KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011 / SPORTS / 9A
Mike Gunnoe/KANSAN
Junior forward Marcus Morris fouled hard late in the game Tuesday against Colorado. The Jayhawks defeated the Buffaloes to improve to 4-1 in conference play.
Selby's performance on Tuesday shows what team is capable of
A player who had been anything but electric since Big 12 play sparked the Jayhawks offense early in the game Tuesday night in Boulder, Colo. The Jayhawks, who appeared so anemic on the offensive end of the court last Saturday against Texas needed to get the offense back on track early and often against the high-scoring Buffaloes. Freshman guard Josh Selby was the ember in the Jayhawk fire that got the offense rolling in the thin air of the Coors Event Center as the Jayhawks won 82-78.
The Jayhawks needed a guard to step up and counter the strong Colorado backcourt led by Cory Higgins and Alec Burks. Higgins and Burks combine for 35.7 points a game.
"Well, Burks is a pro and Higgins will probably be a pro," coach Bill Self said before the game. "I think they're the top scoring duo in our league and probably as good of wings that we have in our conference."
Burks and Higgins both had strong nights, scoring 25 and 19 respectively. Bu the Jayhawks had an answer on Tuesday against the resilient Buffaloes. Selby led Kansas in scoring, finishing with 17. Selby was active early, scoring 15 of his points in the first half.
BY MIKE VERNON
mvernon@kansan.com
Selby had not been this aggressive since the Miami (OH) game on Jan. 2, in which Selby scored 18.
"A player in his freshman year is obviously going to go up and down," senior guard Brady Morningstar said. "I just tell him to keep being aggressive, because if you are not aggressive that is not going to help out the team."
These are the kinds of efforts Kansas is going to need from the highly touted freshman. Selby was effective in multiple ways on offense, driving to the lane, hitting the three, and finding the open man. Selby was seven-of-14 from the field, three-of-six from the three and also had five assists.
Selby and the rest of the Jayhawks shot well, going 50.9 percent from the field and hitting 10 three-pointers. The free throw shooting rebounded from Saturday's effort as well; the team was 14-of-18 from the line and
made their final seven on the night.
Selby also contributed four rebounds in a game that the Jayhawks dominated on the glass. The Jayhawks outrebounded Colorado 35-19. The rebounds were a crucial component in the Jayhawk victory.
The energy in Boulder was electric, and the Jayhawks come out of the mountains with a tough victory.
"I think every year that I've been here they've been tough." senior guard Tyrel Reed said. "It's a good atmosphere and a good place to play."
Kansas is going to continue to need a strong offensive performance from one of the guards if they want to continue winning on the road in tough Big 12 environments. Selby is going to have to be that extra spark for the Jayhawks. If he can continue to score double digits, Tyrel Reed is going to be able to have more room to hit the threes and the Morris Twins are going to have less pressure on them to score inside. Selby can be the guard who can put the Jayhawks over the top and lead the team to a seventh consecutive Big 12 title.
- Edited by Corey Thibodeaux
RECAP (CONTINUED FROM 12A)
Kansas uniforms. It reads "LR" in white letters, a small tribute to Lisa Robinson, Thomas' late mother.
Even when Thomas is nowhere to be found, his teammates now bear a reminder of him and his family less than a foot away from their hearts. F.O.E., as they say. Family over everything.
"That's just out of respect," Morris said. "I feel like we lost a team mom."
"I don't think were the most energized group ever," Self said after what was another emotional victory. "But I do think that our attitudes were good and our heads were right."
After tapping the patch for the last two times, Morris hit maybe the two biggest throws of his
But Morris wasn't the only one hitting shots Tuesday night. After games-long slumps for each, Josh Selby (17 points) and Brady Morningstar (14) found their scoring form. The prodigal sons returned.
"Guys did a good job, stepped up to the line and knocked down our free throws," senior guard Tyrel Reed said.
season. They stretched the lead to the final four-point margin inside five seconds, and essentially ended the game.
Selby had his best game since a 7-of-12, 18-point game against Miami (OH). Considering the level of competition, it might have been his best game yet in a Kansas uniform.
"That's huge for him, you know?" Morningstar said. "First half, he came out hot, and that's what we needed. He hasn't been like that for a while, and it's good for him to get his stuff rolling, because I know Saturday we're going to need him and for the rest of the season we're going to need him."
Tryrel an easy open look. Those two were great."
"He's been working his tail off!" Self said of Morningstar. "And it was also good to see Josh be aggressive. Josh hasn't been aggressive at all, and on the first play of the game he gets right into the lane and gets
And for the rest of the season, less than a foot away from their hearts, there will be that "LR" patch.
Friday, January 28
Shabbat Dinner 6-7 p.m. Bruckmiller Room,Adams Alumni Center
Join KU Hillel and the KU Alumni Association for our annual Jayhawk Shabbat. Stop by the Adams Alumni Center for a free dinner and lots of giveaways! Rock Chalk! Join us for the Jayhawk Shabbat!
Co-Sponsored by KU Alumni Association and KU Hillel
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