Hypothetical Lineup

Sometimes KU fans will produce hypothetical lineups, combining players from different eras to imagine how good such a team might be. For fun, here’s one:

PG – 1998 Ryan Robertson

SG – 2012 Elijah Johnson

SF – 2000 Kenny Gregory

PF – 2003 Nick Collison

C – 2017 Landen Lucas

This group of 5 features three juniors and two seniors, all of whom started and played significant minutes during their respective seasons. It includes a player (Nick Collison) who averaged 18.5 PPG and 10.0 RPG, as well as a secondary scoring option (Kenny Gregory) who went for 12.8 and 4.4. Its role players are also capable in their positions. This isn’t a bad lineup by any means. It would win the conference most years and likely be anywhere from a 1 to a 3-seed.

The reason this set of players was chosen is that it best corresponds to the 2023 starting lineup through 20 games. Jalen Wilson is having a season that is as good as Nick Collison’s 2003 season. Gradey Dick has been about as good as a junior Kenny Gregory. Harris’ season best compares to Elijah Johnson’s junior campaign, Adams to Lucas, and McCullar to Robertson. There are certainly stylistic differences between these lineups, but looking purely at player-value, they are nearly identical.

The 2023 team’s starters aren’t the problem. There have been recent slumps—namely from Harris and Adams—but in looking at the whole picture the starting 5 has been solid. Now, let’s look at some other names.

PF – 2006 Christian Moody

PF – 2015 Jamari Traylor

SF – 1997 Nick Bradford

PG – 2003 Jeff Hawkins

PF – 2018 Mitch Lightfoot

SG – 2001 Mario Kinsey

These six names represent the bench for the hypothetical team, and equate to the 2023 bench as follows. Ejiofor equates to (Sr.) Moody, Udeh to (Jr.) Traylor, Rice to (Fr.) Bradford, Yesufu to (Fr.) Hawkins, Clemence to (So.) Lightfoot, and Pettiford to (Fr.) Kinsey. This set of names doesn’t represent a ton of shooting or offensive skill. Some of these guys who developed into better players later in their careers (Lightfoot, Bradford) are underclassmen in this hypothetical roster.

If this hypothetical team existed, then the first subs off the bench would likely be Moody or Traylor for Lucas and Bradford or Hawkins for either Gregory/Johnson/Robertson. Such substitutions would hurt the team, which would have fewer scoring options and be harmed on the defensive end. The same thing is happening when the 2023 team goes to its bench.