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KANSAN.COM
SPORTS
10
basketball gameday
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Kansas vs. Indiana
CHRISTIAN S. HARDY
@ByHardy
AT A GLANCE
Kansas gets a big edge in this game with its two guards at the top — Mason and Graham — who will face a relatively inexperienced group of guards for Indiana. Down low, Thomas Bryant might pose a problem for Kansas, and Indiana has a good amount of young depth down low as well. However, if Kansas controls the pace, matches Indiana when it goes small and limits turnovers, it's highly unlikely that Indiana will be able to pull off an upset in Hawaii.
Carlton Bragg Jr. sophomore forward
PLAYER TO WATCH
Bragg was moved down from his starting position in the second preseason game as Self decided to go with the four guards, something Indiana should do a decent amount in this game. Regardless, Bragg needs to find a way to get out of his "funk," as Self described it after Sunday's game. Carlton's really a good player ... he'll snap out of that." Self said. On Friday, Bragg doesn't need to be a star, but he needs to take a step toward being a reliable post player for Kansas.
QUESTION MARK
How much four-guard offense will Bill Self play?
Self said a week before the season started that he wanted to play small ball
— four guards and one big man — for 10-15 minutes per game, and play his traditional game for 25-30 minutes. The expectation, at least early on in the season, should be on the low end of that, with about 10 minutes in this game, and maybe more if things go well. More importantly, for the first time in this game, we'll get a chance to see how Self will operate with four guards, which we only got a skeleton of in two exhibition games at Allen Fieldhouse.
BY THE NUMBERS
4.8
- Lagerald Vick played 4.8 minutes per game last year, but should get a massive boost this year, coming in somewhere around 20 minutes per game.
104
104 - Kansas scored 104 points in its second exhibition game of the season, with 55 points in the first half against Emporia State.
3,969
Wins alltime between Indiana and Kansas. Kansas is No. 2 in wins all time, and Indiana is No.10.
STARTING FIVE
Frank Mason III, senior, guard
Mason is back for his third year as a starter at Kansas, and he's returning as one of the surefire best point guards in the nation. He's on just about every watch list he could be on. He dominated the preseason: he was one assist from a triple-double in one game and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor in the next. He's the clear-cut leader of this Kansas team and the most important player on the roster.
Devonte' Graham, junior, guard
Graham and Mason will give Kansas a huge boost in almost every game, but especially in this one, as Indiana is still learning how its guards will work without Yogi Ferrell in the mix. Graham has been quiet in the preseason, but there's no doubt that he and Mason give Kansas a backcourt that opponents will be trying to keep up with all year long. If he can shoot three pointers at the same clip he did last year - 44 percent - Kansas will be in good shape.
Lagerald Vick, sophomore, guard
Vick has been the talk of the preseason, and he started in Kansas' second preseason game over Carlton Bragg Jr., as Bill Self opted for a fourguard lineup. He may be the biggest surprise for Kansas fans who haven't followed the team in the offseason. The sophomore didn't get much run last year, but he's incredibly athletic and can score in many different ways. His length should help Kansas contend for rebounds, and his slashing along with Josh Jackson's — should open up shots for the rest of the team.
Josh Jackson, freshman, guard
The No. 1 recruit will make his regular-season debut, and it could be at the four, depending on the lineup Self decides to go with. Regardless, the star freshman will start in this game. Self has wanted more drive-and-dish from Jackson after the two exhibition games, and less trying to create his own perimeter shots, which is something he did a lot of throughout high school. However, word from Kansas' practice — via Jay Bilas — is that Jackson has been a better shooter than expected. While he's not going to be encouraged to shoot earlier in the year, his shot will be a huge asset to Kansas later on.
Landen Lucas, senior, center
Lucas can be considered the weak link in this Kansas starting five, with four stud guards, but he'll more than get the job done. Kansas needs Lucas to stay on the floor if Self wants to run its four-out, one-in offense, and if it wants to have a veteran presence in the paint. Behind Lucas, freshman Udoka Azubuike is the only healthy player who could be relied upon at five. That makes Lucas all that more valuable down low.
STARTING FIVE
Josh Newkirk, junior, guard
Newkirk transferred from Pittsburgh and takes the floor for his first season for Indiana. He seems to fit right into the point guard position for the Hoosiers, and recorded four assists in Indiana's exhibition win over Bellarmine.
Robert Johnson, junior, guard
Since the Hoosiers lost Yogi Farrell to graduation last season, Johnson is the most important piece to replace him. Johnson is the most experienced player on the Indiana team, having started 22 games last season.
James Blackmon Jr., junior, guard
Blackmon returns to Indiana for another year and completes the backcourt for the Hoosiers. After a season-ending knee injury early last year, Blackmon looks to provide some outside scoring for the Hoosiers.
OG Anunoby, sophomore, forward
Anunoby is Indiana's go-to player. The sophomore big man is set to have a breakout season this year and will be the most important player for Kansas to stop. Anunoby went for 25 points in Indiana's last exhibition tune-up for the season.
Thomas Bryant, sophomore, center For an Indiana team that struggles at shooting the three, it's a good thing they have two solid big men to get baskets down low. Bryant will complement Anunoby this season. Bryant recorded 11 points and seven rebounds against Bellarmine.
SKYLAR ROLSTAD
@SkyRolSports
AT A GLANCE
Indiana has some things that match up well with Kansas, but the whole product isn't quite there. While Bryant and Anunoby will be forces in the paint, Self has always prided himself on his team's strength down low. The Hoosiers could cause some problems for the Jayhawks on defense with three veterans defending on the perimeter, but the Hoosiers have some deficiencies when it comes to offense for the guards. Outside shooting might be a problem, as Indiana was abysmal in shooting the three in two exhibitions.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Devonte Green, freshman guard
Green is the son of the San Antonio Spurs' Danny Green. He steps into the Indiana lineup looking like a player who can contribute a lot to the backcourt for Indiana. Green impressed with 17 points in Indiana's last exhibition game. Green's contribution against Kansas doesn't look to be huge, as the starters for the Hoosiers, are much more experienced than anyone on the bench, but Green could cause some surprises.
QUESTION MARK
How successful can the Hoosiers be down low?
Kansas' biggest weakness and Indiana's biggest strength match up perfectly. Other than Lucas, there isn't a certain big man to partner up and play great defense in the paint. With Anunoby and Bryant, Indiana will look to exploit that weakness. This game will be won or lost based on how much Kansas will allow Indiana to get points down low from Anunoby and Bryant.
BY THE NUMBERS
6 Indiana struggled big time from three-point land in its last exhibition game, going 6-of-23.
73 — Indiana scored 73 points in its last exhibition game, a 73-49 win over Bellarmine.
14
14 - This will be the 14th meeting between Kansas and Indiana. Kansas can even the series with a win, as Indiana currently leads 7-6.
Beat Writer Predictions
Skylar: Kansas 91, Indiana 72
Christian: Kansas 69, Indiana 75
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Brian: Kansas 86, Indiana 80