Jayhawks Smear Volunteers

By Case Keefer

Saturday, January 3, 2009

So this is why Kansas coach Bill Self called the season “Sherron’s Show” before it began.

Collins had already starred in most of Kansas’ 12 games with averages of 17 points and five assists before Saturday. But the junior guard put together his best performance of the season – and he says his career – in a 92-85 victory against Tennessee.

Collins scored a career-high 26 points, tied a season-high with five rebounds and added nine assists. He stormed the Jayhawks out to a 14-point lead early and held the Volunteers off when they cut the deficit to seven late.

“I didn’t even get that much sleep last night,” Collins said. “And I came out more energized than I’ve ever been in a game. That’s how bad I wanted this game.”

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Men's Basketball vs. Tennessee

The Jayhawks beat out the Tennessee Volunteers Saturday in Allen Fieldhouse.

Collins tossed and turned in his bed at Jayhawker Towers last night. He kept thinking of the opportunity Kansas (10-3) had to beat a ranked opponent and re-establish itself after losing two of its last four games.

Collins didn’t need to worry at all once the game began. The result was never in doubt. Collins scored seven points in the opening six minutes of the game as Kansas glided to a 25-9 advantage. Sophomore center Cole Aldrich scored six points in the opening sequence, including a put-back slam and an alley-oop dunk.

“I just try to go up and just rip the rim down whenever I can,” Aldrich said.

So this is why Self anointed Aldrich as Collins’ sidekick before the season began. Aldrich came one point away from setting a career-high with 22 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and tied a career-high with six blocks.

Behind Collins and Aldrich, the rest of the Jayhawks simply served as complements. Sophomore guards Brady Morningstar and Tyrel Reed combined to make five three-pointers. A team defensive effort held Tennessee’s vaunted frontcourt of Tyler Smith and Wayne Chism to 28 points in the paint.

Aldrich said his teammates turned to him because the game’s intensity resembled some of last year’s showdowns en route to the national championship.

“Sherron and I kind of have confidence from being in those games last year,” Aldrich said. “They have confidence in us that we’ll lead them in the right way.”

And the Jayhawks may have a third leader to look toward for the rest of the season. Junior guard Mario Little, the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year, played for the first time this season after battling a broken left hand and a stress fracture in his left leg.

With a bandaged hand and leg, Little played 10 minutes and recorded five rebounds and two assists. Little could be one of the Jayhawks’ main threats when he fully recovers, but went 0-for-3 from the field Saturday.

“I was a little disappointed I didn’t score,” Little said. “I was itching and really, really wanted to score at least one basket.”

But the Jayhawks were fine without any points from Little. Even when the situation looked dire.

Tennessee went on an 8-0 run with five minutes remaining in the game behind a valiant effort from Smith, a junior forward and All-American candidate. Smith, who finished with 21 points and nine rebounds, made two free throws and added assist moments later to cut the lead to 77-70 – Tennessee’s smallest deficit since four minutes into the game.

After a timeout, Collins and Aldrich responded promptly. Aldrich dunked two more balls and Collins got to the free-throw line twice. He converted all four free throws to make the score 85-73 and shelve the Volunteer comeback attempt.

“We really didn’t have an answer for Collins,” Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said. “Collins did whatever he wanted out there.”

In the middle of the first half, Collins stole the ball below Tennessee’s basket and took it all the way back to the other end for a layup. Collins made 10 free-throws in the second half, which was the most for a Jayhawk since Wayne Simien did it in February 2005 against Colorado. Tennessee point guard Bobby Maze fouled out trying to guard Collins.

So this is what Self expected out of Collins from the beginning.

“This is the way it is with most teams in the country,” Self said. “The best guy has got to play.”

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