Ottawa 39, USA 31. That’s the halftime score from the Scotiabank Place.

Not Team U.S.A. – unfortunately Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant didn’t make it - just USA. You know, the University of South Alabama. The Jaguars already lost a game to a Canadian team earlier today and it looks like they might make it two.

Kansas plays Ottawa tomorrow night. Ottawa vs. South Alabama is kind of the opening act for the main event this evening – Kansas vs. Carleton.

Carleton had won five straight Canadian national championships until last season when it was upset. Kansas, of course, is the reigning NCAA Champions. So, tonight will be a rare match-up between powers from different countries.

The Jayhawks could easily lose to the Ravens if they play like they did earlier today. Kansas slipped past McGill University, 72-67, in the first game of today’s double-header.

To put it into perspective, McGill went 15-16 last season. Going from McGill to Carleton is like the American equivalent of going from Jackson State to Memphis.

But don’t think the Jayhawks are doomed just yet. There are a few reasons to expect a better performance from Kansas tonight. Let’s list them below:

1) Nerves. No matter what freshman such as Tyshawn Taylor and Travis Releford say, they were nervous in the first game against McGill. Bill Self saw it. Cole Aldrich saw it. Everyone saw it. Once the freshman took a breath and slowed down, their undeniable talent showed. With one game down, the new Jayhawks shouldn’t worry about the pressure that comes with donning an official Kansas jersey.

2) Tyshawn Taylor and Mario Little. Taylor and Little continue to be the newcomers Self speaks the most highly of. They both started in the afternoon, but Self didn’t think they played up to their potential. Taylor scored 18 and was arguably the most effective Jayhawk. Self said, however, he’d be better tonight. Little had trouble but Self wasn’t worried about it. He just said Little had an off-day. Maybe he’ll have an on-night.

3) Motivation. Not to be rude, but McGill isn’t regarded as a great basketball team and the Montpetit Center was basically a YMCA gym. A few thousand people will fill the inside of the Scotiabank Place as opposed to a few hundred this afternoon. Carleton is going in with the mindset that it will beat Kansas. McGill probably was not. All things considered, the nightcap has a lot more reasons to be excited.

4) Sherron Collins. If Collins plays on this trip, it will be tonight. That’s what Bill Self said. And after this morning’s poor performance, Self should feel like he needs Collins on the court. Plus, he’s on the cover of tonight’s program. Most of the Canadian fans came to see the defending NCAA champions and Collins is the only recognizable face from the team. It’s doubtful but Self might feel like he’s obligated it to unleash the most famous Jayhawk.

A few more notes:

-While Canadian players are on the bench, they cheer and chant during important situations. It’s kind of freaking me out. Not that there’s anything wrong with it – I’m just not used to it. It reminds me of a softball game in America. The players on Ottawa’s bench just started chanting “Defense!” and McGill did something similar a couple times this afternoon.

-An actual conversation I had about 15 minutes ago:

Scotiabank Place event coordinator (or some similar title): You’re the halftime MC, right?

Me: No…

Event Coordinator: Oh, sorry. I thought you were.

Me: No, but I’ll gladly fill in if you’re looking for someone.

She gave me a half-laugh that was so forced, she might as well have called me an idiot. Oh well. The halftime show turned out to be some bizarre game where a participant tried to shoot a basketball into a giant milk-carton while a mascot dressed as a cow ran across the court. Maybe I didn’t want anything to do with it after all.