The starting five

Russell Robinson, senior guard

Think about it, only one more season of hearing “New York, New York” when he runs onto the court. Let’s enjoy it while we can.

Mario Chalmers, junior guard

Chalmers is ready to become a leader. During preseason pick-up games, he would often volunteer to organize the teams. He said Self wants all three guards to be leaders.

Sherron Collins, sophomore guard

That’s right, three guards in the starting lineup. It’s not for sure they’ll all be starting, but Kansas coach Bill Self said Collins, Chalmers and Robinson would spend about 15 to 20 minutes together on the court.

Darrell Arthur, sophomore forward

Ask Arthur about last season, and he’ll tell you he was too much of a ball hog. This season he wants to become a better passer. He’ll need to pass if he wants to replace the loss of Julian Wright.

Sasha Kaun, senior center

Kaun had the most productive offseason of his Kansas career this summer. Self wants him to be a consistent double-digit scorer and rebounder. Oh yeah, wait ‘til you see the hair.

The sixth man

Rodrick Stewart, senior guard

Stewart has been one of the most impressive players in practice so far. He’s a perfect fit to fill in for Rush’s defense and could play power forward if the Jayhawks want to go really small.

What’s at stake?

Let’s be honest. Nothing. This is an exhibition game, an early one at that. The Jayhawks have been practicing for three weeks; there’s an entire season left to be played. Kansas will probably look a little rusty as one would expect, and it won’t matter. The real season doesn’t start until Arizona comes to town in late November.

Who to watch

Sophomore forward Darrell Arthur has been the man in practice. He missed part of the summer because of a stress fracture and has been making up for last time. In last year’s first exhibition game, Arthur scored 21 points. Expect a similar performance.

Question mark

Will the Jayhawks top 100 points?

Much of the preseason talk has centered around a high-powered offense that is at its best when the team runs. The last time Kansas scored 100 points? Nov. 23 against Chaminade in the Maui Invitational. The Jayhawks did score 99 against Washburn in their first exhibition game last year.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

Darnell Jackson

“Like I said last year after the UCLA game, we’re going to be a great team and I really mean that,” he said. “We’re going to be a great team this year. We’re going to have our ups and downs. We’re going to hit a wall somewhere during the season, and we’re going to bust through that wall and make something great happen this year.”

Bill Self

“Your stuff does look good in practice because you guard stuff the certain way, and other people guard diffrently,” he said. “You see how you react to that. Our guys will be excited to play, and it will be fun. I just want to see where we are when the lights are on. We’re not ready to play yet, but hopefully we will be in a couple weeks.”

Allen Fieldhouse will rock if: The Jayhawks walk on the court. The first game of the season is always interesting and this year has more storylines than the last few years. Who will step up for Brandon Rush? Can Sherron Collins and Darrell Arthur make the jump . How are the freshmen going to perform? Will Bill Self finally lead a team to a Final Four. Not all of these questions will be answered tonight, but this is at least a start. Basketball fans have waited for this night for almost eight months, and it’s finally here. Kansas doesn’t have to prove anything tonight. This is a game that fans can watch and enjoy without worrying about their team losing. A game players can use to gain experience and work out the jitters. A game coaches can use to try new things. Basketball is back and that’s enough to

Phog Allen will roll over in his grave if: Sorry, no possible opportunity for that tonight. This is an exhibition game. Nothing counts. It would obviously be a historic upset if Pittsburgh State defeated Kansas but that’s not going to happen. The Gorillas could keep the game close for the first few minutes, but if the Jayhawks have a terrible game, they will still win by double digits. Kansas just has too much talent. Mario Chalmers, Russell Robinson and Sherron Collins are three of the best defensive guards in the country. They’ll prevent Pittsburgh State’s guards from penetrating. And if Carlos Taylor and Keith Windom do make deep into the paint to dish the ball off to the Gorillas’ big men, it won’t matter. Pitt State’s tallest player is 6’8.” The Gorillas’ frontcourt will be hopeless against shot blockers like Sasha Kaun and Darrell Arthur.

Prediction- 105-60. Kansas will start the game with something like an 18-4 run, and Pittsburgh State will never come closer. This one is going to be a blowout.

Witherspoon Meter- Very High. B