Postgame

Elijah Johnson and Thomas Robinson already had their breakout performances in the first two preseason games. Friday’s 101-65 victory against Hofsta was Xavier Henry’s turn.

Henry scored 27 points (5-8 3pt), including 11 straight for the Jayhawks at the beginning of the second half. He was superbly efficient making eight of his 12 shots.

Photo Gallery

Kansas Basketball vs. Hofstra

Kansas basketball opened its 2009-10 regular season on Friday, Nov. 13 with a game against Hofstra University. Freshman guard Xavier Henry led the team with 27 points as the Jayhawks defeated Hofstra 101-65.

“I just try to pick my spots,” Henry said. “I try to be more aggressive and fit in with the team so we can still win and I’m not trying to ball hog it.”

Once again, Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich were lost in the success of a freshman. Collins put in a somewhat quiet 23 points with four treys and three assists. Regardless of the lack of attention, Collins said Henry’s outburst is devastating to opposing defences.

“I’m pleased with him,” he said. “This showed everybody in the country that me and Cole don’t have to score all the time so now you have to pay more attention to people around us.”

Aldrich was a monster on the boards with 9 rebounds and four blocks. He was the only other Jayhawk in double figures with 11 points. However, he only took five shots while they Jayhawks went 11-27 from three-point range. That was the doing of Hofstra’s zone defense, head coach Bill Self said.

“We took 27 threes which is way too many threes,” Self said. “We’re not a big three point shooting team at we haven’t ever been since I’ve been here. But they played zone. I think what they did dictated that as much as anything else.”

Hofstra guard Charles Jenkins led his team with 23 points, despite what Self called a great defensive effort by sophomore guard Tyshawn Taylor.

“I though Tyshawn was really good defensively,” he said. “The big guys didn’t help him much on the ball and that’s why Jenkins got a lot of points. Jenkins is good. He is strong and gets to the paint.”

Henry’s 27 points set a record for a freshman in his first game, though he said it does not mean much to him. Henry was more impressed with the fans and how they cheered at just about everything Kansas did- the college atmosphere.

“That’s the great thing about college basketball," he said, "is that everybody is on your side when you’re at home and it gets so loud so you get pumped up for it.”

Halftime

Kansas stifled Hofstra in the first part of the first half, but had a lapse with around seven minutes to go, letting Hofstra stick around. They quickly returned to form after a timeout.

Sherron Collins showed his all around game with lock-down defense, outside shooting and slashing through defenses. He leads all scorers with 12 points

Freshmen Elijah Johnson and Thomas Robinson had their breakout games, now it looks like it is Xavier Henry's turn.

Henry had eight points in the first five minutes of action including a three pointer to start the game and an and-one dunk off of a Markieff Morris miss. He made sure not to force any shots either. He finished his time on the court in the first half with a two-handed slam off of a steal and has 10 points.

Cole Aldrich showed some clumsiness when he fumbled with the ball when he had a sure dunk with no one around.

Starters-

Sherron Collins

Tyshawn Taylor

Xavier Henry

Markieff Morris

Cole Aldrich

Pregame:

Five-time defending Big 12 Conference Champs Kansas and Hofstra tip off at 7 p.m. tonight in the Jayhawks first regular season game.

This is the first time the two teams have played. This is also the first time Hofstra has played a team ranked No. 1Kansas has won its last seven season openers.

Opponent to watch- No. 22 Charles Jenkins, junior guard was voted the Colonial Athletic Association co-Player of the Year. Jenkins averaged 19.7 points per game last year.

-Travis Releford is suited. If he plays- no red-shirting.

Check back in at halftime for more game updates.