photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson pulls back for a pregame dunk prior to tipoff against Howard on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas center Jeff Withey throws down an alley-oop dunk over Howard forward Oliver Ellison during the first half Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Elijah Johnson hovers over Howard guard Prince Okoroh during the first half Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson, center, celebrates with center Jeff Withey, left, and Tyshawn Taylor after Withey's dunk to start the game against Howard on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas center Jeff Withey stuffs a shot by Howard forward Mike Phillips during the first half Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Travis Releford shovels a pass after being fouled by Howard guard Simuel Frazier, back, during the first half Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse. Also pictured are KU forward Justin Wesley and Howard forward Alphonso Leary.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Kevin Young dunks on Howard forward Dadrian Collins after stealing an inbound pass during the first half Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas players Travis Releford, bottom front, Niko Roberts, right, Elijah Johnson and Tyshawn Taylor go wild as center Jeff Withey is fouled on a dunk during the second half against Howard on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Christian Garrett dumps a pass over the Howard defense for an assist during the second half on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor pulls up for a three over Howard guard Calvin Thompson during the second half on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Elijah Johnson yells out to the defense as he defends against Howard guard Calvin Thompson during the second half on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Kevin Young puts up a shot against Howard during the second half Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Merv Lindsay puts a shot over Howard forward Theodore Boyomo during the second half on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Actor and Kansas native Jason Sudeikis shoots a picture of the Kansas huddle next to his guest, actress Olivia Wilde, during the second half on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Travis Releford signals "three" after a made bucket from teammate Tyshawn Taylor during the second half on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor, right, and Thomas Robinson pressure Howard guard Simuel Frazier during the first half on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas players Kevin Young, front, and Conner Teahan chase a loose ball with Howard forward Alphonso Leary during the first half on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse. At left is KU forward Justin Wesley.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Elijah Johnson pass around Howard guard Glen Andrews during the first half on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas head coach Bill Self calls a play from the floor during the first half on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Kevin Young fights for a rebound with Howard guard Prince Okoroh during the first half on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor pulls up for a three pointer from the corner over Howard forward Mike Phillips during the second half on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.