(4) Kansas (23-1) at (12) Texas (19-4)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Frank Erwin Center (16,496) -- Austin, Texas. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Kansas 17-0, Texas 12-1. Away Record: Kansas 6-1, Texas 5-2. Neutral Record: Kansas 0-0, Texas 2-1. Conference Record: Kansas 8-1, Texas 6-2. Series Record: Kansas leads, 14-5.
GAME NOTES: The fourth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks are set to do battle with the 12th-ranked Texas Longhorns in what should be an entertaining Big 12 Conference clash. Kansas has won its last three games since its only loss of the season, a road setback to rival Kansas State. The Jayhawks are a stellar 23-1 overall and they lead the conference with an 8-1 record. On Saturday, they showed their explosiveness at the offensive end in a 100-90 victory over Baylor. As for Texas, it has won its last three games, including a 71-65 overtime victory over Iowa State on Saturday. The Longhorns are now 19-4 overall, and they are certainly within striking distance of Kansas with their 6-2 conference record. Of the 13 home games that they have played this season, 12 have resulted in victory. Kansas holds a 14-5 series lead over Texas, including wins in both meetings with the Longhorns last season.
On Saturday against Baylor, Kansas connected on 50.8 percent of its field goal attempts despite an 0-of-9 showing from three-point range. The most obvious key to the victory was that the Jayhawks finished with a 36-14 advantage in points from the foul line. They dished out 17 assists against only eight turnovers, while the Bears had 11 helpers against 17 giveaways. Darrell Arthur led a balanced lineup for Kansas with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Russell Robinson pitched in 22 points, Sherron Collins added 17, and Darnell Jackson and Mario Chalmers finished with 10 points apiece. Arthur is the leading scorer for Kansas this season with 13.7 ppg, but Brandon Rush (12.5 ppg), Jackson (12.4 ppg) and Chalmers (12.1 ppg, 114 assists) are all close behind. The Jayhawks are racking up 83.5 ppg on 51.3 percent shooting from the floor, and they are limiting opponents to 61.4 ppg on 38.4 percent field goal efficiency.
Texas is led by the backcourt duo of D.J. Augustin and A.J. Abrams. Augustin leads the club with 19.7 ppg, and he is dishing out 5.8 apg as well. Abrams is scoring 17.9 ppg, and both of those players are capable of taking over a game at the offensive end. Damion James is contributing 12.7 ppg and 10.6 rpg for the Longhorns, who are getting 10.2 ppg from Connor Atchley. In Saturday's victory over Iowa State, Texas shot only 35.7 percent from the floor. Fortunately, the squad was able to limit the Cyclones to 36.5 percent field goal efficiency. Abrams was sensational in that clash, as he knocked down 7- of-10 three-pointers en route to 25 points. Gary Johnson was also solid, as he tallied 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench. James logged 14 points, and while Augustin finished with 17 points, his 5-of-22 effort from the floor left much to be desired.
Augustin is a much better player than he showed against Iowa State, and Texas will undoubtedly play hard in front of the home crowd today. Still, Kansas is the better team in this matchup and will prevail.
FACTS & STATS: Site: Frank Erwin Center (16,496) -- Austin, Texas. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Kansas 17-0, Texas 12-1. Away Record: Kansas 6-1, Texas 5-2. Neutral Record: Kansas 0-0, Texas 2-1. Conference Record: Kansas 8-1, Texas 6-2. Series Record: Kansas leads, 14-5.
GAME NOTES: The fourth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks are set to do battle with the 12th-ranked Texas Longhorns in what should be an entertaining Big 12 Conference clash. Kansas has won its last three games since its only loss of the season, a road setback to rival Kansas State. The Jayhawks are a stellar 23-1 overall and they lead the conference with an 8-1 record. On Saturday, they showed their explosiveness at the offensive end in a 100-90 victory over Baylor. As for Texas, it has won its last three games, including a 71-65 overtime victory over Iowa State on Saturday. The Longhorns are now 19-4 overall, and they are certainly within striking distance of Kansas with their 6-2 conference record. Of the 13 home games that they have played this season, 12 have resulted in victory. Kansas holds a 14-5 series lead over Texas, including wins in both meetings with the Longhorns last season.
On Saturday against Baylor, Kansas connected on 50.8 percent of its field goal attempts despite an 0-of-9 showing from three-point range. The most obvious key to the victory was that the Jayhawks finished with a 36-14 advantage in points from the foul line. They dished out 17 assists against only eight turnovers, while the Bears had 11 helpers against 17 giveaways. Darrell Arthur led a balanced lineup for Kansas with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Russell Robinson pitched in 22 points, Sherron Collins added 17, and Darnell Jackson and Mario Chalmers finished with 10 points apiece. Arthur is the leading scorer for Kansas this season with 13.7 ppg, but Brandon Rush (12.5 ppg), Jackson (12.4 ppg) and Chalmers (12.1 ppg, 114 assists) are all close behind. The Jayhawks are racking up 83.5 ppg on 51.3 percent shooting from the floor, and they are limiting opponents to 61.4 ppg on 38.4 percent field goal efficiency.
Texas is led by the backcourt duo of D.J. Augustin and A.J. Abrams. Augustin leads the club with 19.7 ppg, and he is dishing out 5.8 apg as well. Abrams is scoring 17.9 ppg, and both of those players are capable of taking over a game at the offensive end. Damion James is contributing 12.7 ppg and 10.6 rpg for the Longhorns, who are getting 10.2 ppg from Connor Atchley. In Saturday's victory over Iowa State, Texas shot only 35.7 percent from the floor. Fortunately, the squad was able to limit the Cyclones to 36.5 percent field goal efficiency. Abrams was sensational in that clash, as he knocked down 7- of-10 three-pointers en route to 25 points. Gary Johnson was also solid, as he tallied 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench. James logged 14 points, and while Augustin finished with 17 points, his 5-of-22 effort from the floor left much to be desired.
Augustin is a much better player than he showed against Iowa State, and Texas will undoubtedly play hard in front of the home crowd today. Still, Kansas is the better team in this matchup and will prevail.
