It’s been so long since freshman guard Xavier Henry was in the spotlight, he was beaming while sitting at the podium after the Jayhawks’ 80-68 victory against Texas Monday. His smile, something he’s known for, has been absent the past couple weeks.

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Kansas Basketball vs. Texas

Photos from the Jayhawks' 80-68 victory Monday night in Austin. Kansas was led by Marcus Morris' 18 points and eight rebounds.

This time, though, Henry had a reason to show his teeth.

He scored 15 points for the Jayhawks, shooting 6-of-13 and adding five rebounds — all coming after an abysmal Big 12 campaign.

“I thought Xavier played the best game he’s played in league play by far,” Kansas coach Bill Self said.

During nonconference games, Henry was shooting 46 percent from the floor. That percentage dropped to 26 percent in Big 12 play.

Self said that Henry had been ineffective as a shooter, but that he was gaining a better understanding of the game and how to play defense.

His rebounding totals remain as steady as they were earlier in the season. And in conference play, Henry had at least one steal in each game except for the first game against Nebraska.

He had seven steals against Baylor, which is a season high for any Jayhawk this season.

“I’ve been playing defense lately as hard as I can,” Henry said. “My offense hasn’t been going, so I have to bring something to the team.”

Granted, his game against Texas wasn’t his 27-point debut or his 31-point outing against La Salle, but it was a step in the right direction. Sophomore forward Marcus Morris, who finished with 18 points and eight rebounds against the Longhorns, said Henry’s greatest trait was his persistence.

“I know he was missing a couple shots, but the thing about X is he keeps shooting,” Morris said. “We needed him to step up.”

All it took was time for the shooter to get going, whether it was time in practice or time waiting.

“I’ve been practicing hard lately so I’ve been making sure I’ve got all my sightseeing after practice,” Henry said. “I knew eventually they were going to fall. They just weren’t falling at that time.”

Against what could have been the Jayhawks’ toughest challenge of the season thus far, the most important duo was Henry and Morris, not Cole Aldrich or Sherron Collins.

“I would have never thought we could come to Texas and win and have our two best players go 5-of-23,” Self said.

Collins and Aldrich combined for 22 points while Henry and Morris had 33. With his confidence back, Henry said he hoped he was back to his usual self.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Henry said.

— Edited by Kirsten Hudson