10B GAME DAY
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2007
COUNTDOWN TO TIP-OFF
WHAT'S AT STAKE
KU
TIP-OFF
Sophomore forward Darrell Arthur has been the man in practice. He missed part of the
Let's be honest. Nothing.
This is an exhibition game, and the earliest one at that. The Jayhawks have been practicing for only three weeks; there's an entire season left to be played. Kansas will probably look a little rusty, and it won't matter. The real season doesn't start until Arizona comes to town in late November.
WHOTOWATCH
because of a stress fracture but has made up for lost time. In last year's first exhibition game, Arthur scored
Arthur
21 points. Expect a similar performance.
QUESTION MARK
Will the Jayhawks top 100 points?
HEARYE. HEARYE
Much of the preseason talk has centered around a high-powered offense that is at its best when the team runs. The last time Kansas scored 100 points? Nov. 23 against Chaminade in the Maui Invitational. The Jayhawks did score 99 points against Washburn in their first exhibition game last year.
"Like I said last year after the UCLA game, we're going to be a great team, and I really mean that. We're going to be a great team this year. We're going to have our ups and downs. We're going to hit a wall somewhere during the season and we're going to bust through that wall and make something great happen this year."
JAYHAWKS SHOULD WIN BIG
— Darnell Jackson, senior forward
"Your stuff does look good in practice because you guard stuff a certain way. Other people guard differently, and you see how you react to that. Our guys will be excited to play, and it will be fun. I just want to see where we are when the lights are on. We're not ready to play yet, but hopefully we will be in a couple weeks." — Bill Self. coach
Kansas should play through rust, cruise to victory in exhibition
"The seniors) just come out and give us the mindset we have to work hard and be able to play every time we step on the court. We're an older team and a better, mature team, and you can see that in the way we play."
Mario Chalmers, junior guard
PITTSBURG STATE AT KANSAS 7 p.m. Tonight, Allen Fieldhouse, Jayhawk T.V.
THE PROJECTED STARTING FIVE
Russell Robinson, senior guard
Think about it: only one more season of hearing "New York, New York" when he runs onto the court. Let's enjoy it while we can.
Chalmers is ready to become a leader. During preseason pick-up games, he would often volunteer to organize the teams. He said Kansas coach Bill Self wanted all three quarches to be leaders.
Mario Chalmers, junior guard
Sherron Collins. sophomore guard
That's right, three guards in the starting lineup. It's not for sure they'll all be startling, but Self said Collins, Chalmers and Robinson would spend about 15 to 20 minutes together on the court.
Darrell Arthur, sophomore forward
Ask Arthur about last season, and he'll tell you he was too much of a ball hog. This season, he wants to become a better passer. He'll need to pass if he wants to make up for the loss of Julian Wright.
Self said Kaun had the most productive offseason of his Kansas career this summer. Self wants him to be a consistent double-digit scoreer and rebounder. Be oh wait, wailt you till see the hair.
Sasha Kaun, senior center
THE SIXTH MAN
Rodrick Stewart, senior guard Stewart has been one of the
THE PROJECTED STARTING FIVE
most impressive players in practice so far. He's a perfect fit to fill in for Rush's defense and could
The Jayhawks walk on the court. The first game of the season is always interesting, and this year has more story lines than the last few years. Who will step up for Brandon Rush? Can Sherron Collins and Darrrell Arthur make the jump from good freshmen to two of the best players in the conference? How are freshmen Tyrel Reed, Cole Aldrich and Conner Teahan going to perform? Will Bill Self finally lead a team to a Final Four? Not all of these questions will be answered tonight, but this is at least a start. Basketball fans have waited for this night for almost eight months, and it's finally here. Kansas doesn't have to prove anything tonight. This is a game that fans can watch and enjoy without worrying about their team losing, a game players can use to gain experience and work out the jitters and a game coaches can use to try new things. Basketball is back, and that's all that matters.
Taylor stared 17 games last season, averaged 10.1 points per game, and is one of Pittburg State's biggest three-point threats. Expect him to start bombing away from beyond the arc if the Gorillas fall too far behind.
Carlos Taylor, junior guard
Keith Windom, senior guard
Kevin Wintown, senior guard
Windom started 11 games last season and led
Pittsburg State in assists with a paltry 2.5 per game.
play power forward if the Jayhawks want to play really small ball.
Michael Hutchinson, senior forward
Jackson is a junior-college transfer from Cofeyville Community College in Dallas, Texas. He shoots, passes and rebounds well for a 6'2 guard.
Michael Hutchinson, senior forward
Coach Gene Iba says Hutchinson, a Kansas City,
Kan, native, has evolved into one the team leaders after starting 16 games last season.
Aaron Jackson, junior guard
ALLEN FIELDHOUSE WILL ROCK IF...
Cory Abercrombie, senior center
What a great name. The Pittsburg State athletics Web site says that Abercrombie, who averaged 14.5 points per game last year, is a Division II All-American candidate. We'll see.
THE SIXTH MAN
Nathan Lang, senior forward The 6'8" Lang is one of the few Pittsburgh State players who can measure up to Kansas' post players — well, at least height wise. Lang only started one game last season for the Gorillas, but he developed into a valuable role player, averaging 2.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.
Rustin Dodd
Mario Chalmers
PHOG ALLEN WILL ROLL OVER IN HIS GRAVE IF...
Sorry, no possible chance of that tonight. This is an exhibition game. Nothing counts. It would obviously be a historic upset if Pittsburg State defeated Kansas, but that's not going to happen. The Gorillas could keep the game close for the first few minutes, but if the Jayhawks have a terrible game, they will still win by double digits. Kansas just has too much talent. Mario Chalmers, Russell Robinson and Sherron Collins are three of the best defensive guards in the country. They'll prevent Pittsburgh State's guards from penetrating. And if Carlos Taylor and Keith Windom do dish the ball off to the Gorillas' big men, it won't matter. Pittsburg State's tallest player is 6'8" and its front court will be hopeless against shot blockers like Sasha Kaun and Dararell Arthur.
PSU
TIP-OFF
WHAT'S AT STAKE
For Pittsburg State, this is more than a November exhibition game. It's an opportunity to prove that Division II players can hang tough against a top-five team, Pittsburg State players also get an opportunity to play at Allen Fieldhouse. The Gorillas are picked to finished third in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, and they'll play more important games, but tonight they will experience something they will never forget. You think they will be a little excited?
WHO TO WATCH
While the Pittsburgh State roster is filled with unfamiliar names, the team's coach has
one of the most famous surnames in the history of basketball. Gene lba, who has been at Pittsburg State since 1966, is the
Iba
nephew of legendary Oklahoma State basketball coach Henry "Hank" Iba. Henry Iba amassed 652 victories in 36 seasons at Oklahoma State. Gene Iba has 450 victories in 27 seasons as a head coach. He coached at Houston Baptist University and Baylor University before finding a home at Pittsburg State.
QUESTION MARK
Will Kansas overlook Pittsburg State?
wno are these guys? That's the question that will probably be running through the heads of Kansas players right before the opening tip. However, Pittsburg State returns four starters from a team that qualified for the Division II NCAA Tournament last season. It could be easy for Kansas to go through the motions and use its superior athleticism to cruise to a 20-point victory. But relying on its athleticism against the Pittburg States of its schedule will not help Kansas justify its preseason hype.
HEARYE, HEARYE
"Obviously. the exhibition
"Obviously, the exhibition season is a lot to deal with. That said, it gives our players and our fans a great deal of enjoyment. I don't know that any of the Division II schools in the state have played KU, K-State and Wichita State all in the same year."
—Pittsburg State coach Gene Iba
JAYHAWK STATS
(stats are from the 2006-2007 season)
| Player | Avg.Min. | FG-FGA | 3FG-FGA | Avg.Reb. | Avg.Pts. |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 00 Arthur, Darrell SO | 19.0 | 155-288 | 0-5 | 4.7 | 9.8 |
| 2 Teahan, Conner FR | N/A | | | | |
| 3 Robinson, Russell SR | 28.3 | 85-195 | 27-78 | 3.1 | 7.2 |
| 4 Collins, Sherron SO | 22.3 | 129-270 | 47-116 | 2.3 | 9.3 |
| 5 Stewart, Rodrick SR | 5.8 | 10-28 | 5-11 | 0.8 | 0.9 |
| 10 Case, Jeremy SR | 5.2 | 13-31 | 10-27 | 0.6 | 1.9 |
| 11 Bechard, Brennan JR | 2.2 | 1-3 | 1-3 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| 12 Morningstar, Brady SO | 5.6 | 13-26 | 4-9 | 0.8 | 2.1 |
| 14 Reed, Tyrel FR | N/A | | | | |
| 15 Chalmers, Mario JR | 29.2 | 159-324 | 59-146 | 3.0 | 12.2 |
| 22 Chase Buford FR | NA | | | | |
| 24 Kaun, Sasha SR | 17.4 | 88-166 | 0-0 | 3.8 | 5.9 |
| 25 Rush, Brandon JR | 32.5 | 186-420 | 75-174 | 5.6 | 13.8 |
| 32 Jackson, Darnell SR | 15.4 | 71-129 | 0-0 | 5.1 | 5.5 |
| 40 Witherspoon, Brad SR | 1.7 | 1-6 | 0-2 | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| 45 Cole Aldrich FR | N/A | | | | |
| 54 Kleinmann, Matt JR | 4.4 | 5-9 | 0-0 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
PREDICTION
105-60
Kansas will start the game with something like an 18-4 run, and Pittsburg State will never come closer. This one is going to be a blowout.
Witherspoon meter
Will senior walk-on Brad Witherspoon get the opportunity to play tonight? This meter tells all. Very High
GORILLA STATS
(stats are from the 2006-2007 season)
Player Avg. Min. FG-FGA 3FG-3FGA Avg. Reb Avg. Pts
1 Aaron Jackson JR TR N/A
3 Chris Roe SR 10.0 18-44 12-33 0.7 2.1
5 Keith Windom SR 23.1 65-191 43-125 1.8 7.7
12 Zach Quick FR N/A
14 Andy Smith FR N/A
20 Jarez Howard JR TR N/A
22 Nathan Lang SR 10.0 28-70 1-3 3.1 2.8
24 Carlos Taylor JR 26.5 73-179 41-99 2.4 10.1
30 Spencer Magana SO 10.0 29-76 15-45 0.8 3.1
32 Justin McCoy JR 4.9 7-19 1-4 0.5 1.1
33 Jeff Ivory JR TR N/A
34 Bryan Campbell FR N/A
40 Jerry Nash JR TR N/A
42 Seth Burris FR N/A
44 Cory Abercrombie SR 25.3 176-307 0-0 5.9 14.5
55 Michael Hutchinson SR 22.9 50-140 15-45 3.8 4.7
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