Mulling KU basketball’s ceiling + some thoughts on the bench: Kansas Jayhawks Q&A
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- KU defense ranks No. 8 in adjusted defensive efficiency (93.6).
- KU projected a No. 3 seed; Peterson, White, Council draw NBA interest.
- Elmarko Jackson likely to provide bench scoring; Rosario has struggled.
How good is this season’s Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team?
The Jayhawks are red-hot, having won their last six games. On top of that, KU’s defense ranks No. 8 in adjusted defensive efficiency (93.6), which essentially means the number of points allowed per 100 possessions, adjusted for competition.
On Thursday, I asked coach Bill Self if this team has the traits of past ones that have made deep NCAA Tournament runs.
“I think it’s too early to tell much,” he said. “Do I think we have the capability to be really good by the end of February, early March? I’d say yes. Do I know that’s positively going to happen, no. Do we have to get better there, yes. We also need to be healthy.
“If we are whole — ifs and buts are candy and nuts — I think this team is capable of doing some damage, but you could say that about a lot of teams that we have had.”
Kansas is currently projected as a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi.
With that, it’s time for another Kansas Jayhawks Q&A. Thanks, as always, for the questions ...
Will Rosario get minutes going forward? @schach91
For as talented as Kohl Rosario, he’s yet to quite figure it out as a college player. The freshman came to Kansas with a rep as a shooter, but he’s shooting a paltry 24.5% on 3-pointers.
With shortened rotations, I don’t think Rosario plays unless somebody gets into foul trouble.
Who is gonna step up off the bench ... ? @dick_tazer
I think it will be KU guard Elmarko Jackson. He’s shown flashes this season but hasn’t yet put it all together. That said, he had a great game against K-State, scoring 19 points.
Look for multiple games in which he drops double-digit points and showcases why he was once a McDonald’s All-American.
What were the Tech students chanting at DP? @braden_burcham_
Funny you should ask that. I don’t think I can actually type it out, but it was something similar to, “He’s a (coward).”
It wasn’t quite that, but close enough. I wrote about the chants and everything that followed on Monday night.
Are we actually Good???? @Benshaplaw1
I think so. I am very high on this team. In fact, I think it’s the best I’ve covered since my first season on the beat (2022-23), when KJ Adams played center and the Jayhawks snagged a No. 1 seed.
At its absolute peak, this team may be better than that one — even if it won’t command a No. 1 seed. Why? I’ll give you a couple of reasons.
First, the defense is elite. It’s winning them a lot of games for KU and might be the best Self’s had in my four seasons here. Secondly, this team has NBA talent on the roster. Peterson is special and will be drafted No. 2, at worst, but Tre White and Melvin Council could also have futures in the pros.
And depending on how the rest of the season plays out, KU big man Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller could get drafted this year or next year.
Peterson is able to carry KU’s offense when the rest of the team is struggling. He’s a hyperefficient scorer ... and even when he’s not, he has the ability to make clutch baskets.
