2008 KANSAS BASKETBALL
7
KANSAS 107 ULM 78 LOUISIANA MONROE
NOVEMBER 9, 2007
Opening day blowout
The Jayhawks won their 35th straight home opener in exciting fashion on Nov. 9, shooting 55 percent in a 107-78 victory against Louisiana at Monroe.
Five Kansas players scored in double figures, including a game-high 22 from sophomore guard Sherron Collins and a career-high 21 from senior forward Darnell Jackson.
The Jayhawks took a 15-point lead into halftime and doubled it just seven minutes into the second half.
Freshman Tyrel Reed gave Kansas its biggest lead near the end of the game when he hit a three-pointer to bring the score to 105-68.
Leading scorer - Sherron Collins (22)
Leading rebounder — Darrell Arthur/ Cole Alrich (6 each)
Tara Smith
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Sophomore forward Darrell Arthur scored 12 points in Kansas' 35th consecutive opening day victory. The Jayhawks dealt with Louisiana at Monroe easily 107-78.
KANSAS 85 62 UMKC
NOVEMBER 11,2007
Hawks battle to victory
UMKC exposed some flaws in Kansas' armor, displaying a toughness that made the Jayhawks fight for the 85-62 victory.
Turnovers and missed dunks against the Kangaroos' zone defense were problems for the Jayhawks. Shooting a dismal 16-31 from the free-throw line, Kansas seemed to lack what coach Bill Self called a "killer instinct."
"I would say, 'maybe they played pretty good,'" he said. "I also think we made some plays that when we watch the tape, I'll say, 'Why would we do that in this situation?' You have a chance to break the game open and do a couple of things and let them back in it."
Senior guard Russell Robinson paced the Jayhawks and filled the stat sheet with 15 points, nine assists, three rebounds and two steals in the victory.
"I wasn't nervous," Robinson said. "We just traded baskets for a long time. We just have to buckle down defensively."
Leading scorer — Mario Chalmers (23)
Leading rebounder - Darrell Arthur (10)
Tara Smith
Anna Faltermeyer/KANSAN
Sophomore guard Sherron Collins goes up in the paint while guarded by UMKC players during the team's victory in Allen Fieldhouse Nov. 11.
KANSAS 92 60 WASHBURN
NOVEMBER 15, 2007
Rush makes season premiere
With 16:37 left in the first half of Kansas' 92-60 Nov. 15 victory against Washburn, Brandon Rush stepped up to the scorer's table and Allen Fieldhouse erupted.The decision to play the junior guard for the first time since his May ACL tear was a surprise, and maybe he wasn't quite prepared.
He missed badly on his first attempt, a three-pointer that bounced off the backboard, and was out-jumped for a rebound. After a break, Rush improved, though. He dished an assist to sophomore forward Darrell Arthur and knocked down a three from the corner to put the Jayhawks on top 20-13. He later fell to the ground out of bounds after a layup attempt, bringing a gasp from the home crowd, but he quickly jumped up, grabbed an offensive rebound and tipped the ball in.
Jon Goering/KANSAN
"I asked him, 'Did that feel good?' " Kansas coach Bill Self said. "He said, 'Yeah that felt good.' He needed to challenge somebody and have somebody knock him on his can and get right back up. That was
Sasha Kaun, senior center, rises up for a dunk during the second half of the game against Washburn Nov. 15 in Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas defeated Washburn 92-60.
Self kept Rush's minutes limited and kept him on the bench for the second half. The Jayhawks didn't need much extra help, as they scored 58 points in the half.
good. I think that will help him."
Tara Smith
Fans give thanks for 600th
Despite Thanksgiving break, previously sparse crowds and an impending football showdown with Missouri, a full crowd still showed up to see Kansas' 600th victory in Allen Fieldhouse on Nov.21.
The Jayhawks blew Northern Arizona away 87-46, and senior forward Darnell Jackson said the fans gave Kansas an advantage.
"Watching those guys on film they looked real confident but when they came in here, I don't know what happened," Jackson said. "We got into them, and our fans helped us a lot. Our fans are a big turnaround point for our team."
The Lumberjacks turned the ball over on their first seven possessions and were down at halftime 44-10.
Kansas' big men combined for 44 points and 20 rebounds in the blowout, including Jackson's first career three-pointer.
Leading scorer - Darrell Arthur (17)
Leading rebounder — Darnell Jackson (8)
Tara Smith
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Senior guard Rodrick Stewart played 11 minutes in the 87-46 demolishing of Northern Arizona.The Jayhawks secured the program's 600th victory.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN