That Coca-Cola drinking coach with the southern drawl, the guy who won 418 games and countless hearts, the loyalist they thought would never leave -- he's gone. Roy Williams is at North Carolina now, hoping to establish the same kind of legacy he spent 15 years etching at Kansas. As painful as Williams' departure was, the discontent didn't last long. Within a week the buzz around Lawrence shifted away from the coach now known as "Benedict Roy" and more toward his replacement, Bill Self.

As good as Williams was, there are those who believe that Self, who spent the last three seasons at Illinois, can be even better. "I have a lot respect for Coach Williams," Kansas freshman J.R. Giddens says. "But now that Coach Self is here, there's no frown on my face at all."

FRONTCOURT

A shoulder separation last January cut short what would've been an all-conference season for Wayne Simien. After his comeback attempt was limited to four games in February, Simien opted for surgery, giving him ample time to rehabilitate for what promises to be a banner junior year. Simien has all the tools that make NBA scouts drool. He's strong and aggressive in the paint, yet he has a soft shooting touch away from the basket.

Joining Simien inside will be Jeff Graves, easily one of college basketball's feel-good stories of last season. After reporting to Kansas nearly 40 pounds overweight, Graves shaped up his physique and his attitude en route to becoming one of the more underrated players in the country. A 6-foot-9, 275-pound bruiser, Graves had 16 points and 16 rebounds in Kansas' title game loss to Syracuse.

Unlike last season, Kansas will have depth in its frontcourt. David Padgett, a 6-11 center, earned McDonald's All-American honors at Reno (Nev.) High School last season. He was generally regarded as one of the country's top 10 recruits, spurning offers from schools such as North Carolina and Arizona in favor of Kansas.

BACKCOURT

The Jayhawks lost one of the top guards in Big 12 history in Kirk Hinrich. Still, it's not as if Hinrich's departure left Kansas' backcourt depleted. Point guard Aaron Miles is a third-year starter who ranked 11th in the nation in assists (6.4) last season. A 6-1 junior, Miles needs to become a more consistent scorer after shooting just 40.8 percent from the field.

Keith Langford, an off-guard, averaged 15.9 points per game in 2002-03. Although he's known mainly for his slashing and ability to finish, Langford has also quickened his release on 3-pointers while working to become a better defender. The only problem: He's no longer the secret he was when he signed with Kansas in 2000. "It's a lot easier to do things on the court when no one expects you to do it as opposed to being a marked man," Self says.

The biggest question revolves around Kansas' third perimeter player. Michael Lee gave the Jayhawks a boost with his defense and usually mistake-free, level-headed play. Still, Lee will be pushed by Giddens, a 6-5 guard who promises to be one of the most exciting players ever to wear a Kansas uniform. The McDonald's All-American can handle, slash, shoot and dunk with a ferociousness that Jayhawk fans haven't seen since the days of Kenny Gregory.

"J.R. brings a whole new meaning to the word 'athleticism,'" Langford says.

Even if Giddens doesn't start, he'll play plenty of minutes. Look for Jeff Hawkins, a defensive-minded sharpshooter, to back up Miles at the point. Freshmen Omar Wilkes and Jeremy Case will vie for time on the wing.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Even without Williams, Hinrich and 2002-03 scoring leader Nick Collison, the Jayhawks appear to have the talent and depth to claim a third straight Big 12 title and Final Four berth. Even so, the question marks are glaring: Can Simien stay healthy? Will Graves progress or revert? How quickly will Padgett and Giddens adapt to the college game? And, most importantly, can Self handle the pressure of following a legend at one of the country's most esteemed basketball schools?

"We're not going to sidestep any expectations this year," Self says. "Losing two lottery picks is difficult. But if guys get healthy and stay healthy, and we get as much out of our young guys as we hope to, we're going to be right there in the hunt once again."

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