KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2011 / SPORTS /
7A
KU
TIPOFF
AT A GLANCE
Colorado's Cory Higgins and Alec Burks are rolling right now, and there's no reason to think the Jayhawks will be able to shut them down. Slow them, sure, but trying to stop them cold is a fool's errand. Elijah Johnson (on Higgins) and Brady Morningstar (on Burks) will draw the defensive matchups. If one of them manages to get their man cold, there's not enough help on the Colorado roster for the Buffaloes to pull the upset. The Buffaloes likely played their way into the NCAA Tournament with a win yesterday, but they'll want it bad today regardless, just to put their minds at ease.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Senior guard Tyrel Reed
Reed's foot injury, which coach Bill Self said in his weekly press conference Monday would require surgery after the season,
is starting to clearly hamper him. He's still playing major minutes for Kansas — more than 30 in each of the last four games — but, especially over
the last two games, he hasn't been quite as effective. In those two he's shooting just 4-of-15 and just 2-of-11 from long range. It wouldn't be too surprising to see Reed get some rest Friday, play significantly fewer minutes, in order to get him ready for the NCAA Tournament, which is obviously far more important to the Jayhawks.
Will the Jayhawks look ahead to potential meeting with Texas?
QUESTION MARK
The Jayhawks didn't get their dream schedule with rematches against Kansas State and Texas, but there's still a potential meeting with the Longhorns, who looked excellent in sending Oklahoma into the offseason, looming on the horizon. Prior to the tournament, the Jayhawks made no secret of wanting a shot at the Longhorns, and their forward thinking may have been a partial cause of the near slip-up against Oklahoma State. Colorado has far more talent, though, with a lottery pick and another potential NBAer playing on the perimeter. If Kansas loses focus today, it could be headed for the consolation game.
HEARYE, HEARYE
"I don't know who's No. 1, but it must be the Lakers, because I think Kansas is the best team in America."
— Oklahoma State forward Marshall Moses after Oklahoma State's loss to Nebraska.
Takin' it to the next level Time to make the Buffaloes weep KANSAS VS.COLORADO 6 p.m., SPRINT CENTER, Kansas City, Mo.
Johnson
KANSAS
30-2,(14-2)
STARTERS
Elijah Johnson, guard
In two games against the Buffaloes this season, Johnson has played 21 minutes and scored two points, while Cory Higgins and Alec Burks ran roughshod over the Kansas defense. It's safe to say his role has changed a bit. Johnson has reinvented himself as a defender and will likely draw the assignment of guarding Higgins, the Big 12's eighth-leading scorer.
Reed
Tyrel Reed, guard
Reed, the Jayhawks best three-point shooter and free throw shooter, wasn't on the floor at the end of a tight game yesterday. That pretty clearly says that his foot is bothering him more than he'd care to admit. He already is missing practices for it, and if Self were going to rest him a game this would be it. He was awful from the field Thursday, hitting just 1-of-8 and 3-of-6 free throws.
Morningstar
Brady Morningstar, guard
Mc. Morris
What I wrote about Morningstar for yesterday's game: "Morningstar is and always has been the type of guy whose final stat line can be guessed pretty accurately before most games. He'll give the Jayhawks 30-plus minutes, five to 12 points, three to six assists, zero or one turnover and a couple steals." His line: 11 points, four assists, one turnover, zero steals. Expect similar numbers.
Marcus Morris, forward
It's tough to be critical of a double-double — Morris finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds against Oklahoma State — but I'm going to try. The Cowboys were devastated by boul trouble in the frontcourt (their top three posts fouled out), so for Morris to finish a couple of points off his season average is surprising and a little underwhelming. He should be able to put up big numbers against a weak Colorado frontcourt.
Mk. Morris
Markieff put up OK numbers — 10 points and five rebounds — but like his brother should have been able to take better advantage of the Cowboys' frontcourt foul trouble. Of course, he was dealing with foul trouble of his own. He only played 18 minutes before fouling out of the game, and it's tough to put up all-conference numbers in that little playing time.
Markieff Morris, forward
— Tim Dwyer
COLORADO
21-12,(8-8)
STARTERS
Nate Tomlinson, guard
Tomlinson only played 16 minutes, five in the second half and that was when he was most productive. In the first half he had zeros all across his stat line except for two fouls. In the five minutes he played in the second half he scored three points and added an assist and two rebounds. Colorado might be better off just starting Levi Knutson, but he isn't a true point guard like Tomlinson.
Tomlinson
Cory Higgins, guard
Higgins had ice water in his veins for a stretch when Alec Burks went out with three fouls at the 14:12 minute mark in the first half. Colorado was down by four when Burks left and when he came back in three minutes later it was only down by one. Higgins led all scorers with 28 points.
Higgins
Alec Burks, forward
Burks has had two phenomenal games in the tournament thus far. On Wednesday he scored 29 points, 25 in the second half, and on Thursday he scored 24 points, 16 in the first half. Burks is a pure scorer that gets to the free throw line. He averaged 20 points in Colorado's two games against Kansas. By the way he is playing these last two days, he'll probably go off for another 20-plus.
Burks
Austin Dufault, forward
Dufault is averaging a measly three points in the Big 12 tournament. He has two turnovers to go with his zero assists. For a 6-foot-9 forward he doesn't hit the boards hard; he is soft. He has five rebounds total. Marcus Morris, who had 11 rebounds, nine on the offensive end, will eat him alive. If Dufault doesn't step up, it will be a long night.
★★☆☆☆
Marcus Relphorde, forward
Colorado has four threats to score; Relphore is the fourth behind Burks. Hiqgins and
Knutson. Relphorde scored 10 points in 21 minutes. He didn't miss a shot (3-3 FG, 1-1 3FG) or a free throw (3-3). Relphorde wasn't perfect though; he committed four turnovers and only shed out one assist.
Relphorde
Mike Lavieri
Brady Morningstar Chris Bronson/KANSAN
CU
TIPOFF
ATAGLANCE
People say it's difficult to defeat a team three times in one season. Well, Colorado did just that on Thursday. It knocked off Kansas State 87-75 in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament. The victory also means that Kansas will have the opportunity to defeat the Buffaloes for the third time this season. Colorado lost by four 82-78, at home in Boulder, Colo., and then was dropped by 26, 89-63, in Lawrence. Colorado shot 79.2 percent from the free-throw line on Wednesday and 85.2 percent on Thursday. It was 88.2 percent in the second half. If this game is close at the end of the game, Colorado will make its free throws. The same can't be said about Kansas.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Sophomore guard Alec Burks
There is a reason Burks was one of two players named unanimous All-By
12 First Team selections. By the coaches, it was he and Jacob Pullen. By the Associated Press it was he and Marcus
Burks
Morris. Burks can score, handle the ball and defend. He is a first round pick with the potential to be a lottery pick in the NBA Draft. Burks is shooting 81.7 percent from the free throw line. In Colorado's victory against Texas he shot 20 free throws. On Thursday he was a perfect 8-8. He can score from deep, but he is a dribble-drive type of player. Burks will be the key to Colorado's success.
QUESTION MARK
How will Colorado fare with three games in three days?
Colorado will no doubt come out with a lot of energy. It could end up being similar to the way Kansas came out against Texas and then just hit a wall. Colorado played two games that went the distance; there wasn't a moment when they could relax. The Buffaloes' legs should catch up to them and they will probably become tired at some point. Burks and Higgins won't show they are tired and will do everything they can to put Colorado on their backs if their teammates show any signs of weakness. Playing a 6 p.m. will help both Kansas and Colorado, which played in the early session, but Kansas will have more rest.
HEARYE, HEARYE
"It's not really that tough for me. I'm 19, so I'm young. I got a lot of legs under me. But I think we're hungry, we've got the toughness, and we can bounce back to be ready for Kansas tomorrow."
Sophomore guard Alec Burks on playing three games in three days.
BIG 12 SCHEDULE
Friday, March 11
Game
8:30 p.m.
Texas vs. Texas A&M
Time (CT)
THE JAYHAWKS WILL TAME RALPHIE IF...
They manage to tame either Burks or Higgins. Colorado's wonder guards are as talented as any backcourt in the Big 12, if not the country, and Elijah Johnson's newfound defensive prowess will face by far its toughest test thus far. If Johnson or Morningstar is up to the task, then bye bye, Buffaloes.
THE BUFFALOES WILL STAMPEDE IF...
The Morris twins don't post big numbers with the serious talent differential between them and the Colorado frontcourt. Andre Roberson and Marcus Relphorde are nice players, but both are a little too small to handle the twins. Last time they played, Markieff had 26 points and 15 rebounds, while Marcus had 16 and nine.
SCHEDULE
Prediction:
Kansas 83, Colorado 74
Big 12 Championship
Event
Date
NCAA Tournament
March 11-12
March 15-April 4