The 2007 Kansas Jayhawks finished with a record of 33-5 (14-2), winning both the Big 12 Regular Season and Conference Tournament. The team earned a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament and reached the Elite 8 before losing. The team’s Sports Reference link is here.

Offense

The 2007 offense was worse than people may remember, finishing 29th in Adjusted efficiency according to KenPom. The team’s most productive players were Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers, and Julian Wright–each producing more than 10 points a game. Chalmers, with a TS% of 57.8%, was the team’s most efficient shooter.

There was good balance among the rotation players, with Darrell Arthur posting the highest shot frequency of 27.2%. Russell Robinson was the opposite end, distributing more than shooting from the PG position.

In total, the 2017 team produced some decent but not spectacular offensive seasons. Wright, Arthur, and Chalmers were all above +1.00 PPG in value. Freshman Sherron Collins was also positive, with Rush and Darnell Jackson barely above 0.00.

Defense

On the other side of things, the 2007 defense is Bill Self’s best defensive team and the best since at least 1997. The team held 7 opponents to under 50 points during the season. Brandon Rush led all rotation defenders by allowing 9.5 points per 60 possessions, with Sherron Collins, Darnell Jackson and Sasha Kaun also posting solid coverage stats. Additionally, reserves like Rodrick Stewart and Jeremy Case defended solidly in their limited playing time.

The team also had balance in winning possessions. Forward Julian Wright led the team in getting the ball back after a defensive stop with strong defensive rebounding, but guards like Mario Chalmers and Russell Robinson got plenty of stops with steals and forced turnovers. The team also blocked tons of shots, finishing second in the nation in block% according to Pomeroy.

The team’s top 10 players (in minutes played) all finished with positive defensive scores, the only time a KU team has done this on record. Rush, Chalmers, Jackson, Kaun, Arthur, and Wright all finished with value scores above +1.00, with Robinson and Collins not far behind.

Adj. PPG +/-

The 2007 team was incredibly balanced, with no true stars but no weaknesses either. Chalmers, Wright, Arthur, and Rush all finished above +2.00 in value; in addition Jackson and Collins added over +1.00 points per game in value. It’s top 8 players were all positive contributors against bubble-level.

The TEAM score of +11.90 was KU’s first +10 score (roughly equating to a 1-seed level performance) since Bill Self began coaching at Kansas.

Mario Chalmers contributed the most value of any player. But not far behind him were Julian Wright, Darrell Arthur, and Brandon Rush. The 2007 team didn’t have a “best” player, but a bunch of very good ones.

Elite 8 Run

After getting bounced in back-to-back opening rounds in the NCAA Tournament, Bill Self and his players were ready to put the past behind them and make a deep run. Earning the final #1 seed, the Jayhawks cruised past Niagara in the Round of 64, and then defeated #8 seed Kentucky in the Round of 32. A defensive struggle in the Sweet 16 saw Kansas get past #4 seed Southern Illinois, only to lose in the regional finals against UCLA.

It was a tough ending to a successful season. But KU was back. The program, despite a few rocky seasons, had reestablished itself as one of the top teams in college basketball.