The bench for the men’s basketball team could be said to be on level with most schools around the nation. But the depth of the overall team could make that theory hard to prove.

With high school standouts, returning All-Americans and improved veterans filling the roster, some players are going to have a hard time getting on the court. Junior Chase Buford knows finding minutes will be a challenge this year.

“They’re going to be tough to come by this year and I think everyone knows that,” he said. “Everyone is putting the time and effort to try to put themselves in the best position they can.”

Coach Bill Self said that at this point he has a nine man rotation in mind, and that that number could shrink to eight depending on the development of Marcus Morris’ skill set both on the inside and outside.

“We may play 10 early just to figure out what our best team is,” Self said. “But I’d like to play four bigs and five guards.”

Counting freshman center Jeff Withey and junior guard Brady Morningstar, who are both inactive for the first semester, the roster has 17 players. Self knows players are not going to be happy with their playing time, but those are the players he wants on his team.

“I think if you have guys on your bench that aren’t restless if they’re not playing, you probably recruited the wrong guys,” he said.

Junior guard Conner Teahan said the team talked about the second team being competitive in the Big 12.

“It’s fun because the practices are very competitive but it’s also frustrating because there are so many good guys and everybody is trying to get on the court,” Teahan said.

But because the team is stacked this year, said sophomore guard Jordan Juenemann said, the opportunity for garbage time, when the outcome of the game is determined at the end of a blowout and a coach puts replacements in, may increase for some players.

“We’re just helping the guys out in practice, challenging them and making them better,” he said. “Maybe they can run up the score and we can get in.”

Veteran players with larger roles last year know they have to step up their game to keep a spot in the rotation. Junior guard Tyrel Reed was fifth on the team last season with 20.7 minutes played per game despite only starting in two games. But his attitude on the extra competition is positive.

“It’s not a big deal,” Reed said. “I love all my teammates. We have no jealousy towards each other.”

If one of the younger players has a chance to start in the future, Self said, then they should consider red-shirting to give them the extra year of eligibility. During the Jayhawks’ 2008 championship season, Morningstar did not play a minute and it gave him an extra year Self said benefited the whole team in the long run.

Despite the tough decisions the coaches will have to make, there may be one remedy for disgruntled players: Winning.

“I think once practice starts, minutes have a way of figuring themselves out,” Self said. “Guys may not be happy if they’re not playing, but I also think guys are really happy when you win.”

— Edited by Alicia Banister