**Jesse Newell:** Welcome back to the GameDay Cram Session, as Kansas is taking on Texas on Saturday afternoon in Allen Fieldhouse.
Six-foot-7 guard Jordan Hamilton has the biggest scoring threat for Texas, as he’s third in the Big 12 in scoring (19.7 points per game) and fifth in three-point percentage (42.4 percent).
Tom, who do you think KU will match up defensively against Hamilton?
**Tom Keegan:** Probably a bunch of guys. Brady Morningstar when he’s in the game. Marcus Morris when KU plays three big guys at once, provided Marcus isn’t in foul trouble. Had Travis Releford been healthy, he’d probably be as well-suited for it as anybody, but even though he’ll be available to play, will he play if he’s only 70 percent? Here’s a thought: Put Tyshawn Taylor on him for a stretch to see if having a quick guy getting up on him annoys him. Tough matchup for KU.
**JN:** Taylor is coming off one of his best defensive games of the year against Baylor, as he helped hold the conference’s leading scorer LaceDarius Dunn to 13 points on 3-for-9 shooting in KU’s 85-65 victory Monday.
http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2011/jan/18/33921/
Forget offense. Taylor’s No. 1 responsibility Saturday needs to be trying to limit the production of Hamilton. The Jayhawks have plenty of players who can score; on Saturday, they desperately need someone who can step up defensively on the perimeter.
Looking at KU, Tom, what’s one thing KU needs to do better, regardless of the opponent?
**TK:** Eliminate careless, unforced turnovers. Taylor, Josh Selby and Thomas Robinson all have been guilty of surrendering possessions and that could haunt KU against a team as talented and driven as Texas.
**JN:** Here’s the scary part for KU: Texas’ defense is eerily similar to that of Nebraska’s.
The Longhorns are good in almost every area of defense *except* turnovers. UT is great at defending three-pointers (28.7 percent, 12th nationally) and even better at defending two-pointers (39.8 percent, fourth nationally).
As we’ve mentioned before, the Jayhawks have a tendency to turn it over against any team — whether that team is good at forcing turnovers or not.
This has the potential to be a tough matchup for KU if its guards don’t take better care of the basketball.
All right, Tom, what’s your prediction for this game?
**TK:** Kansas 78, Texas 76. They always seem to have great games. Why should this one be any different?
**JN:** It’s time to put the 18-0 record on the line: I’m taking Texas by three.
This is the best team KU has played this year by a long shot, and the Jayhawks struggled against a similar, in-your-grill man-to-man defense a week ago when they played Nebraska.
Though the Huskers couldn’t hold a 10-point second-half lead, the Longhorns are talented enough offensively to keep a second-half advantage should they get it Saturday.
Don’t forget Texas has played exceptionally well away from home, winning games against Illinois, Michigan State and North Carolina.
The Fieldhouse fans will do all they can, but I just think the Jayhawks will have major troubles scoring against UT and might dig themselves too big of a hole. I’ll say Texas holds on for its first win ever in Lawrence.
OK, Tom, who’s your Hawk to Rock?
**TK:** Marcus Morris.
Texas plays great defense and Marcus seems to figure out how to have big games against teams that play great defense. He’s so smart and so versatile he seems to like the challenge of figuring it out.
**JN:** KU coach Bill Self recruited Josh Selby for this type of game.
The Longhorns are great at taking teams out of their offense, allowing assists on just 36.6 percent of their opponents’ made field goals (second nationally).
Selby is KU’s best option for creating his own shot. Though the freshman has averaged just 8.5 points over his last four games, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he tops his career high for points (21) against Texas on Saturday afternoon.
Tracking the picks
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**Predictions tally (through 18 games)**
Tom: 16-2 record, 231 points off (12.8 points off/game)
Jesse: 18-0 record, 229 points off (12.7 points off/game)
Hawk to Rock
————
**Tom Keegan**
Longwood: Tyrel Reed (6th in Keegan ratings)
Valparaiso: Marcus Morris (1st)
North Texas: Tyrel Reed (6th)
Texas A&M-CC: Marcus Morris (5th)
Ohio: Markieff Morris (3rd)
Arizona: Marcus Morris (1st)
UCLA: Tyshawn Taylor (1st)
Memphis: Markieff Morris (4th)
Colorado State: Tyshawn Taylor (2nd)
USC: Tyrel Reed (6th)
Cal: Marcus Morris (6th)
UT Arlington: Tyrel Reed (8th)
Miami: Marcus Morris (3rd)
UMKC: Markieff Morris (9th)
Michigan: Thomas Robinson (8th)
Iowa State: Tyshawn Taylor (7th)
Nebraska: Josh Selby (9th)
Baylor: Josh Selby (3rd)
**Average Hawk to Rock: 4.9th in Keegan ratings**
**Jesse Newell**
Longwood: Markieff Morris (1st in Keegan ratings)
Valparaiso: Brady Morningstar (8th)
North Texas: Tyrel Reed (6th)
Texas A&M-CC: Thomas Robinson (2nd)
Ohio: Tyshawn Taylor (4th)
Arizona: Brady Morningstar (8th)
UCLA: Markieff Morris (6th)
Memphis: Thomas Robinson (1st)
Colorado State: Markieff Morris (1st)
USC: Thomas Robinson (2nd)
Cal: Markieff Morris (2nd)
UT Arlington: Brady Morningstar (10th)
Miami: Tyshawn Taylor (8th)
UMKC: Josh Selby (1st)
Michigan: Tyrel Reed (4th)
Iowa State: Marcus Morris (1st)
Nebraska: Thomas Robinson (3rd)
Baylor: Tyshawn Taylor (6th)
**Average Hawk to Rock: 4.1st in Keegan ratings**
