To return to the NCAA tournament, a team needs contributions from both returning players and incoming recruits. Here's a look at Kansas and its chances of dancing again in 2016.
Quick references:
Possible 2015-16 starting five:
F: Perry Ellis
Who is lost: The Jayhawks could end up losing much less than originally expected heading into the season. Freshman wing Kelly Oubre Jr. is still a likely lottery pick, and he is expected to enter his name into the NBA draft. He picked up his play as the season progressed, seeing more minutes and giving coach Bill Self an athletic perimeter player who could knock down shots.
Who is added: Only one player is currently in the fold for Kansas, but it’s a good one. ESPN 100 power forward Carlton Bragg (No. 21) pledged to the Jayhawks in January, and he should fit in perfectly in Lawrence. Bragg is a versatile post player who can step out and consistently make 3-pointers; he can also score with his back to the basket and be active on the glass. He should adapt nicely to Self’s high-low system because he’s capable of posing matchup problems with his inside-outside skill set.
What it means for next season: Kansas isn’t going to change all that much from this season to next. With Selden and Cliff Alexander no longer projected as lottery picks or even first-round picks, both could return to Lawrence. Another year of development should be a major boost for Alexander, who has a pro-ready body but needs to work on his ability to score on the low block. Mason was one of the biggest surprises of the Big 12 this season, and he should be back to run the show. Filling Oubre’s shoes will likely be Greene, one of the best 3-point shooters in the country. Ellis will also be back, and Bragg will add another dimension up front. Self also has a slew of quality role players at his disposal, with Devonte Graham in the backcourt and Landen Lucas and Jamari Traylor up front. One to watch could be freshman Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, a Ukraine native who came into the program with high hopes but rarely saw the court late in the season. If he develops into a key player for Self, the Jayhawks will be even more potent on the wings.
Trending: Level. As long as Self is in Lawrence, the Jayhawks aren’t about to change, within the Big 12 or on a national scale. Losing Oubre will of course impact the talent level on the perimeter, but he wasn't the leading scorer. The Jayhawks have more than enough pieces to once again be among the best teams in the country.