SB Nation Kansas City - Win Over Oklahoma Means Kansas Sits Tied Atop The Big 12 Standings With Texashttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2011-02-26T17:17:48-06:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17794972011-02-26T17:17:48-06:002011-02-26T17:17:48-06:00Win Over Oklahoma Means Kansas Sits Tied Atop The Big 12 Standings With Texas
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<p>The Kansas trip to Norman was expected to provide a fairly easy victory and the Jayhawks didn’t disappoint. From the start Kansas once again looked like one of the best offensive teams in the country shooting 72% in the first half while taking a 12 point lead over the home team.<br>
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While that hot shooting would inevitably level off, Kansas kept their lead in double digits for nearly the entire game and were never truly threatened.</p>
<p>The interesting thing about a game like this is that it does mask a little bit of what Bill Self is worried about with this team come March. When you have a group running away from teams because of their offensive efficiency, it tends to go unnoticed if that same group is showing deficiencies on the defensive end.</p>
<p>While Kansas had little trouble with Oklahoma, there were defensive lapses at times in this one and a better opponent might have made Kansas pay on a more consistent basis. As it stood Oklahoma kept it from being a complete blowout but they were never able to close within striking distance. Perhaps it’s hyper critical, but defensive focus and intensity is one area that Self has been stressing all season long.</p>
<p>Nitpicking aside, it was another very good performance for Kansas. Kansas wins by a final score of 82 to 70. The Jayhawks were led by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52448/marcus-morris">Marcus Morris</a> who scored 23 points while grabbing 9 rebounds. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52447/markieff-morris">Markieff Morris</a> also had a big game adding 19 points and 10 boards for the Jayhawks.</p>
<p>All this of course is set to the backdrop of some other notable news. That news being the loss by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/texas-longhorns">Texas Longhorns</a>. The Jayhawks now sit tied atop the Big 12 standings with two games to play. What that means is Kansas is in full control of their own destiny in winning a seventh consecutive league championship. Texas A&M and Missouri will try to derail that mission.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-jayhawks/2011/2/26/2017554/win-over-oklahoma-means-kansas-sits-tied-atop-the-big-12-standingsOwen RCT2011-02-26T15:57:56-06:002011-02-26T15:57:56-06:00Kansas Leads Oklahoma 45-33 After A Red Hot First Half
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<p>Kansas jumped out early on Oklahoma in Norman and has yet to look back. The Jayhawks shot 72% from the field in the first half converting on 18 of 25 shots including 6 of 11 from the three point line. Do the math and it becomes apparent that the Jayhawks are 18 from 20 from inside the arc.</p>
<p>As usual such an efficient performance starts with the Morris twins. Marcus and Markieff have a combined 20 points on 8 of 10 shooting from the field. Looking further down the bench the Jayhawks don’t have a single player shooting below 50% from the field at halftime.</p>
<p>Oklahoma certainly wasn’t expected to pull a shocking upset against Kansas, but when the Jayhawk offense is rolling like this, they will be hard for anyone to beat.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-jayhawks/2011/2/26/2017410/Kansas-Red-Hot-On-Offense-And-Leading-Oklahoma-45-33-At-HalfOwen RCT2011-02-25T15:00:44-06:002011-02-25T15:00:44-06:00Kansas Still Shorthanded Against Oklahoma
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<p>As Kansas prepares for Saturday's game against Oklahoma, the road trip presents just another game without a Jayhawk team at full strength. As expected head coach Bill Self announced that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52446/tyshawn-taylor">Tyshawn Taylor</a> would remain suspended for the game in Norman meaning that at best Kansas will have two regular season games to work Taylor back into the rotation.</p>
<p>Fortunately for Kansas it hasn't been a major factor. Despite time missed by seven players due to either suspension or injury, the Jayhawks have always seemed to have someone there prepared to step up as the Jayhawks have managed a 26-2 record through 28 games. That's a luxury most teams don't have and Self knows it.</p>
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<p>We still don't have everybody playing their best. If you go through and look at who has had great individual seasons, there are only four guys that have had great seasons - Marcus and <a href="http://www.kuathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/morris_markieff00.html">Markieff Morris</a>, Brady and Tyrel.<br><br>I would say the thing I've learned the most is that we can absorb things when things aren't going well on the court, which is a positive for any team."</p>
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<p>The ability for players like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52449/mario-little">Mario Little</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52450/travis-releford">Travis Releford</a> and now <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99947/elijah-johnson">Elijah Johnson</a> to step up has been a huge lift for Kansas. Come March, that depth could potentially help Kansas make a very deep run in the tournament. Still Kansas needs to be at 100% with those players most important to them and that includes a player like Taylor. For senior guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/25972/tyrel-reed">Tyrel Reed</a> having the team back at full strength is something he is very much looking forward to.</p>
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<p>"It will be nice when we can get everyone out there. We've dealt with injuries and some tragedies, but when we get all the guys out there it will be fun. Until then, we'll have to do the best we can with the guys that are out there playing."</p>
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<p>At the same time Reed, like Self is confident that Kansas can go into any matchup with whoever Kansas has at their disposal and be effective.</p>
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<p>I think we've got good guys regardless of whoever is on the court. I think guys can contribute no matter who they are. I think it's a testament of how close we are as a team and how good of a job our coaches do of getting us ready to play."</p>
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<p>While Saturday's matchup against Oklahoma should be a fairly manageable one for the Jayhawks, the final two games against Texas A&M and at Missouri are two games where having the full disposal of players could be key. Not just for winning those games and giving Kansas a chance at a league title, but also to provide an opportunity to build that little bit of team chemistry with everyone back on the court.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2011/2/25/2330404/kansas-still-shorthanded-against-oklahomaOwen RCT