#3 13-0 Vs 10-2 http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/preview?gameId=280050103 <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>A stifling defense has sparked No. 3 Kansas to a 13-game winning streak to start the season, a run it hopes to extend Saturday when it visits Boston College for the first time. The Jayhawks (13-0) are allowing an average of 58.4 points, and they lead the Big 12 with 11.5 steals and 6.4 blocks per game. They rank fifth in the nation with 20.5 turnovers forced per game, including a season-high 27 in an 86-53 win over Yale last Saturday. Senior guard Russell Robinson had eight steals and Kansas finished with 18 -- the team's most since Bill Self's first season as coach in 2002-03. Robinson was one steal shy of the school record and he has 35 for the season to rank second on the team to junior guard Mario Chalmers (40). "That is what Russell does, Russell gets steals," Chalmers said. "I was hoping he would get that last one so he would (tie) the record, but we have a lot more games for him to do that." While Chalmers had 11 points against Yale, senior forward Darnell Jackson led Kansas with 20 on 9-of-12 shooting from the field. Both players are among five Jayhawks averaging double figures in points. Jackson is shooting 67.4 percent from the field, leading Kansas to the second-best field goal percentage (52.4) in the nation. The team is holding opponents to 38.2 percent. The Jayhawks are off to the program's best start since the 2004-05 season, and can match that team's 14-0 start with a win over the Eagles (10-2, 1-0 ACC). After playing BC, Kansas has one more game -- at home Tuesday against Loyola-Maryland -- before opening Big 12 play next Saturday at Nebraska. "I think our schedule is set up pretty good," Self said. "... I do think it's nice to come off the Christmas break and play a quality team on the road and still have a week before your conference schedule gets going." BC and Kansas have split their two previous meetings, but the Jayhawks have never played in Chestnut Hill, Mass. The Eagles beat Kansas in the 1969 NIT in New York before the Jayhawks returned the favor in Lawrence, Kan., last season. Kansas won that game 84-66 behind 22 points from Chalmers and 15 from current junior Brandon Rush. Eagles guard Tyrese Rice was held to 11 points on 2-of-13 shooting, including 1-of-8 from 3-point range. Robinson and Chalmers hope to again shut down Rice, BC's top returning player after the graduation of ACC player of the year Jared Dudley. Rice averages 19.7 points, and had 24 in the Eagles' 81-52 win over Longwood on Wednesday. But few wins have come so easily for the Eagles recently, even at home. Their three previous games were all struggles at Conte Forum, including an 83-80 loss to Massachusetts on Dec. 12. After a 10-day layoff, they beat Northeastern 57-55, then barely held off Sacred Heart 80-75 despite shooting 61.0 percent from the field. They haven't played a ranked team this season. Kansas, meanwhile, has only played on the road twice, beating Southern California and Georgia Tech, but has won eight in a row on the road dating back to last season.</div> If the Jawhawks get after it defensively like they have all season, they should be able to win this game without too much trouble Prediction Kansas-79 BC-65
I'm going to be at this game and I'm hoping for a Boston College upset. It's pretty interesting because this is the first time Kansas is playing @BC since like the 40's.
Ever since I saw Tyrese Rice for the first time last year, I've been impressed with him. Definitely a player to watch on BC. Shamari Spears hasn't been playing as well as he was earlier in the year, but he's still been solid. I don't believe they'll pose too much of a threat to KU though; Jayhawks win this game quite easily.
FYI http://sportstwo.com/NCAAB/Team/KANSAS The SportsTwo/SportsTicker preview will be up tomorrow. Box score and recap after the game, too.
I've yet to watch a BC game, and I'll have to miss yet another one tomorrow. The game is at noon, and I work 9-5. Should be a hell of a game though. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JCB @ Jan 4 2008, 10:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Ever since I saw Tyrese Rice for the first time last year, I've been impressed with him. Definitely a player to watch on BC.</div> Ty Rice is one of the most underrated guards in the country. He has come a long way since his freshman year, where he was nothing more than an energy guy and a spot-up shooter. He has really worked hard at trying to learn the point guard position, and the development has shown. He now not only has the ability to take over offensively and hit clutch shots, he can get the team into their sets without going out of his own game. He has really impressed me with his progression, and I think he's one of the better guards in the country. By the way, welcome to S2, BasX!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>He now not only has the ability to take over offensively and hit clutch shots, he can get the team into their sets without going out of his own game. He has really impressed me with his progression, and I think he's one of the better guards in the country.</div> I completely agree, the more burn he has gotten, the better a player he has become. During his freshman year, in 20.8 minutes he avg. 9.3ppg and 2.5apg. Ever since in his sophomore year his minutes increased, while his production in every stat category has also increased. Most importantly his assists to turnover ratio has increased from 1.18 to 1.85. Even though that isn't a "huge" difference, it has helped the Eagles to a 10-2 record. He is currently projected in 2009 to be a second round pick from NBAdraft.net, you have to think if he continues this production, his stock should increased and rise on draft boards <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>By the way, welcome to S2, BasX!</div> thanks a ton!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BasX @ Jan 4 2008, 11:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He is currently projected in 2009 to be a second round pick from NBAdraft.net, you have to think if he continues this production, his stock should increased and rise on draft boards</div> First of all, let me just say that nbadraft.net sucks. Draft Express is the place to go. But I think Rice is one of those guys that may raise some eyebrows in the pre-draft camps and workouts. He plays very hard, and I think the fact that a lot of pre-draft workouts consist of one-on-one's and basic drills, he'll get some looks.
oh i know NBAdraft.net sucks , they had Chris Taft once rated #1 overall in 2005, and i do use Draft Express, i just used NBADraft.net as an example to show how underrated Rice is, i think the guy is an excellent talent
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BasX @ Jan 4 2008, 11:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>oh i know NBAdraft.net sucks , they had Chris Taft once rated #1 overall in 2005, and i do use Draft Express, i just used NBADraft.net as an example to show how underrated Rice is, i think the guy is an excellent talent</div> Heh, you think that's bad? Check this out, and look at their comparison.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Jan 4 2008, 11:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BasX @ Jan 4 2008, 11:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>oh i know NBAdraft.net sucks , they had Chris Taft once rated #1 overall in 2005, and i do use Draft Express, i just used NBADraft.net as an example to show how underrated Rice is, i think the guy is an excellent talent</div> Heh, you think that's bad? Check this out, and look at their comparison. </div> Ahh, the famous DeShawn Stevenson comparison. So bad.
Tyrese Rice really isn't first round material yet. He's sort of undersized because his natural position is SG but he's build and molded to play SG. That's why he's a second round guy, like all those types of players are. I think if he stays for his senior year, he'll be a great player though. He kind of had to become the leader of the team too with the departure of that amazing, amazing senior class. Some players to watch today before I go to the game: Rakim Sanders - FR #15 - He's Michael Redd with a better all-around game..you're gonna love this guy once he takes over as the leader of the team the way Rice has now. Shamari Spears - SO #34 - He's a double double threat every night Tyrelle Blair - SR #44 - Excellent shotblocker (leads ACC in BPG) Corey Raji - FR #11 - Great freshmen that can do so many of the intangible things you love to see.
Things i noticed from today's game: <ul>[*]Forced Tyrese Rice into 4 fouls early into 2nd half[*]Kansas' Front line (Kaun, Arthur, Jackson) combined for 55 of Kansas's 85 points (65%)[*]+5 in Turnover differencial[*]+12 Rebounding[*]Eagles showed alot when Rice was out of the game[*]Rakim Sanders And Biko Paris showed BC has a bright future[*]Hustle points are what won Kansas the game[*]Blair is a beast blocking shots[/list]
