Living Up To The Potential: Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas

        We've heard it a million times before- Kansas does not rebuild, they reload- winning an unprecedented seven straight Big 12 regular-season titles. But the crown appears destined to change this season as Kansas four starters, including the Big 12 Player of the Year, but Bill Self didn't hit the usual recruiting home run either. That leaves senior point guard the lone returning starter in Lawrence.

        Taylor will take over a leadership role this season by default, but is he ready for it? He is very talented, the kind that can change a game with his speed and quickness, especially getting out in transition. He is a capable 3-point shooter and possesses the ball-handling skills and slipperiness to make one ball move and get by his defender and score in the lane. However, and this is a rather large however, Taylor is indecisive and turnover prone.

        Taylor's leadership has come under question several times in his first three years at Kansas with more than his fair share of disciplinary woes.

        If Taylor continues to work on his game and comes back as a senior with an improved mid-range jump shot and the confidence in his teammates, he will be the team's most important player. If not, sophomore Elijah Johnson will shift over to point guard and KU will lose its grips on an eighth straight title.


By President Corey Ruff - 11 - 9- 11