KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2010 / SPORTS / 7 A
KANSAS 90,EMPORIA STATE 59
BASKETBALL REWIND
Rvan Wagooner/KANSAN
Junior guard Tyshawn Taylor and junior center Markieff Morris trap an Emporia State player during the second half of Kansas' 90-59 victory Tuesday night in their final exhibition game. Kansas forced 20 Emporia State turnovers, which resulted in 29 points for the Jayhawks.
Self isn't too hung up on sloppy play, miscues
BY MIKE LAVIERI
BY MIKE LAVIERI
mlavieri@kansan.com
twitter.com/kansanball
The Jayhawks, as a team, had 12 turnovers against Washburn on Nov. 2 and 16 last night in Kansas 90-59 victory against Emporia State.
Tyshawn Taylor has had a relatively clean exhibition season — just three turnovers. The rest of the team, however, hasn't.
Travis Releford had only two turnovers in 23 minutes, but neither he nor Taylor are true point guards: someone this team is lacking and someone coach Self wants.
"We have a whole bunch of combo guards, which is good, but I really wish somebody that would be a consistent handler back there," Self said in press conference Monday. "We got too many guys thinking that they need to be the one to make
the play or make the pass to finish the play as opposed to being a ball mover"
Self was happy with his team's defense, but thinks that consistency will come with repetition and playing time.
Sophomore guard Travis Releford believes the defense will improve.
"There's a lot of stuff we need to work on," Releford said. "It's the first two games, but it'll change."
The Jayhawks fouled 17 times in both exhibition games but Self isn't worried.
"Seventeen really is not a bad number for us," Self said. "If you go back to past history — we foul a lot."
Self would like to keep teams under 10 fouls per half, so his team has done a good job by the way they play.
He also pointed out that some
of the fouls came from defending breakaway layups and offensive fouls
Nine of the fouls Tuesday came from two players; junior forward Markieff Morris (four) and senior guard Mario Little (five). Markieff is projected to be a starter. Little, who failed out
breakaway layups. Little isn't aggressive like he should be, according
"There's a lot of stuff we need to work on. It's the first two games, but it'll change."
is in the contention for one of the starting spots.
TRAVIS RELEFORD sophomore guard
to Self, and he is too little in stature to be the most physical guy on the floor.
What is of concern is fouling after turning the ball over and fouling 90-feet away from the basket.
"Those are the things you've got to eliminate," Self said.
Edited by Clark Goble
Releford
Morningstar
Game to forget
Quotes of the night
If Releford did claim a starting spot, it very likely could have been Morningstar's that he took. The senior guard hit just two of seven shots and missed all three of his three-pointers from outside, two of which were wide open looks. Morningstar is still solid defensively, but his lack of offensive production, which led to reduced playing time late last season, reared its head once again Tuesday.
Senior guard Brady Morningstar
"Star Trek is for lames. Like, my dad watches Star Trek."
Woolridge
Releford just might have won himself a starting spot for the team's Friday opener with 12 points and three rebounds in a relatively error free performance. He has the potential to be a lockdown defender, which always has a place on a Bill Self team. If he can show that last night's 5-for-6 performance wasn't a fluke, the starting role could be his for the season.
"Overall, it was just kind of a mediocre performance. Everybody just played OK. I don't think anybody was exceptional."
— freshman guard Royce Woolridge in a halftime video
Prime plays
Self
Game to remember
1ST HALF (SCORE AFTER PLAY)
Redshirt sophomore guard Travis Releford
16:45 - Thomas Robinson has his second put back dunk, this one coming off of a missed free throw by Tyrel Reed. (12-3)
18:19 - Thomas Robinson has a monstrous put back dunk off a missed three pointer by Tyrel Reed that sets the tone for the Jayhawks. (4-0)
15:19 - Tyrel Reed hits first three pointer of the game for the Jayhawks. Kansas would eventually go 3-12 for the game. (15-8)
that gets Allen Fieldhouse on its feet. (30-20)
8:00 - Tyrel Reed tosses up an alley-oop to Marcus Morris
0:00 - Emporia State hits first field goal since 8:38 remaining in half as the buzzer sounds. (44-26)
2ND HALF
12:41 - Kansas goes up by 30 on a Little free throw and doesn't look back (66-36)
10:25 - Mario Little tips the ball and chases it down to the baseline where he finds Travis Releford for a layup. (72-41)
2:00 - Emporia State hits first field goal since 8:38 remaining in half as the buzzer sounds. (44-26)
Key stats
35-40
Kansas won the rebounding battle by 15, 40-25. Markieff Morris said Monday that they want to win it by at least 10 every game.
15
Kansas was once again impressive from the free throw line, hitting 35-of-40 attempts.
ROESLER (CONTINUED FROM 10A)
Thomas Robinson had 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. It would have been his second career double-double and tied a career high in blocks had it been a regular season game.
Robinson proved he could be that shot blocker last night, with four blocks adding to his 12 points and 10 rebounds.
did.
"He did have a couple of really nice blocks," Self said, "Especially when he gets a running start. Then he's really good from the help side coming over and blocking shots."
those of Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic center. This is built. Sure, Robinson doesn't have the height to dominate like Howard does, but his athleti-
His athleticism is palpable. When he shoots free-throws, his
12,10,4
able swing momentums in future games.
"He's a good athlete and gives
Sadly, the "freaky" depth at the guard position may engulf Releford's spotlight like a black hole. However, Self was wholly impressed with his performance as a starter.
"I'll say Travis is a better athlete than me," Robinson said. "Travis is a freak."
"I'll say Travis is a better athlete than me. Travis is a freak."
THOMAS ROBINSON Sophomore center
Edited by Dana Meredith
Releford scored a matching twelve points last night and, according to Robinson, he might be the real athlete that will be
That makes them an incredible 67-of-75 on the season.
us good energy," Self said after the game
cism is sure to change some games this year.
both players, look for shorter, but just as athletic, minutes when the regular season starts on Friday.
The maybe, one-time starting line-up with Releford and Robinson has come and gone. But after 23 quality minutes by
Friday, Nov. 12th, 2010 1:00-5:00 PM
Saturday, Nov. 13th, 2010 Noon-4:00 PM
and
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