The Blue Chip Loaded Roster of the Kansas Jayhawks

The 2009-2010 Kansas Jayhawks are one of the best teams in the country this season because of the combination of great returning stars and new freshmen to the team.  With apparent reports of G Tyshawn Taylor saying on facebook he wants to transfer, let's look at the roster of this team.
In 2008-2009, the Jayhawks went 25-7 (14-2 in Big 12) and were the regular season champs of the Big 12 conference.  They were upset in the conference tournament in their first game to Baylor.  In the NCAA tournament, they were a 3 seed that lost in the sweet sixteen to the 2 seed, Michigan State.  All in all a pretty good season for Bill Self, considering they lost to the eventual tournament runner up. 
So far in 2009-2010, the Jayhawks are 17-1 (3-0 in Big 12) with their one loss being a surprise upset at Tennessee.  They still have to play Texas and Kansas State twice, but let's look at this team anyway, who is expected to go far in the NCAA tournament.
2009-2010
Starters:
G Fr. Xavier Henry
G Sr. Sherron Collins
G So Tyshawn Taylor
F So. Marcus Morris
C Jr. Cole Aldrich
Bench: (all player getting more than 5 mpg)
F So. Markieff Morris
G Jr. Brady Morningstar 
G Jr. Tyrel Reed
F Fr. Thomas Robinson
G Fr. Elijah Johnson
G Fr. C.J. Henry
G Jr. Conner Teahan

Taylor may lose his starting spot to Morningstar, but that is not yet definite.  So they have 12 players, including 4 freshmen averaging more than 5 minutes a game so far this season.  Coach Self is splitting the minutes up to everyone pretty fairly then it seems.

Let's look back at last year's team.
2008-2009
Starters:
Brady Morningstar

Sherron Collins
Tyshawn Taylor
Marcus Morris
Cole Aldrich
Bench:
Markieff Morris
Tyrel Reed
G Jr. Mario Little
G Fr. Travis Releford
F Fr. Quintrell Thomas

Thomas transferred to UNLV.  Releford and Little haven't played a minute yet this season.  Morningstar has seen his minutes and role decreased, although now as the tougher part of the season approaches his minutes may rise.  If it wasn't for John Wall, Xavier Henry might have been a more well-known freshmen, regardless he is still having a great season.
This team is basically the same team as last year with a few more pieces added to the puzzle. As long as Bill Self can handle all the players and their minutes this team should be going far into the tournament.

NBA Prospects
According to Chad Ford's Top 100 draft prospects and ESPN Insider rankings, 6 of the Jayhawks could be in the NBA next season.
Cole Aldrich is ranked as Ford's 7th best prospect.
Xavier Henry is ranked as Ford's 8th best prospect.
Sherron Collins is ranked as Ford's 4th best point guard (43rd overall).
Tyshawn Taylor is ranked as Ford's 11th best point guard (70th overall).
Marcus Morris is ranked as Ford's 48th best power forward (168th overall).
Thomas Robinson is ranked as Ford's 50th best power forward (172nd overall).

Collins will be graduating and is likely to get drafted and Henry and Aldrich are both likely to leave as well.  Taylor could test the waters, but should stick around for another year and get some more playing time.

So, all college basketball fans, enjoy Collins leading this team for a final time and Aldrich being that great center for one last season.  The expectations are high and this team can live up to the expectations.