Like Kansas basketball And as Howard prepares to face off Monday night, there’s plenty to discuss before tipoff at 7 p.m. CT.

Here are three important stories to watch.

AJ Storr, a transfer from Wisconsin, has high potential but struggled to adapt to Bill Self’s system during the preseason.

Known for his dazzling athleticism and scoring ability, Storr’s challenge will be to blend his individual skills with the team-oriented play that Kansas emphasizes.

The opener will be a chance for him to show if he’s found his rhythm in Kansas’ structure.

Alabama transfer Rylan Griffen emerged as a standout player in preseason practices and quickly gained a reputation for his energy on both ends of the court.

Griffen’s defensive ability and leadership qualities suggest he could be a mainstay for Kansas this season.

As fans watch him against Howard, his offensive usage and defensive impact, especially as a catch-and-shoot option, will be key indicators of his role moving forward.

Kansas will have to deal with minor but notable injuries to key players. Hunter Dickinson (foot), Rylan Griffen (hip) and Shakeel Moore (foot) are among the names likely to be in the opener.

While all three are expected to play, their effectiveness could be affected by these persistent issues, and Self’s rotations could possibly be affected throughout the game.

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