FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2006
GAME DAY
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 9A
'Hawks must control Stinson, Blalock
KU Tip-off
ATA GLANCE
Kansas has shot better than 50 percent from the field in seven of its past nine games. The Jayhawks have been in a solid offensive rhythm lately. They had four players in double-digits in scoring Wednesday night against Texas A&M in College Station, Texas.
Russell Robinson. The sophomore guard has scored in double figures in each of the past four games and Self's decision to move Robinson to the point guard position is paying huge dividends.
PLAYER TO WATCH
5 QUICK FACT.TS
LAST TIME OUT
18 — Assists per game for the Jayhawks this season, first in the conference
0 — Number of Kansas opponents that have shot better than 50 percent in a game this season
♦ A 16-0 run to start the second half helped Kansas erase a 2-point halftime deficit against Texas A&M. Kansas developed a lead it would not give back.
Freshman guard Brandon Rush poured in 22 points in the 83-73 victory.
24 - Career-high point total for Robinson against Texas A&M
7 — Number of times in the past nine games that the Jayhawks have shot better than 50 percent from the field
14. 4 Point average in conference games this season for freshman guard Mario Chalmers.
LOOKING AHEAD
- Securing another road victory Saturday against Iowa State would do wonders for Kansas' run toward an NCAA tournament bid. After two consecutive conference losses, Kansas has now won two straight conference games against Nebraska and Texas A&M.
KEY TO VICTORY
- Stop the Iowa State guards. Juniors Curtis Stinson and Will Blalock are two of the most agile guards in the Big 12. Chalmers and Robinson will have to keep up the stellar defensive pressure they've shown in recent weeks to stop Stinson and Blalock. If the Jayhawks can contain those two players, they should come out with an easy victory.
Kansas vs. ISU 11 a.m., Saturday, Hilton Collisium
Kansas
Offense
The Kansas offense is hitting its stride at the right time during Big 12 Conference play. The Jaybawks have shot 50 percent or better in seven of their past nine games, including a 64.8 percent effort Wednesday night against Texas A&M. Solid guard play from freshman Mario Chalmers and sophomore Russell Robinson contributed to better play by the KU offense. Chalmers is averaging better than 14 points per game in Big 12 conference play. Robinson stepped up againstTexas A&M with a career-high 24 points.
Rating: 3.5
Defense
The Jayhawks continue to give opponents tough defensive looks, holding nearly all teams to under 40 percent shooting from the field. Kansas plays aggressive, pressure defense, with full court presses or close man-to-man coverage in half court sets. The defense has provided critical steals and turnovers, which has led to easy buckets on the other end of the court. Kansas will need to continue to play solid defense on the road Saturday in Ames, Iowa.
Rating: 3.5
Coaches
A 2-2 zone, implemented during the second half of Kansas' 10-point victory in College Station, Texas, gave Texas A&M headaches on offense. Kansas coach Bill Self's decision limited Texas A&M's ability to drive to the basket and get easy buckets. Self and his coaching staff will need to continue to make critical adjustments tomorrow in order to stop the penetration of Iowa State guards Curtis Stinson and Will Blialock. Rating: 3
Iowa State
Rating:3
Offense
Junior guard Curtis Stinson leads Iowa State's offense. Stinson, who is considered one of the best guards in the conference by various coaches, will enter Saturday's game averaging 27 points. He has scored 27 points.
- Ryan Colaianni
Defense
points per game. he has scored 29 points in each of his last three games. Kansas fans might remember Stinson from last season.
He scored 29 points in Allen Fieldhouse and led Iowa State to a 63-61 overtime victory. Stinson and junior guard Will Blalock combine for 11.8 assists per game between the two of them. Overall, Iowa State is third in the conference with 75.7 points per game.
Ranking: 3.5
Sophomore Rahshon Clark is the team's most active defender. He has compiled 25 blocks on the season and leads the team in rebounding. Clark is averaging just 5.3 rebounds per game, though. As a result, Iowa State often gets beat on the glass. It ranks 11th in the conference in rebounds, with 32.3 per game.The Cyclones defense has
Achilles heel this season. State ranks 10th in the conference in scoring defense, allowing 73.8 points per game. Although Iowa State lacks defense, Stinson and Blalock are active defenders. Stinson ranks second in the conference with 3 steals per game. Ranking: 2
Coaching
In his third season as Iowa State's coach, it appears Wayne Morgan has the program headed in the right direction. He came to Ames in 2002 as an assistant coach and took over the head coaching job after Iowa State fired former coach Larry Eustachy. In his first season, Morgan took his team to the NIT Tournament. The next year, he became the first coach in Iowa State history to lead the team to two road victories against ranked teams, Iowa State beat Kansas and Texas on the road last year. Last season, Iowa State had a better showing, making the NCAA Tournament. It advanced to the second round. Iowa State's appearance in the tournament was its 13th bid overall and first since 2001. Ranking: 3
DanielBerk
ISU Tip-off
AT A G L AN C L
- Iowa State comes into Saturday's game against Kansas needing a victory to stay near the top of the Big 12 Conference standings. Iowa State enters the game with a 3-3 conference record.
The Cyclones lost in overtime at home to Texas A&M last weekend. Iowa State's victories in the conference have come against Missouri, Kansas State and Nebraska.
LAST TIME OUT
- Iowa State didn't do something Kansas couldn't do: win at Missouri, Iowa State pounded Missouri on its home floor, 82-58. The Cyclones had four players score in double figures. Perhaps the most impressive part of the victory was shutting down Missouri's one-two punch of Thomas Gardner and Jimmy McKinney.The two combined to shoot 7-of-21 from the field.
PLAYER TO WATCH
- Curtis Stinson,The junior guard proved last year that he could single-handedly defeat Kansas when he scored 29 points in a 63-61 Iowa State victory in Allen Fieldhouse. He has the ability to carry his teammates on his back and take over games.
5 QUICK FACTS
297 — Field goal attempts by Stinson, the most in the Big 12
193 Steals for Iowa State, first in the conference
6. 53 – Assists per game for junior guard Will Blalock, first in the Big 12
45. 7 - Opponents' shooting percentage against Iowa State, second-worst in the conference
2 — Number of games
lowa State has lost in a ow,
to Texas and Texas A&M
LOOKING AHEAD
After hosting Kansas, Iowa State will get a week off. The Cyclones are scheduled to play Colorado at home when they return to action.
KEY TO VICTORY
Utilize the ability of Stinson and Blalock. The speedy guards will look to penetrate the Kansas defense and drive to the basket to find open post men. If Stinson is able to get loose from Kansas guards Russell Robinson and Mario Chalmers, it could be a long night for Kansas.
Around the Big 12
No. 5 Texas at No. 22 Oklahoma When: 8 p.m., Saturday Where: Norman, Okla.
This game could potentially be the only Texas loss all year in conference play. The No. 5 ranked Longhorns have looked impressive in their first five conference games, compiling a 5-0 record. The key for Oklahoma will be to stop the exciting Daniel Gibson from Texas. Gibson, a sophomore guard, scored 37 points in a victory against Baylor last weekend. Oklahoma comes into the game after beating Baylor Wednesday night. Oklahoma is the only other Big 12 team besides Texas ranked in the Top 25.
Kansas State at Colorado
When: 9 p.m., Saturday
Where: Boulder, Colo.
Both teams will try to prove that they are legitimate and are potential qualifiers for the NCAA tournament. Kansas State comes into the game with a 3-2 mark in conference play, including a road victory at Kansas. Colorado also started strong in conference play. The Buffaloes won Wednesday night at home against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, which improved their conference record to 4-2. Colorado is currently in second place in the conference. Colorado guard Richard Roby was named Big 12 Player of the Week last week.
Oklahoma State at Texas Tech When: 12:50 p.m., Saturday Where: Lubbock, Texas
Both teams came into the season with hopes of capturing a Big 12 Championship and qualifying for the NCAA tournament. They have had disappointing starts to the season and both sit at 2-3 in conference play. Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton had one of his worst losses ever last Monday against Texas, losing by more than 30 points. The player to watch in this game is Texas Tech guard Jarrus Jackson. The junior is averaging 19.1 points per game.
Missouri at Nebraska
When: 3 p.m., Saturday
Where: Lincoln, Neb.
This game becomes another must-win for Missouri coach Quin Snyder. Things looked good for Snyder a week ago after his team defeated Kansas at home. Since that game, Missouri has lost two in a row and is now 3-3 in conference play. Nebraska is also trying to get back on track. The Cornhuskers started the conference season 2-0, but have lost three straight and are now sitting at 2-3.
Baylor at Texas A&M
When: 5 p.m., Saturday
Where: College Station, Texas
Texas A&M looks to get back on track after losing by 10 points at home to Kansas. Baylor seeks its first victory of the season. This game will feature a talented pair of guards, in Texas A&M's Acie Law and Baylor guard Aaron Bruce.
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