEW

SUNDAY • NOV. 15 • 2020 • 3C

Look for Gethro Muscadin to get much better — and quickly #35

By Matt Tait lll

mtait@ljworld.com

The outlook for Kansas went from a freshman Gethro Muscadin likely redshirt during the 2020-21 season candidate to a changed dramatically in mid- Muscadin valuable part October, when KU senior Silof KU’s frontvio De Sousa announced he court rotation. was leaving the team.

Now, the 6-foot-10, 220-pound Just like that, Muscadin freshman has the potential to

frame, Muscadin figures to stay in attack mode day in and day out.

Much of that time will likely be spent on the red squad, play some key minutes as a re- preparing KU’s starters and pushing them to the max on serve right away. each possession, but Muscadin He will: Improve at a rapid figures to improve greatly this rate, day by day and week year no matter how much he by week plays.

With a motor that doesn’t KU coach Bill Self said stop and a long, athletic in late September that Freshman forward from Gonaives, Haiti 6-foot-10, 220 pounds

Muscadin was so raw when he arrived that he had been the Jayhawks’ most improved player throughout the team’s first several weeks on campus this season.

That type of development should put Muscadin in position to enjoy a breakout season in 2021-22.

> MUSCADIN, 7C

Christian Braun

By Matt Tait lll

mtait@ljworld.com

I

t’s easy to remember the big game Christian Braun had against Kansas State last season and to think of that as the highlight of his freshman year.

But to do that would be

How quickly will he find his rhythm?

#2

Sophomore guard from Burlington 6-foot-6, 205 pounds

underselling the impact Braun made during his first season with the Jayhawks.

In 31 games while playing 18.3 minutes per outing and

making five starts, Braun averaged 6 points and 3 rebounds per game and shot 44.4% from 3-point range. He became a key part

of KU’s rotation and grew more confident with each outing and each fearless drive to the rim.

An even bigger jump could be in store this season now that he knows what to expect and has had an offseason to refine his game.

JournalWorld File Photo

He will: Drive fans of other Big 12 programs crazy Braun’s style and smirk tend to get under foes’ skin, which could be enough to make him an easy target for hecklers.

But he also has the skills to frustrate foes by outplaying them and producing big numbers.

> BRAUN, 7C

Latrell Jossell could be Kansas’ next diamond in the rough #4

By Matt Tait lll

mtait@ljworld.com

Freshman guard from Chicago 5-foot-11, 155 pounds

Latrell Jossell was overBut Jossell, looked by most big prowho attended grams during his recruitKeller Central ment, but the Jayhawks were Jossell High in Texas drawn to him because of his before coming guard skills and competitive to KU, has lots of work ahead nature. of him as he prepares for

John D. Galligan, MD

Adam M. Goodyear, MD

Emily Heronemus, DO

college ball. He was limited by an ankle injury for the first couple of months of practice and didn’t get on the court with his new teammates until Nov. 4. Now, he’ll have to get back up to full strength while

James C. Huston, MD

Neal D. Lintecum, MD

And Jossell’s teammates have also seen it during the preseason, with some calling the freshman guard the best shooter on the team so far.

But shooting in practice or He will: Be one of the better at open-gym sessions is one shooters on the roster thing. Doing it for the JayWhen coach Bill Self talks hawks in an actual game is about Jossell, he usually men- another. tions how fast Jossell is and how well he shoots. > JOSSELL, 7C

learning KU’s offensive and defensive systems.

Here’s a quick look at what to expect from the former three-star guard.

Stephan Prô, MD

Luis D. Salazar, MD

Douglass E. Stull, MD

Richard G. Wendt, MD

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Jalen Wilson

SUNDAY • NOV. 15 • 2020 • 4C

Kansas’ mystery man could slip under Big 12 opponents’ radar.

By Matt Tait lll

mtait@ljworld.com

J JournalWorld File Photo

alen Wilson is KU’s mystery man for the 202021 season.

The reason? He didn’t exactly play in his first season, logging just a minute or so in the season opener against Duke and then breaking his ankle within seconds of checking into his second game.

Wilson himself has said that he thinks his leg is now stronger than it was before the injury that cost him the 2019-20 season.

And KU coach Bill Self also has said that Wilson has “improved a lot” and that his new, slimmer

#10

Redshirt freshman forward from Denton, Texas 6-foot-8, 215 pounds

look has him poised for a games during his high school and AAU days. strong season.

But playing at Kansas is a step up. He may need He will: Have some a couple of games to get catching up to do Even if he’s healthy, a better understanding it’s still fair to expect of exactly how Self plans Wilson to need some to use him and what the time to adjust to the col- game is like at this level. And with marquee lege game.

Practicing with the games against foes like team and going through Kentucky and Gonzaga the flow of the season a early on the schedule, it year ago no doubt did him would be easy for him to some good. But there’s be overwhelmed.

At 6-foot-8, 215 pounds, still no substitute for the experience of game night, Wilson has an opportuwith the lights shining nity to play in a variety of and the pressure turned styles, and he’ll certainly find a role. Just don’t be up a notch.

Wilson played in shocked if it takes a little plenty of high-profile time.

He won’t: Be lacking for confidence Despite the setback last season, Wilson should hit the floor full of confidence night in and night out.

The fact that he improved his body and his game in the offseason only figures to boost Wilson’s confidence, and the Jayhawks could be sitting on a gold mine if Wilson is able to settle into a consistent role.

Even if he’s not, Wilson has the skills to contribute on any night. And he has talked a lot about how he always has had to grind through adversity in his career, be it in high school, on the AAU circuit or in college.

> WILSON, 6C

Bryce Thompson likely to transition smoothly to college ball #24

By Matt Tait lll

mtait@ljworld.com The potential exists for KU freshman Bryce Thompson to become a star right away, flashing a natural scoring ability and next-level defensive skills.

Of course, he also could fit in just fine as a role player of sorts for the 2020-21 Jayhawks, waiting patiently to drop his breakout season a

THIS STRESS IS TOO MUCH.

year or two down the road.

Or the Thompson 6-foot-5 combo guard could land somewhere in between those two outcomes, perhaps as a starter right away but a third or fourth option behind KU’s more experienced players.

I FEEL REALLY SAD.

Freshman guard from Tulsa, Okla.

6-foot-5, 188 pounds

He will: Be every bit as good as advertised Some five-star prospects show up at college hoping the athleticism that allowed them to dominate throughout their high school careers will carry them. Not Thompson.

Thompson is a player who emphasizes brains more than brawn, and his

I AM NOT OK.

understanding, appreciation and execution of the game are on a different level than most freshmen.

That does not necessarily mean that he’ll go for 20-plus points most nights. But it does mean he almost always will make the right play — he understands when to pass, when to shoot, when to attack and when to be patient.

Because of that, it does not really matter whether Thompson starts or comes off the bench, or whether he’s asked to

be a go-to guy or a complementary player. He’ll be out there.

He’ll play meaningful minutes.

And he’ll make the KU lineup better no matter what role he plays.

He won’t: Need a high number of shots to be productive Thompson’s skill set is so smooth and versatile that he can pretty much fit into any lineup.

> THOMPSON, 8C

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Ochai Agbaji

SUNDAY • NOV. 15 • 2020 • 5C

JournalWorld File Photo

He’s suddenly one of Kansas’ veterans, & he’ll need to step up.

#30

By Matt Tait lll

mtait@ljworld.com

T

wo years into his Kansas basketball career, junior guard Ochai Agbaji appears to be ready to take on more responsibility than ever.

In addition to suddenly being one of KU’s most experienced players, Agbaji also is one of the team’s most versatile scorers and reliable options on both ends of the floor.

Agbaji likely won’t change his team-focused approach in 2020-21, but his impact could be bigger than ever, especially since he seems to have

Junior guard from Kansas City, Mo. 6-foot-5, 210 pounds

put a lot of effort into moments during his coladding muscle during lege career, but because he plays with such an the offseason. even-keeled attitude, it’s often hard to pinpoint He will: Continue to be when Agbaji is rattled. on the floor in crunch That’s the type of playtime This one is all about er you want on the floor trust, and KU coach Bill at the end of games, and Self has trusted Agbaji now that he’s an uppersince midway through the classman with a couple second semester of his of years of experience under his belt, it would freshman season.

Part of it has to do with not be a surprise to see his approach to the game Agbaji play more aggres— follow the game plan; sively in those late-game help teammates out; stick situations.

As long as he continues to the scouting report.

But the other part of it to make the right moves, is Agbaji’s demeanor and that kind of confidence personality. Like any- could become a real one, he’s had a few rough weapon for the 2020-21

Jayhawks at the end of close games.

He won’t: Struggle in transition the way he did at times during 2019-20 There aren’t many concrete numbers on turnovers in transition, but it sure seemed like Agbaji was a little unsure of himself in transition last season.

Agbaji’s turnover rate (17.6 his freshman year and 19.4 last year) actually got worse during his sophomore season — a lot of that probably had to do with increased usage — and he ranked third on the team in turnovers, with 58. It’s a safe bet that at least 10 of those came in transition.

> AGBAJI, 6C

Tyon Grant-Foster should make an impact — but not right away

By Matt Tait lll

mtait@ljworld.com Junior college transfers are a rare sight in the Kansas basketball program, but the Jayhawks believe they found a good one in 6-foot-7 wing Tyon GrantFoster, who comes to KU from Indian Hills Community College.

His size, length, athleticism and natural scoring ability make him one of KU’s most versatile

#1

Junior guard from Kansas City, Kan. 6-foot-7, 190 pounds

weapons, and KU’s veterans and other capable scorGrant-Foster ers will keep the pressure off him this year. It looks like he might be the kind of player who progresses month by month and makes some pretty big jumps in January and February.

He will: Need some time to find his footing Grant-Foster had to literally find his footing when the season began: Shortly after the Jayhawks reported to campus in early August, he suffered a minor ankle injury that slowed his early progress and made things hard out of the gate.

KU coach Bill Self said in October that the 6-foot-7,

190-pound wing was “on an uptick,” so it’s likely that the ankle injury is behind him.

But there’s likely to be an entirely different challenge on game nights, which all the practice time in the world can’t replicate. Struggles will certainly reemerge, and this time he’ll be fighting a steep learning curve instead of an injury.

As long as the coaching staff and fans are patient with him, Grant-Foster should be a bigtime addition to the rotation. It will just take some time.

He won’t: Be much of a factor as a 3-point shooter Even though Grant-Foster hit 33.5% of his 3-point tries last season, shooting from distance likely won’t be a huge part of his role at Kansas.

That’s not to say he won’t take the occasional rhythm jumper from behind the 3-point arc. It’s just not likely that KU will need — or want — him to do that.

Grant-Foster’s game is attacking the rim and creating off

> GRANT-FOSTER, 8C

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SUNDAY • NOV. 15 • 2020 • 6C

Tristan Enaruna With more size and strength, he’s looking for a breakout season.

By Matt Tait lll

mtait@ljworld.com

T

hrown into the mix a season ago as a true freshman, but rarely with any consistency, Tristan Enaruna appeared in 30 games for the 201920 Jayhawks.

Now Kansas is hoping that that experience, though limited, was enough to springboard the 6-foot-8 sophomore into an impact season in 202021. But it certainly will not come easy if it does.

Enaruna is just one player in a loaded KU backcourt that features athleticism, shooting, defensive prowess, size and versatility.

The good thing about the second-year player from the Netherlands is that he is one of the few Jayhawks to possess all of those traits. The key now is figuring out how to utilize them.

Enaruna led all scorers in the Jayhawks’ Late Night in the Phog scrimmage this year, and his assertiveness that night opened a few eyes.

Here’s a quick look at what else you can expect from Enaruna this season as he tries to transition from spot usage to a significant role on the 2020-21 team.

Garrett CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1C

Regardless of whether he cracks 200, Garrett should start to catch and pass several players on KU’s all-time steals list. He needs just 39 steals to pass Tyshawn Taylor for 13th and a spot in the media guide, 48 to pass Adonis Jordan for 10th, and 64 to move ahead of former teammate Devonte’ Graham, who currently sits in seventh place with 197.

Lightfoot CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1C

Even if he does have a personal goal in 2020-21 to break his own mark, however, he’s not likely to make a big deal about it. Lightfoot is a team-first player, and the team’s goals will far outweigh any individual achievements he’s hunting for.

He won’t: Top his career best of 14 minutes per game from the 2017-18 season Lightfoot won’t see as

#13

He will: Catch your eye with his added size and strength His height and weight on this year’s roster are exactly the same as they were a year ago, but Enaruna’s look has changed.

He appears to have bulked up and filled out a little more, adding lean muscle, particularly to his upper body.

While his size was never an issue for him a season ago, the new physique should bring with it plenty of confidence for a player who was already firmly on the radar of NBA scouts.

It should make him even better in the paint and could transform him into an even better defender, as well.

With his height and length, Enaruna has the potential to be terrific on the offensive glass. Being able to use his added strength should help keep him around the rim instead of allowing him to get bumped off of his spots.

Defensively, with his long arms already serving as a weapon, Enaruna could become tougher to attack if he’s able to put more physicality into his defense on the ball.

He won’t: Have a bunch of 3-point shots drawn up for him, but he might take several anyway This was exactly the way Enaruna scored 6 of his 10 points in the Late Night scrimmage, and that could have been a little foreshadowing of what’s to come.

Questions still linger about Enaruna’s ability to elevate himself beyond a casual approach, and, generally speaking, players who are a bit more passive tend to hang out around the 3-point line instead of finding a spot to attack in the middle of the floor.

With the playmakers the Jayhawks have on offense — Marcus Garrett, Bryce Thompson and Dajuan Harris, to name just a few — Enaruna could be the recipient of a whole bunch of kickout passes to the 3-point line.

Those shots, like they were at Late Night, would likely be wideopen, easy-rhythm shots and could help turn the career 26% 3-point shooter into a much more dangerous option from behind the arc.

“Tristan’s stroke looks better,” KU coach Bill Self recently said. “He’s more

He won’t: Have to play the 4 much this season Garrett obviously can still play the 4 if asked.

And it’s definitely possible that he might need to for a possession here or there.

But you should expect that to be a rare occurrence.

Garrett is this team’s point guard, and he will likely be far too valuable in that role to move him around too much on defense.

In addition, the Jayhawks have no shortage of players who can play the 4 this year, whether they play big or small.

Mitch Lightfoot is one option. And David McCormack could log minutes at KU’s other big man spot. Beyond that, Jalen Wilson, Tristan Enaruna, Christian Braun and even newcomer Tyon GrantFoster all have the ability to play big, using their strength and length to guard stretch 4s and other versatile wing types that KU’s opponents might play in that spot on offense.

But it’s hard to envision Garrett playing the 4 very much unless the

many minutes as some of Kansas’ other upperclassmen, because the Jayhawks are too loaded in the backcourt and on the wings to devote too many minutes to true big men.

That doesn’t mean he won’t be a big part of the 2020-21 team. But it’s not likely to come through him playing big minutes.

Fellow big man David McCormack, who averaged 12.5 minutes per game during his first two seasons, will get the first crack at most of the minutes. He’s only had five games so far in his KU career where he’s seen more than 21 minutes of

action, but it seems like a safe bet that he’ll average between 20 and 25 minutes per game this year.

If he does, that still leaves plenty of time for Lightfoot to have a significant role — based on matchups, hot hand, etc.

— but Lightfoot probably wouldn’t top 15 minutes per game on a regular basis.

There will be games where Lightfoot’s presence is crucial, and he will log a handful of 20-minute nights. But the guess here is that he’ll still average fewer than 14 minutes per game for the season, although not by much.

order of KU’s scorers.

If his new status as one of the team’s leaders fixes these problems, his CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5C ability to cover ground quickly and play above Last season, Self was the rim should make him surprised several times a monster on the run. that a team so loaded with talent could strug- He might: Earn a spot gle so much in transition. on the Big 12 firstAgbaji was certainly not team all-defense squad the only one to blame for Agbaji doesn’t have this, but his status as an the best hands on the underclassman and his team. He’s not the quickunselfish attitude might est player on the team. have contributed to it.

And he doesn’t block a Rather than using his lot of shots. length, frame and exBut he’s almost always plosive ability to be a in the right spot. He nightmare on the break, works extremely hard Agbaji often looked to at guarding his man and defer, seeking to keep might be even better as a everybody happy while team defender. falling in line with where But because he’s more he ranked in the pecking solid than spectacular,

Agbaji

Sophomore guard/forward from Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands 6-foot-8, 200 pounds

and because Marcus Garrett, the best defender in the country, is also on his team, Agbaji does not always get proper recognition for his defensive performances.

That could change this year.

It’s defense that kept Agbaji on the floor for more than 30 minutes per game during his first two seasons with the Jayhawks, even during those offensive slumps that popped up each season. And it’s hard to imagine any of KU’s talented young guys being equipped to bring more knowledge, effort and experience to the defensive end of the floor at the end of games this season.

confident (and) I’m more confident in it.”

He might: Be a sneaky starting option During a recent meeting with the media, Self said Enaruna had a chance to start.

“I don’t know if that’ll take place,” Self said.

“But I would anticipate at some point in time this year that he’ll definitely be a starter for us.”

The thing Enaruna brings to the table as a potential starter is versatility. In addition to his length, ability to run the floor and potential to get on the glass on both ends of the floor, he has the make-up to play multiple positions, perhaps as many as three or four.

That makes him — and several others like him — a valuable option in the face of injuries or off nights by any of his teammates.

In some seasons, Self has said that he really had six starters because his sixth man has played such a big and important role.

This could be one of those seasons, only instead of saying he has six starters, Self could say he has seven or eight.

If that’s the case, Enaruna almost certainly will be one of them, and he could be poised for a breakout season.

JournalWorld File Photo

He might: Be the Big 12 Player of the Year Garrett enters the 202021 season as the Naismith Award’s reigning defensive player of the year, and we already know what he’s capable of doing on that end of the court.

That means that how many accolades he

collects this season — and what his career might look like after college — hinges a lot on his offensive skills.

Garrett is definitely capable of being a force on offense, even if it might not look like the big games that some previous KU standouts like Udoka Azubuike had. Scoring 10 to 14 points per game and dishing seven or eight assists is a wildly productive night.

And there’s no reason to think that Garrett can’t do that on a regular basis.

He’s one of KU’s best options off the dribble and is comfortable at the free throw line, so he’ll have plenty of opportunities to score. And it’s possible that because this is his senior year and he isn’t living in bigger stars’ shadows, he might try to stand out in ways he hasn’t been able to before.

There are plenty of other talented players in the Big 12 who will be in the hunt for the conference’s MVP award this season. But chances are good that Garrett will be

He might: Be in the starting lineup more than you think Lightfoot isn’t going to be a full-time starter. But there’s a chance the fifthyear senior could start a handful of games.

Coach Bill Self has talked plenty about Lightfoot’s improvement on the offensive end, and his ability to stretch the floor as a shooter and move on the perimeter makes him an option to play the 4 in a two-big starting lineup.

Putting him in there would not only give the Jayhawks some flexibility, but it would also

keep an experienced rebounder and shot blocker in the lineup.

Lightfoot has proven throughout his career that he’s not afraid to battle with taller, stronger opponents. And he’s done it with a swagger that has made him a fan favorite.

In a season where the Jayhawks could play 35 games with a deep run, setting the over/under of Lightfoot starts at six or seven seems about right.

With all of the wings the KU roster possesses, Self is going to want to get those faster, more

explosive players on the floor as often as possible.But Self trusts Lightfoot. And he likes him.

The guy voluntarily sat out last year and was a model teammate while doing it. He pushed his teammates, used his leadership and experience when he could and continued to try to bring energy from the bench while wearing street clothes.

Lightfoot seems to have earned the right to start a handful of games.

It doesn’t sound that crazy, and it also won’t do anything to hurt KU’s bottom line.

Wilson

first opportunity to truly show why analysts were saying that.

The Jayhawks are deep, so it’s not like Wilson is going to break out and become KU’s next 20 pointsper-game scorer. But the most talented players tend to stand out in ways other than scoring.

While shooting and his range were listed as Wilson’s top strengths during his prep days, he also was known as a gifted passer with good vision and feel.

He’ll have no shortage of options to help set up with those skills this season, and if his defense can rise to the level where it meets his offensive prowess, he could quickly become one of KU’s best all-around players.

Jayhawks get into trouble. Garrett will be the guy who makes everything go, both by initiating KU’s offense and suffocating the attack of KU’s opponents.

Beyond that, don’t be surprised if you see Agbaji take a turn or two at guarding the opponent’s best guard each game.

That already has happened on a limited basis in the past, and it could be even more critical now that Garrett is the team’s point guard and will need to be sharp on both ends of the floor.

In order to land on the Big 12’s all-defensive squad, Agbaji will have to produce numbers and be more than just a defensive presence that Self trusts.

But both his rebounds and steals went up last year from where they were during his freshman season, and there should be room for them to go up again this season.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4C

He might: Be one of the most under-the-radar players in the Big 12 While Wilson is certainly in the mix to crack KU’s starting lineup this season, he’s not a lock to do so and could wind up coming off the bench just as easily.

That may not be much of a surprise, but it’s significant in the context of Wilson’s trajectory as a high school prospect.

In high school, Wilson was being heralded as an elite talent and a potential first-roud draft pick.

This season will be his

KANSAS HOOPS PREVIEW

SUNDAY • NOV. 15 • 2020 • 7C

McCormack will need to do many things that Azubuike did

By Benton Smith

‘‘

... I am expecting him to hold some of the same qualities that Dok did.”

lll

basmith@ljworld.com Spoiler alert for the quickly approaching college basketball season: David McCormack is not Udoka Azubuike.

No one should expect McCormack, now a junior in the Kansas front court, to suddenly be able to pull off everything Azubuike did a year ago just because he is stepping into the sizable hole his predecessor left behind.

McCormack won’t be a force of nature with the ball in the paint, or reach as high above the rim for a lob, or make the entire backboard and stanchion quake after a slam.

But Bill Self is a demanding coach, and he’s going to need McCormack to at least reproduce some of the skills that made Azubuike so effective on the defensive end of the floor.

Self recently said that KU’s new primary big man will have to get “much better playing with his feet and not his hands”

— Kansas coach Bill Self

and stay out of foul trouble if he wants to be effective “He’s not as explosive as Dok in a lot of ways,” Self said. “But he’s got to be able to defend the paint, be a better rim protector, and he’s got to stay out of foul trouble. Because you can have a talented guy, but if he’s only playing 16 minutes a game because of foul issues it doesn’t really help you that much.”

While Azubuike’s 7-foot, 270-pound physical frame contributed to his defensive abilities, it was his footwork that truly made KU’s defense so tricky for opponents to face.

It’s one thing to have a large defender waiting in the paint for any drives or post-ups. It’s a whole other kind of problem when that defensive anchor

share as well, his percentage vaults up over 40% and his rebounding numbers climb with it — and CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2C that’s just from being on the floor more and having But with Azubuike more opportunities. gone — and nine other putbacks from De Sousa, He won’t: Come Devon Dotson and Isa- anywhere close to iah Moss gone, as well — shooting the type of Kansas will be looking to field goal percentage other players to provide that Azubuike did 44.3% of its production in Azubuike shattered KU’s this category. career record for field goal McCormack won’t get percentage with a 74.6% all of those putbacks, of and also set a new NCAA course. But even if he record for the same mark. gets half of those that are McCormack won’t do now potentially avail- that — for a couple of able and still gets his own reasons.

McCormack

Harris CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2C

But throughout his junior season, Garrett flashed enough ability to play point at a high level to earn him the job without much contest.

After Garrett filled in for injured point guard Devon Dotson at Oklahoma last season, KU coach Bill Self said Garrett would have the job in 2020-21. And Self appears to have stuck by that.

But it’s no secret that Self always likes to have multiple point-guardtype players on the floor.

Even going back to his days at Illinois, some of Self’s best teams have played with two primary

Braun CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3C

It’s one thing for a bunch of five-star McDonald’s All-Americans to come to Kansas and beat up on the competition. But when a young player from Kansas who was mostly overlooked during his recruitment starts to do it, the cries from KU’s opponents tend to grow louder.

Braun, a former four-star prospect who

Jossell CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3C

And it’s not clear yet whether Jossell will get that opportunity this season. KU’s backcourt is extremely deep with size and talent, and, as things stand today, it’s hard to envision Jossell getting many minutes in his first year.

Even if he doesn’t get much use in competition, Jossell’s ability to

ball handlers on the floor at the same time.

The Jayhawks will have that option with Harris and Garrett, and while either one will be able to bring the ball up the court or initiate KU’s offense, Garrett will have the ball in his hands in the most crucial moments and at game point.

He might: Be good enough defensively to be a part of KU’s closer lineup Self has marveled about Harris’ hands defensively, so it would make a lot of sense for a coach who values defense above all else to have his best defenders on the floor when the game is on the line.

Harris could find himself playing big

also moves quickly enough to defend a ball screen on the perimeter and can corral a ball handler and recover back to his man before the offense spots an opening.

Azubuike wasn’t just a fallen boulder on the highway shutting down a lane of traffic. He was a turbocharged monster truck, intent on cutting off anyone trying to get by him.

The work Azubuike did on defense was critical to KU’s rise to the top last season. And if the 6-foot-10, 265-pound McCormack somehow can find a way to replicate it this season, that would raise the Jayhawks’ ceiling significantly.

Self thinks McCormack’s “want-to” is higher now than it’s ever been, and he called the big man’s commitment “off the charts.”

Part of it is that he’s not nearly as unstoppable in the paint as Azubuike was. But another factor is that he isn’t afraid to use his jump shot. While that could be a weapon for the Kansas offense — think about that opening up driving lanes and angles for the KU backcourt — even if he hits jumpers at a 50% clip, he won’t have a chance to climb much higher than 60% for his overall number.

But that’s OK. Nobody is asking McCormack to be an exact duplicate of Azubuike. Sure, they want him to be physical and minutes late in close games throughout his first season of eligibility with the Jayhawks.

Beyond the obvious advantages of having another talented defender on the floor, Harris’ presence could do wonders for Garrett late in games.

As has been the case in recent seasons, Garrett again will almost always be asked to guard the other team’s best player. But if that player is smaller — like Harris, who stands 6-foot-1, 160 pounds — or if the Jayhawks need Garrett’s offense late in games just as much as his defense, the luxury of being able to put Harris on the other team’s top guard could be a huge advantage for KU this season.

So maybe it is realistic for McCormack to study what Azubuike did so well defensively and mimic as much of it as he can.

“I think it’s reasonable to ask him to be a really good ball screen defender,” Self said. “I think it’s reasonable to demand of him being a — not so much an intimidation — but be a guy that protects the lane. Dok protected the lane probably far better than he ever protected the rim, because there were guys that didn’t drive it in there because he was in there. I think David could have that same type of presence.”

The numbers from last season show that Azubuike was a significantly superior shot blocker.

The 7-footer finished his senior season ranked 16th nationally in blocks per game, at 2.58.

McCormack didn’t play nearly as much as Azubuike and averaged 0.4 swats a game, blocking just 12 all season.

Looking at some advanced statistics, Azubuike’s block percentage (an estimate of the

percentage of 2-point shots blocked by a player when he was on the floor) was 10.9% last year, while McCormack finished at 3.3%.

But the Big 12’s reigning defensive player of the year, KU senior guard Marcus Garrett, is confident that McCormack can be a defensive presence in the paint.

“Dok was great at that, but I also feel like David can protect the rim, too,” Garrett said. “So that’s the biggest thing I try to tell him — if not block it, try to make the offensive player take a contested shot or hard shot.”

That’s another practical way McCormack can try to copy Azubuike’s defensive approach. He’ll need to find such facets that he actually can imitate and master those. Realistically, few college basketball players are even equipped to match Azubuike’s defensive prowess.

“I’m not expecting him to be the same defender that Dok was,” Self said. “But I am expecting him to hold some of the same qualities that Dok did.”

the fact that greater opportunity opens a lot of doors for him this season.

So why not expect him to cash in on that?

By virtue of the position he plays and the way the Jayhawks run their offense, it should be no problem for McCormack to get to 10 points per game. After all, he holds a career average of 5.3 points per game in just 12.5 minutes, so he basiHe might: Average a cally needs to make two double-double for the more baskets and a free season throw per game to get to We already talked 10. about McCormack’s reSo the double-double bounding potential and average will come down

to what he does on the glass.

It’s a big request for him to average double digits in both categories for the season. There’s a reason that players like Azubuike (15 last season) and Thomas Robinson (KU’s single-season leader in double-doubles with 27 in 2011-12) are still talked about for the double-double seasons they delivered under Self.

But McCormack is highly motivated and ready to prove himself as a go-to type of player, so it’s at least possible he could join those ranks.

two is on the floor with him.

Muscadin is well suited to play the 4 in the current college basketball climate. Having Lightfoot or McCormack out there with him to do the dirty work down low would help his chances of success greatly and allow the KU coaching staff to feel more comfortable.

Picture his progression a little like De Sousa’s during his freshman season. When he arrived, De Sousa couldn’t stay on the court for more than two minutes. But by March, he was a valuable part of KU’s rotation.

He might: Be more skilled offensively than He won’t: Be the lone people realize big man on the floor It doesn’t take very If David McCormack long while watching any and Mitch Lightfoot play of Muscadin’s high school well, there’s not going to highlight reels to see that be much time for Musca- his offensive game is fairdin to get into games. ly well-rounded — for a So it’s safe to assume high-school player, that is. that, barring injuries or Though still raw, Musextreme foul trouble, the cadin can do much more only time he will play is than just run to the rim when one of those other and dunk rebounds. That

will likely be his primary role this year, but his high school highlights show the foundation for so much more.

He has range out to the 3-point line and a goodlooking shot to boot — though it’s unlikely that that will ever be a big part of his repertoire at KU. He can handle the ball in the open court and in traffic fairly well for a big man, and he moves well without the ball.

Because he won’t have the same physical advantages in college that he did in high school, Muscadin’s freshmanyear highlights won’t look much like those on his high school highlight films. But he’ll sprinkle enough in to show Kansas fans his tremendous potential.

clean up the glass and create problems for opponents in the paint, but he lacks the size, the wingspan and the bully-ball nature that Azubuike had.

McCormack’s offensive production will be fun to watch. And he’ll have moments where he looks like he might rip down the goal. But there’s more to his game than that.

Muscadin CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3C

picked KU over KState, Illinois, Missouri and others, was ranked No. 93 in the Rivals 150 in the 2019 class, but his start at Kansas has him looking like a much bigger piece of the KU puzzle for the next few seasons.

And that is likely going to drive Big 12 fans nuts.

Not quite in the same way that they grew tired of seeing Perry Ellis in a Kansas uniform, but it’s a safe bet they’ll come up with their own jabs at Braun before it’s all said and done.

He won’t: Take as long to find his rhythm Like a lot of freshmen, Braun needed time to get acclimated to the college game last season. But once he was, he became a valuable part of the Kansas rotation.

The former Blue Valley Northwest standout scored in double figures five times last season, and four of the five came during the final 14 games of the season. Not coincidentally, he also played at least 22 minutes in each of those four games. He finished the season with six

consecutive 20-plus-minute games and was poised for more in the postseason.

Braun had some progression in other categories, as well — 3-point shooting and rebounding most notable among them — and now that Braun is past the new-kid-on-the-block stage of his college career, it will be interesting to see how his experience and wisdom open up his game.

ranked fourth on the team with 32 3-point makes and also was the team leader by percentage among high-volume shooters.

So it will be interesting to see what he does this year, when he figures to play more minutes and have a more important role on the team. The Jayhawks will be looking to replace 87 3-point makes from Devon Dotson and He might: Lead the Isaiah Moss a year ago, 2020-21 Jayhawks in and Braun would only 3-point shooting need 18 of those (21%) to Last season, in lim- push his total to 50 for the ited minutes, Braun season.

That would still leave 69 to be spread out among Ochai Agbaji (46of-136 last season), Jalen Wilson and newcomers Bryce Thompson and Tyon Grant-Foster.

Consistent 3-point shooting is still a bit of a question mark for the 2020-21 Jayhawks, and Braun’s ability to build on what he did a year ago will go a long way toward providing the Jayhawks with at least one of the answers they need to keep their long-distance attack where it needs to be.

scorch the nets on the scout team will go a long way toward preparing KU’s starters and rotation players ahead of game nights.

Jossell will have a valuable role with this year’s team, even if he doesn’t play in a single game. At the very least, he’ll be a key part of the red scout team in practices and will be in charge of putting pressure on KU’s starters as an attacking point guard, a long-range shooter and a pesky defender.

The history of Kansas hoops is full of stories of players on the red team holding their own against future NBA lottery picks in practice. And Jossell

should take to that role was largely overlooked by big college programs right away. throughout his prep days, He might: Be KU’s next despite being a four-year unheralded steal starter on a good team.

It’s bold right now to Kansas was the first predict that Jossell will Division I program to exfollow in the footsteps of tend him an offer — and Frank Mason III or Devon- parts of his recruitment te’ Graham, the national feature the kind of stories player of the year in 2017 you’d expect from a hidand one of the stories of den gem. According to the NBA regular season in the Dallas Morning News, 2019-20, respectively.

Self tossed Jossell a ball But there are similari- on the spot during a visit ties to how they got their and asked him to shoot starts. it from where he was, Like the two former KU backpack hanging from All-Americans, Jossell his back and all. Jossell

did. The shot swished, and the offer came soon thereafter.

That might not be quite the same thing as finding Mason in a back gym at a Las Vegas AAU event or discovering Graham after a year at prep school. But Jossell’s story is rooted in that same rags-to-riches mentality.

There’s a lot of work standing between him and the riches, but those who know him insist that hard work is never anything Jossell has shied away from.

He won’t: Be discouraged by a lack of playing time Some prospects come to KU with sterling resumes and sure-fire NBA futures, but Jossell looks more like a long haul type of player. So he’s likely not expecting a lot of playing time right off the bat.

SUNDAY • NOV. 15 • 2020 • 8C

KANSAS HOOPS PREVIEW

Given that these Jayhawks will be looking to replace 54.3% of their scoring from last season, there should be CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5C plenty of opportunity for someone like Grant-Foster to the dribble. And he also fig- become a double-digit scorer ures to be a force in transi- right away. tion and in flying to the rim to catch lobs and create of- He might: Lead the fensive rebound chances. Jayhawks in scoring You can’t do either of those When you consider all of things from outside of the that, it’s not crazy to think 3-point line, so don’t expect that Grant-Foster could be in Grant-Foster to live there the mix for the title of KU’s very often. leading scorer.

Think of him a little like He wouldn’t be the top Josh Jackson, but without pick, but his skill set, his the one-and-done pedigree. mentality and his ability to Remember how often KU score inside and out, off the started games with the drib- dribble, above the rim and at ble hand-off action, out of the free throw line all make which Jackson would turn him a solid choice. the corner going right and Beyond that, it’s not attack the rim? like he’d have to be as Those are the types of dominant as Devon Dotthings you should see from son, Frank Mason III or Grant-Foster, and that’s what Devonte’ Graham to get teammates David McCor- there. While those three mack, Mitch Lightfoot and former KU All-Americans Marcus Garrett said they saw all averaged at or around in the early days of practice. 20 points per game during

Grant-Foster

Thompson CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4C

If coach Bill Self needs him to shoot the ball and function as an aggressive offensive player, he can do it. If Self needs him to blend in, taking open shots and looking to make plays for others, he can do that, too.

But Thompson’s game will allow him to produce something of value regardless of how many shots he takes or points he scores.

Look at this season’s Late Night scrimmage as an example. Sure, it’s a small sample size, but it gives a glimpse at Thompson’s mindset, because he did not score at all. But he made a couple of plays that led to easy buckets for his teammates.

Those are the types of contributions that earn you playing time and the trust of the KU coaches.

Thompson will have nights where he puts up good scoring totals and gets hot. But he also figures to have quiet nights that require a review of the box score — and all of the assists, steals and rebounds he snagged — to see just how productive he was.

The coaches love those just as much. Maybe more.

He might: Be one of the best freshmen Self has ever had Remember a couple of years ago when Self called former Jayhawk Quentin Grimes “as complete a guard as we’ve ever had?”

Maybe the KU coach was just a couple of years early in handing out that assessment. It’s

their best seasons, GrantFoster is likely on a team where the top scorer’s average will be closer to 13 or 14 points per game.

Self loves teams with balanced scoring. There’s no better example of this than the 2008 national title team, but there have been others in that mold since then.

The biggest thing GrantFoster has going for him as a scorer this year is probably his willingness to attack the paint and the easy buckets and free throw opportunities that will lead to.

In 31 games last season at Indian Hills CC — where he averaged 16.5 points per night over 31 games — Grant-Foster got to the line 151 times (nearly five times per game) and connected on 72.2% of his attempts.

If those free throw numbers can be replicated at KU, he should easily get 10 points per game —and perhaps a lot more.

entirely possible that Thompson could wind up being that.

Thompson seems much more prepared than Grimes was for his first year with the Jayhawks — whatever that looks like.

This is not a knock on Grimes, who occasionally flashed his sky-high potential while at Kansas.

But Grimes was asked to help carry a team and wasn’t quite ready for that as a freshman.

Thompson won’t be asked to do that this year.

Instead, he figures to fit nicely into a mix of veterans and young players, and his versatility and all-around game should make it easy for Self to plug him into the lineup in a variety of ways.

If things click for him right away, Thompson could have a chance to put up some of the best all-around numbers a KU freshman has had.

Kansas’ Schedule

Here’s Kansas’ schedule for 2020-21. Home games are in bold; times are to be determined unless otherwise noted.

l Nov. 26: vs. Gonzaga (in Fort Myers, Fla.), 12:30 p.m. l Nov. 27: vs. St. Joseph’s (in Fort Myers, Fla.), 1 p.m. l Dec. 1: vs. Kentucky (venue TBD) l Dec. 3: vs. Washburn, 7 p.m. l Dec. 5: vs. North Dakota State l Dec. 8: vs. Creighton l Dec. 11: vs. Omaha l Dec. 13: vs. Tarleton State l Dec. 17: at Texas Tech

l Dec. 22: vs. West Virginia l Jan. 2: vs. Texas l Jan. 5: at TCU l Jan. 9: vs. Oklahoma l Jan. 12: at Oklahoma State l Jan. 16: vs. Iowa State l Jan. 18: at Baylor l Jan. 23: at Oklahoma l Jan. 26: vs. TCU l Jan. 30: at Tennessee l Feb. 2: vs. Kansas State l Feb. 6: at West Virginia l Feb. 8: vs. Oklahoma State l Feb. 13: at Iowa State l Feb. 16: at Kansas State l Feb. 20: vs. Texas Tech l Feb. 22: at Texas l Feb. 27: vs. Baylor

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