Kansas Makes A Case For #1 In Win Over Iowa State

by Owen on Feb 12, 2011 4:46 PM CST in Kansas Jayhawk Basketball 2010-11

A shorthanded Kansas Jayhawk squad jumped out early on Saturday to take control of the second matchup of the season against Iowa State. In a game where the Jayhawks played without Josh Selby and Thomas Robinson, Kansas seemed to heed the call from their head coach for better defense, at least early.

At one point, just under the five minute mark in the first half, Kansas was up by 23 points and had held the Cyclones to just 14 points. While the Cyclones never pushed the game back within reach, Iowa State did start knocking down shots from beyond the arc.

For Kansas it was another highly efficient game on the offensive end as the Jayhawks averaged 1.33 points per possession. The Jayhawks were paced by the Morris twins who controlled the paint and picked up right where they left off in Ames. Marcus finished the game with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Markieff contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Junior guard Tyshawn Taylor got in on the act with a total of 14 points and 6 assists including a pair of three pointers. The Cyclone defense was content to sag and allow Taylor to shoot and while Taylor isn't deadly from outside, he did play effectively when presented with the challenge.

Kansas also received a nice lift from a familiar face of late in Brady Morningstar. More and more Morningstar's play is paying off big for Kansas and when he's at his best the Jayhawks are tough to stop. Mornigstar added 13 points and 4 offensive rebounds to the Kansas win.

Final score in this one 89-66. Now the Jayhawks head to Manhattan for Big Monday in a game where the Kansas might just find themselves wearing a big target on their back with a potential #1 ranking.

Tweet Comment 21 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Seriously, I hope we are not number 1

we have been there before and not won the big prize. I think kansas and self needs to focus on the tournament, even then, we still will be a number one seed regardless.

by gochiefs21 on Feb 12, 2011 6:03 PM CST reply actions

I disagree...

The way this TEAM is playing lately is amazing. I welcome the thought of getting back to #1. The way they have come together makes me believe that they will make a deep run in the tournament if we’re #1 or not. So way not bring some positive attention to the team. We all know the team/school can use it.

by hawkinwihita on Feb 12, 2011 6:15 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

You don't come to Kansas to be Number 2.

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Feb 12, 2011 9:02 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

But we are #2

The Big 12 standings clearly how this. I thought the pride of BB was that it was decided on the court, instead of a bunch of peoples opinions deciding who was #1 like FB? Didn’t FB even make the rule that you can’t play for the NC if you weren’t at least the best in your conference?

As for Marcus & TT, it would seem that they should have figured out by now that just being at KU gets everybody’s best shot regardless of the ranking. Being #2 just eliminates the national media drama, and makes it that much less likely that the team will take it for granted again. It is good for the dogs to be hungry.

by dagger108 on Feb 13, 2011 12:06 AM CST up reply actions

To clarify:

Recruits don’t come to Kansas because they want to be shielded from the “drama” of being #1 in the nation. They come to Kansas because they want to be #1 in the nation.

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Feb 13, 2011 1:14 PM CST up reply actions

I agree with your general hesitation toward the #1 spot, but

these quotes from the ESPN recap make me feel better about the team’s mentality this season

“I want to be No. 1,” Marcus Morris said. “I want to have that chip on our shoulder every time we go out. I want to be the one that gets everybody’s best shot because I believe we can take it.”

“I think last year we took [being No. 1] for granted,” said Tyshawn Taylor, who had 14 points and six assists in Kansas’ 12th straight victory over Iowa State. “We came out and thought we were going to win every game.”

The whole problem with the world is that fools & fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts. ~ Bertrand Russell

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Feb 12, 2011 9:08 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed;

There’s a world of difference between coasting on a #1 ranking assigned before the season and earning it midseason.

Proud member of the Toledo Computer Club since 2010.

by KeepItCopacetic on Feb 12, 2011 9:29 PM CST up reply actions

Since the polls don't matter

Then whether we are No.1 or not doesn’t matter. That said, I think it would be cool just for a bragging and recruiting standpoint if we could be No.1 3/4 of the season, lose 3 guys that made the NBA, and still be No.1 the next season.

by 2.1 seconds left on Feb 12, 2011 11:51 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think I've been less satisfied with a 20 point win in awhile

The defensive focus Self’s been calling for just wasn’t there. I realize Iowa St was randomly jacking up threes and getting somewhat lucky with them, but too many of them were wide open (by the second half, it was no secret what they were doing on offense). We can get away with that style of play against Iowa St., but not against teams like Texas or Ohio St.

Tomorrow night’s game notwithstanding, we have a fairly easy stretch ahead to get on page defensively.

Proud member of the Toledo Computer Club since 2010.

by KeepItCopacetic on Feb 12, 2011 9:01 PM CST reply actions

I didn't get to watch much of this one

but doesn’t seem like I missed a whole lot. Great day for the Morri. Morningstar continued to do a great job covering up the absence of Selby. Early lead followed by some possible loss of focus in the 2nd half.

Any good reasons to go back and watch?

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.

People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball...Rock Chalk Talk

by Warden11 on Feb 12, 2011 9:16 PM CST reply actions

Withey had some good minutes in the 2nd half,

but no, not really…

...and the home of the Brave

by Bensa on Feb 12, 2011 9:18 PM CST up reply actions

That's good to hear.

He’s not going to be a factor in how this season turns out, hopefully he continues to improve and is ready next year in case the Morri jump to the league.

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.

People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball...Rock Chalk Talk

by Warden11 on Feb 12, 2011 10:35 PM CST up reply actions

had a sweet fade-away hook shot and then followed it up

a few possessions later with a left handed scoop.

Yea ≠ Yeah

by labbadabba on Feb 14, 2011 9:34 AM CST up reply actions

Nah.

Got a nice lead, then cruised home. Self looked a bit unsettled at some of the sloppiness, but even he didn’t seem too upset. Easy win, no injuries, save the real effort for Monday.

by hunter s. royal on Feb 12, 2011 9:49 PM CST up reply actions