THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, DEGEMBER 5, 2013
PAGE 3B
KANSAS TIPOFF
BLAKE SCHUSTER
bschuster@kansan.com
AT A GLANCE
Immediately after Kansas captured third place in the Battle 4 Atlantis, coach Bui Self said in a television interview that he thought the Jayhawks would become a team in the Bahamas but regressed instead. Fortunately (or unfortunately) Kansas still has many tough opponents remaining in the non-conference season including Colorado. There's plenty of time for this squad to "become a team."
Colorado out for Jayhawk blood after last year's loss
MIDWEST FACEOFF
It's amazing how a trip to the Bahamas turned Baird into the NBAs newest number one pick. Sarcasm aside, Stan Van Gundy did say a scout texted his praise of Embid during the Battle 4 Atlantis. In three games during the tournament Embid scored 29 points with 17 rebounds and 10 blocks off the bench. Clearly he's developing at a pretty rapid pace.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Joel Embiid
KANSAS VS.COLORADO DEC. 7,1:15 P.M.,COORS EVENTS CENTER,BOULDER,CO.
QUESTION MARKS
What type of Kansas team will we see on Saturday?
It's been more than a week since the Jayhawks were upset by Villanova and finished third in the Battle 4 Atlantis. In that tournament the Jayhawks looked, well, as if they were on vacation. Will playing back in the States bring back the Kansas team we saw before Thanksgiving?
BY THE NUMBERS
9.1
Average points per game by Joel Embiid
7
Joel Embiid
Kansas is able to roll over Colorado. With a tough test against Florida in Gainesville on Tuesday, the Jayhawks will need to prove their loss to Villanova was a fuke and show that they were able to grow from it. Last year Kansas routed the Buffaloes 90-54 in Lawrence to prove the Jayhawks were for real. They won't need to duplicate that feat this year, but coming close to it would be a big step in the right direction.
BABY JAY WILL CHEER IF
Joel Embid has shot better than 50 percent in six of Kansas' seven games this season. The only time he didn't accomplish the feat was against Duke.
Joel Embiid's seven blocks against UTEP set a Kansas freshman record
Edited by Ashleigh Tidwell
STARTERS
Naadir Tharpe, Guard
Tharpe has the edge in experience over most of his teammates, but lately he has not been the most productive point guard for the Jahawks. I rank Mason has shined in his role off the bench the last five games, but that's not to say that Tharpe's spot in the starting lineup is in danger. He did dish out 10 assists against lona and scored 11 points against
Wayne Selden Jr., Guard
It's fair to expect more out of Selden, but recently we've liked what we've seen. Against UTEP Selden ignited the Jayhawks with 14 points (6-9 from the field) and six rebounds. Still, Selden hasn't been able to put together consistent performances. Every notable game for him this season has been followed by a weaker outing.
Andrew Wiggins, Guard
We still haven't seen the best of Wiggins and that's ok. In fact, it might be the best news about the freshman yet. Even though he's averaging 14.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game it's clear his potential is just starting to show on the college level. Forget the NBA mock draft and just let the kid learn for now. By conference play we should have a good idea of what's acceptable to expect from him.
Perry Ellis, Forward
There isn't much concern for Kansas fans when Ellis touches the ball. You might even say it's calming. Ellis has been the Jayhawks' rock so far, averaging 15 points per game. His ability to finish around the rim has given Kansas a safe bet in the paint for another season. It's ok to be excited about what Ellis brings to the program.
STARTERS
It seems there's a trend with the senior transfer, although it's nothing he should be proud of. Just about every game sees Black pick up the first foul call for Kansas. More often he heads to the bench with foul trouble by the first media timeout. Even more fortunate, he's shown the ability to be both graceful and commanding with ball. When he's in the game, and not fouling, there's no question he helps the Jayhawks.
Tarik Black. Forward
Wesley Gordon, Forward
The 6-foot-9 redshirt freshman scored just one point against Colorado State to go along with eight rebounds and three turnovers. While not a scoring threat, Gordon is a steady rebounder and has blocked two or more shots in five games this season.
Xavier Johnson, Forward
Johnson struggled with foul trouble against Colorado State as he went scoreless and committed three turnovers. The undersized big man isn't afraid to shoot from three and went 3-4 from long-range against Harvard. He has attempted a three-pointer in every game he's played this season.
Josh Scott, Forward
Has three double-doubles on the season and leads the team in rebounding with almost nine per game. Scott is 82 percent from the free throw line so far this season, making 42 of his attempts
Askia Booker, Guard
Booker went 0-6 from three-point range against Colorado State. He ranks third on the team averaging 11 points a game but also leads the team with 19 total turnovers this season.
Spencer Dinwiddie, Guard
Dinwiddie delivered an impressive performance against Colorado State with 28 points on a perfect 11-11 from the free throw line. He led the Buffalooes in scoring last season averaging more than 15 points per game and has continued that scoring pace this season.
COLORADO TIPOFF
BRIAN HILLIX bhillix@kansan.com
AT A GLANCE
Colorado will be looking for revenge after losing 90-54 to the Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse a year ago. After a season-opening loss to Baylor, the Buffaloes have won eight in a row and are coming off a road win against in-state rival Colorado State. They return four starters from last season and are preseason picks to finish third-place in the Pac 12, just one point behind second-place UCLA.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Spencer Dinwiddle
The 6-foot-6 junior guard has reached double-digits in all but one game this season and has passed the 20-point mark in two of his last four games. He has attempted 10 or more free throws four times this season.
QUESTION MARKS
How will Colorado fare in its second big test of the season?
In their only game against a ranked team this season, the Buffalooes fell short against Bayor 72-60. Colorado, who is receiving votes in the Associated Press poll, will need a win against a quality opponent to catapult into the Top 25.
BY THE NUMBERS
65.2
Number of points Colorado allows per game, third fewest among Pac 12 teams
36 The Jayhawks defeated the Buffaloes by 36 points on Dec. 8 last season
10
Colorado's seed in the NCAA Tournament last season
BABY JAY WILL CHEER IF
The Jayhawks can't score. After recording at least 80 points in each of its first five games, Kansas has scored 63 and 67 in its last two. Three-point shooting has been a factor as the Jayhawks have shot just 23 percent from long-range.
Edited by Sarah Kramer
Prediction: Kansas 85, Colorado 62