Collins and Aldrich both hit peak

Friday, March 12, 2010

For most of the Jayhawks, there was nothing on the line but pride for Thursday’s game against Texas Tech.

For Sherron Collins and, presumably, Cole Aldrich, it’s a different story. Now that the year has reached that part of the season when every game is win-or-go-home, every win extends their crimson-and-blue career just a little bit longer.

“It’s one of those things, we’ve got to come together as a team and create our own energy and get the whole team involved with getting pumped up for the game, whether it’s at 11:30 in the morning or 8 at night,” Aldrich said.

Photo Gallery

Kansas Basketball vs. Texas Tech

Photos from the Jayhawk's 80-68 victory against Texas Tech Thursday night at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.

It comes as little surprise, then, that it was those two who led the Jayhawks in an uninspired 80-68 victory against Texas Tech.

“Last year, we took an early exit and this year we’re trying to prevent that,” Collins said. “We already won the regular season, so we know we’ve still got to be motivated to win the tournament as well. We’re trying not to have any slipups.”

Collins scored a game-high 19 points on just eight field goal attempts and led the Jayhawks with six assists.

“I think I shot it pretty good,” Collins said. “Took a couple of bad shots. But I’ve gotta do a better job staying out of foul trouble and putting my team in tough positions.”

Aldrich finished with his 14th double-double on the season with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting and a season-high 18 rebounds.

“He can manufacture points off transition, off board play, off scoring before he catches,” coach Bill Self said. “What I mean by that is they throw it to him and it’s just an easy basket.”

Both Collins and Aldrich have a tendency to defer if a teammate is having a great game. When Xavier Henry had his career-high 31 points, Collins just fed him the ball, finishing with six assists and just five points. Similarly, when Marcus Morris was dominant offensively, Aldrich would let him run the show. In Morris’ four 20-point games, Aldrich averaged 9.5 points.

“Cole’s got to be hungry to score. He’s not as hungry to score as he was last year at this particular moment,” Self said. “That’s one thing that we have to do. We’ve got to be able to throw the ball to him, have him come away with points or fouls.”

It was the first time since the California game in December of 2009 that both Aldrich and Collins had peak statistical performances — Aldrich with a double-double and Collins with 15-plus points and 5-plus assists.

— Edited by Taylor Bern

Collins and Aldrich lead Kansas attack

In likely their last Big 12 Tournament, Collins and Aldrich carried the ...

/news/2010/mar/11/collins-and-aldrich-lead-kansas-attack/

Aldrich shines with help from Collins, team

Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins form an unbeatable offensive duo

/news/2009/feb/19/aldrich_shines/

This year’s Big 12 championship is different

After losing all of his starters, Self wins another championship with young ...

/news/2009/mar/09/mbbgamer/

Aldrich makes history

Kansas receives first official triple-double, and is going to the Sweet Sixteen.

/news/2009/mar/23/aldrich_history/

Jayhawks finally master depth

Bench players step up against Texas Tech, contributing more than half the ...

/news/2010/jan/19/jayhawks-depth/

Aldrich returns to form in rout of ...

The junior center was crucial in Kansas' 84-61 victory against Iowa State.

/news/2010/jan/23/aldrich-returns-form-rout-iowa-state/

Self’s advice helps Hawks overpower Cats

Passes in to Aldrich helped turn the game in Jayhawks’ favor on ...

/news/2009/feb/16/selfs_advice/

Longtime competitors to meet again

Aldrich has played against K-State’s Darren Kent since they were in the ...

/news/2009/feb/13/longtime_competitors/

Feeling Defeat

It took overtime for Syracuse to beat Kansas 89-81 in the CBE ...

/news/2008/nov/26/kansas_tastes_defeat_first_time_nine_months/

Jayhawks’ stars share the spotlight

Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich’s numbers have decreased as younger players take ...

/news/2009/dec/01/jayhawks-stars-share-spotlight/

Kansas basketball shuts down Florida Gulf Coast ...

The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles made only 13 of 55 shots from ...

/news/2008/nov/19/gamer/

Collins and Taylor share a special relationship

The two players are as close as brothers and have helped each ...

/news/2009/mar/04/collins_and_taylor_share_special_relationship/

Montemayor: Start campaign for stars to stay

Following Collins and Aldrich’s big performances against Iowa State, fans should hope ...

/news/2009/feb/19/montemayor/

Aldrich towers over Nebraska

The sophomore center’s size could have a large impact on tomorrow’s game.

/news/2009/jan/28/aldrich_towers/

Aldrich plays without face mask

The sophomore center is most efficient; Blake Griffin’s concussion could hinder his ...

/news/2009/feb/23/mbb_sider/

Self sees room for improvement

Despite Kansas’ win against the Cowboys, coach Bill Self doesn’t highlight the ...

/news/2009/feb/09/gamer/

Live Blog: No. 1 Kansas routs Colorado

Sherron Collins ties three others as the winningest player in Kansas history.

/news/2010/feb/20/no-1-kansas-looks-avoid-bear-trap/

Taylor, Aldrich lead against Tennessee Tech

The players came out of their slump in the Jayhawks’ 112-75 victory ...

/news/2009/nov/27/taylor-aldrich-tennessee-tech/

Jayhawks use depth to trump Texas Tech

Self says it's a good sign that players other than Aldrich and ...

/news/2010/jan/16/jayhawks-use-depth-trump-texas-tech/

Slow start again plagues Kansas

An inability to jump on the opposition and effectively finish the game ...

/news/2010/feb/06/slow-start-again-plagues-kansas/

Collins makes dramatic last-minute return

Jayhawks overcome injuries and foul trouble to defeat Wildcats

/news/2010/feb/01/collins-makes-dramatic-last-minute-return/

Jayhawks display good and bad against Aggies

After narrowly defeating Texas A&M in the last four minutes, Kansas still ...

/news/2010/feb/17/jayhawks-display/

Agressiveness a necessity for Jayhawks

Kansas' inability to put teams away will hurt against stiff competition

/news/2010/feb/08/agressiveness-necessity-jayhawks/

Jayhawks win 99-64 in Johnson’s first start

Johnson replaced Taylor in the starting lineup and finished with a career-high ...

/news/2009/dec/10/jayhawks-win-99-64-johnsons-first-start/

Jayhawks Smear Volunteers

Kansas notched its most significant victory of the season in a 92-85 ...

/news/2009/jan/03/jayhawks_smear_volunteers/

Kansas sets its sights on Oklahoma

Tonight’s Big Monday matchup pits together the Big 12 Conference’s top two ...

/news/2009/feb/23/mbb_gamer/

Blog: Top seed Kansas defeats No. 16 ...

Marcus Morris finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead the ...

/news/2010/mar/18/live-blog-top-seed-kansas-meets-no-16-lehigh/

Game Day: Nov. 24, 2008

Get ready for the game against Washington.

/news/2008/nov/24/KUgameday/

Jayhawks rise above Aggies

Collins struggles but Kansas' other stars step up in 59-54 road victory.

/news/2010/feb/16/jayhawks-rise-above-aggies/

Dwyer: Veterans pushed by benching

Tyshawn Taylor and Marcus Morris show improvement after losing their starting spots.

/news/2010/jan/15/dwyer-veterans/

Three garner career highs in victory

Collins, Taylor score 26, Aldrich grabs 20 boards as Kansas wins 87-78.

/news/2009/feb/24/career_highs/

Final: Jayhawks debut with 101-65 beating of ...

Five time defending Big 12 champs face off against Hofstra

/news/2009/nov/13/pregame-jayhawks-open-season-against-hofstra/

One and done

No. 9 seed Baylor upsets top-seeded Kansas, winning 71-64 in quarterfinal round.

/news/2009/mar/13/one_and_done/

Kansas hits century mark for sixth win

Freshman guard Tyshawn Taylor led the Jayhawks in a 100-79 victory against ...

/news/2008/dec/04/kansas_hits_century_mark_sixth_win/

Coaches begin to solve roster jigsaw

Self uses red-shirting, exhibition games to organize basketball team positions.

/news/2009/nov/03/coaches-begin-solve-roster-jigsaw/

Jayhawks must recover quickly

Kansas will play Central Arkansas for the first time ever tonight.

/news/2009/nov/19/jayhawks-must-recover/

Childhood idol influences Little’s game

Taking inspiration from Michael Jordan, Little brings a new element to the ...

/news/2009/jan/27/Little/

KU Women to take on defending national ...

/news/2006/jan/26/kansas_womens_preview/

Kansas players show skills all around

Collins, Henry, Morris and Reed lead team in points.

/news/2009/nov/20/basketball-recap/

Self unsatisfied with Aldrich’s playing

A lack of help from frontcourt adds to Self’s disappointment in Saturday’s ...