Originally published January 13, 2008 at 12:43 a.m., updated January 13, 2008 at 12:43 a.m.
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Through 15 non-conference games the Kansas Jayhawks had handled every single test. Kansas ran roughshod over every cupcake, gritted out victories against Arizona, USC and Georgia Tech, and played near perfection in an 85-60 thumping of Boston College. But going on the road in the Big 12 is a little bit different than playing a mid-major inside Allen Fieldhouse. The opposing crowd is a little more hostile, the defensive pressure is a little tighter, and the ESPN lights are a little brighter.
Kansas had a ready-made solution to cope with the increased pressure of the Big 12 conference on Saturday against Nebraska. Just lean on its experience – and Kansas has plenty of that. Kansas’ junior and senior-led nucleus fully understands playing on the road in the Big 12. Kansas finished 14-2 in the Big 12 last season and won its third straight Big 12 regular season title.
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Kansas Basketball vs. Nebraska
Photo gallery of Kansas men's basketball conference opener against Nebraska.
“We’re focused a little bit better, we know when the conference [season] starts the intensity is a little turned up.” Sasha Kaun said. “Most of the guys are on the same page.”
That experience might have helped in the first half when Kansas shouldered two early runs from an improved Nebraska team. After Kansas jumped out to a 10-2 lead, the Cornhuskers cut the deficit to 14-10. Then with Kansas leading 23-13, Nebraska went on a 7-0 run to cut the Jayhawks’ lead to 23-20. But again, the Jayhawks responded. With two consecutive threes from Mario Chalmers and Brandon Rush, Kansas took a 29-20 lead and Nebraska never go closer than five points.
“We all know the how the Big 12 is. We’re used to it,” senior guard Russell Robinson said. “It was definitely a nice environment.”
And by grabbing the victory, the Jayhawks did something two other Big 12 teams were not able to do on Saturday. They avoided an upset. On a Saturday when all 12 conference teams were in action, the league saw two surprising upsets, as Missouri defeated Texas in Columbia, Mo., and Kansas State beat Oklahoma in Norman, Okla.
So it was no surprise that Self was relieved to pick up a cherished conference road victory.
“Anytime you win on the road it’s good,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “I thought the crowd was great, especially in the first half when they got on their run. I thought they were really great and really helped their team. It was a good win because we experienced a lot things we are going to experience down the road,”
Now the third ranked Jayhawks’ focus shifts to Monday – as in Big Monday. The ESPN cameras will be back on as the Jayhawks will have deal with an Oklahoma team trying to make up for its home loss to K-State.
The two day turnaround may seem quick, but Self isn’t worried.
The scouting on Oklahoma is done, and after the Jayhawks long drive back to Lawrence on Saturday night, Self said the Jayhawks should be refocused by Sunday afternoon.
Robinson agreed.
“We’re going to refocus. The fans will get us ready for that one, and we’ll get our selves ready as well,” Robinson said.
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