**9:40 p.m.**: The postgame interview atmosphere was light and breezy, which is to be expected after watching KU hang 107 points with its most prominent player still on the bench with a hunk of a knee brace caressing his mid-leg.But both Darrell Arthur and Darnell Jackson were pretty calm, not getting too over-the-top on a 29-point drubbing of a mid-major (Though a couple of us agreed afterwards- ULM could easily wind up in the NCAA Tournament out of the Sun Belt. That’s a quality mid-major ballclub).Darrell Arthur joked about his banked three at the end of regulation, saying he’d count it if it was in a pick-up game (no, he didn’t call ‘glass’). Darnell Jackson was also pretty down-to-earth about his incredible first half dunk on which he took off from about 10 feet away from the bucket.Bill Self pointed out that his team defensively was pretty lax. The Jayhawks had gone 43 games without allowing a team to shoot 50 percent, and in their last two games that counted (tonight and in the Elite Eight against UCLA) the opponents have done just that. Part of it is also due to how much the Jayhawks ran. KU will definitely trip up a couple of times without slowing it down some more. But the running is sure fun to watch. That’s hard to disagree with.I’ll see you guys in about 21 hours for The Greene Room Live in Stillwater. If anything interesting happens in the car ride down, I’ll let you know (though I can’t imagine what would). Then again, with Keegan, Wood and Krug, you never know.See you then.**9:00 p.m.**: I’m serious…KU NEVER cooled on offense. Incredible opening night showing. The Jayhawks were 12-of-23 from three, which always helps. Sherron Collins had four of them, leading all scorers with 22 points.I’ll be back in a bit with postgame nuggets.**8:26 p.m.**: The Jayhawks just haven’t slowed down offensively, and that’s an encouraging sign. This team has shown the knack to run with the ball all night, and hasn’t been fatigued despite doing so so far for almost 30 minutes of clock time.Darnell Jackson’s 16 points have been one of the more surprising factors tonight. It’s not that he’s scored those points, but rather that he’s done it in an assortment of ways, most recently doing so with a 16-foot baseline jumper.**7:53 p.m.**: Never thought I’d see the day when Darrell Arthur cashed a last-second three, but his banked-in trey before the half as the clock expired was something else…even though it wouldn’t count in most pickup games, because I’m pretty sure he didn’t call that glasswork.But the three-ball is where it’s at after one half. ULM has stayed in the game with it, shooting 50 percent from deep, while KU has built its lead with it, shooting at a 43-percent clip.If I had to take a stab at who would be more likely to keep up the efficient three shooting, I’d guess KU. Not because they’re better shooters, because ULM has some guys that can gun. But rather it’s because the Jayhawks are getting more open threes within the framework of their offense, as opposed to the more guarded looks the Warhawks are taking.But I still don’t think this one will get too wild in terms of point differential in the second half. This ULM team is solid, and any win would be a good win against these guys.**7:40 p.m.**: Tony Hooper is the lone reason Louisiana-Monroe is still in this game. He has gunned a couple of threes to give him a game-high 13 points and keep the Warhawks within range – somewhat – at 15 points.But the story of this game so far is Sherron Collins. The dude is just instant offense. His last time coming in off the bench, it took him all of 30 seconds to get a steal, assist and bucket. He’s shooting the ball in a very smooth fashion from deep and isn’t gassed after quick bursts of play like he was a year ago in the non-con season.**7:23 p.m.**: Well, instead of the Jayhawk big men needing early starts to get KU a big lead in the first half, the guards have stepped up to the guard-laden challenge from ULM and scored big. Chalmers, Collins and Robinson have combined for 18 of KU’s first 24 points, including four three-pointers.ULM looks to have finally settled in after an early avalanche of KU pressure. At this point, I’d say I still see KU winning by about 20.Elsewhere around the Big 12, K-State is already up early on Sacramento State by about double-digits. And Mike Beasley only has four points. I’m sticking with the ‘Cats as a dark horse to win the Big 12. Though it’ll take a lot to convince me they’re more than just that.**6:37 p.m.**: The now infamous [White Owl][1] just made his entrance into Allen Fieldhouse, which means it’s time for the night to start – forget the teams. The guy did get a standing ovation from the students, though. Gotta love the guy. He’s rockin’ a rasta lid, some sort of long rasta skirt and a blue T-shirt which reads “9-0 Eat your hearts out, Missouri” on the back.He’s the new staple, and I like it.I should point out that this is the beginning of what will be a busy weekend which is sure to be an experience. After tonight’s game, myself, Tom Keegan, Ryan Wood and Nick Krug will pile into the car and head to Stillwater tomorrow for football. Then it’s back right here on press row Sunday night for KU-UMKC hoops.But let us get to the contest at hand.Every year, it seems like the Jayhawks’ non-con schedule takes some ribbing for the no-name opponents which fill up a good portion of it. But it turns out Larry Keating and Co. are pretty smart in lining up quality mid-major competition, because every year when the tournament brackets come out, a good number of those teams happen to pop up as 12- or 13-seeds after having won their conference tournaments.Louisiana-Monroe should definitely be one of them this year. You’re talking about a team which went 18-14 a year ago and has its top seven scorers back. They’ve got a stud young coach in Orlando Early, and even one of his assistants has some pull – Tom Coverdale. He was the starting shooting guard who helped Indiana to the National Championship game in 2002.A couple of names to remember tonight are Tony Hooper and Jonas Brown. Oh, and Lance Brasher and Jordan Payne. All four are guards, and all four play a lot. And score a lot. This team’s weakness is without question the post play. Look for Darrell Arthur and Sasha Kaun to have plenty of opportunities to fill up the stat sheet. If they don’t, well, this one will be much closer than the 27-point spread would indicate.Talk to you after tip. [1]: http://www.kansan.com/stories/2007/nov/09/kulture/?news
