Monday, April 4, 2011

Kansas Jayhawks Land Five-Star Recruit, Likely Going to Lose Twin Stars

A week after a disheartening loss in their regional semifinal game against Virgina Commonwealth, Kansas received news to help cope with the disappointing finish to the the 2010-2011 season.

Ben McLemore, ranked No. 17 by Rivals in the Class of 2011 list, announced on Sunday that he would be attending the University of Kansas.

McLemore, a 6'5" shooting guard who grew up a Missouri Tiger fan, is expected by many to contribute immediately with the graduation of three key wing players from this year's squad. He is the second Class of 2011 recruit to commit to Kansas, along with point guard Naadir Tharpe.

Anytime a program can land a top 20 five-star recruit, it is a big step forward in building a strong foundation, and in Bill Self's case, a big step forward in continuing his seven year dominance of the Big 12.

However, this may be even more instrumental to the future success of the Jayhawks with the future of five underclassmen in loom, especially the recent reports on the team's two leading scorers this past season, Marcus and Markieff Morris.

According to J. Brady McCollough of the Kansas City Star, Yahoo! Sports reporter Marc Spears has reported that the twins are close to signing with an agent, Jason Martin.

Although nothing has been confirmed, in all likelihood, it seems as though the brothers will be foregoing their senior seasons at Kansas to cash in at this June's NBA draft. According to nbadraft.net, their  2011 Mock Draft has Marcus and Markieff projected to be taken ninth and 14th, respectively. 

Kansas fans have seen this before.

Great players leave. More great players come in. Wins keep piling up.

Bill Self has done an excellent job forming together winning teams in the present day college basketball atmosphere where continuity from season to season is a scarcity. 

However, the loss of the Morris twins will take away the frontcourt consistency that allowed the Jayhawks to form a dominant team in the 2010 season. Their departure would leave only Thomas Robinson, if he chooses to remain in school, the inexperienced Jeff Withey and walk-on Justin Wesley, as the only other big men available.

Self does have a forward recruit on his Class of 2011, the ninth-ranked recruit in Rivals, DeAndre Daniels. However, Duke seems to be the current favorite the land the 6'9" forward from Bradenton, Florida.

Don't count Self out on Daniels though.

And don't count out the Jayhawks for an eighth consecutive Big 12 Championship.

But if the twins move on, don't count on an elite Kansas team in the 2012.  

Ana Hickmann Mischa Barton Jamie Lynn Sigler Stacy Keibler Rihanna

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