Kansas Preview
Date: Saturday, December 10th - 2:30 PM - Lawrence, KS - Phog Allen Fieldhouse
2015-16 Record: 33-5 (15-3 Big 12 Regular Season & Conference Champs)
2016-17 Record: 8-1
Ranking: #3
Head Coach: Bill Self (14th year)
Nebraska is heading back to Lawrence for the first time in years to take on the Jayhawks. Just a quick note to many of you who don’t follow follow the Big 12 as much since we left, they’re still good. They will most likely dominate the Big 12 once again and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament when it is all said and done.
Kansas started out this season a little rough with a 103 - 99 loss to Big Ten power Indiana in the Armed Forces Classic. As you might have guessed that didn’t exactly sit well with Bill Self and his team. They then beat Duke 77 - 75, who was #1 in the nation at the time, and have gone on an 8 game winning streak that may not be touched in the foreseeable future.
This is all without a dominating big man in the middle. The Jayhawks this year are a guard heavy team that has yet to get into much trouble because of it.
They are lead by senior Frank Mason III. He’s currently averaging 20.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, and 5.3 apg. The guy’s about as versatile as you can get. Behind him on the court is freshman guard Josh Jackson. Jackson is a true freshman who is averaging 14.8 ppg along with a nice 6.1 rpg. It sounds like KU fans are enjoying him while they can as he is might be a one and done after this season.
Devonte Graham is the last of KU’s double digit scorers with 13.7 ppg a nice 5.1 apg. This junior guard has been giving opposing teams problems for a few years now and will most likely keep Nebraska guessing. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and Lagerald Vick are two more guards who are just outside of double digit points each game. Both are also going to be problematic for anyone when the are on the court and will only improve with time.
If Nebraska wants to keep this game respectable then they will have to try and make Kansas play their game. Slow it down and make sure they stay out of foul trouble. The Husker will also have to score, a lot. This KU team will be able to put up points all day and the Huskers can’t get into another scoring drought or it might be an early night at The Phog.