THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012
KANSAS TIPOFF
PAGE 9
AT A GLANCE
The Jayhawks shook off their tournament jitters with a 21-3 run late in the first half against Texas A&M. Now their focus turns to a dangerous Baylor team that they defeated twice comfortably in the regular season. In their first meeting, the Bears entered Allen Fieldhouse undefeated and ranked third in the nation, but they learned quickly how hard it is to beat Kansas at home as all five starters scored in double digits. In the rematch, the Jayhawks opened the second half with a 26-4 run as they went on to claim a 14-point victory.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Jeff Withey, junior center
Withey exploded for 25 points when these two teams met on Feb. 8 in Waco, Texas. That game sparked a three-game stretch where Withey
Withew
dominated on the inside for the Jayhawks. Withey has since cooled off, scoring in double-digits in just two of the last six regular season games. If Withey can get it going again, the momentum could carry the Jayhawks through the Big 12 tournament and into the NCAA tournament.
Will the Jayhawks enter the game overconfident?
QUESTION MARK
After beating the Bears by double-digits twice this season, there is no doubt that the team will enter the game feeling good about their chances. But the Jayhawks have laid an egg at the Sprint Center before, including a loss early this season to Davidson. The Bears are a much more talented team, and if the Jayhawks don't come out strong, they could find themselves in an early deficit.
HEAR YE, HEAR YE
"Cole had some good games. But I don't know if he had any better than that."
— Coach Bill Self said of former Kansas center Cole Aldrich after Jeff Withey's 25-point performance against Baylor
BIG JAY WILL CHEER IF...
The Jayhawks' big men play well inside, and Kansas' defense can limit the Bears opportunities.
Taylor
Kansas looks for spot in finals Baylor struggles to compete with top teams
Johnson
KANSAS (27-5,17-2) STARTERS
NO. 3 KANSAS VS. NO. 12 BAYLOR 6:30 P.M., SPRINT CENTER, KANSAS CITY, MO.
Johnson went off against the Aggies yesterday, scoring a career high 26 points on the back of a 5-7 shooting effort from beyond the arc. He won't score 26 every day, but when he is knocking down shots from downtown, he adds a deadly element to the Jayhawk offense.
TYSHAWN TAYLOR GUARD
Taylor wasn't his usual, spectacular self in the Jayhawks victory yesterday, and he still finished with 16 points. This season, Taylor has been very successful against Baylor. In each of these teams meetings this season, Taylor showed up, scoring 28 points on Jan. 16 and 19 and on Feb. 8. With Baylor's strength being their frontcourt, Taylor should be able to put up big numbers for the third time.
ELIJAH JOHNSON, GUARD
BAYLOR (26-6,12-6) STARTERS
Releford
PIERRE JACKSON, GUARD
Jackson
PIERRE JACKSON, GUARD Jackson, the junior college transfer, has led Baylor in scoring his first season in Waco, Texas. Along with averaging 13.5 points per game, Jackson has done a strong job of sharing the ball, averaging 5.6 assists per game. Jackson is one of Baylord's most dynamic players, and will require plenty of defensive attention from the Jayhawks.
Withey
BRADY HESLIP, GUARD
TRAVIS RELEFORD. GUARD
Heslip
TRAVIS KELLY,ORD, BOARD
Releford looked downright bad
as a shooter against the Tigers.
He missed six of his seven shot
attempts. However he continue
to play pressure-filled
defense, both on-the-
ball and in transition,
and he often tips
or retrieves loose
balls. His game
isn't flashy, but it
helps win games.
THOMAS ROBINSON, FORWARD
The Big 12 player of the year recorded his 23rd double-double of the year against
The sophomore guard is the most quiet of the Baylor starters. Heslip is a three-point specialist for Bears, who has shot 43 percent from the three this season. He averages 9.3 points a game, and is a 93 percent free throw shooter
Robinson
the Aggies. Robinson had a double-double in each of the Jayhawks games against the Bears this season, scoring 27 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in the first meeting and 15 points and 11 rebounds in the rematch. Even with the bears talented frontcourt trio, Robinson should still be able to dominate inside for the Jayhawks.
JEFF WITHEY. CENTER
After being held scoreless in Columbia, Mo., Withey exploded for 25 points against Baylor in his break out game of the season. He won't score 25 this time around, but the block machine will get plenty of opportunities as the Bears will try and get the ball inside to Perry Ellis, who scored 31 points in his game against Kansas State yesterday.
QUINCY MILLER, FORWARD Miller came into Baylor with a good amount of hype around him, and he's done a decent job of living up to those expectations. He's cracked the Bear's starting lineup, and has averaged 11.5 points and five rebounds per game. While Miller has struggled lately, he's shown big potential, scoring 29 points against Missouri earlier in
Miller
QUINCY ACY. FORWARD
Acy
Acy, the only senior in the Bears lineup, has been one of Baylor's most consistent players this season. He's averaged 12.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, and he will be crucial to the Bear's success Friday.
PERRY JONES III. FORWARD
Jones, a projected top ten pick, came into this season with as much hype as any player in the conference. While he has been
somewhat of a disappointment this season, he's still averaged 13.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Jones has the potential to go off any given game, and he did just that against Kansas State in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament, scoring 31 points.
Jones
Travis Releford Travis Young/KANSAN
Prediction:
MIKE VERNON
mvernon@kansan.com
Kansas 73, Oklahoma St. 65
BAYLOR TIPOFF
AT A GLANCE
Pierre Jackson, guard
The Bears have been one of college basketball's most puzzling teams this season. After startiing the year going 17-0 against a relatively easy non-conference schedule, Baylor finished its season on a 9-6 low. Coach Scott Drew has been criticized this season for his team's weak finish in Big 12 play, as the Bears were considered by many to be a favorite to win the Big 12 conference before the season started. Baylor does have star power, though, led by sophomore forward Pery Joness Ill, who averages 13.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Jackson
While Jones III is the star of this Baylor team, Jackson may be the most important. The sophomore guard led Baylor in
scoring this season, averaging 13.5 points per game. Jackson's performance was mediocre when Baylor first played Kansas, as he scored 11 points in the Bears 92-74 loss. However, his performance was much more aggressive in the two team's second meeting, as Jackson finished with 16-points in the Bears 14-point loss to Kansas. Look for Jackson to continue his aggressive play Friday.
Which Baylor will show up?
QUESTION MARK
The Bears have had multiple personalities all season, and the bad basketball one came out in Baylor's first two meetings against Kansas. At times the Bears have looked like one of the nation's best teams, and at times they've made fans question whether they deserve their No. 12 ranking. None of the past will matter Friday, though, because if Baylor plays up to its potential, it will be a long day for Kansas.
HEAR YE, HEAR YE
"I don't know why Withey likes playing against us so much, but he looks like an All-American when he does."
Scott Drew, Baylor coach
BABY JAY WILL WEEP IF...
Perry Jones Ill and Pierre Jackson play to their potential, while catching a relaxed Kansas team off guard.