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Kansas defeats Texas Tech, 91-63
- 2 p.m., March 14, 2013
- Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO
FINAL: Jayhawks knock out Red Raiders, 91-63
By Matt Tait.
One can only wonder what Kansas University men's basketball coach Bill Self told his team at halftime of Thursday's 91-63 quarterfinal victory over ninth-seeded Texas Tech at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.
After a sluggish first 20 minutes, the top-seeded Jayhawks (27-5) rocked the Red Raiders with a 39-19 run that looked more like what you would expect from the Big 12's No. 1 seed.
KU led 34-25 at the break and then scored 35 points in 13 minutes to take control and advance to Friday's semifinals.
Red-shirt freshman Ben McLemore once again filled up the stat sheet, finishing with a game-high 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three-point range.
Kansas jumped out to a 15-5 lead and looked sharp in doing it, but turned sloppy once the reserves came in. That allowed Texas Tech to hang around for much longer than many people expected. Just 10 days ago, KU drubbed Texas Tech, 79-42, in Lawrence on Senior Night.
This one wound up being a drubbing, too, but Tech, which knocked off eight-seed West Virginia on Wednesday night, definitely caused a few problems for the Jayhawks in the first half.
By game's end, however, Self enjoyed the luxury of emptying his bench — Rio Adams scored 11 points late — and the Jayhawks easily advanced to the much-anticipated rematch with Iowa State.
Here’s a quick look back at some of Thursday's action:
• The game turned when: The Jayhawks closed the first half with a 7-0 run — buckets by Perry Ellis, Withey, Withey, and Withey free throw — and then opened the second with a 10-2 run. The 17-2 spurt turned a 27-25 KU lead into a much more comfortable 44-27 lead, and the rout was on.
• Offensive highlight: If you don't count the pure beauty of Ben McLemore's jump shot — which could hold down this spot every game — then the red-shirt freshman takes the cake here for two early dunks. The first delivered KU's first points of the game off a nice alley-oop pass from Elijah Johnson. The second, moments later, was off a tip-ahead pass that led to a wide-open path and a vicious tomahawk dunk.
• Defensive highlight: Let's give this one to Ben McLemore, whose steal and push ahead to Travis Releford early in the second half resulted in a four-point play as Releford finished the bucket, was fouled and hit both free throws after a flagrant foul was called. The series pushed KU's lead to 21 — 52-31 — and allowed the Jayhawks to rest a couple of guys late to save some for the weekend.
• Key stat: Points in the paint. It didn't matter if it was Withey, Ellis, Kevin Young or even Jamari Traylor, the Jayhawks got just about everything they wanted at the rim and outscored the Red Raiders 34-22 down low. KU also shot 19-of-22 from the free throw line.
• Up next: The victory moved the Jayhawks into the semifinals, where they will face Iowa State at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Live coverage (Ended March 14, 2013 at 4:11 p.m.)
Ku2004daniel
HE'S JUST YOUNG. LEARNING SOME VALUABLE LESSONS. HARD TO HAVE PATIENCE WHEN YOU ARE YOUNG AND ALWAYS BEEN THE MAN ON YOUR TEAM
Marchphog88
I just came here to say that Brent Musberger is an idiot and a tool.
"The conference even apologized to Iowa State for officiating mistakes"
NO THEY DIDN'T YOU SENILE OLD FOOL. THEY SAID MISTAKES (generic) WERE MADE. THAT'S IT
Jaybate in reply to Danr
Thx for posting that. I have been working hard at trying to get a laugh out of you. You have been one of my toughest outs. We kind of got off on the wrong foot. Maybe I can stay on your good side. :-)
Ku2004daniel
I LIKE GOOD TIGHT WELL PLAYED GAMES. THESE ISU GAMES HAVE BEEN THE BEST OF THE YEAR. LOOKING FORWARD TO ROUND 3!
B to the P
In case anyone's wondering, the battery life on a Macbook Air sucks. Almost didn't last the whole game streaming ESPN3 over Wifi.
But hey, we won :)
Hawkoverseas in reply to Jayhawk2181
Besides Tharpe, it's not as though we have many proven guards on this team. Frankamp will probably have some growing pains. Rio will be valuable. I hope he sees it that way, anyways
Born_and_raised_a_ku_fan
Hey Brent, the league bowed to your hype machine when you went on and on about Niang's flop.
Hawkoverseas in reply to Jayhawk2181
His story is the story of almost every freshman who plays for Self. Frustrated with a lack of playing time, but their time always comes in the future. I'd hate to see Rio transfer. He'll be a stud in the coming years
Jayhawk2181
I don't understand how Rio can be so disillusioned... Bill had to have told him he'd have to fight for playing time. If he busts his butt and makes smart plays he'd be on the floor more. Good to see him hitting some shots
Born_and_raised_a_ku_fan in reply to Ku2004daniel
We also need some extra security to protect us from their worthless fans.
Lajayhawk in reply to Lajayhawk
Yikes. We're closing in on 70% from the field today, too. And 18-20 from the FT line.
Ku2004daniel
KU vs ISU round 3!!!!!! They are going to be out for blood! I hope we bring our A game!
Ku2004daniel
How was that CBS documentary "Danny and the Miracles" ? I missed it. I was hoping someone would have put it up on the internet or Youtube, can't find it anywhere. Anybody know where I can see it?
Mom_of_three in reply to Appleaday
our old guy is 13... he only jumps around when there is food involved... starting to go a little deaf... he doesn't take the stairs as much as he used to....
Capn in reply to Lajayhawk
Yeah, newer arenas are made to dampen sound so they can hold concerts and such.
Appleaday in reply to Mom_of_three
My dog's 14 and a half. He still jumps about 5 feet straight up. He just has trouble with his landings.
Bcravenjhawkfan
I'm sure there has been plenty of verbage on here already about the uniforms. Time for Adidas to concentrate on shoes only.
| TT | 50 |
|---|---|
| Kansas | 81 |
Lajayhawk in reply to Capn
Ha. I'm guessing the reverb has much more to do with the shape of the building. The Fieldhouse has a lot of 90 degree angles which causes sound to reverberate at a much greater degree. Looks like Sprint Center has more angles in it's design.
Calihawk33
They shda made the jerseys camo (or shd I say zubaz print) all the way thru the jersey it looks tacky w just the shorts. Go all out or don't do anything at all.
Mom_of_three in reply to Jaybate
we had a scare with the old dog and i am not ready for him to go just yet... hopefully he has a few more years.... love that old pound puppy
Jesse Newell KUsports.com staff in reply to Jaybate
21 minutes. Didn't bring enough energy, according to Self's screams at him.
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