+
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014
PAGE 9
+
KANSAS TIPOFF
BLAIR SHEADE
@RealBlairSheade
AT A GLANCE
Kansas enters the season as the No. 5 team in the nation and the Jayhawks return only two starters. Kansas didn't perform well against UC Santa Barbara, shooting 41 percent from the field and 20 percent from three. Kansas hasn't played a No. 1 team during nonconference schedule since 2006 when Florida was ranked No.1.
PLAYER TO WATCH
KANSAS VS. KENTUCKY NOV.19,8P.M.,BANKERS LIFE FIELDHOUSE
BASKETBALL GAMEDAY
After scoring 26 points in the first two exhibition games, Alexander scored nine points against UCSB. Alexander was the first frontcourt player off the bench and provides strength and physicality to the Kansas lineup.
How will Kansas contain the Harrison twins?
QUESTION MARKS
Both twins are 6-foot-5 and both can handle the point guard position. Graham and sophomore guard Frank Mason will have a difficult time guarding the Harrison twins because of the height disadvantage.
Cliff Alexander, Forward
BY THE NUMBERS
32 Bill Self wins against ranked
Kansas shoots over 40 percent from three. Against UCSB, the Jayhawks were 2-for-10 from beyond the arc, and Self said Kansas might fall in love with the 3-pointers this season.
18 Kansas has 18 active players in the NBA
— Edited by Miranda Davis
BABY JAY WILL CHEER IF
STARTERS
Devonte' Graham, freshman, guard
After a disappointing performance by sophomore guard Frank Mason, Graham will make his second start of the season, but this time, it's not against Washburn. Graham sparked a 9-0 run against UCSB and scored a game-high 14 points.
Brannen Greene, sophomore, guard
Braunen Greene, sophioteur, guard Greene started his first game as a Jayhawk against UCSB and only played for 17 minutes. Many Kansas players said Greene is the best shooter on a team, but Greene isn't a good defender, which forces Self to substitute Greene for freshman Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk.
Wayne Selden Jr., sophomore, guard
No.1 KENTUCKY
Wayne Seidel Jr., sophomore, guard
The Jayhawks found their vocal leader in Selden this season. Selden didn't have a memorable season-opener against UCSB, scoring 10 points on 2-of-8 shooting. Selden's aggressiveness makes him a dangerous player, but when he settles for 3-pointers, Selden can disappear from the offense.
Perry Ellis, junior, forward
Coach Bill Self thinks Ellis will be the leading scorer for Kansas this season. Ellis didn't prove that against UCSB, getting blocked by the UCSB frontcourt. Ellis will have a tough task against the Kentucky 7-footers because length disturbs Ellis' game.
Traylor had a tough task guarding UCSB forward Alan Williams, yet the junior grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds. Traylor will have another tough matchup against the taller and more athletic front court than UCSB and he'll rely on his much improve jump shot.
Jamari Traylor, junior, forward
STARTERS
Andrew Harrison, sophomore, guard
Andrew Harrison, sophomore, guard The Harrison twins are similarly built, but play different positions. Andrew Harrison is the Kentucky point guard and he has a better passing ability than his brother Andrew. Andrew had only one assist against Buffalo.
Aaron Harrison, sophomore, guard
Aaron Harrison, sophomore, guard
The better shooter between the two Harrison twins is Aaron, who hit both game-winning shots against Michigan and Wisconsin in the Elite Eight and Final Four. Aaron was the leading scorer among the starters against Buffalo with eight points.
Alex Poythress, junior, forward
Poythress is the only non-freshman new starter. Poythress was the sixth man last season, playing 18 minutes per game. During the first two games, Poythress averaged seven points and five rebounds per game.
Kari-Anthony Towns, freshman, forward
This is a different look Kentucky team because the Wildcats only have one freshman in the starting lineup. Towns was the No. 5 player in the 2014 recruiting class, and the No. 2 center. Towns played the least amount of minutes among starters and scored three points against Buffalo.
Willie Cauley-Stein, junior, forward
White Cauley-Stein, junior, forward The Olathe native is the leader of this Kentucky team and the leading rebounder. Cauley-Stein grabbed 10 rebounds in the win against Buffalo, but he only averaged six rebounds last season. Cauley-Stein is known for having athletic ability for a 7-foot
KENTUCKY TIPOFF
BLAIR SHEADE
@RealBlairSheady
AT A GLANCE
the runners-up in the 2014 NCAA National Championship are returning three starters, and the Associated Press ranks the Wildcats number one in the country. Kentucky was trailing to Buffalo University 38-33 at half before the Wildcat held Buffalo to outscoring 39-17 in the second half.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Dakari Johnson, Guard
Johnson is one of five Wildcat players to average more than 20 minutes per game, but the top-5 recruit in 2014 didn't start last season, and he won't start Tuesday. The 7-footer is a strong rebounder averaging 13 per game and is Kentucky's second-leading scorer.
QUESTION MARKS
Who will guard Wayne Selden?
Selden plays a guard-forward hybrid position, and there aren't many players on Kentucky with the same athletic skill as Selden. Poythress is big enough to guard Selden, but he's not quick enough. A matchup between Selden and a Harrison twin will likely be a frequent scene tonight.
BY THE NUMBERS
287
Coach John Calipari has 287 wins since 2005, which is the most among active coaches
Last season, Kentucky recorded its 58th 20-win season in program history
BABY JAY WILL CRY IF
Prediction: Kansas 74, Kentucky 85
Kentucky outrebounds Kansas.
The Wildcats average 48 team rebounds through their first two games while Kansas had 42 team rebounds against UCSB. Kentucky wins the height battle with three 7-footers compared to zero 7-footers on Kansas.
Edited by Miranda Davis
FOOTBALL FRIDAYS
GET 40% OFF* KU MERCHANDISE AT THE JAYHAWK BOOKSTORE ...AT THE TOP OF THE HILL!
*SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY. DISCOUNT OFFERED ON IN-STOCK MERCHANDISE ONLY ON FRIDAY BEFORE KANSAS PLAYS AT HOME ON SATURDAY. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER COUPONS OR DISCOUNTS
1420 CRESCENT RD. 785-843-3826 JAYHAWKBOOKSTORE.COM
+