LAWRENCE — Ochai Agbaji understands that choosing to play college basketball at Kansas means chasing trophies, and the ESPN Events Invitational in Florida this week is an opportunity to win one.
While Agbaji spoke to reporters on Tuesday morning, he revealed that he was about to tell his teammates about this reality. Either before practice or before they left on their trip, the senior guard planned to take the time to drive this point home. And for a team ranked third nationally in the coaches’ poll, this likely won’t be the only chance to win a title.
But before the Jayhawks face their Big 12 Conference slate or try to advance to the NCAA tournament, they will play these three games in four days. They will face North Texas (2-1) first on Thursday afternoon. After that, on Friday, in Game 2, Miami (Fl.) or Dayton will be next. Game 3 on Sunday could be against Iona, Drake, Belmont or No. 9 Alabama.
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“It’s going to be a very tough game,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said Tuesday of the opener against North Texas, “and I hope our guys understand that.”
Self praised North Texas, how interchangeable its pieces are, and pointed out how badly it upset Purdue in the last NCAA tournament. Self also noted how he thinks when it comes to team rankings or lack thereof, the peloton is underrated.
Here are four topics to follow as the Jayhawks (3-0) look to remain undefeated.
How healthy is Kansas
There are at least three Jayhawks who have been hampered by injuries since the start of the season, namely super senior guard Jalen Coleman-Lands, super senior guard Remy Martin and freshman guard Bobby Pettiford. Coleman-Lands has a toe injury, Martin has his back and Pettiford has a hip strain – according to Self. And on Tuesday morning, Self said neither Martin nor Pettiford had practiced since the Nov. 18 win over Stony Brook.
Coleman-Lands had participated more than Martin and Pettiford.
But Self then hoped Tuesday would be a busy day for everyone and anticipated all three participating in the tournament. I was hoping Martin’s back was improving, even though it hadn’t been tested since the Stony Brook competition. Keeping Martin and Pettiford aside gave them time to heal.
Coleman-Lands said Tuesday that he is receiving treatment regularly and is gradually improving. He doesn’t remember exactly how his injury happened, but he thinks someone stepped on him at some point. Explaining how it affected him, Coleman-Lands said he didn’t realize how much he was using that toe for pushing and more until he injured himself.
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How well can Ochai Agbaji maintain his fast start
It only took one conversation for Agbaji to take to heart that he needed to be more assertive this season as he postponed his professional move to return to college. He said it happened after his last NBA practice with the Toronto Raptors. He had spoken with the Raptors’ general manager and members of their front office, and it was brought up to him in regards to his offense, defense and overall mentality.
Three games into the season, Agbaji is averaging 26.3 points and four rebounds per game. Through the games played this past Sunday, his 26.3 points per game led the nation at the Division I level. Self believes that without Agbaji playing as well, each of Kansas’ first three games would have been very close even if the margin of The Jayhawks’ average win is 22.7 points per game.
Agbaji has taken a leadership role this season, and it will be interesting to see how his game progresses as the schedule unfolds.
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How quickly Jalen Wilson can find his place in the rotation
Self said he doesn’t know if he’ll start redshirt sophomore forward Jalen Wilson right away, but he thinks he’ll fit well into the rotation. After serving a suspension, Wilson will likely make his first appearance this season for the Jayhawks on Thursday against North Texas. Wilson is someone who can bring a lot to the table for Kansas as an offensive threat, rebounder and asset in transition.
“To me, Jalen is the guy that, if you were going to play somebody in a close game, you wanted to play veterans, well, he could play point guard or he could play the 5,” Self said. “So he’s probably our most versatile guy.”
Coleman-Lands said the Jayhawks’ main goal is to win a national title. Wilson, Coleman-Lands believes, gives them a better chance of achieving that.
How David McCormack reacts after struggling at times early in the season
Of Kansas’ starters this season, Self believes only Agbaji has played at a level close to what he is capable of. Whether it’s Martin, redshirt sophomore guard Dajuan Harris Jr., junior guard Christian Braun or senior forward David McCormack, Self believes there’s another level they can reach.
For the Self, the question is when this will happen, not if. With McCormack, Self said it’s all about playing to his size and playing with balance. Self wants his bigs to protect the rim and lane, and defend ball screens.
“Even though I think David had times where he did that,” Self said, “I told (McCormack) the other day, I said, ‘(McCormack), you look at the first three games.” I mean, we didn’t get off to a good start in those games, largely because we tried to play through you. And he knows it.
The key for McCormack, Self believes, is to start games faster. There were little things that Self saw, when McCormack didn’t play according to his athleticism and size. Self pointed to the first tip against Stony Brook, a moment where McCormack could have demonstrated his ability to jump and have good timing, something McCormack didn’t earn.
So far this season, McCormack is averaging 9.3 points and six rebounds per game while averaging the fewest minutes of any Jayhawks starter.
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Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas sports at the Topeka Capital-Journal. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
