Five-time defending Big 12 Conference champion Kansas opens up the 2009-10 season by hosting Hofstra. No. 1 Kansas is looking to win its 37th-straight home opener at Allen Fieldhouse dating back to the 1973-74 season.
This is the real deal, the actual tip off, this one counts. Not that there is much doubt to the likely result, but it's just nice to feel like things are official. We should know by tonight the final verdict on redshirts for Mario Little and Travis Releford. We should know by tonight the final word on Harrison Barnes and his college choice.
Since 2001-02, the Jayhawks have won their last seven consecutive season openers. In tune ups, KU won both its exhibition contests with a +48.5 scoring margin. Hofstra is coming off a 21-11 season in which it placed fifth in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) with an 11-7 record in 2008-09.
Apologies for the bare bones nature of this preview, just a hectic day as I make my way out of town and on to Lawrence. We will have an open game thread tonight for the occasion so join other RCTers in a little basketball talk while you catch the Hawks...
More Brief Preview and Exhibition Recap after the Jump...
Located in Hempstead, N.Y., Hofstra returns five letterwinners and two starters from last season's 21-11 team, its fourth 20-win season in the last five years. The Pride finished fifth in the CAA with an 11-7 record. Hofstra is facing a top-ranked team for the first time in men's basketball. Junior guards Charles Jenkins and Nathaniel Lester are the returning starters for the Pride. Jenkins, the 2010 CAA Preseason Player of the Year, averaged 19.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists last season. With 1,065 career points, Jenkins is only the second player in school history to have 1,000-plus career points entering his junior season. Lester scored 6.6 points with 4.3 rebounds per outing in 2008-09. Senior guard Cornelius Vines was a top sub last season with a 10.5 scoring average. Senior forward Miklos Szabos (4.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and junior forward Greg Washington (5.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg) are also back. Following the Kansas contest, Hofstra will compete in the NIT Season Tip-Off.
--The combo of Xavier Henry, Tyshawn Taylor and Elijah Johnson's fast break and dunk against Fort Hays State ranked No. 6 on the ESPN Top Plays for Nov. 3.
--Tyshawn Taylor's assist to a Marcus Morris dunk against Pittsburg State ranked No. 1 on the ESPN Top Plays for Nov. 10.
--Kansas' 58-point margin of victory against Pittsburg State was the sixth-largest in exhibition history and largest since 2000.
--Kansas is now 53-7 all-time in exhibition play and 46-4 in Allen Fieldhouse exhibition contests. The Jayhawks are 21-0 in exhibition games under Bill Self.
Upcoming Games
November
13 HOFSTRA (JTV) .................... 7 p.m.
17 &Memphis (St. Louis)(ESPN) 9 p.m.
19 &CENTRAL ARKANSAS (JTV) 7 p.m.
25 &OAKLAND (JTV) ............... 7 p.m.
27 &TENNESSEE TECH (JTV) . 7 p.m.