Kansas City's own Travis Releford is already having a big impact on the Kansas Jayhawks. After scoring 23 points in the Jayhawks' 73-59 win over Saint Louis to win the CBS Hall of Fame Classic, Releford was named the event's MVP on Tuesday night in Kansas City.

Releford told the Lawrence Journal-World that he was "excited":

"My teammates supported me throughout the struggles before I got here. I think it means a lot for my family and the city."

Saint Louis actually played off of Releford in the first half as the 6-foot-6 senior had been struggling up until Monday's 78-41 win over Washington State, in which he hit six of seven shots. Releford responded to the Billkens' strategy by scoring 21 first-half points. He said he felt disprected:

"I'm a player. Any player who is defended that way should feel disrespected. They played off. My teammates and coaches continued to tell me to shoot it. That's what I did."

Kansas (4-1) turns its attention to San Jose State for their Monday-night game at 8 p.m. CT.