Self comes up emptyHighly recruited Harrison Barnes (#2 by Rivals and #1 by ESPN) decided to become a Tar Heel this afternoon. Friday the 13th didn’t turn out too good for KU fans. Barnes is considered a freak athlete in that he has a wingspan of a 7 footer and plays like a guard. He’s 6-8”. Being from Iowa, he will join the likes of Hinrich, Collison and LaFrentz who left the state to play for Roy Williams.
Of course, the RW detracters will blast him for recruiting in KU’s “territory” citing the tired argument that he only recruited west when he was at Kansas – away from NC. The only problem with the argument is... exactly what direction is he supposed to recruit? He can’t exactly go east unless it is Bermuda or Europe. Barnes seems like a good kid, but #1 picks don’t necessarily translate into national championships.
KU signed #93 (ESPN) Royce Woolridge a couple days ago. He remains the only signed player for Kansas. Of the ESPN top-100, 83 have already picked a school. Kansas remains in the hunt for a few of the top players. Brandon Knight (#1 Rivals, 6-3), Josh Selby (#4, 6-2) and Doron Lamb (#21, 6-4) are the remaining unsigned players in the top 50 who are considering Lawrence.
Self has indicated he wants to sign two more players in addition to Woolridge.
Assuming three new players join the team and assuming Kansas loses Collins (SR) and Aldrich (JR), that’s one too many. Even though I do not believe Xavier Henry will go pro after this season and I have a bet with my boss at the Star about it, let’s say Henry does go after his freshman campaign. That simply means the team loses three and gains three. No change.
The more pressing question is the whether Little and Releford will red shirt. Speculation was that Self was waiting on Barnes’ decision, although I fail to see what that has to do with it. Anyway, the reason to red shirt would be so they can come back next year and get the playing time they likely will not get this year. However, that would seem equally unlikely.
In addition to the existing nine-man rotation you have to add Morningstar and Withey. So, you have Woolridge, and two another recruits along with Morningstar and Withey trying to fill three empty spots. That’s a five-sided peg in a three-sided hole. And, that’s BEFORE Little and Releford.
Little is a senior. I’m not sure what value there would be in transferring. Releford, however, is a sophomore. He’s a four star player and he could be very good somewhere else. Even if he red shirts, he’s going to be facing the exact same situation next season as this one – except that (presumably) Morningstar and Withey will be playing from the beginning.
Of course, what makes it a reasonable option for Releford would be if KU fails to land any of the three remaining possible top players. If that happens, then Releford could very well have an opportunity to play. But, I wouldn't want to bet my career against Self's ability to get one or two of those kids.