+ +
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29. 2015
PAGE 7B
+
KANSAS TIPOFF
DAN HARMSEN
@udk_dan
AT A GLANCE
After a long road trip with stops at Texas and TCU, Kansas returns home for the Sunflower Showdown, looking to defend the state and its claim to No. 1 in the Big 12. The Jayhawks won six straight over the Wildcats before their 85-82 loss last year in Manhattan. Kansas hasn't lost to Kansas State in Allen Fieldhouse since 2006.
Devonte' Graham, freshman guard
PLAYER TO WATCH
Kansas is a different team when Devonte Graham can come off the bench and spell Frank Mason at the point. Graham has just one turnover since returning from his toe injury a few weeks ago, and has added three or more assists in each of the past five games.
How much does Self use his bench?
QUESTION MARK
Against TCU, it was Landen Lucas, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and Hunter Mickelson's first minutes played since the Iowa State game. Foul trouble and an inferior opponent may have contributed. But against Kansas State, who does Self have faith in when his starters run into trouble? Graham, Brannen Greene (in spots) and Cliff Alexander are in that class, but who else?
BY THE NUMBERS
Heading into Saturday, the Jayhawks rank first in the Big 12 Conference
Sophomore guard Frank Mason has scored in double-digits in 17 straight games
17
BASKETBALL GAMEDAY
KANSAS VS. KANSAS STATE JAN. 31 1 P.M., ALLEN FIELDHOUSE
BIG JAY WILL CHEER IF
Perry Ellis sets the tone. Ellis knows the importance of this basketball game to the state and to each of the two schools as well as anybody on the roster. Kansas could use him taking matters into his own hands early and take some of the pressure off newcomers.
PROJECTED STARTERS
Wayne Selden Jr., sophomore, guard
Seldon's points are down from a year ago, averaging 8.9 points (down from 9.7 in 2013-14), but his assists are up to 3.1 from 2.5 in 2013-14, while his turnovers have held even at 1.8. His game does seem limited when driving into the lane, but he hits 36.1 percent from behind the three-point arc.
Frank Mason III, sophomore, guard
The five-foot-eleven guard averages 12.7 points, 4.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds this season. His best asset may be his consistency, as he's scored in double-figures in 17 straight games. Bill Self has said on numerous occasions that Mason is the decided team MVP.
(12-9,5-3 Big 12)
A unique blend of length and quickness, Oubre is an opposing coach's nightmare in late-game situations. He frustrated Baylor's offense with deflections and blown by Oklahoma's defense to the rim. The freshman averages 8.6 points per game along with 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals.
Kelly Oubre Jr., freshman, guard
Perry Ellis, junior, forward
It's been sort of a bipolar season for Perry Ellis so far. He either looks like the best player in the conference or new to the game of basketball. Since his five turnover, 1-of-8 shooting day against Oklahoma State, Ellis has averaged 16.3 points over his last three games.
Never the loudest name on the stat-sheet, but often the most visible player on the floor. Traylor consistently gets Kansas a couple boards, maybe a bucket or two, and all the hustle you can ask for. In just 20.4 minutes per game, the junior averages 1.3 blocks per contest.
Jamari Traylor, junior, forward
PROJECTED STARTERS
Marcus Foster, sophomore, guard
The Wildcats' leading scoring averages 14 points per game and scored double figures in past seven consecutive games. Foster is the not just the leading scorer, he is the actual leader on this team. Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said the Wildcat offense runs through Foster, who has scored more than 20 points in a game four times this season.
Nino Williams, senior, forward
The first-year starter has become an offensive force in the Big 12 this season. Williams averaged over 16 points in the past four games, and grabbed over five rebounds in three of the last four games. The senior doesn't shoot many three-pointers, but he often goes to the foul line. Whenever Williams scores over 20 points, he has shot at least six free throws.
Jevon Thomas, sophomore, guard
Kansas State likes to start with three point-guard-like guards. The 6-foot Thomas leads the Wildcats with three assists per game. Even though the offense runs through Foster, there aren't many possessions where Thomas doesn't touch the ball or set up the offense. Thomas is also Kansas State's leading defender with just over one steal per game.
Wesley Iwundu, sophomore, forward
In the loss against West Virginia, Iwundu was the Wildcats' best player. The sophomore scored a season-high 12 points and tied a season-high of six rebounds. Iwundu is a 6-foot-7 swing-forward who has a great shot, shooting 45.7 percent
from the field. The Kansas State offense has too many shooters on the team, so Iwundu hasn't shot more than nine attempts in one game, but he will hit the shot if left open.
Thomas Gipson, senior, forward
This senior started every game this season and has the best field goal percentage on the team (57 percent). Gipson is the only starter from last season besides Foster, but Weber said Gipson is an extremely hard-working player for his 6-foot-7 frame. Gipson is the tallest player in the starting lineup, and he'll have to keep the Kansas front court off the offensive glass.
BLAIR SHEADE
@RealBlairSheady
After Kansas State lost seven of its first 13 games, the Wildcats won four of their first five Big 12 games – but they haven't won a Big 12 game on the road. The Wildcats are at the bottom on the NCAA rankings, averaging 65 points per game, which has haunted them after losing their last contest against No. 15 West Virginia, scoring only 59 points.
AT A GLANCE
PLAYER TO WATCH
Marcus Foster, sophomore guard
The Jayhawks must fear the sixth best scorer in the Big 12. Foster has the ability to put up 20 points on any given day, and the Kansas State offense gain momentum when Foster is rolling. Foster didn't shoot well the last time he was at the fieldhouse, shooting 3-for-12 from the floor.
QUESTION MARK
Can Kansas State compete for rebounds?
Sandwiched between Texas and second-place Kansas State — rival and championship contender the Jayhawks find themselves in prime upset territory Wednesday in Fort Worth, Texas. Bill Self will be the first to tell you that in the conference this year, if you play poorly against anyone, you're going to get beat (that's echoed by every other coach in the league).
BY THE NUMBERS
2. 7 Kansas State wins games by an average of 2.7 points
49 The Wildcats have 18 fewer blocks than West Virginia (67)
Kansas State is last in the Big 12, making only four three-pointers per game
BABY JAY WILL CRY IF
If Marcus Foster scores 20 or more points. Last season, when Kansas went to Manhattan, the Jayhawks couldn't stop Marcus Foster in an 85-82 overtime loss. Foster scored 20 points and made four of his five three-point attempts, and he isn't much of a passer, only averaging two assists per game this season.
Prediction: Kansas 82 Kansas State 73
Check out
KANSAN.COM
- for exclusive online content