2018-19 Lineup Projection

By T.J.R.
HCBS coached the Under 18 national team this summer in Colorado. Quentin Grimes, one of our freshmen stars is on the team, as are Matthew Hurt, a 2019 target, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl from Bishop Miege in Roeland Park, KS. Earl is highly regarded 6-9 forward but is also looking at Mizzou, K-State, and UNC among others. KU cannot lose Earl to Mizzou; we just can't. KU has been so far superior for so long we ought not "let them up off the mat." Earl is a top 20 talent, is in KCKS side and should be a huge priority going into 2019.

We should clearly have the inside track on Earl AND also on James Wiseman a top 10 big man from Memphis.  We will almost certainly lose both starting bigs after this upcoming year so we can easily accomodate both.Jalen Lecque, a top ten PG prospect, previously thought to be in 2019 class may be eligible for this coming fall is 90% sure he will stay in 2019 class.

At an intrasquad game at Self's high school camp, Lightfoot, surprisingly was top scorer with 6 threes for twenty-two total points; Walk-on EJ Elliot also surprised w/ 12 points. McCormack, a freshman center and McDonald's all star was a force as well. He is rated in 30's in his HS class, so he should be two or three year player, I'd think. Desouza and Quentin Grimes, (freshman to be and top ten recruit) say they are really impressed with how hard KU players go at it in summer.

With Azubuike back, this is as loaded as we have been since 2008 AND we still have one skolly to give, since Elliott agreed to walk on.

KU's "stealth recruit" 6-5, Ochai Agbaji out of Oak Park HS in KCMO and a younger Lawson are two possibilities, but the real pot of gold however is the younger Lawson's teammate Wiseman. He's 6-10 F/C and #2 in HS class. Wiseman will play one or two years starting around this time next year.
 Kind of exciting when you think about the lineup possibilities. From the practice notes, HCBS is saying that D. Lawson at 6-9 is one of the better passers which gives KU the option of going thru Lawson as sort of a point forward. Now, with Vick he could run out Grimes (6-5 McD all-star guard) Vick, D.Lawson, Desouza or McCormack, and Azubuike for an average height of around 6-8. Sounds incredible, biggest lineup since Wiggins and Embiid days. 

One thing that no one is talking much about and that's the total number of minutes available. Where do Cunliffe and Lightfoot fit in for example? I wouldn't be surprised is Lightfoot and/or Agbaji redshirt. Cunliffe won't because he transferred and already sat out a year.

I'd also be looking for great minutes from Moore after starting as true freshman at Cal as PG on an ok team. Devin Dotson (6-3 McD allstar PG) is real deal, blue chip true point ala Aaron Miles or Russell Robinson although were he to play just two or three years no one would be shocked. Should be a really great year barring injury and mass suspensions. This team is best on paper since 2007-8.

I'd see it something like this:

1. Center
A. Azubuike 25 mpg
B. McCormack or Lightfoot-15 mog

2. PF
A. Dedric Lawson-25 mpg
B. Desouza-15mpg

3. SF
A. KJ Lawson-20 mpg
B. Vick-20 mpg

4. SG
A. Q. Grimes-25 mpg
B. M. Garrett-15 mpg

5. PG
A. C. Moore-20 mpg
B. D. Dotson-20 mpg