Kansas looks to remain undefeated against UT-Arlington

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson pulls back for a dunk as the team warms up prior to tipoff against Cal, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, California.

Jesse Newell: Welcome back to the GameDay Cram Session, as Kansas is taking on UT-Arlington on Wednesday in Allen Fieldhouse.

Tom, KU is facing a Mavericks team that is 5-5 but only has one win this year over a Div. I opponent. If I were just an average college basketball fan, what’s the No. 1 reason you’d tell me to tune into this game?
Tom Keegan: Dunks.

http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2010/dec/23/33734/

JN: Fair enough. Actually, here’s a stat I bet you didn’t know: KU is out-dunking its opponents, 49-14, this season. That means the Jayhawks are averaging 4.5 dunks per game. KU’s leader in dunks is Thomas Robinson with 12, while Markieff Morris is right behind him with 11.

Speaking of Markieff, in the Keegan ratings, Markieff has surpassed his brother, Marcus, to take the top spot in the overall season standings. Is there an argument to be made that he’s been the better Morris this season for KU?

Kansas forward Markieff Morris looks to save a ball from going out of bounds during the second half, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, California. Also pictured is Cal forward Markhuri Sanders-Frison.

TK: I think an argument can be made he’s been the team’s most consistent player. Marcus still is more talented because he’s a better ball-handler and moves his feet a little bit better.

JN: If we’re talking about most improved players this year for KU, Markieff definitely has to be towards the top of the list along with Robinson.

Markieff leads the Big 12 in rebounding (9.1 rebounds per game) and also is tied as the nation’s sixth-best defensive rebounder, according to kenpom.com.

All right, Tom, what’s your prediction for this game?

TK: Kansas 94, Texas-Arlington 58. Every game represents a chance for Josh Selby and his teammates to mesh, so these sparring sessions will at least be helpful in some way.

Kansas guard Josh Selby comes away with a steal from Cal guard Nigel Carter during the second half, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, California.

It’s that time of year where it’s tough not to get antsy waiting for the conference season to open.

JN: Yeah, I’ll go KU by 45. Early in the season, the Jayhawks did a great job at making bad teams look horrible. UT-Arlington is a bad team on both ends, and I think we’ll see the Jayhawks get to 100 points in a blowout.

OK, Tom, who is your Hawk to Rock?

TK: Tyrel Reed.

http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2010/dec/29/33755/

Kansas guard Brady Morningstar throws an outlet pass as he is defended by USC forward Nikola Vucevic during the second half, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010 at Allen Fieldhouse.

The more experience Selby gets, the more comfortable he’ll be driving and dishing and Reed will be the No. 1 recipient of those plays.

JN: This choice has not worked out well for me this year (see below), but I’m going to give Brady Morningstar another chance.

The Mavericks are one of the most careless teams in Div. I, turning the ball over on 25.7 percent of their possessions (13th-worst in NCAA). They also have the ball stolen away from them on one out of every eight possessions (also 13th-worst in NCAA).

If you’re looking for steals, Morningstar is your guy. He ranks 35th in the nation in steal percentage and is the best Jayhawk at swiping the ball away by a wide margin. Look for Morningstar to set up KU for some easy transition baskets with at least three steals against the Mavericks.

Tracking the picks

Predictions tally (through 11 games)
Tom: 10-1 record, 146 points off (13.3 points off/game)
Jesse: 11-0 record, 159 points off (14.5 points off/game)

Hawk to Rock

Tom Keegan
Longwood: Tyrel Reed (6th in Keegan ratings)
Valparaiso: Marcus Morris (1st)
North Texas: Tyrel Reed (6th)
Texas A&M-CC: Marcus Morris (5th)
Ohio: Markieff Morris (3rd)
Arizona: Marcus Morris (1st)
UCLA: Tyshawn Taylor (1st)
Memphis: Markieff Morris (4th)
Colorado State: Tyshawn Taylor (2nd)
USC: Tyrel Reed (6th)
Cal: Marcus Morris (6th)
Average Hawk to Rock: 3.7th in Keegan ratings

Jesse Newell
Longwood: Markieff Morris (1st in Keegan ratings)
Valparaiso: Brady Morningstar (8th)
North Texas: Tyrel Reed (6th)
Texas A&M-CC: Thomas Robinson (2nd)
Ohio: Tyshawn Taylor (4th)
Arizona: Brady Morningstar (8th)
UCLA: Markieff Morris (6th)
Memphis: Thomas Robinson (1st)
Colorado State: Markieff Morris (1st)
USC: Thomas Robinson (2nd)
Cal: Markieff Morris (2nd)
Average Hawk to Rock: 3.7th in Keegan ratings

Kansas looks to remain undefeated against UT-Arlington

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson pulls back for a dunk as the team warms up prior to tipoff against Cal, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, California.

Jesse Newell: Welcome back to the GameDay Cram Session, as Kansas is taking on UT-Arlington on Wednesday in Allen Fieldhouse.

http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2010/dec/23/33734/

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson pulls back for a dunk as the team warms up prior to tipoff against Cal, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, California.

TK: I think an argument can be made he’s been the team’s most consistent player. Marcus still is more talented because he’s a better ball-handler and moves his feet a little bit better.

JN: If we’re talking about most improved players this year for KU, Markieff definitely has to be towards the top of the list along with Robinson.

photo by: Nick Krug

Markieff leads the Big 12 in rebounding (9.1 rebounds per game) and also is tied as the nation’s sixth-best defensive rebounder, according to kenpom.com.

All right, Tom, what’s your prediction for this game?

TK: Kansas 94, Texas-Arlington 58. Every game represents a chance for Josh Selby and his teammates to mesh, so these sparring sessions will at least be helpful in some way.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Josh Selby comes away with a steal from Cal guard Nigel Carter during the second half, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, California.

It’s that time of year where it’s tough not to get antsy waiting for the conference season to open.

OK, Tom, who is your Hawk to Rock?

TK: Tyrel Reed.

http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2010/dec/29/33755/

The more experience Selby gets, the more comfortable he’ll be driving and dishing and Reed will be the No. 1 recipient of those plays.

JN: This choice has not worked out well for me this year (see below), but I’m going to give Brady Morningstar another chance.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Brady Morningstar throws an outlet pass as he is defended by USC forward Nikola Vucevic during the second half, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Tracking the picks

Predictions tally (through 11 games)
Tom: 10-1 record, 146 points off (13.3 points off/game)
Jesse: 11-0 record, 159 points off (14.5 points off/game)