College basketball’s top three are also big on barbecue

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Memphis has the best chance of remaining undefeated playing in the weaker Conference USA, but the Tigers played a challenging nonleague schedule and own arguably the best victory of the three, a 14-point triumph over Georgetown.

Kansas has been the team turning heads lately. Wing Brandon Rush was challenged to become more aggressive by coach Bill Self and responded with two of his better offensive games.

Looking for weaknesses? The Tar Heels aren’t playing defense as well as coach Roy Williams would like.

As good as Memphis was in nonconference play, coach John Calipari must keep the Tigers sharp through a league slate that won’t be as challenging. The Tigers lost one conference game in the previous two years and didn’t reach the Final Four.

Self wondered Thursday how his team would respond to the pressure of a perfect record, and whether that could help players who haven’t been to a Final Four become mentally tougher.

But the Jayhawks are a talented team with plenty of choices, which strikes the right chord for connoisseurs of ribs and rims.

“Kansas City is the melting pot, it’s where it all comes together,” said Early of North Carolina. “But we have the best.”

Of?

“Both.”

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To reach Blair Kerkhoff, college sports reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4730 or send e-mail to bkerkhoff@kcstar.com