Three-minute preview: Kansas men’s basketball at Oklahoma
No. 9 Kansas at No. 15 Oklahoma
P | No. | Kansas | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 31 | Jamari Traylor | 6-8 | Jr. | 4.7 |
F | 33 | Landen Lucas | 6-10 | So. | 2.6 |
G | 12 | Kelly Oubre | 6-7 | Fr. | 8.9 |
G | 1 | Wayne Selden | 6-5 | So. | 9.4 |
G | 0 | Frank Mason | 5-11 | So. | 12.4 |
P | No. | Oklahoma | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 00 | Ryan Spangler | 6-8 | Jr. | 10.3 |
F | 35 | TaShawn Thomas | 6-8 | Sr. | 11.0 |
G | 10 | Jordan Woodard | 6-0 | So. | 9.1 |
G | 11 | Isaiah Cousins | 6-4 | Jr. | 12.0 |
G | 24 | Buddy Hield | 6-4 | Jr. | 17.3 |
▪ WHEN/WHERE: 3 p.m. Saturday at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla.
▪ TV/RADIO: ESPN; KCSP (610 AM)
▪ ABOUT KANSAS (24-6, 13-4 Big 12): One question: What has happened to Kansas’ three-point shooting? After leading the Big 12 in three-point percentage for much of the year, the Jayhawks are just three for 36 from long distance in their last three games, including zero of 15 in Tuesday’s victory over West Virginia. Sophomores Wayne Selden and Brannen Greene have combined to miss their last 20 three-point attempts. On Thursday, Kansas freshman guard Devonte’ Graham said the Jayhawks weren’t fazed by the cold streak. “Shots are gonna fall,” Graham said. With Perry Ellis out on Saturday, the Jayhawks likely will need to make some outside shots to keep pace with Oklahoma. The Jayhawks shot 10 of 19 from three in their victory over the Sooners at Allen Fieldhouse. The three could also prove pivotal as Kansas attempts to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Win or lose, the Jayhawks will enter next week’s Big 12 Tournament at the Sprint Center as the No. 1 seed. Kansas has a bye to a quarterfinal at 1:30 p.m. Thursday against the winner of a Wednesday night game between the Nos. 8 and 9 seeds.
▪ ABOUT OKLAHOMA (20-9, 11-6 Big 12): Oklahoma junior guard Buddy Hield is a leading candidate for Big 12 player of the year, averaging a league-high 18.5 points per game during conference play. Hield’s main rival for the honor could be Kansas’ Ellis, who will miss Saturday’s game because of a knee sprain. Kansas is the only current or former Big 12 team to hold an all-time winning record against Oklahoma. In the teams’ first meeting in Lawrence, the Sooners erased a 51-32 halftime deficit and built a 69-65 lead with 4:56 remaining before falling 85-78. With a victory, Oklahoma will be the No. 2 or 3 seed in next week’s Big 12 Tournament. With a loss, the Sooners will be the No. 3 or 4 seed. Oklahoma is 13-1 at home this season, with the lone loss coming against K-State. Oklahoma on Saturday will be honoring its three seniors — D.J. Bennett, James Fraschilla and TaShawn Thomas. Fraschilla is the son of ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla, who will be on the call on Saturday.
To reach Rustin Dodd, call 816-234-4937 or send email to rdodd@kcstar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @rustindodd.
This story was originally published March 6, 2015 at 11:32 AM with the headline "Three-minute preview: Kansas men’s basketball at Oklahoma."