GAME NOTES: The Kansas Jayhawks have lost just one game all season, and they continue their quest for the Big 12 Conference regular season title with tonight's contest at Kansas State.
Kansas has posted six consecutive victories since its lone defeat, an 11-point setback versus Texas. The Jayhawks, who are 24-1 overall and 9-1 in conference action, continue to trail the Longhorns by one game in the league standings. Considering the fact that Kansas is a perfect 7-0 in true road games, don't expect the team to be intimidated by the Manhattan crowd.
On Saturday, Kansas State suffered a heart-breaking 58-56 loss to Colorado on the road, halting a modest two-game win streak for the Wildcats. They are now just 4-6 in Big 12 play, overshadowing a 16-9 overall record. On a positive note, 12 of their 14 home games have resulted in wins, an obvious reason for confidence tonight.
Two weeks ago, Kansas crushed K-State by a 90-66 final, and the Jayhawks own a commanding 181-90 series lead over their in-state rivals.
There is no doubt that Kansas enters tonight's game significantly less than 100 percent. Josh Selby, the team's standout freshman guard, is expected to miss the tilt with an ankle injury, and his 12.0 ppg will be missed. Thomas Robinson (8.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg) will also be held out of action with a knee injury. Fortunately for head coach Bill Self, brothers Marcus and Markieff Morris will be in the lineup. Marcus is scoring 16.9 ppg on 60.9 percent shooting from the floor, and he is ripping down 7.0 rpg. As for Markieff, he provides 13.2 ppg and 8.5 rpg while shooting 59.4 percent. The Jayhawks are generating 83.9 ppg on 52.3 percent field goal efficiency, and they are limiting opponents to 64.0 ppg on 38.8 percent shooting. Marcus Morris paced four double-digit scorers for the Jayhawks in an 89-66 victory over Iowa State on Saturday, as he finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Markieff Morris added 14 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while Tyshawn Taylor tallied 14 points and six assists as well. Brady Morningstar pitched in 13 points for Kansas, which shot 51.9 percent from the field and finished with 24 assists against nine turnovers.
Against Colorado on Saturday, Kansas State struggled mightily at the offensive end, shooting a mere 30.8 percent from the floor. Jamar Samuels tallied 13 points to go along with seven rebounds, while standout guard Jacob Pullen was held to 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting. Rodney McGruder pitched in 11 points for the Wildcats, who got only five points from Curtis Kelly. The troubled Kelly is currently the subject of a Kansas State Athletic Department investigation that could lead to his dismissal from the team, although a timetable for deciding whether or not he violated rules for substance abuse is unclear. Through 25 games, Pullen is netting 18.0 ppg to go along with 82 assists and 35 steals. McGruder checks in with 11.0 ppg as the only other double-digit scorer for the Wildcats, who are posting 72.8 ppg while allowing 65.7 ppg to opponents.
In what is sure to be a hard-fought battle from start to finish, give a narrow edge to the banged up Jayhawks. Slowing down the Morris brothers will be a tough task for the Wildcats.
GAME NOTES: The Kansas Jayhawks have lost just one game all season, and they continue their quest for the Big 12 Conference regular season title with tonight's contest at Kansas State.
FACTS & STATS: Site: Bramlage Coliseum (12,528) -- Manhattan, Kansas. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Kansas 13-1, Kansas State 12-2. Away Record: Kansas 7-0, Kansas State 3-5. Neutral Record: Kansas 4-0, Kansas State 1-2. Conference Record: Kansas 9-1, Kansas State 4-6. Series Record: Kansas leads, 181-90.
Kansas 76, Kansas State 70