Baylor (17-4) at (4) Kansas (22-1)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Allen Fieldhouse (16,300) -- Lawrence, Kansas. Television: Local. Home Record: Baylor 10-2, Kansas 16-0. Away Record: Baylor 4-1, Kansas 6-1. Neutral Record: Baylor 3-1, Kansas 0-0. Conference Record: Baylor 5-2, Kansas 6-1. Series Record: Kansas leads, 12-1.
GAME NOTES: Sitting atop the Big 12 standings, the fourth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks attempt to solidify their spot, as they welcome the surprising Baylor Bears to Lawrence for a conference showdown at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks are sitting in first place in the Big 12 (7-1) and have won two straight games since their only loss of the season, an 84-75 decision to Kansas State on January 30th. Kansas has bounced back with a pair of solid victories, knocking off Colorado (72-59) and Missouri (90-71) in a three-day stretch. The Bears have burst on the scene this year and at one point, were ranked in the Top-25. However, a pair of losses to Oklahoma (77-71) and Texas (80-72) sent the team tumbling out of the poll. Still, Baylor has been able to get back on track following an 80-74 win over Texas Tech on Wednesday, leaving the team with a solid 5-2 league ledger. Kansas has prevailed in 12 of the 13 meetings with Baylor, including six straight. In addition, the Jayhawks have captured all seven matchups in Lawrence.
The Bears spoiled the debut of new Texas Tech coach Pat Knight, as Baylor converted 52.3 percent from the floor, en route to the six-point victory. Curtis Jerrells led four Bears in double figures with 16 points. Josh Lomers and LaceDarius Dunn added 14 points apiece, while Kevin Rogers chipped in with 10. Baylor turned the ball over 18 times in the game, but held a 35-26 advantage on the boards and outscored Tech 32-20 at the free-throw line. The Bears have thrived this season at the offensive end of the floor, averaging 80.7 ppg, on a solid .460 shooting. Scoring depth is apparent with five players currently averaging double figures, including four starters. Jerrells is the top performer, pacing the Bears in both scoring (14.4 ppg) and assists (75). Rogers is next at 12.6 ppg, while leading the way on the boards (7.8 rpg). Dunn (11.9 ppg), Henry Dugat (11.4 ppg) and Aaron Bruce (10.7 ppg) have all made significant contributions as well.
While not many teams have the arsenal to match Baylor offensively, Kansas is certainly one of those programs. The Jayhawks are shooting a scorching .513 from the floor this season, leading to a hefty 82.8 ppg. The dominance does not stop there though, as KU has gotten the job done defensively as well, enjoying a robust +22.6 scoring margin. Opponents have managed a mere 60.2 ppg this year, while being held under 40 percent shooting (.390). In addition, the Jayhawks are outrebounding foes by 7.5 caroms per outing and forcing just over 17 turnovers per game (17.2). Four of the team's five starters are averaging double digits, starting with Darrell Arthur (13.3 ppg). Fellow forward Darnell Jackson (12.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg) is another frontcourt option. The backcourt is chock-full of talent as well, with guards Brandon Rush (12.6 ppg), Mario Chalmers (12.2 ppg, team-high 107 assists), Sherron Collins (9.4 ppg) and Russell Robinson (6.9 ppg, 102 assists) providing more than enough perimeter support. In the 19-point win over Missouri this week, it was another balanced effort from the Jayhawks. Rush led five players in double figures with 19 points. Chalmers poured in 15, followed by Arthur (13 pts), Collins (12 pts) and Sasha Kaun (12 pts).
Baylor is not a team to take lightly anymore, but the Jayhawks are certainly the favorite in this one. Behind another terrific effort, Kansas should continue its run toward the Big 12 title.
JAYHAWKS...Very Nice!
FACTS & STATS: Site: Allen Fieldhouse (16,300) -- Lawrence, Kansas. Television: Local. Home Record: Baylor 10-2, Kansas 16-0. Away Record: Baylor 4-1, Kansas 6-1. Neutral Record: Baylor 3-1, Kansas 0-0. Conference Record: Baylor 5-2, Kansas 6-1. Series Record: Kansas leads, 12-1.
GAME NOTES: Sitting atop the Big 12 standings, the fourth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks attempt to solidify their spot, as they welcome the surprising Baylor Bears to Lawrence for a conference showdown at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks are sitting in first place in the Big 12 (7-1) and have won two straight games since their only loss of the season, an 84-75 decision to Kansas State on January 30th. Kansas has bounced back with a pair of solid victories, knocking off Colorado (72-59) and Missouri (90-71) in a three-day stretch. The Bears have burst on the scene this year and at one point, were ranked in the Top-25. However, a pair of losses to Oklahoma (77-71) and Texas (80-72) sent the team tumbling out of the poll. Still, Baylor has been able to get back on track following an 80-74 win over Texas Tech on Wednesday, leaving the team with a solid 5-2 league ledger. Kansas has prevailed in 12 of the 13 meetings with Baylor, including six straight. In addition, the Jayhawks have captured all seven matchups in Lawrence.
The Bears spoiled the debut of new Texas Tech coach Pat Knight, as Baylor converted 52.3 percent from the floor, en route to the six-point victory. Curtis Jerrells led four Bears in double figures with 16 points. Josh Lomers and LaceDarius Dunn added 14 points apiece, while Kevin Rogers chipped in with 10. Baylor turned the ball over 18 times in the game, but held a 35-26 advantage on the boards and outscored Tech 32-20 at the free-throw line. The Bears have thrived this season at the offensive end of the floor, averaging 80.7 ppg, on a solid .460 shooting. Scoring depth is apparent with five players currently averaging double figures, including four starters. Jerrells is the top performer, pacing the Bears in both scoring (14.4 ppg) and assists (75). Rogers is next at 12.6 ppg, while leading the way on the boards (7.8 rpg). Dunn (11.9 ppg), Henry Dugat (11.4 ppg) and Aaron Bruce (10.7 ppg) have all made significant contributions as well.
While not many teams have the arsenal to match Baylor offensively, Kansas is certainly one of those programs. The Jayhawks are shooting a scorching .513 from the floor this season, leading to a hefty 82.8 ppg. The dominance does not stop there though, as KU has gotten the job done defensively as well, enjoying a robust +22.6 scoring margin. Opponents have managed a mere 60.2 ppg this year, while being held under 40 percent shooting (.390). In addition, the Jayhawks are outrebounding foes by 7.5 caroms per outing and forcing just over 17 turnovers per game (17.2). Four of the team's five starters are averaging double digits, starting with Darrell Arthur (13.3 ppg). Fellow forward Darnell Jackson (12.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg) is another frontcourt option. The backcourt is chock-full of talent as well, with guards Brandon Rush (12.6 ppg), Mario Chalmers (12.2 ppg, team-high 107 assists), Sherron Collins (9.4 ppg) and Russell Robinson (6.9 ppg, 102 assists) providing more than enough perimeter support. In the 19-point win over Missouri this week, it was another balanced effort from the Jayhawks. Rush led five players in double figures with 19 points. Chalmers poured in 15, followed by Arthur (13 pts), Collins (12 pts) and Sasha Kaun (12 pts).
Baylor is not a team to take lightly anymore, but the Jayhawks are certainly the favorite in this one. Behind another terrific effort, Kansas should continue its run toward the Big 12 title.
JAYHAWKS...Very Nice!
