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Volume 128 Issue 68
Kansan.com
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
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Wiggins is runaway Rookie of the Year
During the first two months of the NBA season, former KU
guard Andrew Wiggins went through some growing pains. Likewise, Wiggins struggled early in his career at Kansas before eventually averaging 17.1 points per game and setting the freshman scoring record. Just like at KU, Wiggins has come into his own as the NBA season has progressed.
NBA scouts expected Wiggins to be a good NBA defender, and he has not disappointed. He is averaging 1.1 steals per game and has caused problems for several elite players, most recently holding Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook to 7 of 22 shooting on Monday.
Through Dec. 23, Wiggins averaged 12 points per game. For most rookies, that would have been considered a success. However, considering the hype Wiggins received coming into the league, he was already being called a bust.
On Dec. 24, fivethirtyeight.com published an article entitled "Forget The Next LeBron James, Andrew Wiggins May Not Be The Next James Posey." Ever since then, Wiggins has taken his game to another level, and has proved that judging a 19-year-old rookie just two months into his career was probably a mistake.
Wiggins was widely considered a project offensively coming into the draft, but has been exceeding those expectations over the last month. In that stretch, he has averaged 20.9 points per game,4.6 rebounds per game and 2.3 assists per game,and has delivered some fantastic performances.
Most notably, on Jan. 23, Wiggins notched 31 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists against the Denver Nuggets. He became the third teenager in NBA history to have 31 points, 9 rebounds and to shoot 65 percent in a game. The other two, Kevin Durant and LeBron James, have gone on to be pretty successful.
During the last month, he has raised his scoring average to 15 points per game. To give you an idea, Kobe Bryant didn't average 15 points per game until his second year. Tracy McGrady, who Wiggins is often compared to, did not get there until his third season.
Wiggins is the only rookie averaging more than 10 points per game. K.J. McDaniels is currently second in rookie scoring at 9.2 points per game, almost six full points behind Wiggins.
The former KU standout has 15 games of 20 points or more. To put that into perspective, the active rookies who rank second through fifth in scoring this season have only done it six times combined.
The absence of Jabari Parker,
ullus Randle and Joel Embiid,
all due to injury, has made
Wiggins' quest for Rookie of
the Year a bit easier. Regardless
of weak competition, Wiggins
is still a worthy winner if he
continues to play like he has
been.
Edited by Jordan Fox
Kansas takes on TCU in Texas tonight
BEN FELDERSTEIN
@Ben_Felderstein
After an impressive 13-point victory at Texas on Saturday afternoon, the Jayhawks will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to take on TCU tonight. Kansas had a season-low three turnovers against the Longhorns.
"Taking care of the ball is a big part of what Coach talks about," freshman guard Devonte' Graham said. "That's how you win on the road, and ultimately that helped us win the game."
Since finishing their nonconference schedule undefeated, the Horned Frogs have dropped five of six in Big 12 play. The Horned Frogs' victory against Texas Tech this season was only TCU's second win in the conference since joining the Big 12. The first came two seasons ago against Kansas in Fort Worth.
In its last game at West Virginia, the Horned Frogs fell to the Mountaineers 86-85 in overtime. Despite the loss, this was TCU's second-
highest point total of the season.
Senior guard Kyan Anderson put up 22 points on 7-15 shooting from the field and went 7-7 from the freethrow line. Five other Horned Frogs also scored in double figures.
Kansas isn't without its own
"We're ready for the next game and the next challenge."
FRANK MASON
Sophomore guard
impressive performances. Freshman forward Cliff Alexander scored 15 points and added nine rebounds in the win against Texas, and was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week for his efforts against Texas and Oklahoma.
In both matchups against the Horned Frogs last season, the Jayhawks scored more than 90 points in easy victories.
Kansas recently took sole possession of first place in the Big 12 with Iowa State's loss to Texas Tech. Kansas leads in-state rivals Kansas State by a half of a game in the conference. TCU is at the bottom of the standings with only one conference victory.
"We're going to come out with the same energy and the same defensive mindset," sophomore guard Frank Mason said. "We're ready for the next game and the next challenge."
Mason has now scored 10 or more points in his last 16 games. He will look to extend his streak to 17 against the Horned Frogs tonight. A win against TCU would be a big momentum builder for Kansas before they host Kansas State in Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday.
"We're going to have to play real good," coach Bill Self said. "They are a much improved team and they've gotten unlucky a few times."
Edited by Jordan Fox
Kansas guard Wayne Selden Jr. gets to the basket over a TCU defender. The Jayhawks beat the Horned Frogs on Feb. 15, 2014, 95-65. Kansas will take on TCU in Fort Worth, Texas, tonight.
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
Jayhawks look for third consecutive Big 12 win
DYLAN SHERWOOD
@dmantheman2011
In order to compete in the Big 12, you have to defend your home floor while trying to steal a couple of wins on the road. Kansas (11-9, 2-5) will begin a two-game road trip this week starting tonight at Iowa State.
Hilton Coliseum has not been friendly to Kansas as of late. The Jayhawks have lost eight of their last nine meetings in Ames. The last time Kansas won a Big 12 Conference game in Hilton Coliseum was Feb. 18, 2006, defeating the Cyclones 57-56 in overtime. Iowa State has won the last four meetings between the two teams, with the last Kansas victory coming in 2013.
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
"We know going in there they have a good environment and good support behind them," senior guard Asia Boyd said. "We've got to match their energy."
Freshman guard Lauren Aldriege goes for a layup during the second half of the Nov. 21, 2014 game against Alabama. Aldriege finished with seven points and six assists in the Jahwahys' 80-55 loss to Alabama. The Jahwahys will be on the road this week, playing in Iowa State tonight and Baylor on Sunday.
Henrickson added that
The Jayhawks are looking for their second-consecutive road win after defeating Texas Tech on a last-second layup by Boyd.
Iowa State (14-4, 5-2) is led by seniors Brynn Williamson and Nikki Moody. Williamson averages 12.7 points and six
["Iowa State] can shoot the three good, scouting defense is good," coach Bonnie Henrickson said, "Moody is one of the best point guards in the league, Williamson is fast and can go out and shoot the three."
BONNIE HENRICKSON Kansas coach
rebounds per contest, while Moody averages 12.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Sophomore Seanna Johnson averages a double-double of 12.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per contest.
Hilton is a tough place to play and if Kansas can shoot the three-pointer as well as Iowa State, they could be in this game.
"They don't turn the ball over as much too," Henrickson said.
Iowa State has some marquee wins in conference play, including defeating Texas twice. Iowa State is also undefeated at home with 11 of its 14 wins coming in Hilton Coliseum.
If Kansas wants to win its third-consecutive Big 12 game, the jayhawks are going to need the three seniors Boyd, Chelsea Gardner and Natalie Knight to control the offense. The three seniors combined for 49 of the 65 points in Kansas's 65-59 win over West Virginia on Saturday.
Kansas is currently in a four-way tie for sixth with Oklahoma State, West Virginia and Texas Tech. A win tonight will move Kansas to within a half game of Texas for fifth in the conference.
— Edited by Jordan Fox
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
Freshman Chayla Cheadle cheers for the team during the Nov. 21, 2014 game against Alabama. Kansas will play Iowa State tonight in hopes of winning their third consecutive conference game this season.
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