Lance Lost Out

COLUMBIA, Mo. – I sat at my computer with some sadness but mostly relief on Thursday morning just after 11:15 as I pretended to hear what Xavier Henry was saying at his press conference – “He did say he was going to KU didn’t he?” And of course, he did, ending three weeks of mind-numbing speculation and the debate of whether KU should stop with Xavier Henry and proceed with Lance Stephenson, the kid I wanted but who ultimately cooked his own goose by waiting around too long to make his decision.

Of course, I’m still intrigued to see where the kid will end up, as some folks out there – message boards are the sports fan’s equivalent to TMZ – who think Lance still wants to go to KU and may decide to do so. As I wrapped my brain around that idea yesterday afternoon reading the Zagsblog article, for as much as I would love for that to happen, I just don’t think its feasible.

KU landing Lance at this point after all the insanity that’s gone on would be the biggest coup in KU recruiting history, even bigger than Xavier at this point. You’re adding two of the best wings in high school basketball, two kids that probably would’ve gone pro out of high school if they could, and you make what is already a dangerous basketball team coming back just plain despicable. But the problem–and it is a good problem to have–where do you find the minutes for all these guys if Lance shows up? The KU Bench wouldn’t just be deep–it’d be an abyss.

Let’s say, hypothesizing here, that you start Sherron, Xavier, Lance, T-Rob, Cole. (I think T-Rob epitomizes what Self looks for in a big man.) Whew.

Now, guess who that leaves on the bench: Taylor, Mk. Morris, Mc.Morris, Little, E. Johnson, Morningstar, CJ Henry, Withey, Reed and Releford

Wow. 10 deep. KU’s bench could challenge for a spot in the NCAA Tourney next year and might get votes for third or fourth in the Big 12.

Of course, speculation is Releford and possibly Reed will redshirt, but I’m prone to think only Releford will. That said, there’s not a team in college basketball history that goes 15 deep the way KU could next year, and even without Lance, we’re still talking about a team that will have 14 guys that could play–probably start at most places–big time college basketball. My head is spinning. Imagine how Coach Self feels.

So, as much as it pains me to say this, I am divorcing myself today from Lance Stephenson coming to KU. He’s been spurned and KU’s roster already looks like it should be practicing at Kivisto Field. The likelihood of him really coming to KU is slim to none, and slim is booking hotel rooms in Indy for next year’s Final Four. You could’a been a contender Lance, but as the saying goes–he who hesitates, misses out on signing with National Title Contenders. Well, it sort of goes like that.

But, like with any divorce, I’m always open to reconciliation.