8B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
GAMEDAY
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3. 2006
Super Sunday for Jayhawks, Sooners
KU Tip-off
ATA GLANCE
A victory on Sunday would go a long way in the minds of the NCAA tournament selection committee. Oklahoma will enter Allen Fieldhouse ranked No. 19 in the nation. A victory against a ranked team would pave the way for Kansas heading into the heart of Big 12 Conference play.
LAST TIME OUT
- Kansas won its fourth straight game on Monday night when it blew out Texas Tech, 86-52. Freshman guard Brandon Rush tied a career high with 24 points and sophomore forwards Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson each added 10. The victory marked the Jayhawks fourth straight.
PLAYER TO WATCH
♦ C.J. Giles. The sophomore center has not played many minutes in recent games but will likely have to see significant time when facing the talented Oklahoma frontcourt. Giles needs to stay on his feet when contesting shots and not pick up careless fouls, which have plagued him all season.
5 QUICK FACTS
14. 6 — Rush's scoring average, which ties him with Danny Manning for the best scoring output as a freshman in Kansas basketball history.
11 — Players that scored in Kansas' 86-52 victory against Texas Tech.
18. 6 — Number of assists per game averaged by Kansas this season, which leads the Big 12.
5 — Straight games that the Jayhawks have shot better than 50 percent from the field.
37. 9 — Percentage conference opponents are shooting from the field against Kansas.
LOOKING AHEAD
A victory on Sunday would likely put the Jayhawks in the Top 25 for the first time this season. The Jayhawks couldn't have found a better time to crack the rankings with just a few weeks remaining in the regular season. If Kansas can defeat Oklahoma on Sunday, it will have a much better chance of challenging Texas for the top spot in the Big 12.
KEY TO VICTORY
- Stay out of foul trouble. The Kansas frontcourt will be challenged early and often by Oklahoma post men Kevin Bookout and TaJ Gray. The Jayhawks post players need to stay in the game and not allow Bookout and Gray to get to the free-throw line. If the Kansas post players can stay out of foul trouble and the KU guards apply defensive pressure to confuse Oklahoma offensively, Kansas should be able to extend its winning streak to five games.
Kansas vs. Oklahoma, CBS Noon, Sunday, Allen Fieldhouse
Kansas Offense
Through the play of guards Russell Robinson, Brandon Rush, and Mario Chalmers, the Kansas offense is now one of the most prolific in the Big 12 Conference. Coming into conference play, Rush was the lone player on the Kansas roster to average 10 points per game or more. Rush has become more aggressive offensively as well. His 19 field goal attempts against Texas Tech was a season high. In conference play, Robinson and Chalmers have averaged more than 10 points per game.The KU guards have been unselfish with the basketball and created simple baskets for their teammates.
Defense
The Kansas rebound margin against Texas Tech was the largest it has been all season, at plus 27. The KU defense has continued to stifle every opponent that it has seen in recent weeks, holding opponents to less than 40 percent shooting. Kansas has stepped up its perimeter defense lately also. It held Texas Tech to only two three-point baskets, which was the lowest total of any team against Kansas this season. While most of the Kansas defense has come through the play of its guards, Kansas will need solid post defense to stop Oklahoma's Kevin Bookout and Taj Gray.
Coaching
Oklahoma
Following two heartbreaking losses to archrivals Kansas State and Missouri, Kansas coach Bill Self had his team in its best shape of the season. Self is now 61-22 at Kansas.The team has stayed focused and accumulated four straight victories. Kansas will have had five days to prepare for Oklahoma.Self's team will be well-rested for a game that could determine who challenges Texas for the conference title.
Offense
Ryan Colaiani
When Oklahoma and Kansas play each other Sunday, it will be one of the more physical games Kansas has played this year. That's because of the strong play by Oklahoma's big forwards, Tai Gray and Kevin Bookout. Gray is averaging 15.1 points per game, and Bookout is averaging 11.8 points per game. Kansas coach Bill Self called the two of them the best big-man combination in the Big 12 conference. Kansas held the duo in check last year. The two combined for just 11 points and six rebounds. Oklahoma has two other players that both average in double figures. Terrell Everett, reigning Big 12 Player of the Week, is averaging 12.1 points per game and Michael Neal averages 11.3 points per game.
Defense
Oklahoma comes into Sunday's game as one of the best defensive teams in the league. Gray and Bookout are a big reason for that. The forwards combine for 15.1 rebounds per game. Gray also leads the team in blocked shots and is in the Top 10 in the conference as well. The Sooners have a way of slowing the opposition down by making them play a slow-paced game. If Oklahoma has its way on Sunday, it will slow down the tempo of the game.
Coaching
In his 12th season as coach of Oklahoma, Kelvin Sampson comes into Lawrence as one of the most successful coaches in the Big 12 Conference. Sampson has led Oklahoma to eight straight 20-win seasons. There are just seven other coaches who have a streak that long. Sampson has won more Big 12 games than any coach in the conference's history. Sampson also has an impressive streak of 12 consecutive postseason appearances and his team has captured the Big 12 Tournament three times. Sampson was twice named National
times. Sampson was twice named Nationa Coach of the year in 1995 and 2002.
OU Tip-off
ATAGLANCE
- Oklahoma comes into the game ranked No. 19 in the country. Two games ago, Oklahoma scored its biggest victory of the season knocking off No. 7 Texas in Norman, Okla. The Sooners started the conference season slowly, losing their first two games against Nebraska and Missouri. Since the Missouri loss, Oklahoma has won five games in a row.
- Oklahoma beat Texas A&M for the second time this season.
Michael Neal led Oklahoma with 16 points as he connected on 4-of-9 three-point attempts in the 71-63 victory.
Three other players scored in double figures. Neal missed the first two conference games in Oklahoma because of a groin injury, but his return has sparked the team. Texas A&M cut the lead to three points with 3:09 remaining in the game but didn't score again.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Actually, there are two — Taj Gray and Kevin Bookout. The Kansas frontcourt has improved its play lately, but has yet to face a team with the physical inside presence that Oklahoma possesses. Gray and Bookout complement each other well and share the ball beautifully.
5 QUICK FACTS
LAST TIME OUT
19 — The number of points for Terrell Everett in Oklahoma's 71-63 victory against Kansas last year.
607 — Oklahoma has outscoed its opponents 607-463 in the first half of games this year.
3 Bookout and Gray have combined to foul out of just three games all season.
32. 8 Oklahoma's three-point field goal percentage the worst in the Big 12.
25. 9 Oklahoma's defensive rebounds per game - the best in the Big 12.
LOOKING AHEAD
$ \diamond $ If Oklahoma is able to go on the road and secure a victory at Kansas, it would keep the Sooners in second place in the conference. Oklahoma still has to travel to Austin, Texas, to play Texas and still has a date with the other second place team, Colorado. A loss against the Jayhawks would put the Sooners in an almost impossible situation to win the conference with three losses so early in the season.
KEY TO VICTORY
The key for Oklahoma will
The key for Oklahoma will be rebounding. This will be a great test for the Kansas men. If they are able to keep Bookout and Gray off the glass, Oklahoma will struggle. If Gray and Bookout are able to control the rebounding situation, as they have the majority of the season, Oklahoma will likely leave the fieldhouse with a victory.
Around the Big 12
Texas A&M at Texas
Texas will try to stay atop the Big 12 standings with a victory at home against rival Texas A&M. Texas had its first loss in the conference last weekend at Oklahoma. Since that game, it went on the road to beat Missouri. Earlier this week, both LaMarcus Aldridge and PJ Tucker from Texas were named to the Wooden Award Midseason list, given to the top player in college basketball. Texas A&M comes into the game after a loss on the road to Oklahoma.
Where: Austin, Texas
Texas A&M at Texas When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Missouri at Texas Tech
Both teams will try to rebound from bad mid week games. Texas Tech got blown out at Kansas Monday night, and Missouri didn't protect its home court Wednesday night when it lost to Texas. For Missouri, the season has been a talsepin since its thrilling victory at home against Kansas. Missouri has lost four straight since that game, and the closest game it has had was a 13-point loss. Before losing to Kansas, Texas Tech won an exciting overtime game against Oklahoma State last weekend.
Missouri at Texas Tech
When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
Where: Lubbock, Texas
Where: Manhattan
Oklahoma State at Kansas State When: Saturday, 3 p.m.
Where: Manhattan
It doesn't get much more embarrassing for Kansas State. After losing to Baylor Wednesday night, giving the Bears their first victory of the season, the Wildcats will look to get their team back on track Saturday against the Cowboys. Oklahoma State limps into the game coming off a 59-57 loss at home to Nebraska. Oklahoma State is in the midst of a four-game losing streak, two of the losses coming in overtime. Jameson Curry did seem to return to form a little for Oklahoma State; he scored 22 points in the Nebraska loss.
Baylor at Nebraska
Where: Lincoln, Neb.
Both teams come off surprising mid week victories. Baylor won its first game of the season, beating Kansas State at home 72-70. Nebraska is coming off a major road victory at Oklahoma State. The victory improved Nebraska to 4-3 in conference play and keeps them in the mix for the NCAA tournament. A loss at home to Baylor would be disastrous. Wes Wilkinson has been the leader for Nebraska, scoring 19 points in 36 minutes against Oklahoma State.
Where: Ames, Iowa
At 5-2 in conference play, Colorado will look to stay in the mix for a conference championship when it goes on the road to play Iowa State. Colorado had the week off after defeating Kansas State 79-75 last weekend. Colorado has been paced by sophomore Richard Roby. Roby is averaging 18.5 points per game. Iowa State has lost three home games in a row for the first time since 2001. Iowa State is 3-4 in conference play and needs a victory to keep its tournament chances alive.
Colorado at Iowa State
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