THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2008
KANSAS 83,IOWA STATE 59
5B
Robinson impresses
BY CASE KEEFER
KANSAN SPORTS EDITOR
CKEEFER@KANSAN.COM
At the beginning of the season Kansas basketball fans debated who should be the starting point guard, senior Russell Robinson or sophomore Sherron Collins.
Three months later, the argument seems to be as pointless as suggesting the jayhawks should wear pink jerseys occasionally. In an 83-59 victory against Iowa State last night, a common theme of the season happened again: Robinson impressed and Collins disappointed.
Endorsing Collins as the starter in November was easy because of the way he energized the Jayhawks last season. When the Kansas offense started looking as stale as bread from a dirty Italian restaurant, Collins fixed it by penetrating the lane possession after possession.
But against Iowa State Collins shot only 1-for-8 from the field, continuing a two week slump in which he is only shooting 30 percent. He continually hesitated instead of bursting inside to the basket. Robinson was the point guard who attacked the basket fearlessly. Robinson made four of five shots, scored 11 points and dished out four assists.
"The game came to me, I got some easy looks," Robinson said. "I was a little aggressive and I made some baskets."
But the way he made his shots were far more impressive than any shooting statistics. When the garee was still close
early in the first half, Robinson found himself with the ball directly under the basket. He didn't let the lengthy Iowa State frontcourt deter him from going up strong and double-pumping before dropping the ball in the hoop.
After the Jayhaws came out of the locker room at halftime, Robinson made a three-point play and forced two turnovers with staunch defense.
"I thought Russell starting the second half was the guy who set the tone," Kansas coach Bill Self said.
It was nothing new. Although most people can't imagine Robinson not starting because his accompanying, 'New York, New York,' chant wouldn't blast through Allen Fieldhouse, it's more than that.
Robinson is Santas elf or the police hound that catches the want fugitive, an integral part of the process but one who is often overlooked. He throws the lobs that make it onto Sportscenter but is never the one who graces the nightly Top Ten.
Without Robinson, however, these Jayhawks might not be undefeated. He scored a team-high 17 points in the narrow victory at Georgia Tech and has teamed with sophomore guard Mario Chalmers to form one of the most feared defensive backcourts in college basketball.
Collins, for the most part, has struggled since coming back from an ankle injury. Against the Cyclones, he missed three wide open jump shots and under threw two alley-oop passes.
Self said he wasn't concerned by the way Collins played. He said that although it hasn't been publicized, Collins turned his ankle two weeks ago and was fighting through pain.
If Collins' struggles are because of a nagging injury, that's great for the Jayhawks. Robinson may be the obvious starter but to keep a magical season alive, they need both of them.
Edited by Mandy Earles
Rachel Anne Sevmour/KANSAN
Senior guard Brandon Rush keeps up with Iowa state as he runs by a block at Allen Fieldhouse on Wednesday. Kansas remains undefeated with the 83-59 win against Iowa State.
Sasha Kaun, senior center, dribbles down before a shot during last nights game. Kaun scored six points in the Jayhawks 83-59 win.
Lisa Lipovac/KANSAN
game notes
Injured again
Sophomore guard Sherron Collins, who made one of eight shots Wednesday, was hobbled by an ankle sprain suffered last week. Kansas coach Bill Self comended Collins' toughness. He said the same injury could keep some players out of action for two weeks.
Self on Giles
Self made his first comment on the recent dismissal of C.J. Giles at Oregon State. Giles played at Kansas for two seasons before Self dismissed him last year.
"I don't know details," Self said. "Certainly it's unfortunate for C.J., and it's also unfortunate for Oregon State. When Oregon State took CJ they thought they had a guy they could depend on. So I feel for both parties."
Boozer's bro
Charles Boozer, who played two minutes for Iowa State Wednesday, is the younger brother of former Duke star and Utah jazz player Carlos Boozer.
Celebrity Time
Allen Fieldhouse continues to be a haven for well-known athletes and sports personalities. Wednesday night, the Royals decided to catch the Jayhawk show. General manager Dayton Moore, outfielders David DeJesus and Joey Gaithrigh, designated hitter Billy Butler and former pitcher Dennis Leonard all attended the game.
— Kansan staff
Darlre Arthur, sophomore forward, and Darnell Jackson, senior forward, joke on the bench during the final minutes of last night's game. Jackson was the leading scorer with 21 points and Arthur was the second leading scorer with 16 points.
Lisa Lipovac/KANSAN
high/low
In-game entertainment can be hit-or-miss at sporting events. Example No. 1: The Smile Cam at Allen Fieldhouse. The place goes deathly silent during this awkward two minutes. But the people behind the in-game entertainment have hit a grand slam with the Time Capsule segment. Fans get a great song to listen to and classic Jayhawk highlights — a great combination.
Weslev Johnson
Haluska, the younger brother of former University of Iowa basketball player Adam Haluska, made the most of his six minutes on the Allen Fieldhouse floor. Haluska played like the kid at the Rec Center who nobody wants guarding him. Given his scrappiness, there is no doubt the next time these teams meet, Haluska and Chase Buford will battle it out for the hustle champion of the Big 12.
Time Capsule
The Cyclone sophomore finished with 21 points and showed signs that he might be one of the best players in the conference as soon as next season. Of course, that might be a low if you're a Jayhawk fan.
Lows
Hiahs
Sean Haluska
Aldrich gets posterized
Cole Aldrich is only playing 8.5 minutes per game. And while the freshman has been good for six blocked shots already this season, he whiffed on Wednesday night. Iowa State senior Rahshon Clark dunked on Aldrich — hard — in the second half.
Teahan goes scoreless
Fans chanted freshman Conner Teahan's name and then exploded when he checked into the game. But Teahan went scoreless, missing his only jumpshot.
iowa State's guards
lowa State scored 59 points against Kansas. Fifty-five of those points came from players over 6-feet-6.