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A look back: KU dominates Kentucky in the Wildcats' last trip to Allen Fieldhouse
EVAN RIGGS @EvanRigasUDK
With the Kansas Jayhawks getting set to host the Kentucky Wildcats, it's been a few years since the teams have played at either's home venue. When these teams met last season, Kentucky dominated on a neutral floor, with a resounding 72-40 win in the Champions Classic.
But the last time Kentucky had to face Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse, it was Kansas who won in very similar fashion.
On Jan. 7, 2006, the Jayhawks ran the Wildcats out of the gym 73-46 in a game they weren't even supposed to win.
The Wildcats entered the game with a 10-3 record. They were ranked 19th in the AP Poll and were led by then-sophomore Rajon Rondo, who had a good season and would end up leaving school early for the NBA Draft. The Jayhawks came into the game with an 8-4 record, but they had won five straight after starting just 3-4.
The Jayhawks were talented, but they were also one of the youngest teams in the country. Freshmen Mario Chalmers, Julian Wright and Brandon Rush all saw significant playing time, as well as sophomores C.J. Giles, Russell Robinson, Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson.
Rush had one of the best games of his Jayhawk career with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Robinson added 12 points, while Giles was the third double-digit scorer with 10 points. Those three alone combined for 46 points, which matched the Wildcats' total for the entire game.
Even though the Jayhawks shot 50 percent from the field and played well offensively, their defense was the story of the game. They held the Wildcats to just 24 percent shooting and 12 percent from three. They also outrebounded the Wildcats 45-35, had 14
assists to their five and had eight blocked shots compared to just one for the Wildcats.
For the young Jayhawks, it was the first time they put together a complete game in that season.
"Today, we did a good job of showing the fans we can do it," Robinson told ESPN after the game. "We played a good game against a good team. Now, we've got to keep it up."
When Kansas pummeled Kentucky in Allen Fieldhouse 10 years ago, it gave the young group of players confidence. Those players took that confidence and turned it into a share of the Big 12 title.
Now, a different, more-veteran Kansas team comes into the game lacking confidence in many ways. The team has been struggling, losing three of its last five games, and needs a boost.
Recent history says the Jayhawks will get it.
Mario Chalmers attempts a layup. He played for the Jayhawks when they last faced Kentucky in Allen Fieldhouse,
FILE PHOTO/Kansan
Jackson: Saturday is about more than a win, it's about recruiting potential for Kansas
▶ SHANE JACKSON
@jacksonshane3
In the most anticipated game of the year, much will be made about the players on the court when Kansas hosts Kentucky on Saturday in Allen Fieldhouse.
2016 recruit Josh Jackson watches the Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse
Fans will be wondering if senior forward Perry Ellis can continue to be the hot hand of the offense, after scoring 49 points in his last two games. National media will be waiting to see if Kentucky freshman guard Jamal Murray can continue to live up to the hype. He's averaged 17.8 points per game in the year, but now has to show it in Allen Fieldhouse, one of the toughest atmospheres in college basketball.
But what may be almost as important — and may very likely go unnoticed — is not the players on the court responsible for the highlight-worthy dunks, but rather the people behind the bench. I'm talking about the high school basketball players who go by a different name when they're in attendance of one of the nation's top programs: Recruits.
Kentucky and Kansas are two of the most successful programs in the history of college
basketball. Kentucky has been to the Final Four in four of the last five seasons; Kansas has won 11-straight conference championships and reached two Final Fours in the last 11 years.
MISSY MINEAR/KANSAN
Porter attended the Kansas-TCU game earlier this
This sustained success is credit to both coaches' ability to recruit the best talent. Nowadays, with one-and-done players, coaches have to be able to recruit in order to keep up with the roster turnover from year to year. Both Kentucky coach John Calipari and Kansas coach Bill Self have done just that.
No official recruits have been announced, but there are expected to be a few players on unofficial visits, including Michael Porter Jr., the No. 3 ranked recruit in the 2017 class.
And that's what makes Saturday's game that much more important. A majority of the top recruits in each class have both Kansas and Kentucky on the top of their list of potential schools. This weekend's primetime matchup in Allen Fieldhouse may be the deciding factor in one of the most important decisions of their lives.
season and has both Kansas and Kentucky on his list of potential schools. Both programs have offered him a scholarship, meaning Saturday could be a chance to stack up the two programs.
Of course, the fear for fans is that Porter and the other potential recruits may not like what they see firsthand on Saturday. In the thick of conference play, Self has turned to his veterans as opposed to his highly touted freshman.
Freshman center Cheick Diallo was picked this preseason to be the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Instead, he's averaging 9.4 minutes per game, and he's only played a combined four minutes in the last two contests. In fact, last Saturday against Texas, Diallo did not see the court for even a second.
And in that game — behind the Kansas bench, watching Diallo ride the pine in-person — was the top ranked recruit in the 2016 class, Josh Jackson. However, that still isn't
the focus for Self, who has said he doesn't think the freshmen are ready for major roles on the team, which is why they average a combined 20.8 minutes per game. The three Jayhawks have accumulated 408 minutes this season.
To put that in comparison, Kentucky has six freshmen with a combined 1,830 minutes played this season. The six of them have a combined minutes per game average of 104.9. Leading the charge is Murray with 34.1 minutes per contest.
Now by no means is playing time the deciding factor. It could just be a factor for potential recruits watching the two historic programs Saturday night. Perhaps the deciding factor is who wins the game, or which coach is the most passionate on the floor - maybe even which style fits their skills.
Either way, Saturday is an important game, and not just because of the players on the court. Keep an eye on the ones on the sideline as well.
Sunday, February 7th 2016 / 11 am- 3 pm
- Fashion Shows at 12 pm & 1 pm -
at Macell's Banquet Hall
1031 New Hampshire - Lawrence, KS 66044
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