4B KANSAS 72, TEXAS A&M 55
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2008
MEN'S BASKETBALL WRAP-UP
HAPPY ENDING (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
Arthur exploited Jones and Jordan on offense, but he also helped contain them on defense. Kansas double-teamed Jones and Jordan whenever they touched the ball. Jordan attempted only three shots in 26 minutes, finishing with five points, while Jones made two of his seven shot attempts and managed just seven points.
The defensive tactic seemed to frustrate the Aigle buys.
"Anybody's going to get frustrated if you've got two guys — every time you catch the ball — coming and swarming you," freshman forward Cole Aldrich said.
Meanwhile, Kansas shot 50 percent from the floor despite making only 2-of-11 three-point attempts. Kansas' offense wasn't flawless, but it executed when it mattered.
The Jayhawks extended their defense to the entire Texas A&M roster in the second half, holding the Aggies to 24.1 percent shooting after the break, and 31.9 percent for the game.
"We're still first in the league in three-point shooting." Self said.
Yep, it was sure tough to nitpick the Jayhawk's performance Saturday. When it was over, the Jayhawks were presented with their Big 12 championship trophy in a locker room celebration; a ceremony that's become quite standard for Kansas — especially this senior class.
"There's no lottery picks in that group, and there were no McDonald's All-Americans," Self said of his seniors. "To win four in a row in such a competitive league is such an incredible accomplishment."
Robinson, however, left Reed Arena thinking about bigger titles.
"It's just one of those things you have to enjoy right now," Robinson said. "And just know, it's not the only thing we want."
Edited by Sasha Roe
Mindy Ricketts/KANSAN
Junior guard Mario Chalmers shoots over Texas &M forward Joseph Jones and scores two points during the first half of the Kansas-Texas &M game at Reed Arena in College Station, Texas. Chalmers and sophomore forward Darrell Arthur scored 16 points each, the game high.
game notes
WINNING FOR HUDY
Kansas' strength coach Andrea Hudy's mother lost a long battle with cancer and passed away on Saturday morning. Multiple Jayhawks said they dedicated the game to Hudy.
"All she asked for was us to come home with another ring," sophomore Darrell Arthur said. Freshman Cole Aldrich said, "This is for Hudy. She's part of our family."
Kansas has won four straight conference titles six times in its history. The last time the layhawks did it was 1995-98. Kansas has also
won eight of the 12 Big 12 regular season basketball titles since the Big 12's formation in 1996, and has won or shared 51 conference titles in its history - the most in the nation.
SELF OKAY WITH
SHARING
With Texas' victory against Oklahoma State on Sunday, Kansas had to share the Big 12 conference regular season title with the Long-horns. That didn't bother Kansas coach Bill Self.
"It's certainly not a slap in anyone's face to share it with a team that I think has a chance to win a National Championship," Self
said. "Because I think Texas could potentially be that good."
After finishing 28-3 and winning a share of the Big 12 regular season title, Kansas guard Sherron Collins was asked about the Jayhawks being a possible No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
POSSIBLE NO.1 SEED?
"If it happens it happens. If it not, it don't," Collins said. "We just got to play the hand we're dealt."
"I think were playing good enough. I think if we get everything done were supposed to get done, then we'll come out with a No.1 seed, but if we don't, we still got to play"
Rustin Dodd
Mindv Ricketts/KANSAN
Sophomore forward Darrell Arthur dunks the ball during the second half. Arthur was one of the high scorers of the game with 16 points. Junior guard Mario Chalmers also scored 16 points.
Mindy Ricketts/KANSAN
Freshman guard Chase Buford celebrates from the bench after a Kansas score. Buford checked in briefly during the final minute of the game.
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