LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Kansas lost one of the leading scorers and rebounders in school history, a slashing guard capable of scoring in bunches, a one-and-done prospect with freakish talent and a dazzling 3-point shooter.And theres a good chance theyll be even better this season.Hard to believe after the Jayhawks went 33-5, won their 12th straight Big 12 regular-season title and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. But with the return of three starters and the addition of Josh Jackson, the nations top overall recruit, the Jayhawks believe they have the chops to win their first national title since 2008.Were going to miss two key starters and of course some depth behind that, but I do think the pieces have potential to fit, Kansas coach Bill Self said. If the pieces fit as well, then I think you may have a little bit more talented group that may give you a chance maybe to play better when it counts the most. But certainly it remains to be seen if the pieces can get there yet.Self acknowledged losing Perry Ellis to graduation creates a significant void, not only in scoring and rebounding but also leadership, and that Wayne Selden Jr. was often the best player on the floor. When you throw in Cheick Diallo, who left after one underwhelming season for the NBA, and Brannen Greenes decision to leave a year early, you have roster turnover that could cripple most programs.The Jayhawks merely had to plug the holes and press on.Jackson should move right into the starting lineup, a 6-foot-8 swingman who some believe could have more impact on the Jayhawks than Andrew Wiggins. Udoka Azubuike also arrived on campus with the kind of expectations that match the freshman centers 7-foot, 270-pound frame.The Jayhawks will also add Ole Miss transfer Dwight Coleby to the mix. He tore his ACL last year but was already sitting out under NCAA transfer rules, and could provide some depth in the front court.But the key to the Jayhawks success will be the returnees: Frank Mason III and Devonte Graham will combine with Jackson in arguably the nations best backcourt, Carlton Bragg is poised to become a scoring machine after an uneven freshman season and Landen Lucas provides experience in the post.Everyone just has to give themselves up and do exactly what coach wants, Mason said. Hes been there and he knows what it takes. Doing that, we have a chance to be the best we can be.Here are the story lines that could define the Jayhawks season:JACKSONS HYPESeveral analysts have already listed him No. 1 in next years draft, but so far he has said all the right things. And he wants to win, even floating the idea of going 40-0. We know its going to be really hard and kind of unlikely, he said, but thats what were shooting for.PLAYING SMALLSelf loves his big men, but the majority of his talent is in the backcourt, so expect the Jayhawks to play four guards quite often. Mason, Graham and Jackson could be joined by Svi Mykhailiuk and Lagerald Vick, who played sparingly a year ago but has taken big strides in the offseason.BIG 12 DROPOFFWest Virginia lost Devin Williams, Iowa State lost Georges Niang and Oklahoma lost Buddy Hield and, well, just about everybody. So the Jayhawks are the heavy favorites to win the league for the 13th straight time, which would match the record streak of UCLA for a major conference.SITTING OUTMississippi State transfer Malik Newman will have to sit out under NCAA transfer rules, but he should still prove valuable. Newman was one of the nations top recruits out of high school and should help to make practices a bit more spirited.TOUGH ROADThe Jayhawks open with Indiana in Hawaii and play Duke four days later in New York, an unusual and brutal combination of travel and talented opponents. Stanford, UNLV and Nebraska ae also on the non-conference schedule. Thats why you come to a school like this -- to start off with Indiana and Duke, Lucas said. Were going to learn a lot in those first couple of weeks. Billy Price Jersey . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. Malik Jefferson Jersey .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. http://www.bengalsgear.com/authentic-andrew-billings-jersey.html . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. Jessie Bates III Jersey . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. Jessie Bates III Bengals Jersey .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Jalen Hurts went to his star receiver after a first half of misfires and missed opportunities with a simple message: Lets settle down.It worked wonders.Hurts threw two third-quarter touchdown passes to Ridley, and Ronnie Harrison scored on a 55-yard fumble return, in No. 1 Alabamas 34-6 victory over Kentucky on Saturday night.The Crimson Tide (5-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) overcame a week full of potential distractions and a slow start to run away from the Wildcats (2-3, 1-2).He actually came to me and said we need to calm down, Ridley said. Hes one of those guys. I think hes like the Jameis Winston guy. Just like hes very cool when somethings going wrong, hes like, `Calm down, calm down and lets just keep going. And I answered him, `Youre right, lets play.The Hurt and Ridley Show took over the second half, hooking up on scoring passes of 10 and 19 yards and plenty in between. Hurts passed for 262 yards, including 173 in the third quarter.Ridley gained 174 yards on 11 catches, both career-highs.Freshman tailback Joshua Jacobs rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in his first start with Kentucky native Damien Harris playing a limited role after spraining his right ankle last week against Kent State.The performance came two days after star linebacker Tim Williams arrest on a misdemeanor charge of carrying a pistol without a permit. Williams was suspended for the first half and still had three tackles for loss and a sack.Backup quarterback Blake Barnett left the team and withdrew from school this week, too.None of that mattered much in the final three quarters, though Kentucky did hold a 3-0 lead for half the first quarter.Challenged them a little bit at halftime, Tide coach Nick Saban said. I didnt think we sort of imposed our will in the first half how we could have or should have or wanted to, however you want to say it.Kentucky couldnt overcome two first-half fumbles, the first coming in Tide territory.dddddddddddd.We had a chance to do some things and go up by at least six and we gave up the turnover there early, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. That we cant do.Hurts couldnt produce any big plays in the passing game until the opening drive of the third quarter. He rolled toward the right sideline and found Ridley wide open for a 46-yard gain. Two plays later, he did the same thing and again Ridley was open -- this time in the end zone.THE TAKEAWAYKentucky: The Wildcats scored first but couldnt get anything going offensively, getting outgained 488-161. Stanley Boom Williams came in averaging 116 yards a game and finished with 22 yards on nine carries.Alabama: The defense sparked the Tide when Hurts and the passing game werent clicking. Alabama had four sacks. Harris logged only two carries and big-play receiver ArDarius Stewart sat out the second straight game with a knee injury.NON-OFFENSIVE TDS: Rashaan Evans stripped the ball from quarterback Stephen Johnson and Harrison scooped it up and sprinted to the end zone in the second quarter. Alabama leads the nation with five defensive touchdowns and seven non-offensive TDs.JOHNSONS NIGHT: Kentucky quarterback Stephen Johnson was 13 of 22 for 89 yards, lost two fumbles and was sacked four times. Saban said Alabama noticed he was a little loose with the ball.I was just trying to make something happen and I didnt hold the ball like I should, Johnson said.POLL IMPLICATIONSAlabama could lose some ground at the No. 1 spot with No. 5 Clemson and No. 3 Louisville clashing in a much more meaningful game.UP NEXTKentucky hosts Vanderbilt in a matchup of SEC East teams in need of a win.Alabama visits No. 20 Arkansas to begin a three-week stretch against ranked teams.----APs college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys Free Shipping Cheapest College Jerseys Sale Cheap Football Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys From China MLB Jerseys Outlet Canada Wholesale NBA Jerseys Canada Store Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '