Worried About Kansas After Close Victory Over Cornell? Don't Be

Many Kansas fans spent the majority of the second half of last night's game either at the edge of their seats at Allen Fieldhouse or on their bar stools at bars that cater to Jayhawk Nation or just on the edge of their couches, and as well they should have. 

Kansas trailed Cornell the majority of the second half, until Kansas junior guard Tyrel Reed hit arguably the most important shot of his career to give the Jayhawks a 61-60 lead at the 4:03 mark. 

From there, Sherron Collins, who had already been carrying the team on his back, threw the added weight of traded baskets and big plays all the way to the Jayhawks' 71-66 victory over Cornell. 

It was by far the closest game Kansas has played in this season. 

While some may say that the two point victory over Memphis was "closer", I'd argue only by score. 

Memphis shot the ball horribly, and it was Kansas' defense that kept them in that game. 

Against Cornell, the Jayhawks allowed 41 first half points, which is a big deal considering they were only allowing less than 58 points per contest. 

A better defensive performance in the second half by Kansas yielded Cornell just 25 second half points. 

Still, Cornell slowed the game down in the first half and made six of 13 three-point attempts. They shot 54 percent from the floor in the first half of play, as well. 

So should this narrow victory—the 50th in-a-row in Allen Fieldhouse—worry Jayhawk fans and the nation alike?

Hardly. 

January is a tough month each season for the better teams in the nation.

Last year, North Carolina lost to Boston College in Chapel Hill in the first month of 2009. 

In 2008, the Jayhawks themselves lost to a Michael Beasley-driven Kansas State team in Manhattan, KS. The loss also happened to be the Jayhawks' first ever in Kansas State's current facility. 

The bottom line is that it is tough for the top programs to win in January. It won't get any easier from here, either, as the Jayhawks will travel to Knoxville to take on a Tennessee team that proved it could put points up without its four suspended players. 

I'll tell you right now that the chances of this Kansas team going 40-0 this year are slim-to-none. 

Once you can accept that, the less you will worry about performances like the one last night against what really is a solid Cornell team. 

Kansas proved last night that when nothing is going right on the offensive end, they have a player and a team defense they can rely on. 

Sherron Collins's new career high of 33 points, set last night against Cornell, should not conjure up feelings of, "KU is in trouble if he's going to have to be the show." 

Instead, I think I speak for plenty of people when I say that it is good to know that he is still capable of a performance like that—that he is so  clutch, that he can pull Kansas out of even the darkest of scenarios.

The Jayhawks needed every one of his career high 32 points in last year's NCAA tournament second round game against North Dakota State. His performance last night should solidify at least the knowledge that he is still capable of carrying his team solely on his shoulders. 

So breathe easy Jayhawk fans. This was one close game out of a regular season total of 31. It certainly isn't the first, and it will not be the last.

Fear not, this Kansas team just showed the nation that even in a tumultuous scenario, they are ready to answer the call. And that is a security blanket that should comfort the No. 1 Jayhawks and their fans come tournament time.