The news conference during which Xavier Henry declared for the NBA draft was supposed to go a bit differently.

Following a dynamic freshman season in which he collected numerous accolades and helped Kansas to a national championship, Henry would triumphantly declare that he had accomplished everything he could at Kansas and would take his game to the next level.

The news conference would thus be a cold and emotionless occasion, devoid of any genuine feeling. The inevitable would simply be confirmed as the business relationship between Henry and Kansas was severed, and both parties would move forward without a look back.

The fans would be satisfied as well, having got what they wanted from the hired gun.

That news conference — the one expected by most every Kansas fan since Henry committed to KU — did not happen.

Instead, on the heels of a second-round NCAA tournament exit, Henry announced his decision to declare for the NBA draft with occasional sobs and a tear-streaked face.

And fans will not be satisfied.

The season will be labeled a colossal disappointment. Fans will say one reason why is that Henry never played as a score-at-will superstar, a la previous Big 12 one-and-doners Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley.

Fans will say that he lacks the aggression necessary to score in the NBA and that he doesn’t rebound or defend well enough. They will contend that Henry, simply put, is not ready.

Many will also label Henry’s display of emotions either disingenuous or unearned. They will say that his mind was made up before he came to Kansas, so how could he develop any real connection to University or his teammates? Or perhaps Henry’s apparent affection for his teammates will be invoked. If you love playing with them so much, why not do so for at least one more season?

But most of all, they will say that he should have come back for at least one more season. They will argue that his game — and thus his draft stock — could be improved. Fans will say all of those things because they are fans, and those are the sorts of things fans say in these situations. It’s inevitable, but it’s also unfortunate.

Kansas’ failure to cut down the nets in Indianapolis shouldn’t be used to indict Henry. He was not brought in to carry an already loaded team; rather, his role was that of a supplementary scorer. Henry filled that role well, ending the season with an average of more than 13 points a game.

Henry is inarguably ready for the NBA. Why inarguable? Because he’s going to be drafted in the first round. With the possibility of a lockout looming, the decision to enter the draft had to be made.

So no, the news conference did not go as expected, and no, the season didn’t either.

But that doesn’t mean the expected negative fan reaction is justified. Instead, in keeping with the trend, that’s one more expected result that should fail to actualize.

— Edited by Allyson Shaw