Head Coach: Bill Self
2008-09 Record (Big 12): 27–8 (14–2)
2008-09 Postseason: NCAA: Defeated North Dakota State 84–74, defeated Dayton 60–43, lost to Michigan State 67–62 in the regional semifinals
Key Losses: None

2009-10 Big 12 Prediction: 1st

He could be a millionaire by now, living in a decked-out bachelor pad in a bustling NBA city, cruising around in a luxury automobile without ever having to think about class, homework or dorm food. Somehow, though, Cole Aldrich didn’t hesitate when it was time to decide whether to return to Kansas or enter the NBA Draft, where he would have been a Top 10 pick. “I was watching highlights of last season on my computer, and I started getting goosebumps,” Aldrich says. “I was like, ‘Man, I’m not ready to give that up.’”

Especially not now. The Jayhawks will enter the 2009-10 season as the favorites to win their second national title in three years thanks to the return of Aldrich and senior point guard Sherron Collins. Both are All-America and National Player of the Year candidates who will be the clear-cut leaders of a team that returns all five starters from a squad that lost to Michigan State in last year’s Sweet 16. “I think we return the best guard in the country and the best big guy in the country,” coach Bill Self says. “If you’re going to start a team, why not have an anchor and why not have a guard? That’s two pretty good spots to start.”

Frontcourt

At 6'11" and 245 pounds, Aldrich is already good enough defensively to make an impact in the NBA. He averaged 11.1 rebounds and 2.7 blocks last season and altered countless other shots. Other than Mississippi State’s Jarvis Varnado, there may not be a better shot-blocker in college basketball this season. Aldrich’s offensive game still has room for improvement. He doesn’t possess a very big arsenal of Nick Collison-like moves under the basket, and a lot of his shots are fallaways. Still, Aldrich has an excellent outside shooting touch and is a strong free throw shooter (79.2 percent).

Last season Aldrich was the Jayhawks’ only consistent performer in the paint. This year he should get more help. Coaches spent the offseason raving about the strides made by sophomore Marcus Morris, who often was the most productive player on the court during summer pickup games. Morris averaged 7.4 points as a starter last season. He and Aldrich will get some help off the bench from freshman Thomas Robinson and 7'0" Arizona transfer Jeff Withey.

Backcourt

If Kansas’ season goes as well as expected, Collins could graduate as the winningest player in Jayhawks history. He’ll always be remembered as one of the program’s greatest leaders. Last season he guided a team that lost seven of its top eight players from the national championship squad to a Big 12 title and a berth in the Sweet 16. This season he has loftier goals, many of which will hinge on his ability to control his weight. Collins weighed between 200 and 205 pounds for most of last season. But from April to June, he ballooned to 228. When Collins is at his best he can be impossible to stop. He has been called a “bowling ball” because of the way he uses his upper-body strength to knock defenders to the side on his way to the basket. He’s a streaky 3-point shooter, but he always seems to get hot during big games.

Collins’ biggest fault is that he often tries to do too much, which leads to erratic, ill-advised shots. That shouldn’t be the case this season. Combo guard Tyshawn Taylor should become more offensive-minded after averaging 9.7 points as a freshman last year. An even bigger piece of the puzzle could be newcomer Xavier Henry, a 6'6" wing who was one of the nation’s most sought-after recruits. Henry is an excellent long-range shooter who can also get to the basket. Don’t be surprised if he becomes the first “one-and-done” player in Kansas history. Mario Little, Brady Morningstar and Tyrel Reed will provide experience off the bench.

Final Analysis

Although Texas will provide some stiff competition, the Jayhawks should win their sixth straight Big 12 title. The bigger question is how Kansas will fare on the national stage. Much like North Carolina did last season, Self’s squad could separate itself from the rest of college basketball from the start of the season to the finish, especially if Collins and Aldrich stay injury-free and Morris and Henry live up to the hype they created for themselves during the offseason. If you’re a Kansas fan, it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to book a hotel room in Indianapolis for the first weekend of April.