Kansas Men's Basketball 2014 NCAA Tournament Capsule

Kansas Jayhawks
Big 12 (24-9, 14-4)

 

It looked like Kansas was in for a tough year after losing four non-conference games. However, it turned out falling to Villanova, Colorado, Florida and San Diego State was not bad. At the time a full-strength Colorado squad was very good and every other team was consistently ranked in the top 15 from January to the end of the regular season.

Big Wins: 11/12 vs Duke (94-83), 1/13 at Iowa State (77-70), 1/29 Iowa State (92-81)
Bad Losses: 2/10 at Kansas State (82-85), 3/1 at Oklahoma State (65-72), 3/8 at West Virginia (86-92)
Coach: Bill Self (11 seasons at Kansas)

Why They Can Surprise:
Andrew Wiggins, Perry Ellis and Joel Embiid have taken over the Jayhawks. Wiggins entered the year as one of the most hyped freshmen in this class and has lived up to the expectations. He leads the team with 17.4 points per game and adds 6.0 rebounds. Ellis had a disappointing freshman campaign, but reached his potential as sophomore, averaging 13.6 points and 6.5 rebounds. Speaking of potential, Embiid is still brimming with it despite a surprisingly productive season. The freshman averages 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds 2.6 blocks. All three of those players will hear their names called in the 2014 NBA Draft should they opt to go pro.

Why They Can Disappoint:
Wayne Selden Jr. is a likely first round draft pick as well. The athletic wing can finish around the basket with the best of them. However, Selden, Wiggins and junior point guard Naadir Tharpe are not the most dangerous outside shooters. Tharpe is pretty consistent, but he needs to spend his time setting up the rest of his teammates…which he does quite well. With all of the interior scoring threats Kansas has, they get a lot of open looks from long range. Wiggins and Selden need to take advantage of those opportunities. The Jayhawks also commit too many turnovers. That happens with youth and inexperience and eventually it could come back to bite the Jayhawks.

Probable Starters:
Naadir Tharpe, Junior, Guard, 8.7 ppg, 5.2 apg
Wayne Selden Jr., Freshman, Guard, 10.2 ppg, 2.5 apg
Andrew Wiggins, Freshman, Guard, 17.4 ppg, 1.6 apg, 6.0 rpg
Perry Ellis, Sophomore, Forward, 13.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg
Joel Embiid, Freshman, Center, 11.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.6 bpg

Key Roleplayers:
Tarik Black, Senior, Forward, 4.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Frank Mason, Freshman, Guard, 5.7 ppg, 2.0 apg
Jamari Traylor, Sophomore, Forward, 4.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg

By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 79.6 (23rd in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 69.7 (159, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 49.7 (6, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.3 (76, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.6 (230, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.9 (141, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.6 (150, 6)
Rebound Margin: 7.1 (12, 3)
Assists Per Game: 15.3 (32, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.2 (250, 10)

Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013    NCAA    Second Round win over Western Kentucky
2013    NCAA    Third Round win over North Carolina
2013    NCAA    Regional Semifinal loss to Michigan
2012    NCAA    Second Round win over Detroit
2012    NCAA    Third Round win over Purdue
2012    NCAA    Regional Semifinal win over North Carolina State
2012    NCAA    Regional Final win over North Carolina
2012    NCAA    National Semifinal win over Ohio State
2012    NCAA    National Final loss to Kentucky
2011    NCAA    Round of 64 win over Boston U
2011    NCAA    Round of 32 win over Illinois
2011    NCAA    Regional Semifinal win over Richmond
2011    NCAA    Regional Final loss to VCU
2010    NCAA    Round of 64 win over Lehigh
2010    NCAA    Round of 32 loss to Northern Iowa
2009    NCAA    Round of 64 win over North Dakota State
2009    NCAA    Round of 32 win over Dayton
2009    NCAA    Regional Semifinal loss to Michigan State
2008    NCAA    Round of 64 win over Portland State
2008    NCAA    Round of 32 win over UNLV
2008    NCAA    Regional Semifinal win over Villanova
2008    NCAA    Regional Final win over Davidson
2008    NCAA    National Semifinal win over North Carolina
2008    NCAA    National Final win over Memphis
2007    NCAA    Round of 64 win over Niagara
2007    NCAA    Round of 32 win over Kentucky
2007    NCAA    Regional Semifinal win over Southern Illinois
2007    NCAA    Regional Final loss to UCLA

*all team stats through 3/9

 

See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules