Jayhawks Closes Exhibition Season Hosting Fort Hays State Tuesday
Nov. 5, 2007
Kansas notes in PDF Format 
Kansas vs. Fort Hays State
No. 4 Kansas concludes its exhibition schedule when it plays host to Fort Hays State Tuesday, at 7 p.m. The Jayhawks opened exhibition play with a 94-59 win over Pittsburg State on Nov. 1. The Jayhawks are looking to win their 28th consecutive exhibition contest and 28th straight exhibition game in Allen Fieldhouse. Fort Hays State lost at Kansas State, 95-59, in its exhibition opener last Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kan.
About Kansas
Kansas improved to 45-7 all-time in exhibition games after its 94-59 win against Pittsburg State on Nov. 1. Four different Jayhawks scored in double figures against the Gorillas, including a game high 18 points from sophomore guard Sherron Collins. Junior guard Mario Chalmers had 14 points, while sophomore forward Darrell Arthur scored 12 and senior guard Rodrick Stewart 11 in the victory. The Jayhawks return six letterwinners who received All-Big 12 accolades on the court or in the classroom in 2006-07. Junior guard Brandon Rush – team-high 13.8 points per game in 2006-07 – was named All-Big 12 First Team.Chalmers – 12.2 ppg – was the Big 12 co-Defensive Player of the Year, a third team all-conference selection and a member of the Big 12 All-Defensive squad. Senior guard Russell Robinson – 7.2 ppg and 4.4 assists per game – was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive team for the second straight year. Sophomores Collins (9.3 ppg) and Darrell Arthur (9.8 ppg) were each named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and to the league’s all-rookie team last season. Senior center Sasha Kaun earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors for the second straight season. Look for these six and seniors Darnell Jackson and Stewart to see playing time this season. Jackson averaged 15.3 minutes per game last year with a 5.5 ppg and 5.1 rpg., while Stewart played in 30 games with one start his junior campaign. Freshmen Cole Aldrich, a center from Bloomington, Minn., and Tyrel Reed, a guard from Burlington, Kan., should see time early in the 2007-08 season.
About Fort Hays State
Fort Hays State also concludes its exhibition season in Allen Fieldhouse. Senior guard Jake Sims and junior guard Tyrone Evans shared top scoring honors for the Tigers, each with 11 points. Sims was a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the three-point arc. Evans buried 3-of-6 attempts from beyond the three-point arc. Fort Hays State is coming off a 13-15 season in 2006-07 where it finished seventh in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association with a 6-12 record. The Tigers return no starters and four letterwinners from last season’s team.
The Series
Kansas has won all four meetings with Fort Hays State, including one exhibition contest. This series dates back to 1994 when KU defeated FHSU 93-55 and all four games have been played in Lawrence. The Jayhawks have won both meeting with the Tigers during the Bill Self era. KU defeated Fort Hays State 80-40 in Self’s first season and 96-62 in exhibition play in 2005.
Up Next
Kansas officially opens the 2007-08 season when it plays host to Louisiana at Monroe on Friday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. Two days later, Kansas hosts UMKC in the first round of the Jayhawk Invitational. Tip time for Sunday’s contest is set for 7 p.m. The Jayhawk Invitational continues when Kansas hosts Washburn, Thursday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. KU will conclude the Invitational against Northern Arizona (Nov. 21) and Arizona (Nov. 25). All four Jayhawk Invitational contests for Kansas will be played in Allen Fieldhouse. The Arizona contest is also part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series, which is in its inaugural season.
