Sunflower State a hoops hotbed

lines, aiming for his incredible 14th consecutive Big 12 championship, a third trip to the Final Four and a second national title.

“When I first got this job, I remember going and speaking around the state, and numerous fans would tell me, ‘Hey, this is going to be our year. This is going to be our year,’” he said. “And I’m like, ‘What about these last years? You had [Nick] Collison and [Kirk] Hinrich and now we’re supposed to be better after going to back-to-back Final Fours?’ That’s why I made a joke about Kansas math.”

Well, that math still applies. The Jayhawks believe they’re a national championship contender even after losing national player of the year Frank Mason III and NBA lottery pick Josh Jackson.

“A lot of people expect this team to be really, really good, which we have a chance,” Self said. “That’s a lot to replace, but somehow people are so optimistic always that we should always be better.”

The Shockers have every reason to think they’ll be better.

After all, they return every starter from a team that went 31-5 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. That includes NBA prospects Landry Shamet and Markis McDuffie, both of whom are out for a month with foot injuries, and former Jayhawks sharpshooter Conner Frankamp.

It’s hardly a surprise that coach Gregg Marshall’s team is expected to challenge Cincinnati for the American Athletic Conference title in its first season since leaving the Missouri Valley.

“There is a big target on our back,” McDuffie said. “Everyone wants to beat us now. I wouldn’t say it’s a lot of pressure, but we are definitely the team that everyone wants to eat.”

Then there’s Kansas State, which lost swingman Wesley Iwundu but returns Wade, Barry Brown and Kamau Stokes, a trio of juniors who have started since they were freshmen. Add three transfers and a touted freshman class and the Wildcats believe they can improve on their 21-14 record from last season.

There’s enough optimism that coach Bruce Weber got a contract extension this past offseason.

“This year’s team is going to be competitive,” Brown said. “We have a lot of flexible guys that can play multiple positions. We’re going to be athletic, long, shoot the 3 at a higher efficiency and get to the basket. I feel that we are going to improve in every statistic.”

If the Jayhawks, Shockers and Wildcats can all do that, it could make for an interesting season.

Perhaps an even more interesting March Madness.