Billy Gillispie speaks to the media in this 2007 file photo.

Jesse Newell: Welcome back to the GameDay Cram Session, as Kansas is taking on Texas Tech on Wednesday night in Lubbock, Texas.

Tom, do you think Billy Gillispie can change the culture of Texas Tech and in turn change the Big 12, making it even tougher?

Billy Gillispie speaks to the media in this 2007 file photo.

Tom Keegan: I think he already has in this sense: After he got hired, Mark Turgeon went to Maryland. Maybe it was a coincidence, but maybe not. Put yourself in Turgeon’s position. You’re sitting in College Station and you’re looking at competing against the Texas brand, against Gillispie, a relentless recruiter, against Scott Drew, another outstanding recruiter, and you haven’t even gotten out of the state of Texas, where the heavyweight champion resides, in Lawrence. Then you’re looking at an always competitive Kansas State. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are down now, but you can’t trust that staying that way. Gillispie just might have been the last straw to send Turgeon to the ACC, which has two super powers at the top, but isn’t as strong top-to-bottom.

JN: Interesting thoughts on Turgeon. Never had thought that the two moves might be related … though as hard as Turgeon took losses to KU, that could have been part of the reason he wanted to get away from the Big 12 as well.

photo by: Nick Krug

Former Kansas guard and Texas A&M head coach Mark Turgeon plays with his tie late in the second half on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

A frustrated Mark Turgeon sighs after a Jayhawk bucket during the first half.

One challenge that Gillispie will have is drawing recruits to the west part of Texas. Tom, why don’t you enjoy going to Lubbock?

TK: Because it’s too flat and when I go to places that are too flat I start to think that maybe the world really is flat. Who’s to say Galileo wasn’t just a great B.S. artist? And if you start not trusting that the world is round, what can you trust?

Monsignor Gianfranco Ravasi looks on near a portrait of Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei, part of the “Galilei Divin Uomo” (Galilei Divine Man) exhibit, in the Santa Maria degli Angeli Basilica in Rome in this Feb. 15, 2009, file photo.

JN: Ha. First the Turgeon conspiracy, now this. I don’t know what to believe any more.

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

TK: Kansas by nine.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson gets caught in midair by an official while celebrating a Jayhawk run against Oklahoma with teammate Tyshawn Taylor during the second half Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at Lloyd Noble Center. At left is KU forward Kevin Young.

The building tends to bring out the worst in Kansas, which is accustomed to more exciting atmospheres.

JN: I’ll go with KU by 17.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas center Jeff Withey blocks Oklahoma forward Andrew Fitzgerald's shot during the second half Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at Lloyd Noble Center.

This Texas Tech team has many flaws — the biggest of which are turnovers and being foul prone.

Not only are the Red Raiders averaging 17 turnovers per game, they’re also allowing their opponents to shoot 27 free throws per game.

KU coach Bill Self talked earlier this week about how the Jayhawks have played with better hands defensively as of late, which has led to deflections and also an increase in steals.

If the Jayhawks keep up the defensive pressure they’ve had in their last five games, they shouldn’t have any problem taking care of the Red Raiders.

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

TK: Thomas Robinson is determined to show he’s the best player in the country.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson puts a finger to his lips during a Jayhawk run against Oklahoma in the second half Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at Lloyd Noble Center.

He’s been pretty darn consistent.

JN: My perfect Hawk to Rock against Texas Tech would be a guy that plays good defense, has the ability to get a lot of steals, has the ability to score in transition and also has the ability to get to the free throw line.

Sounds a lot like Travis Releford, doesn’t it?

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Travis Releford tangles with Oklahoma forward Romero Osby for a loose ball during the second half Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at Lloyd Noble Center. At right is Oklahoma guard Cameron Clark.

Of course, Releford’s primary focus will be defense, where he’ll most likely get matched up on Texas Tech’s best player, 6-foot-7 forward Jordan Tolbert.

Though Tolbert is a great shooter and a skilled driver, he’s had problems with turnovers this year. I could see Releford coming away with a handful of steals while continuing to provide KU a solid offensive weapon in transition.

Predictions tally (through 15 games)
Tom: 12-3 record, 158 points off (10.5 points off/game)
Jesse: 14-1 record, 128 points off (8.5 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)
FAU: Jeff Withey (4th in Keegan ratings)
South Florida: Tyshawn Taylor (1st in Keegan ratings)
Long Beach State: Elijah Johnson (7th in Keegan ratings)
Ohio State: Thomas Robinson (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Davidson: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
USC: Jeff Withey (4th in Keegan ratings)
Howard: Kevin Young (4th in Keegan ratings)
North Dakota: Elijah Johnson (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Kansas State: Tyshawn Taylor (5th in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma: Tyshawn Taylor (4th in Keegan ratings)
Average: 3.3rd 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)
FAU: Tyshawn Taylor (7th in Keegan ratings)
South Florida: Elijah Johnson (6th in Keegan ratings)
Long Beach State: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Ohio State: Travis Releford (5th in Keegan ratings)
Davidson: Jeff Withey (5th in Keegan ratings)
USC: Elijah Johnson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Howard: Tyshawn Taylor (1st in Keegan ratings)
North Dakota: Conner Teahan (5th in Keegan ratings)
Kansas State: Travis Releford (1st in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma: Elijah Johnson (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Average: 3.7th in Keegan ratings