STILLWATER, OKLA. — Mo is not full-go.
Maurice ("Mo") Baker, Oklahoma State's high-scoring 6-foot-1 senior guard from Madison, Ill., is expected to play tonight against Kansas despite a groin pull that's hindered him the past two weeks.
Baker, who averages 16.9 points and 6.7 rebounds a game, scored 12 points on 5-of-14 shooting in Saturday's 69-66 victory at Iowa State. In the past two games, he's made 10 of 27 field goals.
"Sometimes I still can't elevate," Baker said. "I'm not over the hill yet. I've got to keep getting treatment and hope it gets better."
OSU coach Eddie Sutton has noticed a tentative Baker because of the injury.
"I think he's still guarding his injury," Sutton said. "I don't think he turns himself loose and drives. He doesn't elevate on his shots. He's certainly not at full speed. I guess it's really a painful thing."
Of tonight's matchup, Baker said: "This is a big test for us. They come in with a lot of pub. We let Texas come in and sneak one in on us (Big 12 opening loss against Texas). We can't lose twice on our home floor. We have to match their intensity."
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Fast start: Oklahoma State (15-1, 2-1) opened the season 13-0 for the third-best start in school history. The Cowboys were stunned at home by Texas in the Big 12 opener for both teams.
"It's conference time," Sutton said. "The intensity level rises when league play starts. You don't shoot well or play well you get beat this time of year."
In the Texas game, UT's T.J. Ford was choked by an OSU fan after running into the stands chasing a loose ball. Sutton doesn't expect a repeat of that situation.
"We have more security than they do at airports these days," Sutton said. "We've got very good supervision. It's the first time I've seen one of our fans touch a player. It doesn't concern me at all. I think it was an isolated situation. The gentleman and I have not talked to him ... I'm sure he overreacted when he saw a player go in and hit his wife (unintentionally). We will make announcements in the future if a player does come into the area, don't be touching him."
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Fired up Jayhawks: OSU coach Sutton thinks KU will be fired up tonight after Saturday's loss at UCLA. "I wish they would have won. I think Roy will have them super inspired."
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Warm up the bus: The Jayhawks practiced Monday, then rode a bus to Stillwater for tonight's game.
"If we were in class, we'd charter," Williams said. "We'll probably bus two more times this year than we'd have in the past, but one of those (OSU) is because we're not in school so there is no time crunch."
KU will also bus to Iowa State next week instead of flying a 50-seat charter to Des Moines with a short bus ride to Ames. KU will fly 50-seat charters trips to Texas and Texas A&M. The Jayhawks returned from Colorado on a 30-seater, the last time they'll do so.
"The 30-passengers the seats we've been on were so small I'm cramped. If I'm cramped, others are more cramped because I'm not the biggest guy on our team. It's a very uncomfortable ride. If you have some coaches and players not happy about being on a small plane anyway, then you are dumb to do it," Williams said.
Oklahoma State plane tragedy of a year ago has affected travel everywhere.
"It's more than that event," Williams said. "What's going on in our country on Sept. 11 put everybody more on edge anytime you are traveling whatsoever. Then when you start talking about private aircraft and traveling in storms then I think the Oklahoma State tragedy is still in the minds of kids who are playing in college basketball and coaches in college basketball."
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