Andy Katz ranks KU 16th overall and writes the following:
 
The Jayhawks actually might be a bit too low here if they develop the way they should throughout the season. Gone is the leader of this squad in Sherron Collins, the primary post in Cole Aldrich and the X factor on the wing in Xavier Henry. But KU does bring back rising stars in Marcus Morris and Tyshawn Taylor, and Markieff Morris, Brady Morningstar, Tyrel Reed, Thomas Robinson and Elijah Johnson will see their minutes increase as well as their production. Getting top-flight point guard Josh Selby to run this squad was a must. Kansas had to land a marquee player in the spring to maintain relevance at the national level and it did just that. If Selby delivers, the Jayhawks will be in the mix with everyone else in the Big 12.
 
I have to disagree with Katz when he states, "Getting top-flight point guard Josh Selby to run the squad was a must," and, "Kansas had to land a marquee player in the spring to maintain relevance at the national level."  For a team that was perhaps the deepest in the country last season and had potential stars Elijah Johnson, Thomas Robinson, Travis Relaford and Mario Little buried on the bench, they had more than enough talent moving into significant roles to develop into a dominant team.  Josh Selby simply turns a really good team into a great team.  Furthermore, to say that one player, regardless of ranking or ability is necessary to maintaining national relevance is a slap in the face to Bill Self and the institution that is Kansas basketball.
 
Surprisingly, Jeff Goodman, a regular KU-hater has them slotted at #11 going into the season and writes:
 
Collins graduated, Aldrich is leaving a year early for the NBA and Henry departs after just one season in Lawrence. But Bill Self still has solid guards in Taylor, Morningstar, Reed and sophomore Elijah Johnson — and he also added highly touted freshman point guard Josh Selby. The Morris twins are both back, and Withey and Robinson should both receive expanded roles.
 
Nothing of note here really, except that both Goodman and Katz cite Brady Morningstar as a potential major contributor next season.  If anything I believe that Morningstar's role will fade in the coming season, much like it did in the final months of 2009-2010.  Tyrel Reed should usurp Brady on the depth chart, as his three point shooting, ball-handling ability, and moxy grew in leaps and bounds last year while Morningstar looks to have peaked.
 
Lastly, I whole-heartledly think KU will end up as a top 5 team by the end of the year, if not #1 or #2 overall.  So while preseason rankings are mostly meaningless, they do have some effect on how a team approaches the season.  Last season KU came into the year the unanimous #1 ranked team, and thus took a mentality of having to live up to and protect that position.  Clearly they were not built to play with a target on their backs, and wins were more often a relief than a joyous occasion.  Now the 2010-2011 squad, which I believe is a better, more athletic team, will have the luxury of going out to prove themselves and work up the rankings, gaining more and more confidence each step of the way. Can the season start tomorrow please?

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