Sure, it was only an exhibition game against a Division II team. And, sure, a long and difficult schedule awaits Kansas down the road.

But even with those other factors in mind, the Jayhawks still looked every bit as good as a preseason No. 1 ranking dictates.

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Kansas Basketball vs. Pittsburg State

A gallery of the Jayhawks 103-45 win against Pittsburg State Tuesday night at Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas rolled, cruised and simply dominated Pittsburg State in a 103-45 victory Tuesday night.

Exhibition games are usually nothing more than a glorified scrimmage, serving as a final tune-up before the start of the season. Putting much stock in those games is similar to buying stock in a failing company.

Still, it’s hard to deny that Kansas was visually impressive, regardless of the scenario surrounding the game.

Freshman forward Thomas Robinson led Kansas with 17 points, while Marcus Morris added 14 points and Sherron Collins chipped in 13.

As expected, the Jayhawks made quick work in this one.

In jumping out to a 55-21 halftime lead, the Jayhawks played lockdown, turnover-forcing defense. They looked quick and athletic in transition.

And they had more than a few highlight-worthy moments in the first 20 minutes.

With 15:34 left in the half, freshman guard Xavier Henry stole a pass at half court before darting the other way for a powerful one-handed dunk that had the student section jumping up and down.

Then, late in the first half, sophomore guard Tyshawn Taylor left a pass for a trailing Marcus Morris, who threw down a one-handed dunk over a helpless Pittsburg State defense.

On the final play of the half, freshman guard Elijah Johnson sliced through the lane and left a pass for senior center Cole Aldrich, who finished the play with a two-handed dunk.

It was that type of night for the Jayhawks.

Kansas’ offense – and the abovementioned plays – drew the loudest cheers of the night. But the defense was equally as productive.

The Jayhawks recorded 10 first-half steals, forced 18 turnovers and converted those turnovers into 22 points.

Robinson also led Kansas in the first half with 10 points, while Marcus Morris and Aldrich each chipped in eight points before intermission.

Play of the game:

Late in the first half, sophomore guard Tyshawn Taylor left a pass for a trailing Marcus Morris. And he certainly knew what to do with it. Morris took one step, rose off the ground and finished the play with a one-handed dunk over a helpless Pittsburg State defender. Plus, Morris made the ensuing free throw.

Player of the game:

Marcus Morris. Morris played well in the first half, but the real reason he gets the nod here is simple: He had an absolutely vicious dunk in the first half over a Pittsburg State defense. And he was fouled on the play. Plus, he made the ensuing free throw.

Stat of the game:

1. That’s the number of turnovers for Pittsburg State. Kansas’ defense forced many of those miscues, and converted them into 40 points.

Worth noting…

• Junior guard Conner Teahan entered the game midway through the first half, meaning he is no longer eligible to redshirt this season. Teahan didn’t play in Kansas’ first exhibition because he was still weighing his options.
• Kansas certainly appears faster this season. The Jayhawks have always been athletic. But some of the freshmen are exceptionally quick, and they seem to enjoy getting out in transition. It definitely makes for entertaining basketball.
• Sophomore guard Jordan Juenemann, a walk on, entered the game with 7:40 left in the second half. That has to be the earliest he has ever seen the court. Of course, that’s not an official statistics.

Hats off to…

Sophomore guard Tyshawn Taylor. Taylor didn’t start in Kansas’ first game last Tuesday because of what he and coach Bill Self characterized as a sloppy week of practice. Taylor was back in the starting lineup against Pittsburg State and he played a well-rounded first-half.

What to think?

Exactly what everyone expected. The Jayhawks forced turnovers, they ran in transition and they generally dominated in and around the paint. Kansas, obviously, was the better team entering the game. This was nothing more than a glorified scrimmage.

HALFTIME:

Sure, it was only an exhibition game against a Division II team. And, sure, a long and difficult schedule awaits Kansas down the road.

But even with those other factors in mind, the Jayhawks still looked every bit as good as a preseason No. 1 ranking dictates.

In jumping out to a 55-21 halftime lead, the Jayhawks played lockdown, turnover-forcing defense. They looked quick and athletic in transition.

And they had more than a few highlight-worthy moments in the first 20 minutes.

With 15:34 left in the half, freshman guard Xavier Henry stole a pass at half court before darting the other way for a powerful one-handed dunk that had the student section jumping up and down.

Then, late in the first half, sophomore guard Tyshawn Taylor left a pass for a trailing Marcus Morris, who threw down a one-handed dunk over a helpless Pittsburg State defense.

On the final play of the half, freshman guard Elijah Johnson sliced through the lane and left a pass for junior center Cole Aldrich, who finished the play with a two-handed dunk.

Kansas’ offense drew the loudest cheers, but the defense was equally as productive. The Jayhawks had 10 first-half steals, forced 18 turnovers and converted those turnovers into 22 points.

Freshman forward Thomas Robinson led Kansas with 10 points, while Marcus Morris and Aldrich each chipped in eight points.

Play of the half:

Late in the first half, sophomore guard Tyshawn Taylor left a pass for a trailing Marcus Morris. And he certainly knew what to do with it. Morris took one step, rose off the ground and finished the play with a one-handed dunk over a helpless Pittsburg State defender. Plus, Morris made the ensuing free throw.

Player of the half:

Marcus Morris. Morris played well in the first half, but the real reason he gets the nod here is simple: He had an absolutely vicious dunk in the first half over a Pittsburg State defense. And he was fouled on the play. Plus, he made the ensuing free throw.

Stat of the half:

1. 18. That's the number of steals Kansas had in the first half. The Jayhawks were extremely active defensively in the opening 20 minutes.

Worth noting…

• Junior guard Conner Teahan entered the game midway through the first half, meaning he is no longer eligible to redshirt this season. Teahan didn’t play in Kansas’ first exhibition because he was still weighing his options.
• Kansas certainly appears faster this season. The Jayhawks have always been athletic. But some of the freshmen are exceptionally quick, and they seem to enjoy getting out in transition. It definitely makes for entertaining basketball.

Hats off to…

Sophomore guard Tyshawn Taylor. Taylor didn’t start in Kansas’ first game last Tuesday because of what he and coach Bill Self characterized as a sloppy week of practice. Taylor was back in the starting lineup against Pittsburg State and he played a well-rounded first-half.

What to think?

Exactly what everyone expected. The Jayhawks forced turnovers, they ran in transition and they generally dominated in and around the paint. Kansas, obviously, was the better team entering the game. This is nothing more than a glorified scrimmage.

Starting lineup:

Guard: Tyshawn Taylor

Guard: Sherron Collins

Guard: Xavier Henry

Forward: Markieff Morris

Center: Cole Aldrich

First player(s) off the bench: Tyrel Reed, Marcus Morris

PREGAME:

Kansas tip offs against Pittsburg State at 7 p.m. tonight in the Jayhawks final exhibition game of the season.

Kansas defeated Fort Hays State in the exhibition opener last Tuesday. Senior guard Sherron Collins led the Jayhawks with 19 points.

Check back in at halftime for more updates from tonight's game.

— Edited by Abby Olcese