Bill Self expects Jeff Withey to have 'All-American type' of season for Kansas basketball

Kansas Jayhawks senior center Jeff Withey is expected to step up and be an even bigger contributor this season, after the team lost the top two scorers from last year's roster.

Withey is now the most experienced and accomplished player on the team, along with Travis Releford, and coach Bill Self is expecting big things from the center this season:

"Well, I want Jeff to be an All-American type guy," Self said during the team's media day. "I don't think that is that big of a reach. I think he is the best defensive big guy in the country and he may have been that last year if you eliminate Anthony Davis - I would think you could make a strong case that he was. But he has got to develop offensively where he is more of a producer, because he had Thomas (Robinson) playing on the other side, so that made it a little bit easier for him. But if he can just get a little bit more aggressive and consistent offensively, I think he can definitely be an all-league type player, which he was voted preseason."

Withey averaged nine points and 24.8 minutes per game in 2011-12, yet led the team in blocks (140) and was second on the team in rebounds (245). The seven-foot tall center was a unanimous selection to the Preseason All-Big 12 team.