The the last four national title winners have started two point guards

And KU may very well keep the streak going

I'm back. Some of you may remember me from previous seasons, but if not I hope you enjoy my analysis below.

Villanova had Ryan Arcidiacono and Jalen Brunson in 2016, Duke had Tyus Jones and Quinn Cook in ‘15, UConn had Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatwright in ‘14, and Louisville had Peyton Siva and Russ Smith in ‘13. All of these teams had dual point guards and all won the national championship.

This years Kansas team did get to the elite 8 last season, even with their bloated lineup that included Jamari Traylor, Cheick Diallo, Mickelson, and Brannen Greene. This seasons team is a much leaner, 7 man rotation, quicker 4 guard lineup instead of the traditional KU 3 guard, two forward lineup. It's become clear that Kansas is much faster on offense with the addition of Svi in our starting lineup. Frank Mason, Devonte Graham, Svi Mykhailiuk, and Josh Jackson can all drive to the basket as well which makes us difficult to defend against. Teams have to prepare for both open shooters and drives to basket. When this team is clicking they are hard to stop especially late in games.

**2015 Stats**

* PPG: 80.2 PPG, ranked 19th
* EFF FG%: 55.7%, ranked 10th
* 2 PT FG%: 52.7%, ranked 33rd
* 3 PT FG%: 41.3%, ranked 5th
* Average Scoring Margin: +12.6, ranked 11th

**2016 Stats**

* PPG: 85.8 PPG, ranked 10th
* EFF FG%: 55.7%, ranked 10th
* 2 PT FG%: 55.0%, ranked 21st
* 3 PT FG%: 41.2%, ranked 6th
* Average Scoring Margin: +15.3, ranked 15th

So, we are making a higher percentage of our shots, we are averaging 5 more points than we did all last season, and we are averaging almost 3 more points against our opponents when compared to last year. It's clear to this point in the season this is not the traditional Kansas team of years past. It's one centered around a dual point guard threat with a slasher at the wing in Josh Jackson, a 3pt shooter specialist and slasher in Svi Mykhailiuk, and senior forward Landen Lucas who averages the 5th most rebounds per game in the big 12. Ball distribution, slash attack, 3pt shooting, and transition points is the motto for this years team.

Frank Mason is averaging 20.3 PPG. For comparison to another star guard Malik Monk is averaging 21.4 PPG. He's also a ridiculous 53.8% from 3 this season; tied for 7th best. That's higher than Brannen Greene's 49.2% from last season.

It makes it difficult for teams to prepare for what he'll do; will he shoot a 3, drive and make a kickout assist to an open shooter, drive and slash to the lane for a possible and 1 situation, drive stop and shoot an open two point shot (see the ending of the Duke game), or will he simply make an alley oop pass for the easy dunk. There are so many ways Frank Mason can beat an opponent and his 4 years of experience with the rock is the key.

How we perform against the upcoming gauntlet @West Virginia, @Kentucky, Baylor, Iowa State, and @Kansas State will tell us everything about this team. Thats 3 games against the #7, #5, and #6 teams in the country; two of which are on the road in hostile environments. We need to play better defense, but that should come with more time the rest of the season.

I hope you enjoyed this post!!! I look forward to another competitive season of Jayhawk basketball the rest of the way.

Thanks, keep'em coming ATX.

Welcome back!

RC