THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012
KANSAS TIPOFF
PAGE 78
AT A GLANCE
The conference has already been won; rest is of the utmost importance, but don't even begin to think that the Jayhawks don't want this one. It's Senior Night for guards Tyshawn Taylor, Conner Teahan and Jordan Jenemann. Taylor has had a meteoric rise in the conference season, ascending from bust to star. Teahan hasn't made shots consistently, but his four three-pointers against Missouri may have saved the day. And who could forget Juenemann? He plays when it never matters, yet he somehow captivates onlookers and makes the moment seem important. And then there's Thomas Robinson. Though not official, this may be the final game for one of Kansas' all-time great players.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Tyshawn Taylor, Senior guard
While Jeff Withey has the most to prove on Saturday, Taylor is the one guy you don't want to miss. His final game at Allen Fieldhouse will surely be heartfelt. Kansas fans used to knock the guy for his immaturity. He's matured into a vocal leader and a consistent cog, both as a scorer and facilitator. Coach Bill Self said that Taylor has been one of the most special players that spent four years in Lawrence. Don't miss his last go-round.
Taylor
QUESTION MARK
Will this be the last of Thomas Robinson at Allen Fieldhouse?
Robinson seems to be a lock as a lottery pick in April's NBA draft. In an effort to support himself and his sister Jayla, it would be understandable if Robinson left a year early for the league. If he does so, Saturday will be the last of Robinson in the Fieldhouse. For all his highlight dunks and forceful rebounds, the past is moot. All who bleed crimson and blue have taken Robinson under their wing and now consider him family. Remember this game.
HEAR YE, HEAR YE
"He has meant about as much to our program as anybody that's been here four years."
Bill Self on Tyshawn Taylor
BIG JAY WILL CHEER IF...
Once the game begins, the Jayhawks forget about Saturday as the last game for the seniors, and just play their game.
Longhorns on the ropes Kansas plans to mess with Texas on Senior Night NO. 4 KANSAS VS. TEXAS 8 P.M., ALLEN FIELDHOUSE, LAWRENCE
Taylor
Johnson
KANSAS (25-5,15-2) STARTERS
Releford
Robinson
TYSHAWN TAYLOR, GUARD
Taylor was once the most hated. Now he's one of the, if not the most, adored. He was once a top talent stuck as a role player behind Sherron Collins, Cole Aldrich and the Morris twins. Now, along with junior forward Thomas Robinson, he's an unquestionable leader. And he's got a Big 12 title to show for it. My, how time flies.
ELIJAH JOHNSON. GUARD
Withey
This will be Johnson's last game at Allen Fieldhouse in the shadows of Taylor. Next season, barring some unlikely recruit or an injury, he will take over the role as the starting point guard. The numbers are piecing together to indicate this switch. He's recorded 14 assists and just two turnovers in his past two games.
TRAVIS RELEFORD, GUARD
So maybe Self was wrong when he expected at least 10 points from Releford every game. So what? Releford has anchored the defense, Kansas' greatest strength as a team. His jump shot has been quite ugly as of late, but his energy and dependability will always be there. Sometimes a team needs guys like that.
THOMAS ROBINSON, FORWARD
While Robinson is only a junior, his stock will probably never be higher, so he'll likely leave for the NBA after this season. This means that Robinson, the darling of Kansas hoops, the player who Lawrence embraced as its son after all the tragedies, will likely play his last game at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday. Savor Robinson, a rare treat, while he's still here.
JEFF WITHEY, CENTER
Withey sandwiched the Missouri games with the best five-game stretch of his career, averaging 16.2 points, 10.2 reboundes and 5.4 blocks per game. Since then, he's nursed a minor ankle injury and played with the lack of aggression that once made him a scapegoat in these parts. Withey is the one Jayhawk with something to prove on Saturday.
TEXAS
(19-11, 9-9-8)
STARTERS
MYCK KABONGO, GUARD
The former McDonald's High School All-American hasn't disappointed in his first season at Texas. He averages 10.1 points and 5.3 assists per game and has started all 30 games for the Longhorns. He finished with just one point in Wednesday's victory over Oklahoma but handed out nine assists.
Kabongo
SHELDON MCCLELLAN, GUARD
McClellan
Another true freshman, McCllan had a season-high 24 points on 10-for-18 shooting against Oklahoma Wednesday night. He's appeared in every game for the Longhorns and averages 11.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. His scoring has been hit or miss and he usually defends to other scorers.
Brown
J'COVAN BROWN. GUARD
Brown is the best players on the Texas roster and is one of the best in the Big 12 conference. He leads the conference with 19.8 points per game and is always a threat to have a huge offensive game, no matter the opponent. He's not the most efficient player, however, as most of his big games come from a high volume of shots.
ALEXIS WANGMENE. FORWARD
Wangmene
Wangmene is one of the few seniors in the Longhorn rotation. His stats don't show much (4.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game) but his 6-foot-7, 241-pound body can be tough for opposing big men in the paint. Wangmene played just 15 minutes in the first meeting with Kansas and was held scoreless with four rebounds.
CLINT CHAPMAN, CENTER
Chapman recently worked his way into a starting spot in his fifth year with the Longhorns after starting just two games coming into this season. He averages 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds in his 21.1 minutes per game. He had a season-high 20 points in a victory over Texas Tech back on Feb. 4.
Chapman
MAX ROTHMAN
maxrothman@kansan.com
Prediction:
Kansas 79, Texas 69
TEXAS TIPOFF
AT A GLANC
It's been a rebuilding year in Austin for coach Rick Barnes. The Longhorns have had to rely on freshman for most of the season and the win/loss record has reflected that. Four of the top five leaders in minutes per game are true freshman and only three of the eight players in the rotations are upperclassmen. Texas is 19-11 on the season and 9-8 in the Big 12, still looking for a signature victory to put on their NCAA tournament resume. They've been swept by Missouri and Baylor and going winless against Kansas as well would severely hurt their chances of avoiding the NIT.
PLAYER TO WATCH
J'Covan Brown, guard
Brown
Brown is averaging 19.8 points per game this season is one of the best scorers in the Big 12. He's had 25 points or more on five occasions this
season and finished with 24 points in the first meeting with Kansas on Jan. 21. He's been consistent in Big 12 play as well, tallying at least 12 points in each of his last 15 games.
QUESTION MARK
Will the freshmen stay composed?
As noted, the Longhorns are led by a bevy of freshmen. They've almost certainly never seen an atmosphere like they're set to witness on Saturday night in Allen Fieldhouse. An emotional Senior Night and the appearance of the Big 12 Championship trophy will keep the crowd at a fever pitch all night and it will put a mental strain on the Longhorn players to stay composed for 40 minutes.
HEAR YE. HEAR YE
"These guys have been doing it all year. When they need to get it done, they do it."
Texas coach Rick Barnes on his players
BABY JAY WILL WEEP IF...
J'Covan Brown shoots a high percentage from the field and creates opportunities for his teammates.