Kansas-Texas Tech: Kansas Should Be Wary

When you read the title, your immediate reaction will be, "Duh!" I get it, but there are two outside factors coming into Saturdays game. 

The first, and perhaps the most worrisome for Kansas fans, is the fact that their beloved Jayhawks are coming off of three atypical defensive performances in a row. 

Now I perpetuate the wisdom that says, the Jayhawks didn't necessarily play poor defense during those three games (home to Cornell, and road contests at Tennessee and Nebraska).  Instead, those three teams shot uncharacteristically-good percentages all over the floor, especially from behind the arc. 

The Jayhawks were arguably a last-second desperation heave from behind the arc in Knoxville from potentially getting the ball back, down three, with plenty of time to tie the game back up. 

Instead McBee's shot goes in, the Volunteers go up six, and the game for all intents and purposes, was over. 

The opening minutes of the Nebraska game piggybacked the conclusion of the Tennessee game. 

The Huskers came out firing threes with precise accuracy. Not before Sherron Collins went on a run of his own, did KU level the score. 

The Huskers continued to shoot the ball well, and went into halftime with the lead, the second halftime deficit in three games for the Jayhawks. 

Kansas fans need to remember that no level of perimeter defense, outside of clubbing the shooter as he pulls up, can deter a shot that's destined to go in. 

Texas Tech is a good team that can shoot the three effectively. One of their guards, John Roberson was able to keep the Red Raiders in the game and push them into overtime against Missouri with his three-point shooting on Wednesday. 

Saturday afternoon's game marks the third meeting against Kansas for Pat Knight. He's currently 0-2 against Bill Self's Jayhawks with an average scoring margin of -38.5 points.

Coach Knight may use game film from 200 when the Red Raiders got roughed-up by the eventual national champs, 109-51.

The aforementioned Roberson, and team scoring leader Mike Singletary, participated in that game. Certainly, they will both want to produce a better performance this go-round in Allen Fieldhouse. 

With one of the longest home winning streaks in Kansas history to defend, the Jayhawks have plenty incentive to play well. 

If Tech's Roberson can fill it up early, and he and Singletary combine to get 40 points, I think Tech will have a fighting chance. 

That said, I think the only way Kansas loses this game is if Tech is able to shoot the ball like KU's last three opponents for a full 40 minutes. 

Even if that happens, we've seen that Kansas can play a full-court-trap, and wear teams down with physical toughness. 

I'm expecting better things from Kansas in this game, especially from Xavier Henry. 

The likely lottery pick in June played one of his worst games in a Kansas uniform in Nebraska, experiencing an abnormally high turnover rate.  He wasn't nearly as aggressive going to the hoop as he had been in the previous 15 games. 

I'd look for "X" to get back in rhythm and get around 15 points, taking some of the load off of Sherron Collins, who has provided an invaluable 77 points for Kansas over the last three games.  

A heavy dosage of Cole Aldrich and the Morris Twins should be able to make it tough on Texas Tech on their defensive end. 

Tough games against Baylor, a trip to Ames—where Hilton Magic nearly claimed Texas victim—and a home showdown with hated rival Missouri all loom in the coming week. 

Kansas better focus on the task at hand, which will be utilizing their big men on both ends of the floor, and shadowing Tech's hot-handed shooters. 

If they don't, and they overlook Texas Tech, then the Jayhawks may be in for another nail-biter.