Graham will be missed even more than he misses it (Keegan)

www2.kusports.com/news/2018/apr/01/tom-k...d-even-more-he-miss/

And I liked this comment that followed the article giving analysis of next year's team and the inclusion of the new guys.

It's always interesting to see how quickly the freshman develop/buy-in, and we will have at least 4 freshman next year. But I am at least equally, if not more so interested in how well this seasons practice squad of Dedric Lawson, KJ Lawson, Charlie Moore, Sam Cunliffe buy-in and progress in the program as I am in our highly rated freshman class.

One would naturally assume that these guys have a head start because they've been around the team and been in practice and been in film sessions etc all year.

That said, everything changes when the guys actually start playing in games that matter. When the spotlight is on them will they perform the way that Bill Self wants them to? Are they willing to sacrifice their personal ambitions for the good of the team (if they have to)? Will they thrive under the pressure of expectations to win the league and play deep into March, or will they wilt?

We have come to expect some growing pains with many of the 5-star freshman. Will the transfers be able to provide at least a flavor of the continuity that has been Kansas' hallmark for decades? Will they take up the flag? Carry the torch? Continue the tradition passed down from Collison and Hinrich to Simien to Russ Rob and Mario, to Sherron, to Tyshawn and the twins and TRob, to Elijah and Withey to Perry Ellis, Wayne Selden, and Frank, to Devonte and Svi, and the many other players who fought and bled for the Crimson and Blue?

All of these guys were three and four year players, and they are the ones who have left the most lasting impacts on the tradition at KU. Nothing against the OADs. Most of them came in and played hard and did what was asked of them, contributed to some great seasons, and continued the streak... Their impact is not lost on Jayhawk Nation, but their legacies all left so many unanswered questions. What if he'd come back? How good could he be as a sophomore? Imagine having Gooden back in 2003? What if Selby came back and played with the national runner-ups in 2012? How far could we have gone if Embiid weren't injured for the NCAA tourney? What if Wiggins played with Frank instead of Tharpe?

The guys who change a program are the guys who allow a program to change them. Next year's team is full transfers and freshman. The key to success is whether the players can become a single unit rather than a collection of individual talent. The transfer players and returnees are eye-witnesses of how it happens. Are they ready to do everything that it takes to make it happen again?