Eleven skollies, assuming Dedric L., Azubuike, and Desouza move on and Dotson and Grimes stay, although one might also have to wonder about Agbaji at some point too. Lightfoot or Cunliffe moving on would free up additional skolly; Lightfoot has shown a little life late in season although it's mostly a great play here or there, not a great 8 minute span. Although neither of the two appear to be in Self's plans going forward, I can't imagine either leaving since Cunliffe burned a redshirt year by transferring and Lightfoot is on the last lap of his puzzling college career. There is an urgent need for size, obvious to anyone not named Bill Self. With those two we have 11 guys on scholarship next year, and that's assuming Elliott remains on walk on status, which I assume he will, since he has barely played. I'm thinking KU needs at least two additional big men that can play 20-30 mpg from day one. As I've said Robinson-Earl ( from south suburbs on Kansas side, for G*d's sake!) would be good addition as would the Hurt kid from Minnesota. Daniels from Washington and Achiuwa from NYC/Bronx are also looking like great options but Self has seemingly done best with midwesterners eg. Julian Wright, Sherron Collins, and Cole Aldrich. Daniels is capable of defending the post against a bonafide seven footer. Other than Texas, few if any Big 12 teams run out seven footers who can actually play but that is a potential tournament pitfall and it doesn't hurt to think ahead. Even if he turns out to be Landon Lucas, it looks like a jackpot in comparison to who is on the depth chart currently. I'm not entirely certain that McCormick or Lightfoot will ever be as good as Landon Lucas scary as that sounds. KU should also be checking in with the next Lawson brother (6-8 forward) before Penny Hardaway signs him for Memphis, the hometown team. Of course the bigger question is will he end up more like Dedric Lawson (NBA potential)or KJ, future community college coach?
1. D McCormick 6-10 Soph.//McD AA from Oak Hill Academy
POWER FORWARD--glaring weakness as of 2/19
1. M. Lightfoot 6-8 Senior // Former Arizona HS POY
SMALL FORWARD--A while back I might have cited this as a weakness; if Agbaji keeps his head on straight and stays humble, this could be our strongest of five positions. If KJL is your second option you're in pretty good shape, I would think!
1. Ochai Agbaji 6-5 Soph.//KCMO
2. KJ Lawson. 6-5 Junior//Tx. from Memphis
3. Sam Cunliffe. 6-6 Junior//from Seattle, Tx'd. from Arizona State
SHOOTING GUARD-- We are OK here; Braun could make this a plus. Elliott's pathway to earning a few minutes might be defense since that is not a perceived strength in either Garrett or Grimes.
1. Quentin Grimes 6-5 Sophomore//McD AA from Texas
2. Marcus Garrett 6-4 Junior//former Texas HS POY
3. Christian Braun 6-3 Freshman
4. EJ Elliot 6-3 Sophomore (WO)
Point Guard-possible strength, but depends on Moore more than anything, Dotson improving after so-so January. McBride is a wild card.
1. Devon Dotson 6-2 Sophomore//McD AA from Charlotte NC
2. Charlie Moore 5-10 Junior//from Chicago, Tx'd. from Cal Berkeley
3. Isaac McBride 6-1 Freshman
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