Kansas

Daily Dribble: Bill Self & FC Barcelona

Shawn Siegel — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:06:21 -0700

Some quick college hoops thoughts for the afternoon before leaving for lunch..

Bill Self locked up a ten year, 30$ million contract yesterday. While this might appear to be an obscene amount of money, his agent probably could have done better. Tom Crean recently extended his IU contract to a ten year period.. which is probably worth something in the $22-24 million range. Crean has never even coached a game at Indiana, and doesn't have half the pedigree as Self.. nor is he coming off a National Championship game. While I wouldn't cry yourself to sleep worrying about Self.. he probably could have demanded more cash.

Last night I attended a soccer game between FC Barcelona and the New York Red Bulls of the MLS. As CHN isn't a bastion for soccer fans (though a couple of our writers are surprisingly big fans).. this is the equivalent of Duke taking on the women's team from Saint Mary's School for the Blind. The final 6-2 score line didn't really suggest how much better Barcelona (even without Messi) was than the Red Bulls (who are even bad by MLS standards).

People often ask MLS fans how they can be fans considering how low the quality is compared to the world's top leagues (England, Spain, etc, etc). This is the same question that college basketball fans might get when asked about the NBA, or D1 basketball vs D3, or women's ball vs. the mens.

I guess ultimately there's more to being a fan than simply watching skill and talent. There's something to be said for being loyal to whatever you happen to be associated with.. whether its your hometown team, your regional league, or your alma mater.

Lets face it, your spouse probably isn't the greatest person in the world.. but as the song goes, "Love the One Your With." Its no different than being a sports fan.. sure your team might not be the most talented, or even be in the most talented league.. but its your team, so stick with 'em!

Rise and Fall: Big 12 Program Review

Shawn Siegel — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:13:58 -0700

Like civilizations, all great basketball programs eventually fall.. replaced by an upstart newcomer. In this week's Rise & Fall series, we'll take a look at which BCS programs are rising, falling, or merely treading water. Up today, the:

BIG 12

BAYLOR - RISING (QUICKLY)

The Bears RPI has jumped from 257th in 2005 to 43rd last year, and the future looks even brighter. With stud prospects like Cory Jefferson, Quincy Acy, and Perry Jones locked up in upcoming classes, Sweet Sixteen caliber teams are possible.

COLORADO - DECLINING (SLOWLY)

While last season was an improvement over a disastrous 2007 (just 7 D1 wins), its hard to say things are going in the right direction. Roby and Hall are gone, and the Buffs will be banking on a handful of potentially decent, yet unproven, recruits. I trust Bzdelik to turn things around eventually, but it might be another season or two before they're plugged into the rising category.

IOWA STATE - DECLINING (SLOWLY)

The Cyclones are in a similar situation to Colorado: coming off a couple sad seasons, with a handful of solid recruits to provide hope, but way to much uncertainty to expect anything but minimal success.

KANSAS - STATUS QUO

Nothing wrong with the status quo when you're coming off a well-deserved NCAA Tournament title. There will no doubt be a bit of a setback this season, but Bill Self is going about rebuilding the talent base in the right manner. What's most impressive about the five Top 60 quality prospects joining the program this fall, is that all should be around for at least a couple of seasons before bolting for the NBA.

KANSAS STATE - DECLINING (SLOWLY)

Considering last year's Wildcats featured one of the best pro talents in recent memory, the 20-12 record and RPI of 50 is rather blah. While there's still some talent on the roster, 6 or 7 wins in the league would have to be considered quite an accomplishment. Frank Martin hasn't proven to anybody that he can coach, so he'll need to pull off some Hugginsesque recruiting steals down the line.

NEBRASKA - STATUS QUO

The Huskers have been hanging around the 90-100 RPI range for almost 8 years now. This year's team also figures to be completely mediocre, and there's no reason to expect much deviation down the line. The epitome of the status quo designation.

MISSOURI - STATUS QUO

A lot of analysts expect big things from Missouri this year, but I'm not on the bandwagon. The reality is that the Tigers haven't broken through the 20-win mark since 2003, and another 17-18 win season seems likely in 08-09. Last year's 6-10 conference record was a disappointment, and the graduation of Stefhon Hannah and the recent transfer of Keon Lawrence (to Seton Hall) doesn''t help the cause.

OKLAHOMA - RISING

The return of Blake Griffin was huge news for Sooners fans. Credit his arrival for helping turn a dismal RPI of 102 in 2007 to a solid 29th last year. Even bigger things are expected this time around as Griffin returns, and another stud prospect, Will Warren, joins the program. There's simply a very positive vibe surrounding the program now that Jeff Capel has settled in, and big things are possible down the line.

OKLAHOMA STATE - DECLINING (SLOWLY)

It was only a handful of years ago that Oklahoma State was consistently a Top 10-quality team. Mercifully, the Sean Sutton experiment is now over, and Cowboy fans can look forward to the Travis Ford era. Sutton just wasn't winning enough league games, and though James Anderson was a nice catch, the overall talent level has been slipping. It will take some time for Ford to turn things around, but he will.

TEXAS - RISING (SLOWLY)

Rick Barnes has slowly built up Texas into one of the country's best programs. There's so much depth on the roster that despite losing star DJ Augustin, most consider the Horns a lock to win the Big 12 title. Eventually the good run will plateau, but I think there's room for improvement left to come.

TEXAS A&M - RISING (SLOWLY)

Following the meteoric rise under Billy Gillispie, anything Mark Turgeon does will seem ordinary. Still, Turgeon can coach, and the program is bringing in better talent than it has in years. David Lobeau and Dashan Harris are legit finds, who should help ease the losses of Kirk, Jones, and Jordan.

TEXAS TECH - STATUS QUO

Similar to Nebraska above, but at a slightly higher level, the Raiders seem destined to hover around mediocrity for the next handful of seasons. The Knight's don't really bring in the top prospects anymore, but they also manage to bring in just enough talent to prevent any dismal stretches.

- up next is the Big Ten -

Swiss Cheese Squads: Teams With Holes to Fill

Jason Brubaker — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:43:44 -0700

With the dust from the draft now settled, it's time to look at how some teams will be filling in the considerable holes left by draftees. Here's a look at some teams who need both returning players and incoming freshmen to step up in a big way.

UCLA
Early entries: Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
Seniors: Lorenzo Mata-Real

For the Bruins to make a fourth consecutive Final Four appearance, they'll need some inspired play from returning veterans Darren Collison, Josh Shipp and Alfred Aboya. To fill Westbrook's shoes, they'll likely look first to incoming freshmen Jrue Holiday, who has a well-rounded game and can play a variety of positions depending on matchups. Fellow freshmen Malcolm Lee and Jerime Anderson will provide quality depth, as the Bruins could go with a more guard-oriented attack this year. Up front, the unenviable task of replacing Love will fall to Aboya and freshmen Drew Gordon and J'Mison Morgan. Love not only put up great numbers, he brought an edge and toughness that won't be easy to replace. But getting Morgan, a late de-commit from LSU, is a huge find for Ben Howland.

Overall, the talent is still in place for the Bruins to make some noise this year - it all depends on how quickly the freshmen adjust. Getting Collison and Shipp back after both flirted with the draft is a huge help, as they will provide plenty of leadership. When it's all said and done, look for the Bruins to be one of the top teams in the country again.

Memphis
Early entries: Derrick Rose, Chris Douglas-Roberts
Seniors: Joey Dorsey

While Coach John Calipari said he was thrilled to see three of his players drafted this year, he also knows he lost his team's motor (Rose), it's heart (Dorsey) and soul (CDR). Replacing them won't be easy, but Calipari will start with super-recruit Tyreke Evans, who can fill it up with the best of them. Returning seniors Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier could shine in their expanded roles this year, and they'll provide enough leadership to get the Tigers through C-USA. A short rotation last year limited the Tigers' depth, but Willie Kemp and Shawn Taggert are both quality players who can put up numbers, and sophomore guard Jeff Robinson could surprise some people. Freshman swingman Wesley Witherspoon, although rail-thin, could also be an impact player. He's a terrific athlete and the kind of long, rangy player that fits perfectly in Calipari's system.

They'll still cruise through C-USA, but it's hard to envision another run to the title game. Down the stretch, CDR and Rose carried the Tigers last year, and when his head was in the game, Dorsey was a beast down low. Look for another 26-28 win season, but I don't see Memphis advancing beyond the Sweet 16.

Kansas
Early entries: Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers, Darrell Arthur
Seniors: Russell Robinson, Sasha Kaun, Darnell Jackson

Bill Self, welcome to the world of what-have-you-done-for-me-lately. The defending national champs will look completely different this year, returning only two rotation players in Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich. Luckily, those two are at the most important positions in point guard and center, so Self can slide some of the highly-touted freshmen in around them. On the perimeter, freshmen Travis Releford, Tyshawn Taylor and Tyrone Appleton should see plenty of minutes, as will forwards Marcus and Markeiff Morris and Qunitrell Thomas.
Returning players Matt Kleinmann and Tyrel Reed will also be counted on to help bring the freshmen along.

While another national championship isn't a realistic possibility, the Jayhawks still have the potential to be very, very good. Collins and Aldrich are all Big-12 talents who should thrive this year. It's impossible not to taker a step back after all of the talent they lost, but if the incoming freshmen are as good as advertised, they'll still be in the hunt for the Big 12 title.

Texas
Early entry: DJ Augustin

Once again, the Longhorns only have to replace one player, but once again, it's a big one. However, they did just fine without Kevin Durant, so maybe the same will hold true for Augustin. The Horns do return plenty of talent, starting with AJ Abrams and Justin Mason in the backcourt, and Damion James, Gary Johnson and Conner Atchley up front. Abrams should be able to slide in at the point, with Dogus Balbay and freshman J'Covan Brown providing some depth. The trouble will be replacing Augustin's floor presence. A natural leader, he always was poised and in control, especially in crucial moments. Abrams will have to show that he can not only be a playmaker for others, but that he can provide the same leadership Augustin did.

The Horns are loaded with talent, and they should be the favorites in the Big 12. Even without Augustin, they have enough talent to win 24-25 games. The only thing that remains to be seen is who steps into the leadership role.

USC
Early entry: OJ Mayo, Davon Jefferson

The Trojans knew they were only renting Mayo for one year, so they expected this. But they may not have planned on losing Jefferson, who went undrafted. On the bright side, they do return Daniel Hackett, Taj Gibson and Dwight Lewis, who should provide plenty of experience. Replacing Mayo will fall on the shoulders of stud freshman Demar DeRozan, who is a highlight waiting to happen. If Derozan can provide some firepower from the wings, the Trojans may not miss Mayo quite as much as they think. And although Jefferson was a fantastic athlete, he could play a little out of control and didn't seem to grasp the concept of team ball. With Hackett, Lewis, DeRozan and Angelo Johnson in the backcourt, they may not miss him much,

The Trojans won with defense last year, and this year will be no different. Hackett is an underrated guard who can do a little of everything, and another year of experience should help Johnson and Lewis in the backcourt. Gibson is a force down low when he chooses to be, and he should get more touches this year with Mayo out. If DeRozan can live up to his hype, another trip to the tournament is likely.

Stanford:
Early entries: Brook Lopez, Robin Lopez
Seniors: Fred Washington, Taj Finger

It goes without saying the Cardinal will have a different look next year, with the Lopez twins off to the NBA. New coach Johnny Dawkins will likely have to transition to a guard-oriented attack, led by veterans Mitch Johnson and Anthony Goods, as well as back-up Kenny Brown. Up front, the Cardinal will lean heavily on Lawrence Hill, who was inconsistent last year but has all Pac-10 potential. Landry Fields will also have to step up, as Stanford will be severely undersized next year.

They have a talented backcourt, but the Cardinal will probably struggle up front. There's still enough here to make a bid for the NCAA Tourney, but they'll need a superhuman effort from Lawrence Hill to do any more than that.

Kansas State
Early entries: Michael Beasley, Bill Walker
Seniors: Clent Stewart, Blake Young, David Hoskins

Unfortunately, life should return to normal in Manhattan this year, as the Wildcats look poised to take a big step back after winning their first NCAA Tournament game in 20 years last season. With Beasley and Walker off to the NBA as expected, the Wildcats will struggle to replace their 42 points and 18 rebounds per game. The burden will likely fall to Jacob Pullen, Andre Gilbert and Dominique Sutton to pick up the scoring load. Ron Anderson, Darren Kent and incoming freshman Abdul Herrera will try to replace Beasley up front, but even combined, it’s doubtful they can match his firepower.

With a solid 2009 recruiting class locked up, it may be too soon to dismiss the Wildcats as one-year wonders. However, it’s hard to see them repeating last year’s successes without Beasley and Walker, who brought a swagger to Manhattan that had been missing. This year’s version probably just doesn’t have enough firepower to challenge the upper-echelon teams in the Big 12. Look for a 16-18 win team.

Picture of the Day: Abdul Gaddy & Avery Bradley

Shawn Siegel — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:53:23 -0700

Picture of the Day

Thanks to our friends over at Icon Sports Media, we now have access to thousands of great college basketball photos to use on the site. Each day, CHN will feature a Picture of the Day, which might include a newsworthy, funny, or simply interesting subject. At the bottom will be a caption or headline that might be informative or amusing. The possibilities are endless!

Abdul Gaddy & Avery Bradley

These two top West Coast recruits and buddies from out of Washington showed up at the Reebok All-American Camp this week, where CHN writers were on hand to take in the action.

- Check out recent Pictures of the Day!

- Also check out the Cheerleader of the Day!

Sasha Kaun Signs With CSKA Moscow

Press Release — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:27:50 -0700

LAWRENCE, Kan. After concluding his senior season at the University of Kansas with a mens basketball national championship, Sasha Kaun announced on Sunday that he has signed a three-year contract with CSKA Moscow, a professional team in Russia.

Im going to a team that is as close to an NBA team as you can find, Kaun said. Its a great organization. Last year, they had a $60 million payroll. Its a very prestigious club.

Kaun became the first Russian to win an NCAA mens basketball championship when Kansas won the title in April. The contract with the 23-year old player is signed for three years - until the end of the 2010-11 season. Kaun will be paid $1,047,042 U.S. dollars per year for the next three seasons.

CSKA always keeps an interest in all Russian basketball players, especially young ones, said CSKA CEO Andrei Vatutin. After the win in the NCAA finals, Kaun became one of the most popular players here, but I'd like to mention that we began watching him a few years ago. I am extremely happy that Russian fans will have a chance to see Sasha.

During the 2007-08 season Kaun played 40 games for Kansas (six starts), with averages of 17.7 minutes, 7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots.

Kaun will also try out for the Russian Olympic team July 3 in Moscow. In all, 16 players will vie for 12 or 13 spots.

Big 12 / Pac-10 Hardwood Series Schedule

Press Release — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:57:07 -0700

Irving, Texas - The Big 12 and Pacific-10 Conferences have announced the dates and matchups for the 2008 Big 12 / Pac-10 Hardwood Series. The series is in its second year after beginning competition during the 2007-08 season.

The majority of the games are scheduled for December 4-7, with three taking place outside the four-day series window. Each matchup is a return contest from 2007. The 2009 games in the series will be played December 3-6, while meetings in 2010 will take place December 2-5. After this season, new pairings will be in place for the next two years of the arrangement.

Last season, the Pac-10 held a 7-5 edge over the Big 12 in Hardwood Series games. Overall, the Big 12 posted an 11-8 advantage between the conferences in regular season and postseason play. The 12 contests averaged more than 10,000 fans, drawing a total of 123,035 to the arenas.

Additional components of the series, including the times and television information will be announced at a later date.

BIG 12 / PAC-10 HARDWOOD SERIES

Thursday, December 4, 2008
Oklahoma State at Washington
UCLA at Texas
USC at Oklahoma

Friday, December 5, 2008
Arizona at Texas A&M

Saturday, December 6, 2008
Baylor at Washington State
Oregon State at Iowa State

Sunday, December 7, 2008
Kansas State at Oregon
Nebraska at Arizona State
California at Missouri

Outside the four-day series window
Colorado at Stanford (Sat., Nov. 29, 2008)
Kansas at Arizona (Tue., Dec. 23, 2008)
Texas Tech at Stanford (Sun., Dec. 28, 2008)

NBA Finals: Monday is Underclassmen Deadline

Jeff Borzello — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:18:46 -0700

Despite the fact today at 5:00 p.m. EST is the deadline for underclassmen to withdraw their names from the NBA Draft, there were still 20 players who had yet to make a final decision heading into yesterday afternoon. While some players are expected to withdraw and others are almost guaranteed to stay in, there are also several prospects who are completely up in the air. What is the latest word on each of the 20 remaining underclassmen without an agent? Let's take a look.

A.J. Abrams, Texas: Has not decided yet, but will make his final choice today. (Austin American-Statesman)

Josh Akognon, Cal State Fullerton: No word from him, but signs point to him staying in the Draft.

Joe Alexander, West Virginia: Has signed with agent Doug Neustadt; will not return to school. (FOXSports.com)

Ryan Anderson, California: Entirely up in the air; said last Tuesday he was nowhere near a decision. (ESPN.com)

Chase Budinger, Arizona: Said he has received "good enough" feedback to justify staying in Draft. (Arizona Daily Star)

Mario Chalmers, Kansas: Informed coaching staff he was staying in the draft. (Kansas City Star)

Lee Cummard, BYU: Coach Dave Rose said Cummard has decided to return to school. (ESPN.com)

Robert Dozier, Memphis: Coach John Calipari expects Dozier to come back to school. (Memphis Commercial Appeal)

Wayne Ellington, North Carolina: Will make decision today; no indication of where he is currently leaning. (Raleigh News & Observer)

Jamont Gordon, Mississippi State: As good as gone. For weeks, he and his people have been saying that he is likely staying in the Draft.

Danny Green, North Carolina: Was supposed to talk to coach Roy Williams Sunday, but meeting has been postponed until today. Said he will make his decision after talking to Williams. His father announced that he would be staying in school, and Danny also said he was likely returning.(Raleigh News & Observer, Fayetteville Observer, FOXSports.com).

Richard Hendrix, Alabama: Has not announced his decision, and was still working out with teams this weekend. (The Huntsville Times)

J.J. Hickson, North Carolina State: Officially announced on Sunday that he was staying in the Draft. (Scout.com)

Lester Hudson, Tennessee-Martin: Met with his coaches this weekend to make a final decision; said if he was projected to be drafted in the first 35 picks, he would leave. (Jackson Sun)

Ty Lawson, North Carolina: Has not made a decision yet, and will announce final choice today. Originally looked like he would stay in the Draft, but developments over the last couple of weeks have clouded the picture. (Winston-Salem Journal)

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, UCLA: Has not reached a decision yet. It seems like he wants to stay in the Draft, but might not get feedback he needs to justify that decision.

Jeremy Pargo, Gonzaga: No indication as to which way he is leaning; coach Mark Few does not know what Pargo will do.

Ronald Steele, Alabama: After the back-and-forth announcements that occurred a couple of weeks ago, there has not been much talk about him. He was still working out for teams this weekend, and will announce his decision today. (The Huntsville Times)

Robert Vaden, UAB: Coach Mike Davis said Vaden is 50/50 on staying in the Draft. He has a final workout today with Detroit, and will likely make a decision after that. (ESPN.com)

Bill Walker, Kansas State: Might be the most interesting case of them all. It looked like he was going to stay in the Draft; coach Frank Martin said he was not expecting Walker to return to school. However, Walker injured his right knee this weekend and will need an MRI. Will not make a decision until just before the deadline today. (FOXSports.com, ESPN.com)

- By Jeff Borzello, March Madness All Season

Mario Chalmers to Remain in NBA Draft

Press Release — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:44:46 -0700

Kansas guard Mario Chalmers has decided to skip his senior year at Kansas and stay in the NBA draft.

Jayhawks coach Bill Self made the announcement Sunday night, just hours after Chalmers informed him of his decision. He joins teammates Brandon Rush and Darrell Arthur in giving up their collegiate eligibility for the NBA. The NBA draft is June 26.

Chalmers led the Jayhawks with 97 steals and was just as good on the offensive end, tying Arthur for second in scoring with 12.8 points. He also had a knack for hitting big shots, none bigger than his last-second 3-pointer that sent the national championship game into overtime.

Kansas rallied past Memphis 75-68 for the NCAA championship.

Self said he anticipated Chalmers would pursue an NBA career since April when the 21-year-old guard from Alaska declared without an agent.

Chalmers said ``being at Kansas has made me a better player and better person.''

Waiting Game: Team Futures Hinge on Key Decisions

Jason Brubaker — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:51:59 -0700

To stay or go: Futures Hinge on Player Decisions

Even with the draft order now set, and player workouts getting underway, it’s still tough to predict which players will ultimately stay in the draft this year. According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, 69 underclassmen declared for the draft this year, including surprises like Oregon State’s CJ Giles, who has now been kicked off two college teams, and Alabama’s Ronald Steele, who didn’t even play last season due to injury.

But while it was a no-brainer for guys like Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose and OJ Mayo to declare and sign with an agent, other players are on the dreaded bubble about staying in. While they struggle with their decision and try to improve their stock through workouts, their college teammates and coaches are sitting at home, wondering if they’ll be back. Here’s a look at some teams who are anxiously awaiting decisions from key players.*

*Players have not signed with an agent as of May 29

North Carolina

Waiting on: Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, Ty Lawson

Perhaps no team stands to gain as much should all of their players decide to return. With National POY Tyler Hansbrough already coming back, the return of starters Deon Thompson and Marcus Ginyard, and a terrific three-man recruiting class on the way, the Heels will be good no matter what. But the return of these three puts the Heels on the short list of national title contenders next year. Looking through various mock drafts, none of the three are first-round locks, and all could stand to improve through another year in college. Lawson is rumored to be the most likely to stay in the draft, meaning UNC better hope Bobby Frasor’s is ready to play next year. Green and Ellington are both likely to return, as both could climb into the first round next year in what is thought to be a weaker draft class. Should any or all of these guys come back, look for Carolina to begin the year atop the polls.

Alabama

Waiting on: Richard Hendrix, Ronald Steele

The Tide already received one break when ultra-athletic forward Alonzo Gee pulled his name out of the draft. Now, they’re just hoping for the same thing from Hendrix and Steele, both of whom would be better suited to return to school. As previously noted, Steele didn’t even play last season because of a knee injury, so declaring for the draft seemed like a bit of a stretch. When healthy, he’s one of the better point guards in the country, but he needs to show he is fully recovered. Hendrix is a beast down low, but he’s a bit small for the power forward position in the NBA. It’s conceivable that he could climb into the mid-late first round with solid workouts, but another year of college ball would help him expand his offensive game. However, he has nothing to lose by declaring and getting some feedback from NBA scouts, so it was a wise decision on his part. If both players return, the Tide will challenge for the SEC West title next year.

UCLA

Waiting on: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Josh Shipp, Russell Westbrook

Bruins’ fans know that Westbrook is likely as good as gone, as he’s projected as lottery pick after his breakout sophomore season. It would be a shock to see him back in Westwood next year. However, Shipp and Mbah a Moute both could return, giving the Bruins some veteran experience to go with a stellar recruiting class. Mbah a Moute can still play himself into the first round with a strong draft camp. He’s got the versatility that scouts like, but his game could still use more polish, especially on the offensive end. Shipp is a long shot to be drafted, and he almost certainly will return for his senior year. A solid shooter with good athleticism, he’s battled injuries and inconsistency his entire career, and a big senior season could go a long way toward erasing that. With Darren Collison coming back, the return of these two would make the Bruins a safe bet for another Final Four trip.

Kansas

Waiting on: Mario Chalmers

The Jayhawks knew they’d be looking at a different team next year after winning the title this year. But should Chalmers decide to keep his name in the draft, the only returning players of any significance would be Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich. Seniors Russell Robinson, Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson are all gone, and underclassmen Brandon Rush and Darrell Arthur will stay in the draft. Chalmers, the hero of the national title game, is on the first round bubble, and likely would be a second round pick. He’s not a pure point guard, and could use his senior year to show off his playmaking skills. He’s a terrific on-the-ball defender and has a high basketball IQ, so it’s not inconceivable that a team drafting late in the first round could take a chance. But KU fans would love to see him back in Lawrence to help the growing pains of a young team.

Kansas State

Waiting on: Bill Walker

The Wildcats knew they’d only have Beasley for one season, but losing Walker at the same time would hurt just as much. Walker didn’t have quite the same impact as Beasley, but he’s a still a fantastic athlete who is capable of putting up 20 points when he wanted. Unfortunately for K-State, Walker has looked great in workouts, and he’s likely going to stay in the draft. He reportedly has lost the extra weight that plagued him after his surgery, and his jaw-dropping explosiveness is back. He likely will be a mid-late first round pick, and could end up being a steal going that late. If he does return, he would be a big asset for Frank Martin’s team, who will be looking for a consistent scoring threat. But without Walker or Beasley, K-State will once again be looking up at the Big 12’s elite teams.

Others

Arizona: Chase Budinger

He’s considered a late lottery pick, so it’ll be a surprise if he returns. Although he rarely dominated games the way his talent allowed him to, he still was a great player and his return, along with the addition of PG Brandon Jennings, would help the Wildcats climb back to the top of the Pac 10 after a rocky season.

West Virginia: Joe Alexander

Like Budinger, Alexander is unlikely to return to school, after finishing a strong season by leading WVU to the Sweet 16. A terrific athlete with good size for the small forward position, he’s on the lottery bubble, and could even climb near the top 10 with good workouts. Without him, the Mountaineers will find last year’s run hard to duplicate.

Cal: Ryan Anderson

New coach Mike Montgomery would love the chance to coach the versatile Anderson, who is considered a late first rounder right now. A power forward with a sweet shooting stroke would certainly help the Bears next season as they try to forget a disappointing 2007-08 season. Anderson could climb the boards with good workouts, but look for him to return.

Florida: Marreese Speights

Speights is considered a mid-late first rounder right now, and word is that he’s likely to stay in the draft. Speights has great talent, but his conditioning and work ethic are questionable, and he often found himself in Coach Billy Donovan’s doghouse last year. With big men Kenny Kadji and Eloy Vargas coming in next year as part of a five-man recruiting class, the Gators should be able to move on without a ton of adjustment.

Mario Chalmers: NBA Draft Profile

Jeff Fox — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:44:09 -0700

Mario Chalmers

College: Kansas

Class: Junior

Position: PG

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 190bs

Accolades: Final Four MOP (08), Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team (08), Second Team All-Big 12 (08), Big 12 All-Defensive Team (08), co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (07), Big 12 All-Defensive Team (07), Third Team All-Big 12 (07), Big 12 All-Defensive Team (06), Big 12 Championship Tournament MOP (06), Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team (06), Big 12 All-Rookie Team (06), McDonald’s All-American – high school (05), Third Team All-American – Parade – high school (05).

Scouting Report: Kansas’ latest hero, he excels at both ends of the court.

Strengths: Excellent defender. Averaged at least 2.5 steals per game all three years in college. Takes extremely good care of the ball – assist to turnover ratio was 2.25 this season. Fantastic three-point shooter. Doesn’t take bad shots. Improved athleticism. Quick player. Huge wingspan allows him to play bigger. Not afraid to take the big shot. Has big conference and big game experience. Extremely accurate shooter for a guard – 51.6% this season.

Weaknesses: Didn’t exclusively play the point guard spot in college – may be a bit of a combo guard. Needs to show that he can be a full-time ball-handler and point guard. Can be inconsistent. Questions arise whether he possesses NBA athleticism and explosiveness. Will be a bit on the small side for the NBA. Final Four MOP jinx – most MOP of the Final Four turn out to be nothing more than average pros.

Projected 2008 Draft Range: Late first round to early second round pick.

Consensus: Super Mario, as he’s now known, looks ready to leave college on a high note. However, considering he is only projected as a borderline first round pick this year, he is better suited to return to Kansas and work on his point guard skills.

Stats: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=27141

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