Jayhawks to Host Lumberjacks in Men's Hoops Wednesday

Nov. 19, 2007

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Kansas plays its third game of the Jayhawk Invitational when it hosts Northern Arizona, Wednesday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. on Jayhawk TV. The fourth-ranked Jayhawks improved to 3-0 on the season with a 92-60 win against Washburn Nov. 15. Northern Arizona is 2-1 after its 77-62 win against UMKC on Nov. 17 in its third game of the Jayhawk Invitational.

About Kansas

Kansas is 3-0 for the first time since the 2004-05 season when KU opened the year 14-0. The Jayhawks have five players averaging in double figures, yet their leading scorer – sophomore guard Sherron Collins – will be sidelined with a foot injury until the New Year. Collins is averaging 16 points per game, while junior guard Mario Chalmers is next with 13.7 points per contest. Chalmers leads KU with eight three-point field goals and is tied for the team lead with seven steals. Sophomore forward Darrell Arthur is next in scoring at 12.7 points per game and he leads KU with seven rebounds per outing. Senior forward Darnell Jackson is scoring 12.3 points per game and he is making a team-high 65.2 percent from the floor. Arthur and Jackson also have seven steals through three games. Senior guard Russell Robinson is next in scoring with 11 points per game and he leads the team with six assists per outing. Junior Brandon Rush made his return from June ACL surgery in KU’s last game. Rush had seven points in 12 minutes of action. KU is outscoring opponents by 28 points per game and holds a +6.3 rebound average. Additionally, Kansas has 17 blocked shots through three games compared to its opponents’ four.

About Northern Arizona

Northern Arizona brings a 3-1 record to Allen Fieldhouse after its 65-56 win at Mississippi Valley State on Monday. The Lumberjacks opened the season with a victory against Adams State College 78-65 on Nov. 11 and a 76-69 loss at then-No. 17 Arizona on Nov. 13 and defeated UMKC 77-62 on Nov. 17. The Lumberjacks are two time defending Big Sky Conference champions and return five letterwinners from last season’s team. Senior forward Kyle Landry leads the team in scoring and rebounding with 15.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, including 23 points and 14 boards against UMKC. Junior guard Josh Wilson is next in scoring with an 12.8 average. He leads NAU with 30 assists. Senior forward Ryan McCurdy is is scoring 10 points per game, while junior guards Nate Geiser and Matt Johnson are scoring 7.8 points per contest. NAU is scoring 72.2 points per game and giving up 64.8. The Lumberjacks are dominating the boards with a +11.2 rebound margin advantage.

The Series

Kansas has won all three meetings with Northern Arizona in a series which dates back to 1988. In the season following KU’s last national championship, the Jayhawks defeated the Lumberjacks 109-59 in Allen Fieldhouse on Dec. 12, 1988. The following season, KU defeated NAU 84-57 in Flagstaff, Ariz. The two teams met in last year’s season opener with the Jayhawks winning 91-57 in Lawrence.

Up Next

Kansas continues the Jayhawk Invitational against 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. Following the Arizona contest, KU will play host to Florida Atlantic on Wednesday, Nov. 28. The Owls are coached by former KU great Rex Walters.

Jayhawk Invitational Schedule

Nov. 11

at Kansas 85, UMKC 62

at Northern Arizona 78, Adams State 65

Nov. 13

at UMKC 79, Washburn 75

at Arizona 76, Northern Arizona 69

Nov. 15

at Kansas 92, Washburn

Nov. 17

at Northern Arizona 77, UMKC 62

Nov. 19

UMKC at Arizona

Nov. 21

Northern Arizona at Kansas

Adams State at Arizona

Nov. 25

Arizona at Kansas