4B
KU 92 - MU 74
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THE UNIVERSITY JAMY KANSAN
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2007
That attitude rubbed off on his teammates, a leadership role that Wright said he's begun to embrace.
BASKETBALL (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
"I have the ability to really affect the game, either positively or negatively," he said. "I feel that I can take responsibility now and become aggressive."
That aggressive play was made possible by the Kansas guards, who were able to break Missouri's pressure and pass the ball into the paint.
Nobody did it better than Collins, who has seen his playing time increase in recent games. After a slow day for Mario Chalmers and Russell Robinson, Self was asked if he would make Collins a starter. He said he would not.
"I just want to do what's best for our team," Self said. "I feel like I've got a decent handle on the makeup of our team and the chemistry. He could care less whether he's starting or not as long as he's in there the majority of the time."
He added that the team's chemistry has never been better than in recent days. The Javahawks had a walk through practice on Friday night before the game, which the coach called the best practice of the year.
Kansas 47 45 — 92
Missouri 33 41 — 74
Kansas 92. Missouri 74
**Kansas** — Wright 14-21 5-7
33; Kaun 0-3 0-0 0; Robinson
1-5 2-4 4; Chalmers 1-8 4-4 6;
Rush 8-10 2-2 21; Arthur 2-4 0-
0 4; Collins 5-9 4-5 14; Jackson
4-4 2-2 10. Total 35-64 19-24
92.
This chemistry paid off as several different combinations of players connected on alley-oops and other offensive plays that beat Missouri's pressure. That flustered Tigers coach Mike Anderson, who was whistled for a technical in the final minutes of the first half.
After a sluggish December, Rush has emerged in conference play as
Between the ball handlers and the post players was sophomore guard Brandon Rush, whose 21 points were overshadowed by Wright's 33. The combined total of 54 points was more than any two teammates have this season.
Missouri — Brown 1-6 1-4
; Grimes 6-9 4-1 4; Lawrence,
K. 4-12 2-1 4; Hannah 7-14 2-
1 2; Lawrence, M. 5-11 0-0 13;
Tiller 0-1 1-2 1; Lyons 0-4 2-4
; Horton 0-1 0-1 0; Watkins
1-1 0-2; Dandridge 0-0 0-0;
Volksus 0-0 0-0; Butterfield
3-5 0-0 7. Total 27-64 12-20 74.
Records — Kansas 21-4, 8-
2; Missouri 14-9, 3-7
one of the team's best shooters, and can be counted on — along with Wright and Collins — to handle the ball in pressure situations.
Self is already looking forward to playing tournament games with Rush and Wright, and watching the two of them combine for big numbers like they did on Saturday.
"That's the best thing that has happened to our team," he said.
Kansan senior sportswriter Michael Phillips can be contacted at mphillips@ansan.com.
- Edited by Stacey Couch
Forward Julian Wright goes up for a basket in the first half of the game against olympus basketball.
Wright finished the game with a career high 33 points.
Amanda Sellers/KANSAN
Two Missouri fans hold their heads as they watch their team lose to Kansas during the final minutes of Saturday's game. The student fan section was loud and rowdy the first half but lost its momentum when the Jayhawks went on a 26-4 streak during the second half. Kansas defeated Missouri, 92-74
SCHNEIDER (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
was Wright and then it was Darrell Arthur.
During the last few games, Rush has quietly asserted himself as the team's leader. He's making key baskets and playing as well defensively as any player in the Big 12.
Earlier in the season, you couldn't say that about him. Just like his teammates, he's becoming more consistent.
It's that slow building process and
Don't be surprised if the same thing happens again this season.
Kansas went through a similar process last season, struggling early in the conference before going on a run that culminated in a Big 12 Tournament Championship.
Self has always said that he builds his teams for March and April, not November.
inconsistency that makes self's teams so frustrating to watch at times. The talent — in both the players and coach — is certainly there, but the execution sometimes isn't.
1st Half
This season is certainly no different. The last few games have proved that true once again.
Schneider is a Lawrence senior in journalism. He is Kansan sports editor.
Edited by Carissa Pedigo
2nd Half
Anna Faltermeier/KANSAN
Kansas made no secret of its strategy against the Missouri press. The Jayhawks went inside early and often, resulting in a career-high 33 points for sophomore forward Julian Wright. Missouri's three-point shooters struggled, going 8-for-30, but Kansas coach Bill Self said that could be a touch misleading. "You shouldn't say that just because they missed those were bad shots," he said. The Jayhawks also dominated at the free-throw line, putting in 19 of 24 attempts (not shown). Shot chart information compiled by Missouri Athletics.
Michael Phillips/KANSAN
Kansas guard Sherron Collins struggles for control of the ball with Missouri's Stephan Hannah in the second half of the game Saturday. Collins finished the game with 14 points and seven assists.
SOPhonohome quail Bandronon Rush dunks the bailey aqur
big 12 rankings
1. Texas A&M (21-3, 9-1)
2. Kansas (21-4, 8-2)
3. Kansas State (18-7, 7-3)
4. Texas (17-7, 7-3)
5. Oklahoma (15-8, 6-4)
6. Oklahoma State (19-5, 5-4)
7. Texas Tech (15-10, 4-6)
8. Nebraska (14-9, 3-6)
9. Missouri (14-9, 3-7)
10. Iowa State (12-12, 3-7)
11. Baylor (12-11, 2-8)
11. Colorado (6-14, 2-8)
st Missour