Kansas Jayhawks Q&A: Devin Neal, Jalon Daniels and KU basketball’s emerging scorer
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Lots going on this week for KU athletics.
The No. 5-ranked Kansas men’s basketball team plays host to defending champion No. 4 UConn at Allen Fieldhouse Friday night. KU is 3-0 all-time vs. the Huskies.
The KU volleyball team played host to Omaha in the NCAA tournament Thursday and won in a a sweep to advance to the second round. The Jayhawks play host to Penn State Friday night in Round 2.
And the KU football team learns where and who it’ll play in bowl season on Sunday.
Let’s jump into another Kansas Jayhawks Q&A. As always, thank you for the questions!
How big of a snub was it that Devin Neal wasn’t First Team All Big 12?
— Evan (@Evan859435944) November 30, 2023
I think it’s a bit of a snub for Neal.
Look at his numbers this season alongside those of Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks (noting that OSU’s Ollie Gordon was also worthy of nomination):
Neal: 1,209 yards on 183 carries for 6.6 YPC and 15 TDS; 24 catches for 214 yards, 8.9 YPC, 1 TD.
Brooks: 1,447 yards on 269 carries for 5.4 YPC and 9 TDS; 24 catches for 72 yards, 3 YPC, 0 TDS.
So, while Brooks has a decent advantage in rushing yards, he also had more carries. Neal blows Brooks out of the water in yards per carry and rushing touchdowns. Perhaps some voters looked at both players’ total yards without delving deeper into the stats.
Will it ever come out what Daniels’ actual injury was, like a herniated disk or fractured vertebra? What will the high school player -transfer recruit % be for this cycle?
— JAndrew_c (@JAndrew_Cochran) November 30, 2023
It would have come out by now if it was something more significant than back spasms. We’ll watch to see if Daniels needs surgery this offseason.
Kansas has 16 high school commitments. Based on the fact that many players can return for another season or two, I’d guess 70% of KU’s 2024 recruiting class is comprised of high schoolers. The rest are transfers.
Who do you see emerging as a possible scorer this year, I feel like it has to be between Jackson and Timberlake.
— Zeke Marshall enthusiast (@ROLLHAWKS361526) November 30, 2023
Elmarko Jackson has a higher ceiling and overall skill-set than Nick Timberlake, but Timberlake needs to be KU’s emerging scorer off the bench.
He’s KU’s best sharpshooter, and that should show through once his confidence improves.
Who from the freshman class who red shirted this year do you see making the biggest impact for KUFB next year?
— Gary W (@GaryWiley2) November 30, 2023
I think it’ll be either offensive lineman Calvin Clements, who was listed as a backup already, or wide receiver Keaton Kubecka. Kubecka has already played in four games, but since he didn’t play in more — and the bowl doesn’t count — he preserves his redshirt.
Outside of Hunter KU doesn’t seem to have consistent rebounders. What do you think is the cause and is there a solution?
— Nick Springer (@NickSpringer29) November 30, 2023
Every returner in KU’s starting lineup has a lower rebounding rate than last season. Essentially, Dickinson is the only guy helping the Jayhawks crash on the boards.
As Self said Tuesday, KJ Adams is a better offensive rebounder ... and he’s at half his percentage from last year. On top of that, Adams tends to box out his man and let his teammates grab the rebounds — but Dajuan Harris and Elmarko Jackson haven’t done much of that.
One more thing: Adams is playing the four-spot instead of the five, so he’s not boxing out against the opposing team’s best rebounder. That equates to more chances for KU’s opponents to grab rebounds.
