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Jayhawks will look very different next season
By DEREK SAMSONThe Kansas City Star
SAN ANTONIO | Russell Robinson and Sasha Kaun strutted into the Alamodome on Tuesday morning sporting a pair of new labels — national champions and former Kansas Jayhawks.
But they were still taking orders from their coach.
When asked whether they made their way to the rowdy River Walk to celebrate Monday’s 75-68 overtime win over Memphis in the NCAA title game, Bill Self interrupted by saying, “If you did, don’t tell them.”
The interview room filled with chuckles — a cheery mood that is unfamiliar to Robinson and Kaun, two of five KU seniors, this time of year.
In 2005, it was the Bucknell disaster. In 2006, a repeat with another first-round bounceout, this one to Bradley. And, last season, the year ended in an Elite Eight loss in which the Jayhawks couldn’t have thrown the ball in the yard from the desk.
“We’ve seen the bottom,” Robinson said. “We’ve been through it all. Just enjoy this moment, have fun with it. We tried not to let anything distract us.”
The 2008 senior class — Self’s first full recruiting class — didn’t have the megastars as the one that followed it. It didn’t produce an All-American or, quite possibly, an NBA player. But it’ll be remembered for something much bigger.
“This team was so hungry and wanted to win this thing,” Kaun said. “Looking back to last year, we got to the Elite Eight and lost, and it left a bad taste in our mouth. Going into this tournament, everybody had such a good focus.”
So with five seniors — three of whom were major contributors in Robinson, Kaun and Darnell Jackson — gone, the 2008-09 Jayhawks will take on a new look. That becomes especially true if juniors Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers, and sophomore Darrell Arthur, leave early for the NBA. “If that happens, then that happens,” Self said. “I want (the players) to do what’s best for their family. We have a couple of guys, maybe three, that may have an opportunity to go do something. I hope our guys make a decision after getting some viable information, so they get a better feel where they are (in the draft).
“… We’ll see how it goes. I anticipate losing five great seniors and probably losing a couple more.”
The Jayhawks are bringing in what is currently a six-man recruiting class ranked No. 8 nationally by Rivals.com. There are no McDonald’s All-Americans in the group, but twin forwards Marcus and Markieff Morris of Philadelphia, and Bishop Miege prospect Travis Releford are highly regarded players.
Self also scoured the junior colleges to bring in Mario Little and Tyrone Appleton, ranked as two of the top three juco prospects by Rivals.
“We signed five really good players who are better than what anybody thinks they are,” Self said. “We’ve got a commitment from a sixth. I really think we’re gonna be good. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re real good.
“We’ll be competitive and good no matter what. But it will be a different-looking team.”