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Saturday, January 19, 2008

Home court kind to Tigers

By Gary Bedore

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Unbeaten KU up against Tigers tomorrow

One week into the Big 12 conference men's basketball season, and only three unbeatens remain in league play. KU's opponent tomorrow, the Missouri Tigers, had a change, but MU blew it on Wednesday night against Ohio State.

Columbia, Mo. — The latest edition of the Border War features two undefeated teams tonight.

Well, sort of.

There's No. 3-ranked Kansas with its sparking overall record of 17-0 and unranked Missouri, a perfect 10-0 - at Mizzou Arena.

That 10-0 mark includes last Saturday's 97-84 win over then-No. 12 Texas.

"They've lost some tough games where everybody wasn't playing well at the same time," KU coach Bill Self said of the Tigers, 0-4 on the road and 1-2 on neutral courts for an overall mark of 11-6.

"Against Texas we saw what happens when everybody plays well at the same time," Self added.

The Tigers, who were led by sophomore guard Keon Lawrence's 18 points, had six players score in double figures against the Longhorns in stretching their overall home win streak to 13 games.

All 10 MU home victories have been by double figures. The Tigers' average home margin of victory has been 26.1 ppg - 13 points versus UT.

"That Texas game surprised me. Texas is pretty good on the road. Missouri played well," KU senior guard Russell Robinson said.

"I knew it was a toss-up game," KU soph Darrell Arthur said. "Missouri played a little zone. Texas didn't know what to do."

The Tigers' other marquee home victory was 73-63 over Purdue. MU lost to Michigan State (86-83) and beat Maryland (84-70) at the CBE Classic in Kansas City, Mo., and lost to Illinois (59-58) in St. Louis.

MU has fallen on the road to Arkansas (94-91), California (86-72), Mississippi State (87-75) and Iowa State (72-67 on Wednesday).

Forwards DeMarre Carroll (14.9 ppg) and Leo Lyons (11.6) and guard Stefhon Hannah (14.1) lead the Tigers, who like to run and press when possible. That's the preferred style of second-year coach Mike Anderson, whose team fell to KU twice last season - 80-77 in Lawrence and 92-74 in Columbia.

"I think they will get after us in a way that will generate energy from the crowd. I think they'll trap us, press us, get after us," Self said. "We've got to be ready to handle that. Sometimes on the road they don't do that as much. No team does."

Missouri is 4-2 against Top 25 opponents since Mizzou Arena opened in 2004-05, including a four-point victory over No. 7 KU in 2005. Other Top 25 victims: No. 12 Gonzaga (63-61, Dec. 30, 2004), No. 16 Oklahoma (70-66, Feb. 12, 2005) to go with the victory over Texas.

The last time Mizzou faced a team ranked No. 3 or better was Feb. 26, 2003, when the Tigers upended No. 3 Oklahoma, 67-52, in Hearnes Center.

The crowd could be a factor tonight. MU, which has averaged just 6,227 fans in 10 home dates, is expecting a sellout crowd of 15,061.

"If you can't get hyped for the Kansas game, then what game can you get ready for?" Carroll, a 6-foot-8 transfer from Vanderbilt, told the Associated Press. "It's a window of opportunity for us to really let people know that we are a good team and we are making strides to get better."

Forward Matt Lawrence noted: "I guess it's just that rivalry mentality. Everyone says you want to get up for every game, but there's always that extra little something when you're playing your rival. It would be good to pack Mizzou Arena, and we'll give them a show."

Coach Anderson, who has a 25-4 record in home games at MU, said he expects a high scoring, fast paced game.

"I think our defense should be unpredictable, that's something we've done in the past," Anderson told the AP. "Evidently, we didn't do it in the Iowa State game.

"We've got to be a scrambling team, hopefully cause some controlled chaos, get back to getting dirty."

KU's Self, who is 10-2 versus Missouri (7-2 while at KU), realizes it will be tough to bag a victory in wild Mizzou Arena tonight.

"It's always a great atmosphere when we go over there," Self said. "I really enjoy going to Columbia. We are not going to vacation there this summer, (but) I really enjoy the atmosphere there. It's been great every time. I expect a juiced-up atmosphere Saturday.

"I don't think they like us much there. The place will be rocking."

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Rush ready: KU junior Brandon Rush, the brother of former MU standout Kareem, is 3-1 versus MU, 1-1 at Mizzou Arena.

"It's my third time around. I'm not really into the rivalry thing anymore," Rush said. "They beat Texas. They're good."

Of KU risking its undefeated record today, Rush said: "We don't pay attention to that. We put blinders on and pay attention to the game."

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Not an MU hater: Self was asked this week if he wants rival Missouri to field a good team yearly.

"I don't mind our rivals being good. Fans get hung up on that. I don't get hung up on that," he said. "We need our league to be good. For our league to be good, that means our league needs to win big games out of conference. I pull for all our teams in the league out of conference.

"I want all our teams in the league to be good. Selfishly that helps us."

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Antlers to roar: KU senior forward Darnell Jackson is ready for MU's student cheering section, "The Antlers" to try to distract the KU players during warmups.

"The big thing I love is when fans get into it, yelling names, talking about everybody on the team. That brings fun into it," Jackson said.

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This, that: KU leads the all-time series, 164-93. KU has won three straight, seven of the last nine and 12 of the past 15.

Last season's KU sweep was the fourth KU regular-season sweep of MU since 2000. Kansas is 62-52 against MU in games played in Columbia. Since the inception of the Big 12, KU holds a 17-8 series advantage.

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Comments

barchawk (anonymous) says...

I think it'll be closer than most are expecting, but we'll pull it out. I hate the fact that the KU players were all watching the UNC-GT game instead of the MU-ISU game. They needed to keep their eye on the first of four tough conference road games, against-of all teams-our biggest rival.

Better come ready to play, boys...

January 19, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

You got that right, barchawk!!!!

January 19, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

rcr (anonymous) says...

Has anyone caught the fact that this game is only ESPNU (Channel 141). That means if you don't have Sunflower's Sports Package ($7.95/month), you don't get this game.

January 19, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JNgohawks (anonymous) says...

I still can't believe it rcr, I just can't. It must be on regular TV tonight!

January 19, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

rcr (anonymous) says...

JNgohawks, If you find out where let me know.

January 19, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

Mizzou has NO bad losses. ISU is questionable, but we know what it's like playing at Hilton. They've played some quality teams, and beaten some quality teams. The team knows this and will be ready. They know better than all of us what it will take to get it done. They've been there before. Also, who cares what the players watch at home. Do you actually think they didn't dissect the tape of the MU-ISU game during film study?

January 19, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mvjayhawk (anonymous) says...

KU 96
MU 79

Rock Chalk!

January 19, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

wi_jayhawk (anonymous) says...

I just checked out cable line-up and Lawrence will not have the game on any channel if you don't have the special package. Not even channel 6.

What a bummer.

January 19, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

MoAntler (anonymous) says...

Tweety-birds 79
Tigers 92

January 19, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

nicka (anonymous) says...

barchawk -

technology today allows you to "record" games. This means that the players could watch the UNC-GT game, then watch the "recording" of the MU-ISU game, which was probably broken down for them by the coaching staff and studied in film sessions.

January 19, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jacqueshock (anonymous) says...

"The crowd could be a factor tonight. MU, which has averaged just 6,227 fans in 10 home dates."

That kind of attendance has to change at some point.

January 19, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kataboom (anonymous) says...

barchawk - this isnt a high school game. the facilities for basketball at ku are top of the line! they record most every big 12 game in the studio room at the offices & they go over the game during practice.

moantler - go back to the ozarks after your loss tonight!

January 19, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

All streaks must come to an end -- well, at least most streaks. KU's, of course, will continue. This is a chance to avenge the double-OT loss in '97 that ended KU's 22-0 start. Not this year, tiggers!

Hey MoAntler, are you going to hang around at halftime to see the reunion of Misuse's Final Four teams? Oh wait, that would be impossible, wouldn't it?

January 19, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hometownhawk (anonymous) says...

I was at the game at Paige last year and: 1. none of the MU fans even like the antlers. They're just annoying attention-mongers with no interest in the game, 2. it was one of the quietest places I've seen a game, and 3. We're going to crush them again this year.

January 19, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kc_wildfire (anonymous) says...

hometownhawk...

I was at that game also. It is a beautiful arena, easy to get around with the wide concourses, but it lacks the "closeness" of The Fieldhouse...and of course the noise, passion, tradition and full seats :)

I'm going to the game tonight as well...I am going to bring along some oranges just for the fun of it :)

January 19, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUglow (anonymous) says...

Honestly, I am glad our boys were not watching MU in Ames on Wednesday. MU looked AWFUL and not even close to being the team they were against Texas. Shows you what shooting 70% can do for a team. Bottom line, our bigs are just going to eat MU's front line alive.

January 19, 2008 at noon ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

MU v. KU

MU matches up with KU adequately everywhere, except MU lacks true centers, i.e., no equivalents to Kaun and Aldrich. Also MU does not go 4 deep at the bigs. Look for KU to run the offense through the bigs and have the back court penetrate to expose MU's bigs to fatigue and fouls. This could be Sherron's break out game, if his quad is firing, as he drives and dishes to the bigs. Also, Kaun and Aldrich could see serious action, if the transitions are fast and fouls accumulate.

KU matches up with MU adequately everywhere but at the two, where KU has no true 2, i.e., no defensive answer for MU's 6'7" Lawrence. But its also true that MU does not want Lawrence forced into playing a lot of M2M against KU's lightening quick guards. Look for MU to switch into zones frequently to protect their bigs and minimize Lawrence's vulnerability on defense.

MU likes to run and does not want to get into a half court game where KU's 4 big rotation and 2 true centers can decide the outcome, so expect them not only to run, but to entice KU into running faster than they like to.

KU can run or not. Self likes to let match-ups and what the opponent gives determine whether KU runs, or not. Expect KU to take the run MU allows, but to also pull it up if the numbers are not there on the break and cram it into the bigs.

KU should win this game handily, if it does not get drawn into a helter skelter running game, i.e., if it runs under control rather than wildly.

For MU to win, the following must happen:

a) MU must shoot 45-50% from trey, while KU shoots 37, or less;

b) KU must make more TOs from playing too fast than MU makes trying to make KU play too fast;

c) MU overshifts to defend the trey stripe and bigs and dares BRush to put it on the floor and create and he can't;

d) Sherron's quad isn't firing, so he can't rip MU apart on drives.

KU should beat MU by 15-20, if it remains the cool jazz quintet in transition, holds its TOs to 8 less than MUs, presses its front court advantage and shoots to its average in FGs, treys and FTs. Anything less, and MU will make it a close game.

Still, MU's 40 minutes of heck is just not going to be decisive against an experienced KU team, when KU is banging them inside into foul trouble, employing its new UCLA-derived hack'n'slap everywhere on defense, and Sherron is driving and dishing in the middle.

Also, look for APDnickadenton6fizzou to contemplate therapy after this game in order to deal with his multiple personality problem. :-)

January 19, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

MoAntler (anonymous) says...

Why is it that tweety-birds have such short memories on who rules the gridiron? That was decisively determined at your brutal spanking at Arrowhead. I guess if I were a Tweety-bird I would want to forget that fact - but I understand your frustrated desire to dwell on fruit rather than the field. Oh, by the way, we've started a little enterpise for Tweety-bird fans -"Jail-Bird's Banners Bond Co." If you need bond money, give us a call at 1-800-EAT-(well, you know the number).

January 19, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kc_wildfire (anonymous) says...

MoAntler...

Was Kalen Grimes your first client?

January 19, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Yahweh (anonymous) says...

Few things get my attention more than an article that starts with: Columbia, Mo.

It's the same as: Rwanda.

I immediately squint my eyes a bit, tense up, and wonder what atrocities are being committed.

I wish I was kidding.

January 19, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BannerforKirk (anonymous) says...

Well, Yahweh - couldn't you just smite them all or something?

January 19, 2008 at 2 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ralsterKUMed95 (anonymous) says...

Sorry, MoAntler--we already got a 1-800 connection: 1-800-oranges. Seriously, though, we do have some very reliable "long-distance connections" named Chalmers, Rush, Collins, Reed, Teahan, Robinson. And if your fellow Antlers are having that familiar "deer-in-the-headlights" look in disbelief, then we can help there too and shake the cobwebs loose with DJackson+Kaun+Arthur+Aldrich. Up close & personal attention, if you need it.

January 19, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

DerekR25 (anonymous) says...

I guess "Antlers" have to hold on to the one thing that they had going for them this year- their "ruling the gridiron". Though, I would assume that didn't turn out quite so well either, considering they got bent over by the Sooners AND the BCS. It probably doesn't help their pride at all knowing that Lawrence has had an excess of Oranges since January 3rd either. I guess that's what happens when you win a BCS bowl. Hahaha...

Anyway, hope the boys in Blue come ready to play tonight. It could turn into a real tough game if they aren't playing under control.

rock chalk jayhawk!!!

January 19, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

Nice average home attendance, Tiger fans. Way to support your team. I think CU may be averaging more.

actorman, are you sure MU hasn't made it to at least one postseason NIT final four?

January 19, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

MoAntler (anonymous) says...

What will it take to free yourselves from your obsession with fruit?? Prozac?? Sorry, but on the field of play tonight you will be hearing the sound of "over-rated" on a fairly regular basis during the last three minutes. I am sure that tweety-birds will be talking about "prunes" or some other type of fruit in order to compensate as losers to the Tigers. Wait... I have an idea, maybe you can divert Yahweh's concern for the attrocities being committed in Rwanda long enough to come up with a miracle for the Tweety-birds in the Tiger cage tonight. But...he didn't seem to come through at Arrowhead...so...don't count on it.

January 19, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Yahweh (anonymous) says...

Yes, Banner. I could smite them all, easily. But, that would teach them nothing. For as I once posited once long ago, if you give a man a fish he eats for a day, yadda yadda yadda, ad nauseum, etc. The point is, I'm big into free will. The journey is more important than the destination (insert Eastern philosophy here). if I force Mizzou fans to be decent human beings that ruins all of my cosmic fun.

January 19, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUglow (anonymous) says...

Ah, isn't it cute the little tiger wants to come over and play in the big boys sandbox. Don't hurt yourself over here lil fella.

January 19, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JNgohawks (anonymous) says...

Some one robbed us of our right to view the game. I'm mad!

January 19, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ku11 (anonymous) says...

moantler-
when are you going to stop talking about football. this is basketball season. your tiggers had 2 games to beat OU and couldn't do it! it's going to happen this year. MU will have at least 2 games to beat KU and won't do it.

January 19, 2008 at 6:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )