Sophomore center Cole Aldrich spotted his roommate and sophomore guard Tyrel Reed from afar as he strolled down campus Friday afternoon,

Aldrich took out his cell phone and called Reed. The six-foot-eleven Aldrich had a simple question for his buddy – “Do you see me?”

“Of course, I see you,” Reed responded. “You’re the tallest guy on campus.”

It’s becoming easier than ever to notice Aldrich – and not just because of his height. With nine players gone from last year’s national championship squad, Aldrich enters this season as one of the Jayhawks’ most experienced players — Reed too.

Aside from junior guard Sherron Collins, who Bill Self hasn’t allowed to practice since the team began Thursday because he’s out of shape, Aldrich and Reed are the leading returners in minutes played.

They are veterans on this team. It doesn’t seem right, but it’s true.

“It sounds kind of weird if you want to know the truth,” Reed said. “I don’t consider myself a veteran yet.”

Maybe that’s because Reed only averaged five minutes per game last season. He didn’t play more than two minutes in any of Kansas’s six NCAA Tournament games and only scored 47 points all season.

Aldrich played more than his roommate last season, but not by much. He averaged eight minutes per game and scored a total of 112 points.

If Reed and Aldrich are worried about experience, they can begin to ease into their veteran roles when the Jayhawks play three exhibition games in Ottawa, Canada, this weekend.

Aldrich will be the main cog below the basket for Kansas this season because of the departures of Darnell Jackson, Darrell Arthur and Sasha Kaun. Reed will compete for playing time in the guard rotation, which lost five of six players after last season.

They will both have to be leaders and help the seven newcomers adjust to playing Division-I basketball. Aldrich and Reed both said they were trying to be more vocal in practice. To Aldrich, the challenge comes as no surprise.

“Just being viewed upon as one of the better guys on your team; that’s one thing you’re expected to do is lead by example, and lead by saying stuff,” Aldrich said.

Kansas coach Bill Self doesn’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing that Kansas has to count on sophomores for veteran leadership. He mentioned that last season the Jayhawks didn’t know who their leader was most of the time.

But most of those guys had played two or three years worth of games as Jayhawks. They had started games and played extended minutes. Aldrich and Reed haven’t.

“I wouldn’t say ‘stinks’ but I’ve certainly coached more experience before,” Self said. “None of them have really played much.”

That doesn’t mean Self doesn’t believe in them. Self called Aldrich’s first practice ‘great’. Self said, as of now, Aldrich would unquestionably be the leader of the team.

Aldrich is fine with carrying that distinction. He said he became used to being a leader at Jefferson High School in his hometown of Bloomington, Minn., where he was a three-time selection on the all-state team.

The fact that it was only two years ago doesn’t bother Aldrich, or Self. Aldrich likes the thought that before long he won’t only be the tallest guy on campus, but also the most recognizable.

“I’m one of the main guys on our team now,” Aldrich said. “It’s real exciting to go through the transition.”

— - Edited by Andy Greenhaw