Freshman Frank Mason will start at point guard when Kansas visits Colorado on Saturday, according to Yahoo's Jeff Eisenberg. Mason replaces junior Naadir Tharpe, who was showing improvement as a junior.
Kansas will start freshman Frank Mason at PG vs. Colorado
Coach Bill Self hands the reins of his offense over to Mason, who replaces junior Naadir Tharpe in the starting lineup.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The decision to start Mason is emblematic of the youth movement at Kansas, with fellow freshmen Andrew Wiggins, Wayne Selden and Joel Embiid all getting substantial playing time. Mason has a proven scoring ability, averaging nearly nine points in 19 minutes per game. He hasn't shown any range -- he's just 2-of-14 in three-point attempts -- but has shown the ability to finish at the rim.
Tharpe had improved his shooting percentage this season, but never developed the ability to create his own shot. Averaging starter minutes, Tharpe has scored just 6.3 points per game. Bill Self has seen this before, having coached offensively challenged point guard Elijah Johnson for three seasons.
More from SB Nation College Basketball
See More:
