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Kansas squeaks out a 68-62 victory at Nebraska

By Taylor Bern

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

KANSAS 57, NEBRASKA 51

3:59 left in the second half

The Jayhawks went on a 9-3 run to move in front of the Huskers and actually open up a decent lead.

Kansas led by as much as seven and still holds a six point advantage, thanks mostly to a couple of three-pointers from Tyrel Reed. Those shots sparked the Jayhawks, who widened the margin at the free throw line.

The Jayhawks simply need to run the shot clock down and take decent shots to win this one. Nebraska will try a couple of threes, but its hit just 2-of-11 in the second half. It will likely come down the the Jays hitting some free throws.

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Men's Basketball vs. Nebraska

A photo gallery of the men's basketball game against Nebraska.

KANSAS 51, NEBRASKA 50

5:59 left in the second half

The games gets more ugly by the minute, and that's great news for Nebraska.

The scrappy and undersized Huskers need this type of slow-down, duke-it-out contest to compete with Kansas. It's gone so well that they're not competing with the Jays, but out-playing them in most areas of the game.

Aldrich has started to emerge and Collins is still solid, but Nebraska's Ade Dagunduro is tearing up Kansas' defense like tissue. Mario Little simply can't keep up with him.

KANSAS 40, NEBRASKA 40

11:21 left in the second half

This game has slowed to a halt and I'm starting to wonder if either team will reach 60 points.

Kansas drew even with a Markieff Morris free throw, and since then neither team has scored. Turnovers have plagued both squads in the last couple of minutes and it's making this one hard to watch.

Here's hoping that somebody remembers how to shoot in the immediate future.

NEBRASKA 34, KANSAS 29

Halftime

I said before the game that Nebraska would need to create plenty of turnovers — at least 20 — to contend in this one. At halftime the Huskers have already forced 13 giveaways, which is the main reason that they hold a five point advantage at halftime.

Both teams are shooting the ball well, but the Huskers' swarming defense has created a few more opportunities than the Jays. Nebraska shot 15-of-30 while Kansas was 11-for-19.

Sherron Collins didn't take over the first half like he usually does, but Brady Morningstar was there to pick up the slack with nine first-half points. Aldrich couldn't handle Nebraska's trapping defense. The big man attempted just one shot in the opening frame.

Look for some quick three-point attempts from Nebraska to start the second half. The Huskers shot decent from beyond the arc in the first and they'd love to step on the Jays throat a little bit with a couple of three-bombs.

NEBRASKA 26, KANSAS 16

7:48 left in the first half

Nebraska hasn't backed off too much, but Sherron Collins has decided to shoot the ball more and it's making the Cornhuskers a little uneasy.

Collins does this often, just flip a switch and start hitting absolutely everything he attempts. He also starting jawing with Sek Henry after drilling a pull-up three from the top of the key.

It seems all-too-familiar, but Collins is going to have to keep Kansas in the game until the rest of the guys wake up in the second half.

NEBRASKA 17, KANSAS 9

11:56 left in the first half

Nebraska is out-hustling Kansas and that's been the difference so far. The Cornhuskers are getting after loose balls and scoring on breakaway layups while the Jays look like they're stuck in neutral.

As he predicted, Mario Little missed a shot to end his streak of 11 consecutive made field goals. Now he can't seem to hit the baseline jumper, which was his trademark.

Kansas may not need him, though, because Collins has only attempted two shots and that can't last much longer.

NEBRASKA 11, KANSAS 6

14:32 left in the first half

Nebraska couldn't have asked for a much better start tonight.

The Cornhuskers stormed out to a 6-0 start with breakaway layups and an impressive trapping defense. It's already affected Aldrich much more than I thought it would.

After Kansas responded with a mini-run, Nebraska started hitting jump shots, too, which will be crucial in terms of staying with the taller and more athletic Jays.

The best thing for Nebraska is that the fans are completely into the game now, and that adrenaline can carry it for a long time.

6:25 p.m.

I feel like I'm just regurgitating the same prediction over and over, but these last four games have all been against mediocre conference opponents who look basically the same on paper.

Plus, I haven't been too far off on them so why screw up a good thing.

The Cornhuskers are great at forcing turnovers and they're a decent three-point shooting. That's the way they have to play this game. Sloppy with a lot of threes.

That may keep them in it for awhile, but there's no way that whatever junk defense they throw will slow down Aldrich for too long. He'll either dominate in the paint or kick out to Collins for open looks, and that guy won't miss too many of them.

Mark me down for a 68-59 Kansas victory. I'd like to see something a little better than that, but don't count on it.

6:15 p.m.

Afternoon class kept us in Lawrence until late this afternoon, so this is an abbreviated pregame for tonight's contest.

That's probably still more than it deserves, considering everyone that I've talked to can't find one reason to get excited about this game.

Nebraska is incredibly short and Kansas center Cole Aldrich could break out for a career game as a result. Either that, or he'll end up with a bunch of assists while Tyshawn Taylor and Sherron Collins drill all the shots.

Either way, don't expect much great theater tonight. It should be another ugly, low-highlighted Big 12 North game.

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