photo by: Mike Yoder

Kansas University men’s basketball coach Bill Self addresses the media in this March 2009 file photo.

Jesse Newell: Welcome back to the GameDay Cram Session, as Kansas is taking on Florida Atlantic on Wednesday at Allen Fieldhouse.

Tom, what’s something interesting you took away from Bill Self’s press conference on Monday?

http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2011/nov/28/35219/

Tom Keegan: The way the guy’s mind works. You could ask him whether he thinks man taking a step on the moon was worth the expense and whether he thinks we should fund NASA to try to get to Mars this time, he’d spend a fraction of a second to organize his thoughts then give you a response that leaves you thinking he has spent the last five years thinking about it.

JN: He’s also really good at answering every question and not acting insulted by any question (even times when he maybe should be).

And he says something lots of interesting stuff. I try to keep up with him as he’s talking to type in each week’s Cliff’s Notes version, and oftentimes, my fingers can’t go fast enough.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Kansas University men’s basketball coach Bill Self addresses the media in this March 2009 file photo.

He’s definitely not afraid to take you inside his mind to let you know exactly what he’s thinking on any topic.

Tom, in what one facet of the game are the Jayhawks are better than what you thought they’d be?

TK: Confidence. This is one bold bunch of ballers who firmly believe they belong on the court with anybody. They took it right to Duke and Duke took it right back at them.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor looks for a shot as he is defended by Duke forward Miles Plumlee during the first half on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011 at the Lahaina Civic Center.

Neither perennial powerhouse is as experienced this season as in most, but they both have a starting five loaded with big-time competitors.

JN: Confidence might also be something that this Florida Atlantic team has coming into Lawrence.

Though the Owls are 3-4, only one of their losses has been by more than six points. They also have a really nice overtime win over George Mason to go with a close loss at Washington (77-71).

Coach Mike Jarvis (yes, that Mike Jarvis) has a team that has played pretty well on the road so far this year, so don’t be surprised if this game is close for a while before KU pulls away.

OK, Tom, what’s your prediction for this game?

TK: KU by 26.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Travis Releford and Duke forward Ryan Kelly fight for a loose ball during the second half Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011 at the Lahaina Civic Center.

The Allen Fieldhouse crowd is antsy to see some basketball and should bring a lot of energy.

JN: I’ll go with KU by 15.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Elijah Johnson elevates to pass along the baseline as he is defended by Duke guard Andre Dawkins during the first half Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011 at the Lahaina Civic Center.

FAU leading scorer and best offensive player Greg Gantt is expected to be back this game after missing Saturday’s game with an ankle injury. That should give the Owls a boost, as the 6-foot-2 junior guard has made 41 percent of his threes this year while turning it over at a low rate.

The Owls’ worst loss came without him (a 68-55 loss to South Florida), so I’m thinking they’ll keep this one mostly competitive with him. Give me KU 81, FAU 66.

All right, Tom, who’s your Hawk to Rock?

TK: Jeff Withey.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas center Jeff Withey is fouled on the way up between Duke defenders Seth Curry and Ryan Kelly during the first half Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011 at the Lahaina Civic Center.

His confidence has to be at an all-time high after getting a double-double against Duke.

JN: I’ll go with Tyshawn Taylor.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor is fouled fighting for a loose ball with Duke guard Austin Rivers during the first half Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011 at the Lahaina Civic Center.

Looking at FAU’s defensive profile, the Owls 1) don’t force many turnovers; 2) don’t defend three-pointers particularly well; and 3) have a tendency to foul guards and put them at the free throw line.

Sounds like a dream defense for Tyshawn Taylor, who is looking to bounce back from a rough second half against Duke.

I’ll predict at least 20 points for Taylor, with most of those points coming from threes and free throws.

Tracking the picks

Predictions tally (through five games)
Tom: 4-1 record, 42 points off (8.4 points off/game)
Jesse: 5-0 record, 27 points off (5.4 points off/game)

Hawk to Rock

Tom Keegan
Towson: Tyshawn Taylor (4th in Keegan ratings)
Kentucky: Tyshawn Taylor (1st in Keegan ratings)
Georgetown: Elijah Johnson (4th in Keegan ratings)
UCLA: Tyshawn Taylor (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Duke: Elijah Johnson (4th in Keegan ratings)
Average: 3rd in Keegan ratings

Jesse Newell
Towson: Conner Teahan (6th in Keegan ratings)
Kentucky: Elijah Johnson (4th in Keegan ratings)
Georgetown: Kevin Young (9th in Keegan ratings)
UCLA: Elijah Johnson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Duke: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Average: 4.2nd in Keegan ratings