THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26. 2012
PAGE 13
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KANSAS 2-1, (0-O BIG 12) STARTERS
Johnson
Kansas vs. San Jose State 8 p.m. Lawrence, Kan.
Elijah Johnson, Senior Guard
Johnson's transition to the point hasn't been as smooth or as natural as expected at the start of the season, and while the guard has shown flashes of his ability, he is still looking to put together a full game where he pushes the Jayhawks offensive tempo. But by recording nine assists against St. Louis, he is showing that he could be about to turn the corner in his progress leading the Jayhawk offense.
Releford
Travis Releford, Senior Guard
McLemore
Releford will be tasked with shutting down San Jose guard James Kinney on defense, which will be key to the Jay-hawks shutting down the Spartans. If Releford can't contain Kinney, the Jayhawks could be in for a long day. Releford's contribution on defense will be far more important than any impact he has on the offense, despite his recent offensive breakthrough.
McLemore's explosive alley-oops and put-backs showcase his athleticism and explain why he is such a hard player to contain, but he needs to become more consistent with his aggressiveness. McLemore has a tendency to disappear at times, which could hurt Kansas down the stretch.
Ben McLemore, Freshman Guard
Young
Young doesn't need to attempt a shot to have an effect. Instead, he'll be responsible for bringing energy and tempo to the Jayhawks' lineup, which was clearly lacking until he returned.
Kevin Young, Senior Forward
Withey's 25-point explosion against SL Louis shouldn't be expected every day, but he should continue to be a presence on the low post for the Jayhawks. And if the perimeter players continue to make shots like they did in the CBE Classic, Withey will get plenty of open looks to put up double-digit point totals.
Withey
Jeff Withey, Senior Center
SAN JOSE ST.
2-2, (O-O WAC)
James Kinney, Senior Guard
The Preseason ALL-WAC team selection leads the Spartans in scoring, averaging 21 points per game. The guard set the single season three-point field goal record at San Jose State last season with 86 baskets. Kinney is a complete player who can get to the ball on the defensive end and slash to the basket on offense.
The junior college transfer is still trying to find his role with the Spartans. A week ago against UC Santa Cruz, Jones scored 10 points with four assists and one turnover in a 25-minute performance. Although a relatively unknown player, he has shown the ability to get to the basket early in the Spartans' season.
Xavier Jones, Junior Guard
D.J. Brown, Sophomore Guard
Brown started the last 19 games for the Spartans. Last season, he averaged 7.7 points per game and is the Spartans' three-point shooter. In his last game, Brown shot three for four from outside in a nine-point performance. The sophomore takes care of the basketball and finished last season with more assists than turnovers.
Kinney
Cunningham transferred to SISU from Santa Clara, where he didn't get solid playing time. After practicing with the team last season, Cunningham is starting this year. In his last outing, Cunningham scored 19 with 18 total rebounds in 31 minutes. He has the ability to facilitate an inside-out offense.
Jones
Chris Cunningham, Junior Forward
Brown
Ethan Padway
KU TIPOFF
The No. 12 Kansas men's basketball team enters its game against San Jose State after winning the CBE Classic in Kansas City, Mo. last week. The Jayhawks spent their Thanksgiving break on the practice court. As the calendar gets ready to turn to December, the Jayhawks are beginning to figure out what each player's role on the team will be, and they will prepare for the homestretch before conference play begins in 2013.
AT A GLANCE
Cunningham
HEAR YE. HEAR YE
"Practice was fine, as fine as it can be eating three turkeys, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, green bean casserole and creamed corn and ham and everything else."
Bill Self on the team's post-Thanks giving practice.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Senior Guard Travis Releford
Releford emerged from his early season scoring slump and exploded for 17 and 23 points in his two games last week in the CBE classic, where teams left him open because of his previous struggles. Now that Releford has burned two teams with his scoring ability, he will face more pressure when he has the ball. He'll have to continue providing a scoring punch — even with the increased attention — in order to create open shots for his teammates and keep the offense moving.
SAN JOSE STATE TIPOFF
AT A GLANCE
After losses to New Orleans and Houston, the Spartans have won two consecutive games against Weber State and UC Santa Cruz. The Spartans were picked ninth in the preseason WAC coaches polls in what is to be their final season in the conference before moving the Mountain West. The loss of transfer Keith Shamburger — the third leading scorer on last year's squad — to Hawaii is substantial. The Spartans look to preseason All-WAC guard James Kinney to lead this year's team.
HEAR YE. HEAR YE
"Right now, we're focused on the grind of each day, getting better every day and enjoying the spirit of the team. We want to keep focused on the process of getting better and working at it, because we really believe that we have the makings of a good team."
SIS Coach George Nessman after the victory over UC Santa Cruz.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Brown played
James Kinney, Senior Guard
Alex Brown, Senior Forward
This preseason All-WAC selection is averaging 21 points per game to lead the Spartans in scoring. The senior from Champaign, III., transferred to San Jose State from Ohio University where he played the 2010 season. Kinney is the team's vocal leader. He will have to play well against the Jayhawks back court for San Jose State to compete.
Dromn played his first two seasons at John A. Logan College, where he averaged 10.5 points and seven rebounds per
Brown
game. At 6-foot-11, Brown is a shot blocker, with 113 blocks at the junior college level. In his first games at SISU, Brown is averaging 6.5 points per game with 10 blocks and 18 total rebounds.
— Trever Graff
BIG JAY WILL CHEER IF...
The Kansas defense plays with an aggressive mindset, forcing turnovers that lead to easy baskets, allowing them to jump out to a big lead and give the reserves extended playing time.
BABY JAY WILL CRY IF...
James Kinney and the Spartans find their post game, allowing the team to create easy outside shots with the inside-out game. This task is much harder than it sounds against a Jayhawk team coming off its best games to date in the Sprint Center.
Prediction:
Kansas 76,
San Jose State 52
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