photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas center Jeff Withey gets up to block a shot by Texas Tech forward Jaye Crockett during the first half Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, at United Spirit Arena.

Jesse Newell: Welcome back to the GameDay Cram Session, as Kansas is taking on Texas Tech on Saturday night at Allen Fieldhouse.

Tom, what are you going to focus on to make this game interesting?

Tom Keegan: I’m going to keep track of the longest scoring droughts for Texas Tech.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas center Jeff Withey gets up to block a shot by Texas Tech forward Jaye Crockett during the first half Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, at United Spirit Arena.

When the best defensive team in the conference plays at home in a game against the worst offensive team, long scoring droughts are bound to happen. Why not keep track of them? I’ll set the over-under on the longest scoring drought at 6:17.

Also, if this one goes as expected, we might all get a long look at freshman guard Naadir Tharpe and draw conclusions on whether he still can help Kansas this season.

JN: A couple other things to look for with Tech’s offense: One, will the Red Raiders score 50 points? They scored 46 against KU at home and put up only 12 points in the second half of a 47-38 loss to Texas A&M on Tuesday.

photo by: Nick Krug

The Jayhawks and Red Raiders chase a rebound during the first half Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, at United Spirit Arena.

Also, just how many free throws will Tech be able to muster? The Red Raiders had only two free throw attempts against the Aggies on Tuesday and have just 14 free throw attempts in their last two games combined.

Tom, during the last KU-TTU game, Tech’s Terran Petteway threw and landed a punch on Conner Teahan’s jaw. Do you look for Teahan to retaliate, and given how he didn’t go down when Petteway hit him, do you think Teahan could pursue boxing after he’s done playing basketball?

photo by: Mike Yoder

Connor Teahan (2) gets blocked by Baylor's Cory Jefferson (34) and Anthony Jones (41) in the first half of the Jayhawks' game against the Bears.

TK: No and no. I could see him playing a boxer in the movies though.

JN: From what I’ve seen after each home game in the KU men’s basketball autograph lines, Teahan already is getting Zac Efron-like attention around Lawrence.

There have been times, after he comes out of the locker room doors, that I’ve heard squeals. From what I’ve seen, he’s also the most-requested player to get a cell-phone picture taken with, and he’s also been very patient when a group of young females each want to get their own snapshot with him.

We’ve also seen just a glimpse of Teahan’s ability to act with the video below, so who knows?

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

TK: Kansas by 28.

photo by: Nick Krug

The Jayhawks and Red Raiders wait for Travis Releford's (24) shot to drop during the second half Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, at United Spirit Arena.

Jayhawks are taking a lot of pride in their defense and Tech has a difficult enough time scoring no matter the opponent.

JN: I’ll take KU by 31.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Travis Releford defends Kansas State guard Angel Rodriguez during the first half on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012 at Bramlage Coliseum.

Texas Tech is the sixth-worst team nationally in turnover percentage, which is a scary statistic for a team entering Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks should turn those mistakes into quick points on the other end.

OK, Tom, who’s your Hawk to Rock?

TK: Thomas Robinson is coming off a rough game in Manhattan and you can’t keep a man that good down for long.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson delivers a dunk before Kansas State players Thomas Gipson (42) and Jamar Samuels (32) during the second half on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012 at Bramlage Coliseum.

JN: Just a gut feeling again, but I’m thinking Kevin Young in this one.

In the teams’ first matchup, KU outscored Tech, 47-23, during Young’s 21 minutes on the floor.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Kevin Young elevates for a dunk on the Texas Tech defense late in the first half Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, at United Spirit Arena.

The Red Raiders don’t have a lot of size or bulk in the post, making this a good matchup for Young. He also should get extended minutes with the game not in question, so don’t be surprised if you see a 10-point, six-rebound, three-steal kind of line from the junior.

Predictions tally (through 26 games)
Tom: 20-6 record, 254 points off (9.8 points off/game)
Jesse: 23-3 record, 220 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)
Texas Tech: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Iowa State: Elijah Johnson (4th in Keegan ratings)
Baylor: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Texas: Thomas Robinson (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Texas A&M: Thomas Robinson (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Iowa State: Tyshawn Taylor (1st in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Missouri: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Baylor: Thomas Robinson (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma State: Thomas Robinson (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Kansas State: Tyshawn Taylor (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Average: 2.8th 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)
Texas Tech: Travis Releford (2nd in Keegan ratings
Iowa State: Thomas Robinson (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Baylor: Kevin Young (9th in Keegan ratings)
Texas: Travis Releford (5th in Keegan ratings)
Texas A&M: Tyshawn Taylor (1st in Keegan ratings)
Iowa State: Jeff Withey (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma: Conner Teahan (6th in Keegan ratings)
Missouri: Kevin Young (8th in Keegan ratings)
Baylor: Jeff Withey (1st in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma State: Tyshawn Taylor (4th in Keegan ratings)
Kansas State: Travis Releford (4th in Keegan ratings)
Average: 3.9th in Keegan ratings