photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas center Jeff Withey rejects a shot by Ohio forward Ivo Baltic during the first half of the Las Vegas Invitational, Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 at the Orleans Arena.

Jesse Newell: Welcome back to the GameDay Cram Session. Tom, what are you looking for in this game, KU against Arizona?
Tom Keegan: Arizona forward Derrick Williams is the best player Kansas has faced this season and the Wildcats are the best team the Jayhawks have played. Motivation won’t be a problem. By the way, if you haven’t seen the YouYube video of Arizona coach Sean Miller’s appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in March, 1983, as a 14-year-old boy, it’s worth a look. I remember watching it live and thought I’d check YouTube to see if it was there. He was a basketball prodigy, a ball-handling wizard. He’s done well as a coach, too. Here it is:

JN: Great video. Love how he draws out the words, “Wichita, Kyan-sus.”

Getting back on topic, Arizona comes in as not only a great shooting team, but also one that is impressive on the offensive glass. The Wildcats have at least eight offensive rebounds in each of their first five games, and in two of those games, they had 15 offensive boards. Arizona also has made 62 percent of its two-pointers this year (fourth nationally), so the Jayhawks’ post players will definitely be challenged defensively.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas center Jeff Withey rejects a shot by Ohio forward Ivo Baltic during the first half of the Las Vegas Invitational, Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 at the Orleans Arena.

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

TK: Kansas by 12. Sure, the competition has been weak so far and that changes tonight, but Kansas has looked unusually sharp by November standards. Deep, too. If Thomas Robinson is too sped up and falters against the improved opposition, then Jeff Withey can take his minutes. If either Brady Morningstar or Tyrel Reed is having an off night, Travis Releford can step in.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Travis Releford soars for a breakaway dunk as Ohio defender David McKinley watches during the second half of the Las Vegas Invitational, Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 at the Orleans Arena.

JN: I’ll go KU by 7. Because none of KU’s games has been close so far, we still don’t know how the Jayhawks will respond late in a close game. We’ll probably learn tonight. Though this one will be close in the second half, look for Marcus Morris to step up offensively in the closing minutes to give the Jayhawks their best win of the year.

Who’s your Hawk to Rock?

TK: My Hawk to Rock is Marcus Morris.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Marcus Morris grabs a pass in the paint between Ohio players D.J. Cooper (5) and Ivo Baltic (23) during the second half of the Las Vegas Invitational, Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 at the Orleans Arena.

He’s getting better by the minute and will be eager to show what he can do against Arizona’s Derrick Williams.

JN: To keep our standings close below, I’m going to have to start an “only-one-Marcus-Morris-Hawk-to-Rock-pick-per-month” rule on you.

I’ll take Brady Morningstar as my Hawk to Rock.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Brady Morningstar gets a bucket over Ohio forward Ivo Baltic during the second half of the Las Vegas Invitational, Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 at the Orleans Arena.

Though Arizona is impressive statistically, one area where the Wildcats aren’t as strong is ball security. Morningstar should be able to take advantage with his quick hands defensively. Also, this just seems like the type of game where KU coach Bill Self puts in the players he’s most comfortable with. Morningstar is usually No. 1 on that list.

Tracking the picks

Predictions tally (through four games)
Tom: 4-1 record, 112 points off (22.4 points off/game)
Jesse: 5-0 record, 102 points off (20.4 points off/game)

Hawk to Rock

Tom Keegan
Longwood: Tyrel Reed (6th in Keegan ratings)
Valparaiso: Marcus Morris (1st in Keegan ratings)
North Texas: Tyrel Reed (6th in Keegan ratings)
Texas A&M-CC: Marcus Morris (5th in Keegan ratings)
Ohio: Markieff Morris (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Average Hawk to Rock: 4.2nd in Keegan ratings

Jesse Newell
Longwood: Markieff Morris (1st in Keegan ratings)
Valparaiso: Brady Morningstar (8th in Keegan ratings)
North Texas: Tyrel Reed (6th in Keegan ratings)
Texas A&M-CC: Thomas Robinson (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Ohio: Tyshawn Taylor (4th in Keegan ratings)
Average Hawk to Rock: 4.2nd in Keegan ratings