Tyshawn Taylor Shines For Jayhawks In Season Opener

Nov. 13, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

No. 7 Kansas opened the 2010-11 season Friday with a commanding 113-75 victory over Longwood, with junior guard Tyshawn Taylor leading the way.

“Tyshawn (Taylor) plays at a real fast pace,” junior Markieff Morris said. “There are a lot of guys that close out and he goes right past them. His speed makes the game a lot faster.”

Taylor, who led the Jayhawks in assists last year, played unselfishly and with finesse against the Lancers, finishing the game with 10 assists.

“It feels good,” Taylor said. “We have to work on some things defensively to get better. It’s good to start off like this.”

Despite also being the Jayhawks second leading scorer last season, averaging 7.2 points per game, Taylor is looking to provide more offense this year for Kansas. He took a step in the right direction Friday evening as he ended the night with 17 points.

“I got a lot of easy shots and fast break points,” Taylor said. “Markieff (Morris) had a bunch of steals and I was there at the right place at the right time. The big guys did a good job on defense. They would look up and I was just out.”

It is obvious Taylor is putting the effort in on the floor to be a team leader. During his 28 minutes of play he dribbled through his opponent, shot the ball with poise and played confidently.

Perhaps one of Taylor’s most impressive plays of the game was when he dribbled through three guards and captured a graceful layup in the second half. Taylor also made some perfect over the head passes to sophomore center Jeff Withey as well as to other crimson and blue teammates.

The Jayhawks will be back in action Monday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. at home when they take on Valparaiso. The game will be televised on the Jayhawk TV network.