The exhibitions throughout college basketball in mid-to-late October are such a tease. The offseason is long and newsworthy (like, uh, Tony Bennett retiring), but that first sneaker squeak or mean mug can bring hope to anybody and everybody.
Talking Season is almost over. Questions are about to be answered in a real, tangible way. Winter is truly coming.
Let’s dive into key rotation questions for each team in CBS Sports’ Top 25 and 1 rankings.
Who is the backup point guard?
As Dajuan Harris’ minutes have increased, his efficiency has decreased. He shot a career-worst 47% at the rim last year and his defensive tape was not up to his lofty standards. Kansas coach Bill Self would love not to play Harris around 35 minutes per game like last year, but preseason injuries are already making that easier said than done. Elmarko Jackson (torn patellar tendon) is done for the season and Mississippi State transfer Shakeel Moore had surgery in mid-September to mend a broken foot. He was expected to shoulder a real role, but the timeline for his return to full strength is cloudy.
Northern Illinois transfer David ‘Diggy’ Coit could be part of the solution, but his lack of defensive bite is scary. South Dakota State transfer Zeke Mayo is more of a scorer/creator than a true initiator point guard. Still, Kansas could lean into more positionless basketball with Mayo, Rylan Griffen and AJ Storr all showing the ability to handle it paired with two big men (KJ Adams and Hunter Dickinson) who can certainly pass.
Those creative lineups could lead to a more refreshed, more impactful Harris.
…..
