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SPORTS
KANSAN.COM
BASKETBALL GAMEDAY
KANSAS JAYHAWKS VS. FORT HAYS STATE TIGERS
EVAN RIGGS
@EvanRiggsUDK
AT A GLANCE
The Jayhawks cruised to a 92-75 win the last time the teams played in 2013, and there's no reason to expect anything different this time around. Self wasn't pleased with the way his team played in their first exhibition game, and with a week to practice, the Jayhawks should play a better game Tuesday night.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Even though it was just one exhibition game, Mykhailiuk didn't look like a guy who could be one of the top bench players in the country like Self proclaimed at media day last month. The Jayhawks have one of the deepest backcours in the nation, so Mykhailiuk needs to play better to cement his spot in the rotation.
Sviatoslav Mykhaiiliuk sophomore, wing
Question mark: Carlton Bragg or the veterans?
QUESTION MARK
Seniors Hunter Mickelson and Jamari Traylor both played well while Lucas didn't make much of an impact last week, but Self said in the first exhibition game that Bragg was the Jayhawks' best player. Self is known for playing his veterans, especially early on in the season. It will be interesting to see how quickly Bragg earns Self's trust.
BY THE NUMBERS
35.2
The average margin of victory for Kansas over Fort Hays State in five meetings in the Self era.
37.9
The amount of rebounds per game the Jayhawks pulled in last year, which was 23rd in the
24
Kansas' current home winning streak.
The Jayhawks make it through another game with very few injury concerns. Obviously it would be nice to see the Jayhawks shoot better and look sharper on defense, but keeping them healthy is the ultimate goal.
BIG JAY WILL CHEER IF
PROJECTED STARTERS
Frank Mason III, junior, guard
Mason never got his jumper going in the first exhibition game,but he still put up impressive numbers with 14 points and four assists. It was clear that Mason can create a shot for himself or a teammate whenever he chooses,and that will continue on Tuesday.
Devonte' Graham, sophomore, guard
In his first start as a Jayhawk, Graham had a solid game with seven points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Like Mason, Graham struggled with his jumper on Wednesday, but he displayed a knack for plays for his teammates.
Wayne Selden Jr., junior, guard
Selden was just 2-for-9 in addition to struggling defensively last Wednesday. He sprained his ankle in October, so he may not yet be 100 percent. With almost a week off, Selden should look better Tuesday against Fort Hays State.
Perry Ellis, senior, power forward
As was the case for most of last season, Ellis was the Jayhawks' top offensive option last Wednesday with 22 points and 12 rebounds. The Jayhawks should expect big things from Ellis this season.
Landen Lucas, Junior, center
Lucas struggled in the Jayhawks' exhibition game last Wednesday, but he was also dealing with a severely sprained ankle. Nothing Lucas does will ever jump off the stat sheet, but he's a solid option to start next to Ellis.
FORT HAYS STATE
PROJECTED STARTERS
Craig Nicholson, senior, guard
This senior guard from Wichita started in 16 games before sustaining a season-ending knee injury. He was still named as the All-MIAA Honorable mention despite only playing 16 games. Just two years ago, Nicholson was a first-team league selection averaging 17.2 points and 7.4 assists per game.
Rob Davis, junior, guard
Davis is a junior transfer from Pratt Community College. With Pratt he led the team in three-point baskets with 89. He shot a team-high 49 percent from beyond the arc as a sophomore. He also shot over 80 percent from the free throw line. His freshman year he drilled 75 three-pointers.
Kenny Enoch, junior, guard
Enoch is another three-point specialist from a community college in Kansas to join Fort Hays State this year. As a sophomore at Barton Community College, Enoch led the team in three-point field goals with 78. He shot 44 percent from long range, averaging 14.1 points per game.
Dom Samac, senior, forward
Samac is the tallest Tiger in the front-court standing 6-feet-9. As a junior he earned AllMIAA third team honors starting in 14 games. He tied for a team best 303 points last season, with a 10.4 per game average. He was second in rebounds, averaging 4.8 boards per contest.
Jake Stoppel, senior, forward
Stoppel appeared in all 29 games of the year, starting in 27 of them. He was the team-leading rebounder with 5.6 boards per game, despite standing just 6-feet-5. He recorded double-digit rebounds in six games. Stoppel averaged 7.6 points per game as a junior.
SHANE JACKSON
@jacksonshane3
AT A GLANCE
Fort Hays State has a tall task on Tuesday against a powerhouse program like Kansas. The Jayhawks have an abundance of front court options that should take full advantage of an inferior post presence by the Tigers. The Tigers only hope is to be red hot from long range if they wish to stay in the game.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Craig Nicholson senior, guard
Nicholson is the most talented player on the Fort Hays State roster, without a doubt. Coming off a knee injury that cut his season short, Nicholson is even more motivated to make the most of his senior season. With his ability to score and distribute the rock, he should pose as a huge problem for the Jayhawks guards to defend.
QUESTION MARK
Question mark: Can the guards keep it close?
After the game against Pittsburg State, Bill Self voiced his displeasure with his guard play. If the Jayhawks struggle to defend out in the perimeter, the Tigers might be able to make this a game. Fort Hays State has the ability to hit from downtown and Nicholson is a superb playmaker that can take over a game.
BY THE NUMBERS
5.3
Despite being somewhat undersized, Fort Hays State outrebounded its opponents by a margin of 5.3 per game.
7.1
The Tigers made an average of 71 three-point baskets per game last year. Fort Hays State chucked up a total of 533 three-point shots, making 207 of them last season.
75.9
Fort Hays State averaged 75.9 points per game last year while holding opponents to a mark of 67.3 points per contest.
BABY JAY WILL CRY IF
The long ball is falling. The Tigers have the shooters to do just that but did not show it in the first exhibition game where they made five of their 25 attempts from downtown.
- Edited by Rebeka Luttinger
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