8B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
GAMEDAY
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13.2006
KU defense needs to step up for a victory
KU Tip-off
LAST TIME OUT
Kansas defeated Iowa State 88-75 on Saturday in Allen Fieldhouse. Freshman guard Mario Chalmers led the Jayhawks with 23 points. He was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. Kansas has now won seven games in a row and 14 of its last 16.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Chalmers. The freshman guard has improved in protecting the basketball. He had eight turnovers against Oklahoma last week, but just one turnover against Iowa State. He is also producing offensively. His 23 points against Iowa State was a career-high. Chalmers will need to deal with leading a team in a hostile environment tonight in Stillwater, Okla.
3 QUICK FACTS
0 — The number of weeks Kansas has been ranked in the Top 25 this season.
21. 5 The average points per game for Chalmers last week.
2 - Turnovers for senior guard Jeff Hawkins in the past eight games.
KEY TO VICTORY
Quiet the crowd. Kansas is usually on the receiving end of great fan support, but tonight it will play in a raucous Gallagher-Iba Arena. Kansas's key to victory will be to build an early lead and take the crowd out of the game.
Kansas vs. Oklahoma State, ESPN 8 p.m., Monday, Gallagher-Iba Arena
Kansas
OFFENSE
The Kansas offense has been clicking throughout its seven-game win streak in conference play. This has come from a balanced scoring attack led by freshman guard Brandon Rush. Freshman guard Mario Chalmers has also provided a strong offensive spark, averaging 21.5 points in his last two games. Kansas will need to deal with a hostile environment in Stillwater, Okla., tonight. The Jayhawks have fared well on the road this season, winning four of their five games. This will be the most difficult arena the Jayhawks have played in this season.
DEFENSE
The Kansas defense was not great against Iowa State, but did enough to win. The unit gave up 75 points and also allowed the Cyclones to shoot better than 40 percent, which was the first time in six games that the Jayhawks allowed that to happen. Freshman forward Julian Wright established his defensive presence against Iowa State, setting a career-high in rebounds (nine) and tying his career-high in blocks (four). Oklahoma State has struggled offensively this season and Kansas will need to return to its old defensive form to give itself a good chance to win tonight.
Oklahoma State
OFFENSE
Oklahoma State has struggled this season on the offensive end. The Cowboys haven't scored more than 70 points in a game in four games and have lost three out of four games. When Oklahoma State manages to score, the bulk of it comes from junior forward/center Mario Boggan (13.7 points per game) and sophomore guard JamesOn Curry (13.5 points per game). Boggan gives the team an inside presence, as he is shooting 58.2 percent from the field. Curry is shooting only 40 percent from the field. Oklahoma State excels at the free-throw line, leading the Big 12 Conference in free throw percentage at 73.5 percent. The Cowboys are more of a threat down low near the basket, rather than the perimeter. Oklahoma State is last in the conference, averaging just 4.46 three-point shots per game.
DEFENSE
Although Oklahoma State has struggled this season, it hasn't been because of a lack of defense. The Cowboys recently allowed 46 points to Texas A&M and still lost the game. It starts with the guards, as Curry and freshman guard Byron Eaton have active hands on defense. Overall, Oklahoma State is allowing 65.8 points per game, which is seventh best in the conference. Although the team has a lot of big men, the rebounding has been a problem for this team this season. The Cowboys are ninth in the conference in rebounding.
Ryan Colaianni
Daniel Berk
OSU Tip-off
LAST TIME OUT
Oklahoma State played against Texas A&M on Saturday without the services of coach Eddie Sutton, who was involved in a car accident on Friday. He is in stable condition now, and plans to return to coaching as soon as his health allows, according to Oklahoma State's Web site. Despite holding Texas A&M to only 46, Oklahoma State lost a heartbreaker, 46-44, Oklahoma State had only 12 field goals the entire game.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Sophomore guard JamesOn Curry, Although he's only averaging 13.5 points per game this season, he is still capable of ripping off 25 points on any night, Kansas sophomore Russell Robinson will most likely guard Curry tonight, which will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game.
3 QUICK FACTS
30 — Oklahoma State shot only 30 percent (12-of-39) from the field against Texas A&M.
14 — The Cowboys have lost their last four conference games by a combined 14 points.
4 — The number of starters Oklahoma State lost from last season's team.
KEY TO VICTORY
Play well early, Gallagherba Arena is one of the best home courts in the nation and must get the crowd involved early. If Oklahoma State can hit its shots and get an early lead, the fans will get into the game, making it more difficult for a Kansas road victory.
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