Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 19, 2008 12:58:14 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/166/story/451335.html
KU-MU matchups
KU’s Darrell Arthur vs. MU’s DeMarre Carroll
EDGE >> KU
Carroll is Mizzou’s most intense starter. He’s a junkyard dog inside, scrapping for every point and seven rebounds a game. Arthur sometimes makes it look easy. He has the hops on Carroll, so he can go over him as well as around. If Carroll doesn’t block out, look out.
KU’s Darnell Jackson vs. MU’s Leo Lyons
EDGE >> KU
Jackson is Mr. Consistency while Lyons is Mr. Inconsistency. You know what you’ll get out of the 6-foot-8 Jackson: an intimidating force inside who provides 12.3 points and seven rebounds a game. Lyons might go off for 22 points as he did against Texas, or he might score four as he did at Iowa State.
KU’s Russell Robinson vs. MU’s Matt Lawrence
EDGE >> KU
Again, you’re talking consistency against what-are-ya-gonna-get-tonight. When Lawrence is hitting from three, he’s a force, as when he put in 28 points against Mississippi. When Lawrence isn’t hitting — and that is all too frequently — he shouldn’t be on the floor. Robinson won’t score a bunch. But you can count on his defense and he has blow-by ability on the drive.
KU’s Mario Chalmers vs. MU’s Jason Horton
EDGE >> KU
Because of his defense, Horton could give Chalmers fits. Because of his scoring ability, his rebounding ability and his unquestioned leadership, Chalmers could blow Horton away. Not to mention that Chalmers leads the Big 12 in steals. Horton simply has to defend Chalmers without fouling. At Iowa State on Wednesday, two early fouls put Horton on the MU bench and paved the way for Iowa State building a 14-point lead in the first half.
KU’s Brandon Rush vs. MU’s Stefhon Hannah
EDGE >> KU
Hannah can score with Rush, and perhaps will outscore Rush. But defensively, Hannah is all or nothing. He leads Missouri in deflections and steals, but he may also lead the Tigers in being beaten off the dribble-drive. Hannah sometimes goes one on three. Rush doesn’t have to.
The benches
EDGE >> KU
Keon Lawrence scored 18 points in Missouri’s upset of Texas last Saturday. But Lawrence then went one for 10 for two points in Wednesday’s loss at Iowa State. When he’s on, Lawrence can be as good as KU’s Sherron Collins, who hasn’t been a consistent force yet this season. When Lawrence is off, he’s as yesterday as actress Joan Collins. Sasha Kaun is one of the better big-man defenders in the league. Missouri counters with Darryl Butterfield. If Marshall Brown comes to play for 40 minutes, he could swing this edge to MU. But right now, KU gets it.
Intangibles
EDGE >> MU
When Missouri is most often the biggest underdog, the Tigers now and again seem to find a way against KU. Remember the Haley Twins? And Jason Conley’s last game in Columbia. And Christian Moody’s two bricks from the free-throw line with four-tenths of a second left? KU is unbeaten and Missouri unable to win close games. Perfect scenario for an upset?
Coaching
EDGE >> KU
Bill Self has the better team, from top to bottom. Mike Anderson is still depending on many of Quin Snyder’s players. Anderson may have to push buttons that aren’t available to him. Self’s biggest struggle may be determining which buttons to push. Is that coaching? Well, part of coaching is recruiting. Another part is just winning, baby.
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Mike DeArmond’s pick: KU 90, MU 61
Upsets aren’t upsets if you can see them coming. But it’s easy to envision what is likely to happen tonight. Kansas will jump out to a 10-point lead in the first 5 minutes and by the second half MU fans will be leaving in droves.
J. Brady McCollough’s pick: KU 83, MU 59
Kansas coach Bill Self has talked all week about how much he and his kids love playing at Mizzou Arena. They’ll love it even more after tonight’s game. The Jayhawks will be unaffected by the pressure the Tigers throw at them and will welcome the opportunity to run.
KU-MU matchups
KU’s Darrell Arthur vs. MU’s DeMarre Carroll
EDGE >> KU
Carroll is Mizzou’s most intense starter. He’s a junkyard dog inside, scrapping for every point and seven rebounds a game. Arthur sometimes makes it look easy. He has the hops on Carroll, so he can go over him as well as around. If Carroll doesn’t block out, look out.
KU’s Darnell Jackson vs. MU’s Leo Lyons
EDGE >> KU
Jackson is Mr. Consistency while Lyons is Mr. Inconsistency. You know what you’ll get out of the 6-foot-8 Jackson: an intimidating force inside who provides 12.3 points and seven rebounds a game. Lyons might go off for 22 points as he did against Texas, or he might score four as he did at Iowa State.
KU’s Russell Robinson vs. MU’s Matt Lawrence
EDGE >> KU
Again, you’re talking consistency against what-are-ya-gonna-get-tonight. When Lawrence is hitting from three, he’s a force, as when he put in 28 points against Mississippi. When Lawrence isn’t hitting — and that is all too frequently — he shouldn’t be on the floor. Robinson won’t score a bunch. But you can count on his defense and he has blow-by ability on the drive.
KU’s Mario Chalmers vs. MU’s Jason Horton
EDGE >> KU
Because of his defense, Horton could give Chalmers fits. Because of his scoring ability, his rebounding ability and his unquestioned leadership, Chalmers could blow Horton away. Not to mention that Chalmers leads the Big 12 in steals. Horton simply has to defend Chalmers without fouling. At Iowa State on Wednesday, two early fouls put Horton on the MU bench and paved the way for Iowa State building a 14-point lead in the first half.
KU’s Brandon Rush vs. MU’s Stefhon Hannah
EDGE >> KU
Hannah can score with Rush, and perhaps will outscore Rush. But defensively, Hannah is all or nothing. He leads Missouri in deflections and steals, but he may also lead the Tigers in being beaten off the dribble-drive. Hannah sometimes goes one on three. Rush doesn’t have to.
The benches
EDGE >> KU
Keon Lawrence scored 18 points in Missouri’s upset of Texas last Saturday. But Lawrence then went one for 10 for two points in Wednesday’s loss at Iowa State. When he’s on, Lawrence can be as good as KU’s Sherron Collins, who hasn’t been a consistent force yet this season. When Lawrence is off, he’s as yesterday as actress Joan Collins. Sasha Kaun is one of the better big-man defenders in the league. Missouri counters with Darryl Butterfield. If Marshall Brown comes to play for 40 minutes, he could swing this edge to MU. But right now, KU gets it.
Intangibles
EDGE >> MU
When Missouri is most often the biggest underdog, the Tigers now and again seem to find a way against KU. Remember the Haley Twins? And Jason Conley’s last game in Columbia. And Christian Moody’s two bricks from the free-throw line with four-tenths of a second left? KU is unbeaten and Missouri unable to win close games. Perfect scenario for an upset?
Coaching
EDGE >> KU
Bill Self has the better team, from top to bottom. Mike Anderson is still depending on many of Quin Snyder’s players. Anderson may have to push buttons that aren’t available to him. Self’s biggest struggle may be determining which buttons to push. Is that coaching? Well, part of coaching is recruiting. Another part is just winning, baby.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike DeArmond’s pick: KU 90, MU 61
Upsets aren’t upsets if you can see them coming. But it’s easy to envision what is likely to happen tonight. Kansas will jump out to a 10-point lead in the first 5 minutes and by the second half MU fans will be leaving in droves.
J. Brady McCollough’s pick: KU 83, MU 59
Kansas coach Bill Self has talked all week about how much he and his kids love playing at Mizzou Arena. They’ll love it even more after tonight’s game. The Jayhawks will be unaffected by the pressure the Tigers throw at them and will welcome the opportunity to run.