This is your open thread for all things Kansas today. After every single other Big 12 team played yesterday (10 of them opening conference play) we get to play today in Columbia, South Carolina. The Gamecocks were the NIT champions last season, a title they don't want to hold after this season I'm sure. Like Boston College, this is a chance to add a great win to their NCAA Tournament resume, a win over a Top 10 opponent. The game means more to them than it does to us, but we have to come out guns blazing from the start and steal a game away from these Gamecocks.
The game is on CBS and will be nationally televised, so I will be able to watch the game. I might come in a little late, but I will watch the game and be on the Open Thread for anyone who wants to come visit. You can watch it on College Gametracker if you can't get to a TV. The Gamecocks are 10-2 with losses coming on the road @ UC-Irvine and at home against rival Clemson. If they lose today to our Jayhawks, they will need a great SEC season to make the Tourny as their biggest wins are @ USC and @ Baylor. Just like us, it is their last non-conference game of the season.
If you get on before 3:30 CST, feel free to post a prediction.
My Prediction: Kansas 81 South Carolina 75
We need to get Brush going early on today, he needs to start scoring more but a bigger key is having Sasha have a big day.
According to these starting lineups...
KANSAS (12-2)
F -- Sasha Kaun (6-11)
F -- Julian Wright (6-8)
G -- Brandon Rush (6-6)
G -- Russell Robinson (6-1)
G -- Mario Chalmers (6-1)
SOUTH CAROLINA (10-2)
F -- Bryce Sheldon (6-4)
F -- Dominique Archie (6-7)
C -- Brandon Wallace (6-9)
G -- Tre' Kelley (6-0)
G -- Dwayne Day (6-6)
their tallest starter is 6'7" Dominique Archie, so Sasha and Slim Shady should be able to have success down low. That will be key, because Super Mario won't be able to put up his 22 if they can guard the perimeter only.