Don't underestimate the value of Cole Aldrich

Cole Aldrich has drawn some criticism this season as his numbers have fallen from last year, when he was an all-american and thought to be a lock for the lottery.

His scoring is down (14.9 ppg to 11.2 ppg); his shot attempts are down (almost 10 per game to barely 7); his minutes are down (just under 30 mpg to 25 mpg); and if you want to get all Kenpom on me, his usage rate is down (21.5% to 20.5%). Hell, this season he has more games with five or fewer shots attempts (six) than he does with 10 or more (four).

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Aldrich is not as much of a factor in the Jayhawks offense as he was last season.

But that doesn't necessarily mean that he is having a worse season.

Kansas is loaded this season. We know this. They have about 10-12 kids that, if playing in a different system with a thinner roster, would likely start and could average double figures. With that kind of offensive firepower on a team, shots and touches are going fewer and further between.

Aldrich has never been known for his offensive ability, either. Yes, he did average 14.9 ppg as a sophomore, but the majority of those points came on catch-and-dunks, off of offensive rebounds, on 15-17 foot jumpers, and from the foul line.

In other words, Aldrich is not a player that can create his own shot. He doesn't have a great back-to-the-basket game. When he is on the floor with a line-up consisting of Sherron Collins, Marcus Morris, Tyshawn Taylor, and Xavier Henry, Aldrich is the fourth, maybe even the fifth, option offensively. While Aldrich can clearly finish with authority, using him as a go-to player on the offensive end is not Self's most efficient option on this team.

That's not to diminish his value or ability. In fact, Aldrich may be the most valuable Jayhawk.

Aldrich is a force in the paint on the defensive end. He's an excellent shot blocker and great rebounder. As he showed last night, he has the ability to completely dominate the paint on that end of the floor. But anyone that had watched his triple-double performance against Dayton in the second round of last year's tournament already knew that.

What you may not have known about Aldrich is his ability as a passer.

Kansas got a lot of easy buckets in transition last night, and the biggest reason why was their biggest player. Aldrich is exceptional at spotting an open teammate up the floor and hitting him in stride. And while Kansas may not have the transition game of a Kentucky, or a UConn, or a Syracuse, they sure are talented enough to take advantage of numbers on a fast break.

He has also shown a decent ability to pass out of the post. On three occasions (that I can remember, there may have been more), Aldrich had the ball in the post and found an open teammate on the perimeter. Twice, it led to open threes. The third time it opened up a driving lane, leading to free throws.

So while Aldrich may not be the offensive force he was last season, it is not the most valuable attribute he brings to the table for the Jayhawks. As long as he is patroling the paint on the defensive end, blocking shots and sparking the Jayhawk break, he is doing what Kansas needs him to.