[Husker] Kansas 69, Nebraska 48

[NUStLNorris at aol.com]

Nebraska put forth a disappointing performance tonight, but these Kansas  
freshmen and sophomores aren't playing like underclassmen anymore.  They  were 
extermely impressive.  Nebraska was outclassed in about every  way.  Kansas is a 
very young team ... but man, are they talented.   I knew they were on a 
five-game winning streak, but I didn't know they were  jelling quite like this.  
They're starting to mesh -- a scary team for  the rest of this year and for the 
rest of the Big XII to deal with for  who-knows-how-long.  I was asking myself 
early, "how are we going to  stay with these guys?"  Turns out, the Huskers 
didn't.  I think  it's too early to concede the conference regular-season 
top-seed to  Texas.  Kansas goes to 7-2 (Texas is 8-1) while Nebraska falls to 5 
and  4.
 
Wes Wilkinson had his worst night of the year and Aleks Maric started  really 
slow.  Nebraska came out missing short shots and Kansas just  exploded on the 
offensive boards.  The officials "let 'em play" and THEN  some, especially in 
the first half.  It reminded me of a post-season  tourney-style officiated 
game.  But Kansas realized the way the game was  going to be called and adjusted 
a lot quicker than Nebraska did.  
 
Late in the first half, NU threatened to get back in it, but KU finished  
strong for a 32-24 lead.  Nebraska made a noticeable effort to pound it in  low 
to Maric to begin the second half.  He responded and played really  well for 
the first eight minutes or so, before getting into foul trouble and  eventually 
fouling out.  The game was called a lot closer in the second  half -- but the 
officiating offered an advantage to no one this evening.  
 
I remember NU pulling to within 37-30 in the second half, but I never  really 
thought we were going to catch this team.  The turnovers started in  the 
first half (33 percent from the field and seven turnovers at halftime), and  they 
got worse in the second.  Careless turnovers ... frustrating.
 
Kansas was very good, but it was a disappointing effort by Nebraska  tonight. 
 The Huskers had some chances to get back into it in the  second half, and 
even got some good looks, but Wilkinson missed some open  shots that you want 
him to take.  He was noticeably off tonight.  It  doesn't get any easier as 
back-to-back road games loom against Texas on Saturday  at 3 p.m. and Iowa State a 
week from tonight at 7 p.m.
 
Chalmers had 20 for KU.  Hawkins shot well and Giles can  jump 
out-of-the-gym.  Rush didn't put up great numbers, but he  did some impressive athletic 
things.  Bill Self has these youngsters  playing well.  They bring some studs in 
off the bench, too.  I thought  their point guard play was outstanding.
 
Maric was good in the second half and Jason Drousseau played o.k., but  after 
that, there wasn't much to write home about.  Blame it on the  Kansas 
Jayhawks.
 
Dave Norris