Abrams finds his shot in Texas' win over OU
KUs win over Texas A&M sets up battle of top seeds
Texas? D.J. Augustin vs. Kansas? Russell Robinson
EDGE >> TEXAS Augustin appears to be a lock for a consensus first-team All-America selection. He has made the Longhorns and their faithful forget about last year?s national player of the year, Kevin Durant, and Durant was pretty unforgettable. Augustin had a tough night against KU in Austin, shooting one of 13 from the field. Russell Robinson will try to duplicate that defensive feat, but the odds are against Augustin going cold again.
Texas? A.J. Abrams vs. Kansas? Mario Chalmers
EDGE >> KANSAS If Chalmers is healthy ? he strained the patella tendon in his knee on Saturday ? he is the most complete guard on KU?s roster, and that?s saying something. Chalmers does it all for the Jayhawks, and he?s had some of his finest moments against Texas. Abrams is one of the hottest shooters in the Big 12, but when he?s not hitting from the outside, his game offers little else.
Texas? Justin Mason vs. Kansas? Brandon Rush
EDGE >> KANSAS Rush is coming off the best game of his career and will play with a lot of confidence in his hometown of Kansas City. Mason will have his hands full, but he?s proven that he can lock down the opposing team?s best scorer and can contribute offense when Texas needs it. Still, Rush can affect the game in so many ways, even when his shot isn?t falling. When it is, watch out.
Texas? Damion James vs. Kansas? Darnell Jackson
EDGE >> TEXAS Jackson has been KU?s most consistent player in this Big 12 tournament, averaging 13 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. James is the X-factor for Texas. When he?s on, they?re on. In the first half against Kansas earlier this year, the Jayhawks led at halftime and James had been hampered by foul trouble. James came out in the second half and had 12 points and 13 rebounds.
Texas? Connor Atchley vs. Kansas? Darrell Arthur
EDGE >> TEXAS Arthur may have played his worst two games of the season in the Big 12 tournament, scoring six and seven points. He?ll have a lot to prove today. Arthur is by far the more talented player, but Atchley can impact the game in a lot of ways. He is one of the Longhorns? best three-point shooters, and he also leads them in blocked shots. Atchley was four-of-four from three-point range in the first game.
Bench
EDGE >> KANSAS Sherron Collins and Sasha Kaun may be the best sixth and seventh men in the nation. Collins is KU?s spark, and Kaun?s consistency inside has been a stabilizing force for the Jayhawks. Kansas got some quality minutes from Cole Aldrich on Saturday, too, which is an added bonus. Texas? bench has grown throughout the season as players like Alexis Wangmene have improved, but the Longhorns can?t match KU here.
Coaching
EDGE >> KANSAS This is a hard one to read, but Bill Self has won the last two Big 12 tournament finals against Texas? Rick Barnes. Until Barnes can beat Self on the league?s biggest stage, you have to give the nod to Self.
Intangibles
EDGE: KANSAS Self has commented this year that KU plays its best when the intangibles are in its favor. The greatest intangible is energy. You get the feeling that the Jayhawks will have a lot left in the tank for today?s game, especially considering that they?ve been hearing about how Texas ?out-toughed? them in Austin.
ROCK CHALK!!!!!!!!!!!:00hour KU pulls it out in a very tight game today!!!!!:0corn
KUs win over Texas A&M sets up battle of top seeds
Texas? D.J. Augustin vs. Kansas? Russell Robinson
EDGE >> TEXAS Augustin appears to be a lock for a consensus first-team All-America selection. He has made the Longhorns and their faithful forget about last year?s national player of the year, Kevin Durant, and Durant was pretty unforgettable. Augustin had a tough night against KU in Austin, shooting one of 13 from the field. Russell Robinson will try to duplicate that defensive feat, but the odds are against Augustin going cold again.
Texas? A.J. Abrams vs. Kansas? Mario Chalmers
EDGE >> KANSAS If Chalmers is healthy ? he strained the patella tendon in his knee on Saturday ? he is the most complete guard on KU?s roster, and that?s saying something. Chalmers does it all for the Jayhawks, and he?s had some of his finest moments against Texas. Abrams is one of the hottest shooters in the Big 12, but when he?s not hitting from the outside, his game offers little else.
Texas? Justin Mason vs. Kansas? Brandon Rush
EDGE >> KANSAS Rush is coming off the best game of his career and will play with a lot of confidence in his hometown of Kansas City. Mason will have his hands full, but he?s proven that he can lock down the opposing team?s best scorer and can contribute offense when Texas needs it. Still, Rush can affect the game in so many ways, even when his shot isn?t falling. When it is, watch out.
Texas? Damion James vs. Kansas? Darnell Jackson
EDGE >> TEXAS Jackson has been KU?s most consistent player in this Big 12 tournament, averaging 13 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. James is the X-factor for Texas. When he?s on, they?re on. In the first half against Kansas earlier this year, the Jayhawks led at halftime and James had been hampered by foul trouble. James came out in the second half and had 12 points and 13 rebounds.
Texas? Connor Atchley vs. Kansas? Darrell Arthur
EDGE >> TEXAS Arthur may have played his worst two games of the season in the Big 12 tournament, scoring six and seven points. He?ll have a lot to prove today. Arthur is by far the more talented player, but Atchley can impact the game in a lot of ways. He is one of the Longhorns? best three-point shooters, and he also leads them in blocked shots. Atchley was four-of-four from three-point range in the first game.
Bench
EDGE >> KANSAS Sherron Collins and Sasha Kaun may be the best sixth and seventh men in the nation. Collins is KU?s spark, and Kaun?s consistency inside has been a stabilizing force for the Jayhawks. Kansas got some quality minutes from Cole Aldrich on Saturday, too, which is an added bonus. Texas? bench has grown throughout the season as players like Alexis Wangmene have improved, but the Longhorns can?t match KU here.
Coaching
EDGE >> KANSAS This is a hard one to read, but Bill Self has won the last two Big 12 tournament finals against Texas? Rick Barnes. Until Barnes can beat Self on the league?s biggest stage, you have to give the nod to Self.
Intangibles
EDGE: KANSAS Self has commented this year that KU plays its best when the intangibles are in its favor. The greatest intangible is energy. You get the feeling that the Jayhawks will have a lot left in the tank for today?s game, especially considering that they?ve been hearing about how Texas ?out-toughed? them in Austin.
ROCK CHALK!!!!!!!!!!!:00hour KU pulls it out in a very tight game today!!!!!:0corn
