Game #11: USC (6-4) at #3 Kansas (9-0)
Date/Time/TV: Saturday, December 18 at 9 a.m. pacific on ESPN (HD)
The Jayhawks
Head Coach Bill Self
The head 'Hawk inherited a Big 12 dynasty from Roy Williams, but he's done little to knock them off path. In fact, he brought a championship to Lawrence, which Williams could not do.
"Play together...share the ball...play hard...great defensively...discipline," Kevin O'Neill described the typical Bill Self coached team. "He's done a great job everywhere he's been and he's won a national title."
The Morris Twins
Kansas is led by twin big men Marcus and Markieff Morris, who combine to score 29 points per game and control the glass (15 rpg) in only 47 minutes. To make things worse, they are also proficient distance shooters, especially Marcus, who has made 10/19 from three this season.
"They are both excellent players," Kevin O'Neill said about the Philadelphia twins. "They are both capable scorers and they both play extremely hard."
Tyshawn Taylor
Jio Fontan's high school teammate is finally blossoming in his junior season. While he came out of high school as a top small forward, he reportedly considering transferring from Kansas because he was struggling so badly at times.
"He's gotten a lot better," O'Neill said. "Everybody has dreams of being this and being that early in their career, but he's a guy that's been patient and worked hard and he has gotten a lot better."
Josh Selby
The game's X-factor will be making his college debut. While he is a McDonald's All-American guard, he could either be rusty or try to do too much.
"It will be his first home game, so I'm sure their crowd will be very excited that he's coming back," O'Neill expects Selby will add to the pregame hype. "He's a guy that is probably going to be a first round draft pick."
Trojan Keys
Survive the Elements
O'Neill alluded to the raucous crowd and influenced officiating that haunts road teams at Phog Allen Fieldhouse, but what can you do? Either Alex Stepheson and/or Nikola Vucevic will likely get into foul trouble, so Garrett Jackson and Marcus Simmons will need to step up and play big.
Game Pressure
If USC can hang in for 35 minutes, the Jayhawks will likely get tight in the final five. The heavily-favored home team will feel the pressure of potentially being upset, whereas the unheralded Trojans can seize their big moment.
The Gerrity Factor
Without tape or a real scouting report, a highly ranked Tennessee team was blown away in Mike Gerrity's first game last season. While this game is on the road, Jio Fontan could have a similar effect. O'Neill's squad will benefit from Fontan's leadership, driving ability and toughness.
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Date/Time/TV: Saturday, December 18 at 9 a.m. pacific on ESPN (HD)
The JayhawksHead Coach Bill Self
The head 'Hawk inherited a Big 12 dynasty from Roy Williams, but he's done little to knock them off path. In fact, he brought a championship to Lawrence, which Williams could not do.
"Play together...share the ball...play hard...great defensively...discipline," Kevin O'Neill described the typical Bill Self coached team. "He's done a great job everywhere he's been and he's won a national title."
The Morris TwinsKansas is led by twin big men Marcus and Markieff Morris, who combine to score 29 points per game and control the glass (15 rpg) in only 47 minutes. To make things worse, they are also proficient distance shooters, especially Marcus, who has made 10/19 from three this season.
"They are both excellent players," Kevin O'Neill said about the Philadelphia twins. "They are both capable scorers and they both play extremely hard."
Tyshawn TaylorJio Fontan's high school teammate is finally blossoming in his junior season. While he came out of high school as a top small forward, he reportedly considering transferring from Kansas because he was struggling so badly at times.
"He's gotten a lot better," O'Neill said. "Everybody has dreams of being this and being that early in their career, but he's a guy that's been patient and worked hard and he has gotten a lot better."
Josh SelbyThe game's X-factor will be making his college debut. While he is a McDonald's All-American guard, he could either be rusty or try to do too much.
"It will be his first home game, so I'm sure their crowd will be very excited that he's coming back," O'Neill expects Selby will add to the pregame hype. "He's a guy that is probably going to be a first round draft pick."
Trojan Keys
Survive the Elements
O'Neill alluded to the raucous crowd and influenced officiating that haunts road teams at Phog Allen Fieldhouse, but what can you do? Either Alex Stepheson and/or Nikola Vucevic will likely get into foul trouble, so Garrett Jackson and Marcus Simmons will need to step up and play big.
Game Pressure
If USC can hang in for 35 minutes, the Jayhawks will likely get tight in the final five. The heavily-favored home team will feel the pressure of potentially being upset, whereas the unheralded Trojans can seize their big moment.
The Gerrity Factor
Without tape or a real scouting report, a highly ranked Tennessee team was blown away in Mike Gerrity's first game last season. While this game is on the road, Jio Fontan could have a similar effect. O'Neill's squad will benefit from Fontan's leadership, driving ability and toughness.
Kansas beat USC in 2006 and '07.
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