Many thought KU was the team to beat entering last season’s NCAA Tournament after going 14-2 in the Big 12 and then winning the conference tournament to earn a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance. However, the Jayhawks, as has happened every year under Self except one, rather underperformed in the NCAA Tournament, getting shocked by Virginia Commonwealth in the Elite Eight 71-61 as the only top seed left in the tournament. At one point Kansas, which finished 32-2, trailed by a whopping 17 points in that game.

Self loses four starters off that team, none more important than twins Markieff and Marcus Morris, the team’s two best players and first-round NBA draft picks. They combined to average 30.8 points and 15.9 rebounds per game. Highly touted Josh Selby also went pro despite a disappointing season, and veteran leaders Brady Morningstar and Tyrel Reed used up their eligibility. Add to that that three of Self’s top recruits, guard Ben McLemore and forwards Braeden Anderson and Jamari Traylor, have been ruled ineligible for the time being.

So KU now belongs to forward Thomas Robinson and guard Tyshawn Taylor. Robinson played a little less than 15 minutes a game last season but has the tools to be a star: He averaged 7.6 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 60.1 percent from the field. Taylor had a rocky 2010-11 season that included a February suspension, but still managed to lead the team in assists with 4.6 per game and averaged 9.3 ppg. On a team absent of stars and short on depth and experience, Taylor, who ended last season strong, will be called upon to lead KU on both ends of the court.

Kansas opens the season Friday against Towson and then has a huge challenge on Nov. 15 at Kentucky.

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