4B
KU 97 - CU 74
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2007
SCHNEIDER (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
"He's worked on it and he's back to being where he was when he was confident." Self said. "I'm pleased with Russell in that regard."
When Robinson struggled with his shots and decision making earlier in the season, opponents often backed off him, choosing to focus on his backcourt mates Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers and Sherron Collins. Those three were able to take on the double team just fine, but it shouldn't have to be that way. A Robinson who's making shots within the offense makes everyone around him better simply because they don't have to deal with an extra defender.
All four can take the ball to the rim, as well as take the shot from the outside. Forcing opponents, like Nebraska tonight, to come out and guard each one individually, instead of doubling Chalmers or Rush, is certainly to the Jayhawks'
advantage. Both Chalmers and Rush could easily take nearly every guard in conference off the dribble to the basket without much trouble.
"That's tough because you can't over-help on one particular person," Robinson said.
No one expects the point guard to lead the team in scoring, but the fact that Robinson can easily go for double-digits is a good sign, especially as the conference race heats up.
Down the road, if either Chalmers or Rush has an off night, it's good to know Robinson's regained the confidence he's needed to take — and make — a key shot.
Schneider is a Lawrence senior in journalism. He is Kansan sports editor.
out rebounded the Jayhawks 36, to 30.
Edited by Ashley Thompson
BASKETBALL (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
"We've just got to get our big men back in double figures." Chalmers said. "They've been carrying us the last few games."
Self said the inside players needed to start playing more aggressively.
"We've got too many finees guys out there right now," he said. "Getting a jump ball out of an inside possession is pitiful."
Rush said the team might have been soft at times, but the lack of rebounds was the result of Colorado's guards taking long shots that bounced back to them.
The defense will have a different look tonight. Nebraska runs a four-guard formation, leaving only one big man in the paint, center Aleks Maric. Kaun will likely guard him a majority of the time, leaving Wright and freshman forward Darrrell Arthur to run with the guards.
That could be a challenge for the
two, having just played on Saturday, but Self said that the team would be ready.
"It's not that bad to play Saturday Monday," he said. "The tournament games are Thursday-Saturday or Friday-Sunday."
He added that since he arrived at Kansas, the team has played in 13 Big Monday games, and only four of them have been at home.
"We're one of the top teams in the Big 12, so it's a big deal for the other teams," Chalmers said.
Rush knows the Jayhawks must be prepared for the Huskers' best shot tonight.
"There's the pressure that you've got to perform," he said. "One play can change a game."
Kansan senior sportswriter Michael Phillips can be contacted at mphilipsekansan.com.
Edited by Katie Sullivan
No.8 Kansas 97,Colorado 74
Kansas: Wright 3-6 0-0 6; Kaun
4-10 0-1 8; Robinson 5-9 0-1 2;
Chalmers 8-1 2-3 21; Rush 8-1 3-2 21;
Arthur 1-2 0-0 2; Collins 3-5 4-5
1; Stewart 0-1 0-0 0; Case 1-1 0-0 3;
Bechard 0-0 0-0 0; Mormingstar 1-2-
2-5; Jackson 1-2-6 8-6; Witherspoon
0-0 0-0 0; Kleinmann 0-0 0-0 0; Totals
35-63 16-19 97.
**Colorado.** Williams 4-6 3-4 11;
King-Stockton 0-1 0-0 0; Silas 3-10 1-2 9;
Roby 10-15 17-10 30; Bay 1-6 0-3;
Inge 1-2 0-2 1; Coleman 1-4 0-3;
Thorne 1-1 2-2 5; Van Burck 0-1 2-1;
Jackson-Wilson 2-7 4-4 8; Perkowski
0-0 0-2 0; Kowal 1-2 0-2 0; Beckley 0-
0-0 0. Totals 24-54 18-28 74.
Kansas 18-3, 5-1 Big 12
Colorado 5-12, 1-6 Big 12
RECORDS
Sherron Collins, freshman guard, and Mario Chalmers, sophomore guard, fight for the ball during Saturday's game against Colorado.
Brandon Rush, sophomore guard, attempts to steal
Center: Junior center Sasha Kaun scores during the first half of the Jayhawk victory against the Buffaloes. Kaun contributed 8 points.
Left: Sophomore guard Mario Chalmers shoots a three-point shot as Colorado forward Jermyl Jackson-Wilson watches. Chalmers made three three-pointers and scored a total of 21 points against Colorado. Kansas defeated Colorado, 97-74.
Right: Junior guard Russell Robinson goes for a layup against Colorado during Saturdays game in Allen Fieldhouse. Robinson scored two three-pointers for a total of 6 points.
Amanda Sellers/KANSAN
Lisa Lipovac/KANSAN
> Poor Julian Wright. Just when it starts to look like he's back on track, he has a tough game in front of the home crowd.
Kansas coach Bill Self said afterward that sophomore forward Wright is trying too hard to make a superstar play."Julian can be as good as he allows himself to be," Self said. It must be hard to have the ability to perform spectacular plays, but force yourself to make a good, fundamentally solid move.
Amanda Sellers/KANSAN
view from press row
> Colorado guard Richard Roby is an NBA player, no doubt about it. But he may have hurt his draft stock by returning
for his junior year of college. Scouts aren't going to make the trek to Boulder to watch a team with one good player, so he will only be watched when he's playing a quality opponent on the road.
> It's not a good year to be a Colorado fan. Coach Ricardo Patton is leaving the team at the end of the season, which can't come soon enough for the Buffalooes. I don't think Patton knew what an awkward situation he'd place himself and his players in, and it's too late to fix the problem now. The players are probably
Michael Phillips
There's nothing funny about that.
"He got hit in a spot that most males don't enjoy getting hit in," Self said.
> On the topic of painful things, junior center Sasha Kaun had to leave the game for a few minutes in the first half and appeared to be in intense pain. At one point, he leaned against Wright and screamed. What happened?
counting down the days until the offseason begins.
the ball by
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