Oct. 12, 2000 SportsLine.com Reports

Big 12 report | NCAA Tournament Report

A glance at 2001

Kansas should be a force nationally this season, with the return of nearly everyone of consequence. The only thing missing is a banger inside, a marked deficiency this season. One Eric Chenowith can shore it up should he ever show up.

The Jayhawks were a bit too soft for the physical play in the Big 12. Still, there seems to be good vibes and optimism surrounding the program because of the experience gained from last season's trying campaign.

The coach

In February, Roy Williams was not longing for Allen Fieldhouse and the Jayhawk faithful were ready to start a fund to help their coach pack up his house and catch the first train to anywhere.

A young Kansas team was having its problems and the KU fans were not enjoying the ride. Williams called the team's fans a "wine and cheese" crowd and suggested that if they didn't like what the team was doing, perhaps they should stay at home.

My how things change in a matter of months. Thursday, after he had been offered the coaching job at North Carolina, Williams announced that he would stay in Lawrence. The decision was a happy surprise to KU fans, who didn't like the vision of serving as a farm team for the Tar Heels or of trying to replace the highly-successful coach.

"My mentors taught me that loyalty is the most important thing," Williams said. "I couldn't leave my players. I couldn't trade my players. That became more important than my dream of being at North Carolina."

Who'll be back

Drew Gooden's potential is unlimited. The Jayhawks still will be young next season, with three sophomore starters: Gooden, Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich. If Chenowith can break out of his funk and Luke Axtell can return in good health, Williams will be hard-pressed to pick a starting five because Kenny Gregory and Jeff Boschee also will be back.

Who's gone

Nick Bradford is the most significant loss. He is the only senior who has played an average of more than eight minutes per game. The Jayhawks shouldn't miss the personal baggage Lester Earl brought with him when he transferred from Louisiana State, though Williams had stuck with him.

Guard Marian London, who didn't have quite the season expected of him, decided to transfer to DePaul to finish out his career. The 6-4 guard averaged just 3.2 points and 2.4 rebounds last season.

Key newcomers

Kansas signed one player in the NCAA's early-recruiting period, DeShawn Stevenson, a 6-5, 210-pound high school player from Fresno, Calif. Then Stevenson, who struggled to earn a qualifying score on the SAT, changed his mind about college and declared for the NBA draft. He was selected near the end of the first round by the Utah Jazz.