8
GAME DAY
AT A GLANCE
The last time these two teams met, UCLA beat Kansas 68-55 in the 2007 Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. The turnovers went back and forth in that game setting a tournament record, both teams combining for 35 steals. This time around, Kansas is the top-ranked team and UCLA is young and inexperienced Both teams have a rich tradition of college basketball and it makes this a significant game just based on history.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Freshman guard Xavier Henry
Henry is used to the spotlight in Allen Fieldhouse
and said he loves the fans and the support they have given him. But despite leading the Jayhawks in scoring this season, he had his worst game on the road against Memphis
Henry
scoring only 11 points on 3-for-11 shooting. He also had four turnovers and didn't seem comfortable. Henry indicated he hasn't traveled much for basketball, though he said he did love the plane ride to St. Louis. Los Angeles will be a new beast for the Oklahoma City native to overcome.
QUESTION MARKS
With only one game away from Allen Fieldhouse so far this season, are the Jayhawks tested enough for long travel?
The closest game of the year coincidentally or not, was against Memphis in St. Louis. The freshmen looked tentative with their performance, especially Xavier Henry. The best players in the game were the veterans Cole Aldrich and, despite having cramps, Sherron Collins. The distance to Los Angeles from Lawrence is a different beast than the distance to St. Louis.
HEAR YE, HEAR YE
"As a coach, if you're worried about being ranked No.1 or losing that No.1 ranking, then you're trying to hold on to something as opposed to go take something."
-Bill Self on not focusing on the Jayhawks' top ranking.
STARTING LINEUP
Sherron Collins, guard
Kansas coach Bill Self said Collins has been an unbelievable teammate this season, but maybe too much of one. In the past four games, Collins has attempted only seven shots in each and his numbers are significantly down from last year. Teammate Tyshawn Taylor even said
Collins
Collins needed to shoot the ball more. As the season progresses and the opponents get tougher, look for Collins to make the play.
Tyshawn Taylor, guard
With a good offensive game under his belt,
Tyshawn is looking to leave the past couple games behind. Since having seven
Taylor
turnovers in the Memphis game. Taylor has only turned the ball over three times since media time.
Xavier Henry, guard
The diaper dandy leads the team and all Big 12 freshmen in scoring and is the only player of the Jayhawks to score in double figures in every game this season. The last freshman to lead Kansas in scoring?
Brandon Rush in 2005-06 (13.5 points per game). Henry has even shown rebounding capabilities with more than four a game.
Henry
Marcus Morris, forward
You can't really call Morris a pleasant surprise this season, but it is good to see him performing at this level. Using methods such as "Dance Dance Revolution" to quicken his feet, he
Morris
and brother Markieff are flying high and giving Kansas fans a show every night.
— Corey Thibodeaux
Cole Aldrich, center
Aldrich
Aldrich leads the Big 12 with almost four blocks per game, almost one more block per game than last season. He finally has his groove back and once again will be the tallest person on the court. Aldrich has taken advantage of some smaller opponents but may get more of a challenge from UCLA's 6-foot-10 Anthony Stover and J'mison Morgan.
JAYHAWKS ROSTER
No. Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Wt.
0 Thomas Robinson Fr. F 6-9 230
1 Xavier Henry Fr. G 6-6 220
2 Conner Teahan Jr. G 6-5 215
4 Sherron Collins Sr. G 5-11 205
5 Jeff Withey Fr. C 7-0 225
10 Tyshawn Taylor So. G 6-3 180
12 Brady Morningstar Jr. G 6-3 185
13 C.J. Henry Fr. G 6-4 205
14 Tyrel Reed Jr. G 6-3 185
15 Elijah Johnson Fr. G 6-2 183
21 Markieff Morris So. C 6-9 232
22 Marcus Morris So. F 6-8 225
23 Mario Little Sr. G 6-5 210
24 Travis Releford So. G 6-5 205
40 Jordan Juenemann So. G 6-4 195
41 Chase Buford Jr. G 6-3 210
Hometown
Washington, D.C.
Oklahoma City
Leawood
Chicago
San Diego
Hoboken, N.J.
Lawrence
Oklahoma City
Burlington
Las Vegas
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Chicago
Kansas City, Mo.
Hays
San Antonio
Baby Jay will weep i
Big Jay will cheer if.
The Jayhawks continue to dominate on a roll after a scare against Memp would like nothing more than to see out of Pauley Pavilion with a convin Collins and the Jayhawks have been best team in college basketball, and pick up their first victory in a real trc
Cole Aldrich struggles. Aldrich made shot attempts in a victory against O and will be challenged by UCLA's big center needs a big game against a creally get back on track.
Prediction Kansas 84, UCLA
THE WAVE DECEMBER 4,2009
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN