Kansas guard Tyrel Reed takes a charge from Texas guard J'Covan Brown in the first half on Saturday, January 22, 2011 in Allen Fieldhouse.

Jesse Newell: Welcome back to the GameDay Cram Session, as Kansas is taking on Texas on Saturday afternoon in Austin, Texas.

In three games against Kansas, Texas junior guard J’Covan Brown has averaged 22.7 points per game and made more than 50 percent of his three-point shots.

Feb. 8, 2010 — 28 points, 9-for-19 FGs, 2-for-3 threes, 8-for-9 FTs.
Jan. 22, 2011 — 23 points, 6-for-10 FGs, 3-for-6 threes, 8-for-10 FTs.
March 12, 2011 — 17 points, 5-for-12 FGs, 4-for-8 threes, 3-for-4 FTs.
Totals against KU — 22.7 PPG, 20-for-41 FGs, 9-for-17 threes, 19-for-23 FTs.

Brown can shoot the Longhorns into any game against any opponent. Who else scares you on the Texas roster?

photo by: Richard Gwin

Kansas guard Tyrel Reed takes a charge from Texas guard J'Covan Brown in the first half on Saturday, January 22, 2011 in Allen Fieldhouse.

Tom Keegan: Myck Kabongo is a major talent who appears to have made recent strides in adjusting to the college game. In back-to-back road losses against Missouri and Kansas State, Kabongo averaged 13 points and made 3 of 4 three-pointers. He’s a gifted passer, and Kansas coach Bill Self called him a future pro Thursday.

JN: Kabongo is one of only two players in the Big 12 (along with Baylor’s Pierre Jackson) to give out more than a third of his team’s assists while he’s in the game. He’s also done a great job of getting to the free throw line, as he almost has as many free throws attempted (107) as field goals attempted (117) this year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTi9Myu9RZk&feature=relmfu

Still, the player I’d be most worried about is underrated senior Clint Chapman.

The 6-foot-10 center doesn’t score much (6.4 points per game) but he’s a good rebounder and a great shot-blocker. He’s one main reason the Longhorns have only allowed opponents to shoot 41 percent from two-point range this year.

Looking at Kansas, the Jayhawks’ five starters and Conner Teahan get most of the minutes. Justin Wesley (208 minutes) is seventh, Kevin Young (184) eighth, Naadir Tharpe (122) ninth. From here forward, which bench player after Teahan do you think will get the most minutes?

TK: I have a feeling Kevin Young will.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Kevin Young defends against a shot from Iowa State forward Melvin Ejim during the second half on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 at Allen Fieldhouse.

He still might not get many minutes against really physical front lines, but he’s an active rebounder and a pretty good scorer. I also think Tharpe’s minutes will increase because it seems like his confidence is bouncing back.

JN: I’d have to agree with you. Though I know Young is sometimes tough to watch defensively because of his inability to keep his man in front of him, he’s still a huge asset on the offensive end.

If you watch, there have been times when KU coach Bill Self has checked Young into the game when his team’s offense has gone stagnant. Young is a pretty good shooter, passer and rebounder for his size, so inserting him into the lineup oftentimes gives KU a nice boost. This was especially evident against Iowa State, when KU scored 50 points during Young’s 31 possessions on the floor (1.61 points per possession).

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

TK: Kansas by 6.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor dips under Baylor forward Perry Jones for a bucket during the second half on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 at Allen Fieldhouse.

This could be a tougher game than most probably think. At this point, nobody thinks Texas will win. The Longhorns have some talent and with such low expectations, the players should play loose. They’ll be fired up to take on the Jayhawks, but have the fickle fans lost interest?

JN: After a lot of debate, I’ll go with KU by two.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Jeff Withey gets a hand on a shot by Baylor forward Perry Jones.

This Texas team is much better than its 12-6 record indicates, and I believe the Longhorns could give KU some defensive problems.

To win, I think KU will have to make some threes and also find a way to get to the free throw line frequently. Neither has particularly been a strength for the Jayhawks this year.

I’ll give the slight edge to KU just because I don’t think this will be a true road atmosphere. Texas will have most of the fans, but the Jayhawks should have enough supporters there to make an impact.

OK, Tom, who’s your Hawk to Rock?

TK: Thomas Robinson.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson raises up the Fieldhouse late in the second half on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Texas has more going for it on the perimeter than the interior. The Longhorns figure to have a tough time containing Thomas.

JN: If I’m looking for someone who can hit threes and get to the free throw line on the road, I’ll take my chances with Travis Releford.

http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2012/jan/19/35341/

In KU’s three road games this season, the unflappable junior is 5-for-10 from three while averaging six free throws per game.

Also, he could play a huge role in limiting Brown, who enters as the Big 12’s leading scorer. As KU’s best perimeter defender, Releford should get an early shot at stopping the junior.

Predictions tally (through 18 games)
Tom: 14-4 record, 204 points off (11.3 points off/game)
Jesse: 17-1 record, 158 points off (8.8 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)
Average: 3.1st 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)
Average: 3.9th in Keegan ratings