Starting big men at the University of Kansas are expected to make big contributions and it’s not an option, it’s a requirement.

Wilt Chamberlain, Clyde Lovellette, Danny Manning, Wayne Simien, Nick Collison and a plethora of other Kansas big men have set a standard of excellence in the frontcourt that players like Thomas Robinson and Jeff Withey must meet.

The Jayhawks’ road loss against the Iowa State Cyclones last Saturday showed that integrating Robinson and Withey in the paint is critical to the team’s offensive success.

In the Iowa State game, Royce White and Melvin Ejim dominated Robinson and Withey down low and forced them into foul trouble, which made it difficult for Kansas to establish a frontcourt offense.

Against the Oklahoma Sooners, Withey and Robinson limited their fouls and were able to attack Romero Osby and Andrew Fitzgerald, who each had four fouls.

For Kansas, the establishment of an efficient and productive frontcourt offense equates to better decision-making.

“We are a better team when we play inside out,” coach Bill Self said. “In the first half, we were stale, to me, against the zone, we end up casting up too many three’s because we really didn’t get the ball inside the first half.”

Withey and Robinson are unique big men that possess different physiques.

Withey takes advantage of his 7-foot frame by using the hook shot, which he used effectively against the Sooners. Defending the hook shot against a 7-footer like Withey is difficult for most big men. Plus, at his height, Withey should be able to make the most efficient shot in the game: the dunk.

As for Robinson, his brawn induces opponents to foul him because he is physically tough inside and when they choose not to foul him, they’re watching him throw down tomahawk dunks. Robinson has the raw strength and athleticism to power his way through opponents.

When two guys like Robinson and Withey can fuel the front-court attack, that attracts multiple defenders, which leaves guards like Tyshawn Taylor, Elijah Johnson and Travis Releford open on the perimeter. Drawing more defenders to guard the paint allows guards to slash to the basket.

Saturday’s game against rival Missouri is one that must be won in the paint and on the boards. Because Missouri is a guard-oriented team that counts on one big man, Ricardo Ratliffe, Kansas cannot abandon their frontcourt offense. The Jayhawks have the height advantage against the Tigers. Ratliffe will pose problems, but Withey and Robinson have no excuse to get into foul trouble. They must be the aggressors like they were against Oklahoma and attack Missouri’s big men, especially Ratliffe, and get Missouri into foul trouble.

Both Robinson and Withey cannot have off nights because the front court bench players, Justin Wesley and Kevin Young, are unreliable. The Jayhawks will go as far as where their front court offense takes them. Kansas has no business launching ill-advised 3-pointers when they can work their offense through a 7-footer and an All-American candidate.

— Edited by Amanda Gage