KANSAN.COM
4B
BASKETBALL PREVIEW
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SCOTT CHASEN
@SChasenKU
AT A GLANCE
Kansas should dominate this matchup early. The Jayhawks have beaten Pittsburg State by 25 or more points in every exhibition they've played under Bill Self. This should be a game where Evan Manning, Tyler Self and Clay Young log some significant minutes, and that's what you want in exhibition games.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Brannen Greene junior, small forward
Greene had no problem launching away at Late Night, but now that the team is playing in a real game — or at the very least, a real exhibition — that shouldn't be the case. Regardless, it'll be interesting to see how Greene returns after undergoing surgery in the offseason.
QUESTION MARK
Hunter Mickelson or Landen Lucas?
Last year, Lucas posted more points and rebounds and a better field goal percentage than Mickelson, but Mickelson's breakout World University Games threatens to throw out all of that. It'll be interesting to see how Self uses his two big men.
BY THE NUMBERS
Consecutive Big 12 regular season titles that KU has won under Bill Self
Home losses KU has had under Bill Self
Times you've probably heard those two statistics listed side-by-side in some capacity.
Basketball Gameday
KANSAS
STARTERS
Frank Mason III, junior, guard Even though he's starting alongside Graham, Mason should see plenty of time at both the one and the two, especially if Kansas coach Bill Self staggers
their minutes to keep one of them out there at all times. Mason is coming off a strong sophomore campaign and is looking to improve upon his Second Team All-Big 12 finish last year.
Devonte' Graham, sophomore, guard
At Big 12 Media Day, Self announced that Graham would most likely be the starter heading into the first game. Graham
will look to follow up on how he closed out his freshman campaign, posting 17 points and five steals in Kansas' loss to Wichita State in the round of 32.
Wayne Selden Jr., junior, guard Kansas coach Bill Self suggested that playing Selden at the small forward spot — as opposed to the shooting guard spot — should open things up for him
athletically. With the way Selden played the three at the World University Games, with Mason and Nic Moore at the one and two, expect Selden to have a breakout campaign and maybe pick up some hardware, too.
★★★☆
Perry Ellis, senior, power forward As a senior, Ellis will be asked to take on a sizable role. Considering how he's expanded his game — not to mention his range — Ellis could be in for an
absolutely stellar year.
Jamari Traylor, Senior, forward For the time being, Jamari Traylor should be able to step in and fill the void left by the uncertainty with Cheick Diallo. Traylor will need to take care of
business inside, especially on offense, as the other four players in the lineup seem to have no problem hanging around the perimeter.
Everyone makes it through the exhibition slate healthy. You never want to be focused on anything that could happen, especially when it comes to injuries, but exhibition games are the time to get the stars of the team a few reps and have them sit for the rest of night.
PITT STATE
BIG JAY WILL CHEER IF
STARTERS
Javis Flynn, senior, guard
Javis Flynn, senior, guard In his senior season, Flynn is expected to have a big role on the team. He led the MIAA in both steals and assists last year and looks to improve upon some
near record-setting performances in his second full year on Pittsburg State's team.
Trev Starks, senior, guard
Last year, Starks was named the MIAA Tournament MVP, and now he needs to prove he can be that good on a consistent basis. Starks has only logged 12 career games at Pittsburg State.
★★☆★★
Josiah Gustafson, junior, guard Gustafson can absolutely score the ball. He's only a junior, too, meaning that he could be a pretty significant piece for the team moving forward. In his
sophomore season, he nearly doubled his points per game while bringing up his free-throw percentage as well.
★★☆☆
Trevor Gregory, junior, forward Gregory has tons of starting experience with 29 such games over his first two seasons. However, at this point in his career, he hasn't been asked to do all that much
His career high in scoring is just 15 points, although he's one of the more efficient players on the team, shooting 60.8 percent from the field last year.
★☆☆☆
Lamine Dieng, senior, forward Dieng returned from an injury last year and made a pretty big impact on the court. He led the team in blocks, and he is the tallest player on the
team. Dileng also showcases his talents off the court; he was named a member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.
BABY JAY WILL CRY IF
☆☆☆☆
The game is within 15 points at just about any point in the second half. There's really no reason that the Jayhawks should fail to blow away their in-state opponent. Kansas has a strong blend of experience and talent and should be a major force in the NCAA this year.
Score prediction:
KANSAS 86, PITTSBURG STATE 57
AT A GLANCE
Pittsburg State has very little chance of hanging with Kansas. The Jayhawks have a distinct advantage over the team in just about every area. And it's not like the Gorillas to return a bunch of pure shooters who could get hot and get into a shootout with Kansas.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Trey Starks senior, guard
Starks played in 12 games last year but finished third on the team with 12.3 points per game. He'll be looking to improve upon his three-point percentage (30.4 percent), as well as his assist-to-turnover ratio, which was sub-one.
QUESTION MARK
Will the shots fall early?
In the last contest between the two teams, it took Pittsburg State nearly five and a half minutes to make its first field goal, and it took nearly eight minutes for the team's first jumpshot to fall. That team was up against a Kansas squad that was reliant on freshmen, so the score remained close. This time, if that happens again, it'll be a blowout.
BY THE NUMBERS
37.6
NEOSHO COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The average victory margin for KU vs. Pittsburg State under Bill Self
136
www.neosho.edu
The total margin that Pittsburgh State outscored its opponents in the second half of games last year, compared with 31 points, in the first half.
points in the first half
Evenings & Weekends Hybrid & Online KU Core Transfer Small Class Sizes Technical Programs Enriching Lives
1,040
Josiah Gustafson led the team with 1040 minutes last year. Frank Mason played nearly 200 more minutes last season.
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