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KU-Texas basketball
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Austin, Texas — Sherron Collins pointed the index finger of both hands at a patch of boisterous Kansas University basketball fans celebrating the No. 1-ranked Jayhawks’ resounding 80-68 victory over No. 14 Texas on Monday night in Erwin Center.
“I wouldn’t say it’s over, but we’re sitting in a pretty comfortable spot,” Collins said, indicating his gesture was merely appreciation to the 1,000 or so KU supporters on hand, not a signal that KU has wrapped up the No. 1 slot in the league race for the sixth straight season.
“I’d say it was one of the top five wins of my career,” Collins gushed of a game in which KU used a 22-0 run to build a 30-14 lead with five minutes left in the first half.
“We showed toughness, came here and won here for the first time in my career.”
The win, by the way, upped KU’s overall record to a sparkling 23-1 mark — and 9-0 in the conference. Texas fell to 19-5 and 5-4. Still breathing are three-loss teams Texas A&M, Kansas State and Missouri.
“The Big 12 Conference is tough. Having a three-game lead is outstanding,” said KU sophomore Marcus Morris, the first-team All-Big 12 candidate — yes, he has been playing that well — who emerged as THE toughest player on the KU team Monday.
Morris dislocated the middle finger of his shooting hand seven minutes into the game, but after getting it taped, returned to the tune of 18 points and eight rebounds.
His brother Markieff had nine boards and eight points on a night KU — which received five boards from Cole Aldrich and Xavier Henry — outrebounded Texas, 45-34.
“Actually I tore something in it. I tore a tendon. I can’t really feel it,” Morris said of the top part of the finger. “It’s cool. I’m going to continue to play. It won’t stop me from playing.”
Indeed, no reason for KU fans to worry.
“He dislocated his finger in there, tore tendons in there. He won’t miss practice or anything,” said KU coach Bill Self, who won his first game at Erwin Center as KU coach after three losses. “He’ll play with some sort of splint the next month or so.”
Morris believes not his toughness, but the team’s toughness, was a big reason KU basically eliminated UT from contention in the league race.
“I think we came out and were real aggressive. We took the first punch and never let up,” said Marcus Morris, who hit seven of 10 shots.
“We played hard defense. We emphasized it in practice,” he added of double-teaming inside presence Dexter Pittman, who had three points off 1-of-5 shooting on a night Damion James hit for 24 points with 10 rebounds and J’Covan Brown 28 points — 26 the second half.
“Dexter is a big body. If you don’t double-team him, he’ll kill ya,” Marcus Morris added.
Self paid his small forward the ultimate compliment, saying: “Guys, he’s not one of the better players in the league, he’s one of the better players in the country.”
The top team in the country was in control almost all the way, at least after the 22-0 run that turned a 14-8 deficit into the 30-14 advantage. KU led by as many as 19 the second half before UT cut it to eight down the stretch.
“My staff told me it was a 22-0 run in the first half,” Self said. “On the road against a team like this, that doesn’t happen very much.”
As far as what the victory means, Self, like his players, wouldn’t declare the Jayhawks league champs.
Not yet.
“We put ourselves in a favorable position,” Self said. “We have three tough road games left (Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Missouri). K-State, A&M and Missouri all have three losses. Somebody could get hot and run the table.”
“We have to go to A&M, Missouri, Oklahoma State. It’s tough,” Aldrich said. “We’re really proud right now, though.”
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jhawks1510 (anonymous) says…
Someone please tell Tyshawn Taylor that you don't drive the basket with 3:15 to go in the game, 26 seconds on the shot clock, and have a 10 point lead. At least if you do, make your free throws!
Thought Markief played a great game last night. Why didn't Withey come in when Cole fouled out?
sundancewierdo (anonymous) says…
1510- I agree that Markief played a great game, he doesn't have the best numbers, but he's a great teammate. He does so many good things that nobody notices. I don't understand why the coach does what he does, but sitting at 23-1 I'm not going to argue with him...
yankeevet (anonymous) says…
Texas was no match for KU
reserveseating (anonymous) says…
I swear Tyshaun Taylor seems to be playing for the Tyshaun Taylor squad and doesnt seem to worry about a Win for the Hawks and more worried about trying to get stats up. Self needs to get him focused before March.
KUdos to Marcus playing with that injury and still having a great game.
hesshawk (anonymous) says…
Tyshawn: don't drive the basket with 3:15 to go in the game, 26 seconds on the shot clock, and have a 10 point lead. At least if you do, make your free throws!
There, that ought to do it !!!!!
Great effort by everyone on the floor last night. I suspect Withey didn't play because he's not ready for the way Pittman bangs around inside. That said, he's a big body that, in a 2 or 3 minute chunk of time, give Cole a breather if needed. But I think Coach is going to use him where and when he can best help.
Rock Chalk
sizzleplate (anonymous) says…
great win at Texas... go KU! I have to admit though, I could not stop laughing when I saw Morningstar at the free throw line last night. That must have been embarrassing all alone at the line like that. Good win for the team, glad to see X and Marcus pulling through, letting Cole and Sherron take a back seat. It good to see we are well balanced and fairly deep this year. Now if we can just make our free throws and take care of the ball every possession, there is no stopping us.
rse1979 (anonymous) says…
I didn't think Tyshawn made nearly as many dumb mistakes down the stretch as Morningstar. Morningstar shot early in 2 possessions, and let's not forget the free throw debacle.
sundancewierdo (anonymous) says…
Despite the free throw, brady played a great game. He usually does, because he's a team player. I'm not so sure about tyshawn. if he was a team player, he would still have his starting spot...
jkilgore (anonymous) says…
The Tyshawn criticism is overkill. Self has his attention. Remember, he's a sophomore. He is a valuable member of this team. Quit dogpiling. We won the game. Tyshawn is a great passer and defender but tries to do too much occasionally. So what? I want a player that has that kind of confidence.
amesn (anonymous) says…
Glad to see someone give Ty a little love! I too am guilty of screaming at my tv after he makes a dumb*ss pass or just plain looks like a dumb*ss..but...I feel the kids heart is in it..he just needs to make all of his body parts connect in better coordination! And speaking of coordination...I'm still giggling at Brady!