Nick Krug
Photo gallery: Hall of AthleticsKansas couldn’t quite keep its shooting touch at a scorching level in the second half Saturday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse.
But the Jayhawks still were hot, finishing with a season-best 59.7-percent mark from the field in a 96-54 victory over Nebraska.
“Offense looks a lot better when you make shots and we certainly did that as well as we have all year,” KU coach Bill Self said. “I was really pleased with our guys. I thought everybody that played substantial minutes contributed. I was really pleased with how we came back and played.”
Kansas, which hit 37-of-62 field goals and 11-of-18 three-pointers, had five players score in double figures led by 17 points a piece by Brandon Rush and Jeff Hawkins.
“We wanted to play today with unbelievable energy. This was the toughest week of the year. We needed a win to get us out of the funk of our two losses,” said Hawkins, who was a perfect 6-of-6 from the field — including knocking down all five of his three-point shots.
Nick Krug Photo gallery: KU vs. NU“Coach Self tried not to mention the losses to help us focus on Nebraska. We can’t have those games back. We just focused on Nebraska like Coach wanted us to do.”
Darnell Jackson set a career-high and Russell Robinson tied his career-mark as each scored 13 points, while Julian Wright tallied 12 for the Jayhawks, which improved to 11-6 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12.
Kansas, which used runs of 8-0 and 16-0 to break the game open in the first half, avoided its first 1-3 Big 12 start since the 1982-83 season.
Nebraska, which shot just 27-percent, was led by Aleks Maric’s 12 points.
The Cornhuskers, who hit only 4-of-21 deep balls, didn’t score their second field goal of the second half until 12 minutes had passed.
 Photo gallery: KU vs. NU Photo gallery: Hall of Athletics Hear Bill: Nebraska post-game audio 6sports video: Jayhawks cruise to 96-54 win over Nebraska |
“We played well and we caught Nebraska on a day when they didn’t play that well,” said Self, who said that Micah Downs didn’t play because he was sick. “He’s had a bug.”
Self also said that C.J. Giles’ minutes were limited because he missed a class on Friday.
Kansas’ scorching 72-percent from the field in the first half (21-of-29) was the best ever field goal mark for the Jayhawks in the first half of a Big 12 game.
Rush, who scored 10 of KU’s first 15 points, said the key Saturday was controlling mistakes — even though KU committed seven of its 17 turnovers in the first six minutes.
“Coach is making us accountable for our mistakes,” said Rush, who led KU with nine rebounds. “We try to get better every day by not turning the ball over and pressuring the ball. I think we did that today.”
The 42-point loss tied for the fourth-worst loss for Nebraska — which came into the game with a field goal percentage defense of .386, ninth-best in Division I. The setback marked the worst defeat for NU’s Barry Collier in his six years as the Huskers coach. Collier’s previous most lopsided loss also came at the hands of the Jayahawks when then-No. 1 Kansas defeated Nebraska by 39 points in 2002.
“I didn’t see this coming,” Collier said. “We aren’t really interested in by how much. We are trying to win ball games. We got out-played and hustled.”
Kansas senior Christian Moody received a loud ovation from the crowd when he hit a pair of free throws with 6:03 to go in the second half. Moody, who missed two free throws which would have won the game against Missouri with .04 left last Monday night, smiled when the crowd cheered loudly after he sunk his first charity.
While Self admitted the victory was big, especially with KU coming off back-to-back setbacks against its rivals, the KU coach said his team will have to get back to business in order to be successful Wednesday night against Texas A&M in College Station, Texas.
“We are going to go play a Texas A&M team that is tough-as-nails,” Self said of the Aggies, who defeated Iowa State 86-81 Saturday in Ames, Iowa. “They should be 5-0 in the league. And then we go to Ames, and everybody knows how tough it is to win at Ames. It is a tough, tough week for the Jayhawks.”
Second Half Action
Julain Wright scored Kansas’ first basket of the second half on a quick reverse. The KU freshman couldn’t hit the ensuing free throw, but his basket put KU ahead 53-31.
Mario Chalmers hit his first shot, a long three to give KU its largest lead at 56-33 with a little more than 18 minutes to go. KU has hit 8-of-11 long balls.
Chalmers came up with a steal and fed Wright for another big-time dunk that electrified the Allen Fieldhouse crowd.
Hawkins hit his fifth three of the day to give him 17 points. The KU senior has hit all six of his shots.
Wright added another long jumper as KU is on a 19-5 run.
Wright threw down a lob pass from Hawkins. The KU freshman has 12 points.
Nebraska has gone five and half minutes without a field goal.
Kaun scored on a lay-in after a nice feed from Chalmers.
Maric finally scored for NU, throwing down a dunk and getting fouled.
KU’s C.J. Giles checked in for the first time of the day. But the KU big man missed a dunk and had another ball go between his hands.
After a missed dunk by Chalmers, Rush came back and nailed a three to put the Jayhawks 70-35 with under 12 minutes to go.
Jackson added two free throws then threw down a monster dunk to put KU up 78-37. Jackson has 12 points.
With just under eight minutes to go Jamel White hit NU’s second field goal of the second half.
Chalmers added a shot in the lane to put KU up 80-39.
With 6:03 to go Christian Moody hit two free throws which created a big roar from the crowd and a smile for the Jayhawk senior.
KU’s Matt Kleinmann scored on a lay-in to make the score 85-44.
Jeremy Case hit his first free throw of the season and added another charity to put KU up 87-46 with a little more than four minutes left.
Case added a three minutes later to put KU up 94-51 with under two minutes to go.
KU has hit 11-of-17 from the outside.
Roderick Stewart scored on a break-away dunk.
Kansas wins 96-54.
Halftime
A red hot Kansas squad scored its most points in a first half this season when the Jayhawks took a 51-30 lead over Nebraska after 20 minutes.
Kansas shot 72-percent from the field and got 14 points a piece from both Brandon Rush and Jeff Hawkins, who had four three-pointers. Russell Robinson added 13 points.
The Jayhawks knocked down 7-of-10 three-pointers, but hit only 2-of-6 free throws.
Nebraska hit just 10-of-35 shots (28.6-percent) and only 3-of-14 treys. Aleks Maric led the Cornhuskers with seven points.
First Half Action
Kansas won the tip but threw the ball away.
On Nebraska’s first possession the Cornhuskers turned it over.
Brandon Rush nailed a three from the top of the key with 19:00 showing to give KU an early lead.
The KU freshman scored again on a reverse to give KU a 5-0 lead.
NU guard Jason Dourisseau gave the Huskers their first points on a pair of free throws with just under 18 minutes to go in the first half.
Charles Richardson added a midrange jumper for NU. But the Huskers have hit just one of their first seven shots.
KU answered with a thunderous jam by Sasha Kaun, who got out in front of the pack.
The Jayhawks have five early turnovers, while Nebraska has coughed it up three times.
Joe McCray tied the game with a three-pointer from the right side.
KU has had back-to-back turnovers and now has seven give-aways in the first six minutes.
Rush, who has all but two of KU’s points, gave the Jayhawks the lead again with just under 14 minutes to go in the first half with a long three.
Rush hit another long jumper this time from the right side, but his foot was inside the three-point line.
Jeff Hawkins added another long ball to put KU ahead 15-7 with 12:19. Kansas has missed just one shot so far and the Jayhawks have hit 3-of-4 threes.
Wes Wikinson hit a long jumper for the NU to stop the Huskers scoring drought.
Marcus Walker hit a free throw to pull the Cornhuskers to within five.
Russell Robinson hit a long three from the left side to continue the Jayhawks hot three-point shooting. Kansas has hit four of its first five long balls.
B.J. Walker hit a short turnaround shot in the lane.
KU quickly answered when Julian Wright found a wide-open Darnell Jackson for a lay-in.
McCray followed with a three for Nebraska to cut the score to 20-15.
But Kansas again hit another three, with Hawkins knocking down his second triple of the contest.
Robinson gave the Jayhawks their biggest lead at 10 on a drive to the basket.
The KU sophomore received a nice pass from Wright on KU’s next possession scored and was fouled. Robinson hit the free throw. Hawkins then came up with a big steal and lay-up to put KU up 30-15 with just under eight minutes to go in the first half.
Robinson adds to KU’s big run with another old-fashion three-point play when he scored on a drive and then hit a free throw.
Hawkins added another three as Kansas has scored 16 unanswered to lead 36-15 with under seven minutes to go.
Aleks Maric added a pair of free throws to stop KU’s run.
Robinson missed a long three, but Wright got the rebound and added a quick putback shot that fell.
Jackson hit a long turnaround as KU has hit 16-of-20 shots. Meanwhile Nebraska has hit only 6-of-27.
Rush added a pull-up jumper to give him 12 points. The KU freshman also has five rebounds.
Maric scored for NU down low to cut the Cornhuskers deficit to 42-24.
Rush addedd another short jumper to give him a game-high 14 points.
Maric scored and was fouled to make the score 44-28 with a little more than a minute and half left.
Hawkins tied Rush with 14 points after hitting his fourth three-pointer of the game.
Wright added another exclamation point on a big dunk off a long feed from Robinson.
Robinson had a steal and lay-up to put KU up 51-30 at halftime.
Pregame
Kansas University’s basketball team will try and stop a two-game losing streak today when it takes on Nebraska at 3 p.m. from Allen Fieldhouse.
“Our spirits are not down,” said KU senior Jeff Hawkins. “They are still up. It’s not like we can’t win any more games, not like we’re only playing with two players.
“We’ve still got our whole team. Everybody, basically, is healthy. We’ve got to go fight. We can still win the Big 12, we’ve just go to focus every game.”
The Jayhawks are currently 10-6 on the season and 1-2 in Big 12 play after their 89-86 overtime loss at Border Showdown foe Missouri on Monday. KU has lost two straight games by a total of seven points. Nebraska is currently 12-4 on the season and 2-1 in the Big 12 after its 88-75 loss against Iowa State Tuesday in Lincoln.
Kansas entered the week second nationally in field goal percentage defense at 36.1 percent and trails Big 12 foe Texas (35.8). The Jayhawks also ranked in the NCAA Division I statistics in blocked shots – 12th at 6.2 per game, assists – 12th at 18.1 per game, scoring margin – 19th at 14.3 per game and rebound margin – 19th at 6.8 per game.
Guard Brandon Rush leads the team and Big 12 freshmen class in scoring with 13.1 points per game. Rush also leads KU in three-point field goals made with 21. Sophomore center Sasha Kaun is next in scoring at 9.7 points per game and paces the team in rebounds with a 6.3 average – 12th in the Big 12. Freshman Mario Chalmers is second in the Big 12 and 37th nationally in steals with 2.4 per game. Chalmers is coming off back-to-back 20-point efforts heading into today. He also leads KU in assists and his 3.6 dimes per game are ninth in the conference.
Nebraska has won three of its last four games and six of its last eight heading into Allen Fieldhouse. NU is 1-1 in road games this season after a 57-42 win at Kansas State Jan. 11. The Huskers average 69.9 points per game and are giving up 63.9. NU is 2-1 in Big 12 play for the second straight season.
Senior forward Wes Wilkinson who is averaging 12.7 points after his 19 points and nine rebounds against Iowa State Tuesday. Wilkinson leads the team in rebounds as well with a 7.1 average, just ahead of sophomore teammate Maric Aleks’ seven per game. Sophomore guard Joe McCray leads the team with 35 three-pointers and 22 steals this season, while freshman Marcus Walker paces the team in assists with 46.
“Their defense is good. They guard differently than most teams in our league,” KU coach Bill Self said. “They really guard the scouting report. They take what you do and adjust and tweak how they play based on the scouting report best of anybody in the league.
“We have to do a good job of preparing our guys to be defended a way Nebraska hasn’t even defended yet.”
This series dates back to 1900 and Kansas leads 156-71, including an 82-23 record in Lawrence and 45-7 mark in Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks have won three straight and 12 of the last 13 meetings with the Huskers dating back to the final meeting of the 1999 season.
The last NU win in the series was 74-55 in 2004 in Lincoln, Neb. Kansas has won six straight against Nebraska in Allen Fieldhouse dating back to 1999. Last season Kansas edged Nebraska 59-57 in the Fieldhouse and won 78-65 in Lincoln, Neb.
Apparently all Kansas University’s football team needed to record its first Big 12 victory of the season was a familiar foe.
For the third-straight year, the Jayhawks defeated their rival Missouri Tigers 13-3 Saturday in front of a crowd of nearly 50,000 at Memorial Stadium.
“It’s a great day to be a Jayhawk,” KU coach Mark Mangino said afterwards. “It was a great day here at Memorial Stadium, another win over our border rival.”
KU’s strong ground game Saturday combined with another stellar effort from the Jayhawk defense helped Kansas improve its overall record to 4-4 with three games remaining.
MU standout quarterback Brad Smith again struggled against KU’s aggessive defense.
“If you contain No. 16, then there’s going to be a lot of decision-making, weighing on his shoulders,” said KU lineman Charlton Keigth. “He’s the key to (Missouri’s) offense.”
Smith, who became the first player in NCAA Div. I-A history to rush and pass for 230 yards last week when he tallied 480 total offensive yards, was limited to just 38 yards rushing on 20 carries and 141 yards via the air on 14-of-37 passing.
“We only got three points,” MU coach Gary Pinkel said of Kansas’ defense. “You have to give them credit for that.”
Meanwhile KU’s Clark Green and Jon Cornish each found the end zone on the ground and helped KU grind out 208 rushing yards on 49 carries.
“The effective running game was able to chew up the clock and give the defense a rest,” Mangino said of the Jayhawks, who rushed for
KU’s Jon Cornish provided the exclamation point on the afternoon when he gave KU a 13-3 lead with 12:59 in the fourth when he squirted in from 10 yards out.
Cornish’s score was set up when KU cornerback Aqib Talib stole and errant pitch from Smith, giving the Jayhawks the ball in MU territory.
“He kind of pitched it and dude didn’t catch it,” said Talib, of MU wide out Brad Ekwerekwu who was supposed to get the pitch.
Clark Green gave the Jayhawks their first rushing touchdown, bowling in from a yard out with 6:05 to go in the first half.
“Clark Green was very impressive,” Mangino said. “He ran well with his head down and got some good runs.”
For the second straight year, Green had a big performance against Missouri, rushing for 125 yards on 22 carries. Last year the senior accounted for more than 140 total offensive yards.
“The rivalry means a lot to me,” Green said. “I’m not from here, but listening to the stories, you don’t want Missouri to beat you. We try and play our heart out every game, but especially against Missouri.”
From there the defense took care of the rest.
Kansas limited Missouri to just 2.6 yards per play. The Tigers, which hurt themselves with nine penalties for 92 yards, converted only four of 17 third downs Saturday.
“I’ve had the good fortune of being with some really good programs that had great defenses,” Mangino said. “Until today, I had never been around a defensive unit that executed their game play exactly the way that we set it up.
“It was nearly flawless. The strategy that was put together by our coaches and the way our kids carried that strategy out was extremely impressive. I can’t say enough about our defensive unit and all the coaches that got the kids ready.”
With Nick Collison and Jeff Graves in foul trouble, Kirk Hinrich picked up the slack and scored 28 points – 19 in the first half – and the Jayhawks outscored the Cornhuskers by 21 points, 52-31, in the second half.
Keith Langford scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Kansas (11-3 overall, 2-0 Big 12), and Jeff Graves had his second double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Nick Collison had 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting and eight rebounds, and Aaron Miles added eight points and eight assists.
Michael Lee led the Kansas reserves with eight points. Jeff Hawkins added five points, and Bryant Nash had four points and five boards.
Brian Conklin led the Cornhuskers (8-6, 0-1) with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Kansas hit 46.4 percent (32-of-69) of its shots, and was 22-of-25 from the free-throw line. Nebraska hit just 37.7 percent (23-of-61) from the field, including 26.7 percent shooting (4-of-15) from beyond the three-point arc.
The Jayhawks outrebounded the Cornhuskers, 46-34, and forced Nebraska into 21 turnovers.
HALFTIME REPORT
The Jayhawks struggled early with their performance and late because of foul trouble, but Kirk Hinrich helped Kansas to a 12-point halftime lead with 19 points.
Kansas coach Roy Williams pulled his starters after they played to a 5-5 tie with Nebraska five minutes into the game and the reserves took a 7-5 lead on two free throws by Jeff Hawkins.
The starting five re-entered the game a few moments later, but struggled against the Cornhuskers, going back-and-forth until a 6-0 run midway through the half gave the Jayhawks the lead for good.
Hinrich has three three-pointers, most late in the half with Nick Collison and Jeff Graves on the bench because of foul trouble. Michael Lee has six points, and Collison has five points on 2-of-8 shooting. Keith Langford has four points, and Graves, who had four rebounds in the first two minutes, finished the first half with two points, five rebounds and three fouls.
John Turek and Nate Johnson both have six points for Nebraska. Johnson struggled on offense, though, shooting just 2-of-6 from the field, turning the ball over four times and calling two timeouts under pressure.
The Jayhawks are 14-of-33 from the floor, but 9-of-9 from the free-throw line. Nebraska is 11-of-32 shooting and 1-of-7 from beyond the three-point arc.
