Jeff Withey is going to need to turn in a solid 2012-2013 eason for the Kansas Men’s Basketball team to have any chance to return to the lory land of last year’s team. The Jayhawks were just a single win away from eing national champions, but took big hits with Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor leaving for the National Basketball Association.
Jeff Withey will be entering his fourth and final season at Kansas. The 7’0, 235 center from San Diego has increased his scoring from 1.3 points in 2009-2010 to 9 per game last season. Withey was not the top option for the Jayhawks, but will now be the man inside, so his scoring presence will need to improve. Withey also grabbed
nearly 7 rebounds per game and also blocked 3.5 shots per game. All of these numbers are while playing nearly 25 minutes per game for Kansas. Look for Withey’s minutes to increase as well, especially if he can find a way to stay out of foul trouble.
The Jayhawks are losing 17.9 points and 11.8 rebounds per game from Robinson, who was a beast inside all season long. The point guard – Tyshawn Taylor was second on the team with 16.6 points per game, and also dished out a team high 4.8 assists per game.
Along with the heralded freshman class that Bill Self has brought into Lawrence, the big man Withey and the Jayhawks are also relying heavily on Elijah Johnson and Travis Releford to be a leader for the team.
Withey showed signs of being a true start in college basketball at times last season. On February 8th the big man scored 25 points against the Baylor Bears. The next game the Jayhawks played was against Oklahoma State, where Withey ripped down 20 rebounds.
There is no doubt the big man is going to have a lot of pressure on his big shoulders for the Kansas Jayhawks. Look for Withey to have an impact season. Look for the big man to get into great shape; including bigger, faster and stronger to carry the load.
