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basketball gameday
Saturday, Feb.18, noon, CBS
SKYLAR ROLSTAD @SkyRolSports
AT A GLANCE
An incredible comeback win built character for a Kansas team that has been through a close game every time it has taken the court. The Jayhawks are in a position to win the Big 12 for the 13th year in a row, and it doesn't look like Baylor is going to change that. The win over West Virginia indicates Kansas has risen over a difficult stretch in Big 12 play.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Devonte' Graham, junior, guard
It's clear that Mason is tired and battling the flu. Although he should be in fine condition for the Baylor game, Graham has the opportunity to take the weight off Mason's shoulders. Against West Virginia, Graham played Mason's role as he knocked down key shots when the game was on the line.' Expect Graham to make another big impact in what will be a hotly contested game.
QUESTION MARK
How well can Kansas shoot threes against the zone?
Kansas' shooting was atrocious in the win over West Virginia. Now the Jayhawks come up against a much tougher opponent in a game that essentially decides who wins the Big 12. Kansas will need much better shooting, especially from three-point land. Baylor's zone defense will be difficult for Kansas to break through.
BY THE NUMBERS
4.3
4. 3 Graham currently averages 4.3 assists per game.
5 Lucas has recorded single digits in rebounds in only five Big 12 games this season.
41. 3 - Kansas currently shoots 41.3 percent from three-point range.
STARTING FIVE
Frank Mason III, senior, guard
Mason has battled the flu over the last two games. He said he was almost fully recovered after scoring 24 points in the comeback win over West Virginia on Monday. A rested, full-strength Mason should be available for the Jayhawks in this important matchup against the Bears. Despite two difficult performances in the last two conference games, Mason still averages 20.2 points per game.
Devonte' Graham, junior, guard
Self said after the West Virginia game that Graham is still waiting to have a breakout stretch of games. Graham saved Kansas with clutch three-pointers against West Virginia. Mason's outstanding season is likely the reason Graham hasn't had the opportunity to shine like he did when he scored 27 points at Oklahoma last season, but Graham could find that stretch Self talked about with a big game against Baylor.
★★★★☆
Svi Mykhailiuk, junior, guard
Mykhaiiuk usually provides an important three-point punch for Kansas. He faltered with only four points against West Virginia on Monday night. Mykhaiiku's ability from beyond the three-point line will be important for battling Baylor's zone defense. Mykhaiiku is shooting 42 percent from three on the season.
Jackson has lived up to the hype as one of the best freshmen in the nation. The upcoming matchup with Baylor will be one of the last big regular season games Jackson will play in. Jackson scored 23 points in Kansas' home win over Baylor on Feb. 1. Jackson is known for his driving ability, but also shoots 35 percent from three.
Josh Jackson, freshman, guard
Lucas fell into some early foul trouble, which made a myriad of problems worse, as Kansas faltered in regulation of an overtime win over West Virignia. Lucas made some key plays as Kansas sped to a comeback in the final three minutes, finishing with eight points and 13 rebounds. Lucas recorded five points and 11 rebounds last time out against Baylor.
Landen Lucas, senior, center
STARTING FIVE
King McClure, sophomore, guard McClure hasn't made a huge jump since his freshman year and highlights Baylor's guard situation. Over the past three games, McClure has played more than 20 minutes each time, but is still averaging just 13.2 minutes per game. Given Kansas' high level of guard play, McClure should continue to play more on the forward-heavy Baylor team.
Ishmail Wainright, senior, guard
Wainright's drop from last year is even stranger than McClure's incremental stat increase. His field goal percentage is down to below 40 percent, while his three-point shooting has dropped from 40 percent to 29 percent. Wainright offers some height to Baylor's guard situation, and that's probably his biggest asset against Kansas.
Manu Lecomte, junior, guard
Lecomte, along with Motley, was Baylor's leading scorer in the first meeting against Kansas. Lecomte is the only Bear playing more than 30 minutes a game, so it's safe to assume there will be plenty of the junior going up against Kansas' Mason. Even if the Jayhawks can stop Motley, Lecomte will likely be a problem.
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, junior, forward
Any time there's a 7-footer on the roster, there's going to be matchup problems. Lual-Acuil is a great shot blocker and a decent scorer, but his rebounding is where Kansas will need to limit the junior. Kansas limited him to 4-of-11 shooting last time the teams met, but he'll likely have a better offensive game this time around if he can exploit Kansas' size problems.
★★★☆
Johnathan Motley, junior, forward
Motley is Baylor's version of Frank Mason III in that he does pretty much everything at a high level. Averaging almost a double-double with 16.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, Motley is a National Player of the Year candidate. He creates matchup problems when on the floor with Lual-Acoul which will trouble Kansas' forwards, especially if Kansas goes with a four-guard lineup.
BRIAN MINI @brianminimum
AT A GLANCE
PLAYER TO WATCH
After starting the season 15-0. Baylor has gone 7-4 since. Baylor has still only lost once at home, but that came earlier this month and the Bears have gone 2-3 in February. Baylor is coming off a loss at Texas Tech, but that doesn't make the Bears any less dangerous than they were when they were undefeated.
Johnathan Motley junior, forward
Kansas' defense against Baylor's guards should be fine, which makes the defensive uncertainty center on stopping Motley. Motley is coming off an un-Motleylike game (4-of-10 shooting, only five rebounds and four turnovers), but that doesn't mean Kansas can consider him anything less than Baylor's most dangerous player. Last time Motley shot under 50 percent in a game, he responded with 24 points the next game.
QUESTION MARK
Will Baylor bounce back from its loss better than it did against Kansas State?
Baylor's loss to Kansas was followed by its only home loss of the year to Kansas State. Lecomte shot just 30 percent, and the team shot just 7-of-13 from the free throw line. This is unarguably a more important game for Baylor's season, but it's also against a tougher opponent in Kansas. Baylor is 2-3 in its last five games, which makes a bounce back game even more important this late in the season.
BY THE NUMBERS
1 Baylor has just one senior on its roster, Wainright.
2 — The number of conference wins Baylor sits behind Kansas in the Big 12 standings.
3
3 Baylor is third in the country in strength of schedule, according to ESPN.
Beat Writer Prediction
Skyldr Rolstad: Kansas 81, Baylor 79 // Jordan Wolf: Kansas 75, Baylor 70 // Brian Mini: Baylor 70, Kansas 69