Jayhawks to Host Ichabods at Allen Fieldhouse Thursday
Nov. 14, 2007
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Kansas plays its second game of the Jayhawk Invitational when it plays host to Washburn Thursday at 7 p.m. on Jayhawk TV. The Jayhawks are currently 2-0 on the season after weekend victories against Louisiana-Monroe, 107-78, and UMKC, 85-62. This marks the third time in the last five seasons Kansas has been 2-0. Washburn officially opens its season at KU, yet fell in its final exhibition of the season – 79-75 loss at UMKC on Tuesday.
About Kansas
No. 4 Kansas improved to 2-0 on the season after an 85-62 win against UMKC Sunday. For the second straight game, KU had five players reach double figures, led by junior guard Mario Chalmers who tied his career high with 23 points. Senior guard Russell Robinson scored 15 points and tied his career high with nine assists against the Kangaroos. Sophomore forward Darrell Arthur posted his third career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds and sophomore guard Sherron Collins and senior center Sasha Kaun added 10 points. Collins recorded a career-high seven rebounds and Kaun tied his personal best with four blocked shots against UMKC. Through two games KU is outscoring opponents 96 to 70 and outrebounding foes 35.5 to 29.5. In two outings, three Jayhawks have scored 20-plus points with Collins having 22 and senior forward Darnell Jackson 21 against Louisiana-Monroe and Chalmers 23 versus UMKC. On Monday, Collins underwent surgery on his foot to repair a stress fracture. Through two games Collins was KU’s leading scorer with 16 points per contest. Look for seniors Rodrick Stewart and Jeremy Case and freshman Tyrel Reed to step up in Collins’ absense.
About Washburn
Washburn lost at UMKC 79-75 on Tuesday in its first game of the Jayhawk Invitational. The game was the Ichabods’ second exhibition contest and the KU contest will be their official opener. WU also lost at UNLV, 77-47, on Nov. 6 in its first exhibition contest. At UMKC, senior guard Andrew Meile led the Ichabods with 19 points, while junior Paul Byers and senior Grant Hargett scored 12 each. Sophomore guard Mario Scott paced WU with six rebounds in the contest. The Ichabods look to improve on their 9-21 record in 2006-07. WU finished 10th in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association with a 4-13 record. Washburn lost eight letterwinners and two starters from last season’s team. Meile is WU’s top returning scorer with a 9.1 scoring average in 2006-07. He also paced the team with 35 steals last year. Senior forward Kyle Snyder is the top returning rebounder with a 7.8 per game as he scored five points per outing last season. Hargett led WU in assists with 59 in 2006-07 to go along with his 6.6 points per game.
The Series
Kansas is facing Washburn for the 36th time in men’s basketball. The Jayhawks have defeated the Ichabods in each of the last seven meetings dating back to 1944, including a 99-69 win in exhibition play last season. KU leads Washburn, 33-3, including a 3-0 record in exhibition play. The series dates back to 1906 with KU’s longest winning streak at 15 games from 1929 to 1944. The teams met twice in the 1990s and this will be the fifth meeting since 2000.
Up Next
Kansas continues the Jayhawk Invitational against Northern Arizona on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. KU will conclude the event hosting nationally-ranked Arizona, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m.. The Arizona contest is also part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series which starts this season.
