Big man takes top spot for KU against TCU

By Staff     Feb 23, 2013

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Kansas center Jeff Withey smiles with the rest of the starters during a break in action in the second half on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013 at Allen Fieldhouse.

**1. Jeff Withey:** After getting taken out of his game by TCU in Fort Worth (12 points, six field-goal attempts), Withey responded by taking over for stretches Saturday. The senior posted a team-high 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting, adding six rebounds and three blocks to go with two turnovers in 26 minutes. A huge defensive challenge awaits Withey, as his ball-screen defense will be tested Monday against Iowa State.

**2. Ben McLemore:** McLemore said afterwards that he liked his 360 and windmill dunks better, but his one-handed posterization of a TCU player at the end of the half should still earn a spot in SportsCenter’s Top Ten. The freshman scored 14 points, making four of 10 field goals, two of six threes and four of four free throws. He also had three assists and two steals with no turnovers.

**3. Kevin Young:** After the game, KU coach Bill Self said Young was approaching Tyshawn Taylor territory, becoming a player who makes hard plays look easy and easy plays look hard. Young’s energy was terrific in the first half, though, and he finished with six points on 3-for-4 shooting with eight rebounds in 22 minutes. Defensively, he added two blocks and two steals.

**4. Travis Releford:** Has KU ever had a better finisher in transition? It’s hard to think of one the way Releford has played this season. The senior provided a typical “Releford” line: 12 points, 4-for-5 shooting, one assist and one steal to go with two turnovers in 30 minutes.

**5. Perry Ellis:** Scored on an array of post moves and provides KU with its best scoring threat off the bench. The freshman notched 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting with four rebounds and no turnovers in 15 productive minutes.

**6. Elijah Johnson:** Played well on a day when a lot of his teammates also played well. Johnson had seven points on 2-for-5 shooting with four assists, two steals and just one turnover in 29 minutes. The senior now has just four turnovers in his last three games.

**7. Jamari Traylor:** Showed a nice turn-around jumper in making his only field-goal attempt. The freshman still turns it over too much, but he does try hard. Traylor also came away with two steals in his 12 minutes.

**8. Naadir Tharpe:** Tharpe’s shooting slump continued Saturday. He missed all four of his field goals and now has made just 31 percent of his twos (15 of 48) and 19 percent of his threes (nine of 48) in Big 12 play. Tharpe did make both of his free throws and added four assists to go with two turnovers in 17 minutes.

**9. Rio Adams:** Had a steal and a missed shot in his one minute.

**10. Justin Wesley:** Had two rebounds and a turnover in three minutes.

**11. Andrew White III:** Went 0-for-2 from the floor and 1-for-2 from the free throw line with a turnover in seven minutes.

**KUsports.com Season Standings**
1. Jeff Withey (217 points)
2. Ben McLemore (208 points)
3. Travis Releford (199 points)
4. Kevin Young (159 points)
5. Elijah Johnson (143 points)
6. Naadir Tharpe (136 points)
7. Perry Ellis (114 points)
8. Jamari Traylor (92 points)
9. Andrew White III (43 points)
10. Rio Adams (28 points)
11. Justin Wesley (17 points)

**Big 12 Standings**
1. Jeff Withey (126 points)
2. Ben McLemore (119 points)
3. Travis Releford (113 points)
4. Kevin Young (100 points)
5. Naadir Tharpe (75 points)
6. Elijah Johnson (68 points)
7. Perry Ellis (62 points)
8. Jamari Traylor (51 points)
9. Andrew White III (20 points)
10. Rio Adams (13 points)
11. Justin Wesley (10 points)

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