THE GOOD NEWS
For starters, the first national championship for Kansas since 1988. Balance keyed the Jayhawks all season and made them difficult to defend. Then, when they played defense, their active hands created havoc for opponents. Following a players-only meeting held after a February 23 loss at Oklahoma State, the Jayhawks won their last 13 games. The unselfishness of this group allowed it to bond as a team, even with the presence of several players thought initially to be one-and-done NBA types.

THE BAD NEWS
Several key players will not return, including three seniors who were part of the primary seven-man rotation. In addition, G Brandon Rush and F Darrell Arthur declared for the NBA draft and G Mario Chalmers could soon join them, leaving G Sherron Collins as the only mainstay on the 2008-09 squad.

KEY RETURNEES
G Sherron Collins has battled weight issues and injuries since arriving at Kansas, but can provide a huge spark when healthy. C Cole Aldrich played some key minutes, including an impressive stint in the national semifinal win against North Carolina. Rush and Arthur are NBA-bound and, assuming Chalmers also turns pro, the remainder of the returnees are unproven. Chalmers is the biggest long shot for the NBA at this stage and would be one of the nation's top seniors if he decides to return.

ROSTER REPORT

--G Mario Chalmers was named the most outstanding player at the Final Four, becoming the fifth Jayhawk to earn the honor. Others were Danny Manning (1988), Wilt Chamberlain ('57), B.H Born ('53) and Clyde Lovellette ('52). Chalmers hit a 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds left to send the championship game into overtime. He also tied his own Kansas record with 97 steals on the season and ranks second all-time with 283.

--F Darrell Arthur was strong underneath in the national championship, leading Kansas with 20 points on 9-for-13 shooting, and posting a double-double by tying his career-high of 10 rebounds.

--If it had met the minimum requirement of 15 made free throws, the 14-for-15 (.933) performance from the line by the Jayhawks against Memphis would have been the second best in an NCAA title game. The only miss was by G Brandon Rush.

--The appearance at the Final Four began with a thud as G Rodrick Stewart landed wrong attempting an ally-oop dunk at the conclusion of the Jayhawks' public workout in the Alamodome. Stewart fractured his right knee cap.

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