After the second half push to pull away from UMKC on Sunday night, 71-56, the Kansas Jayhawks now look to round number two of the CBE Classic and will welcome the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles to Allen Fieldhouse tonight at 8 p.m. on ESPNU.
Kansas is also expected to unveil the 2008 National Championship banner tonight. The banner will be lowered right in the middle of the already 4 existing National Championship banners that hang from the Fieldhouse rafters.
Against UMKC Sunday night, it was clear that the Jayhawks need sophomore center, Cole Aldrich, on the floor early on in the season. Early in the game Sunday night, Aldrich picked up two fouls and was forced to watch the game in the sideline. During this stretch, the Jayhawks looked slow on defense and looked a little lost offensively.
WithAldrich on the court in the second half, Kansas looked much more fluid on offense. He changes the game defensively with his size, by allowing his teammates to play against the shot a bit more knowing that the shot blocking center is behind them. On offense, Cole has come along way since his freshman year last season. He understands where to set up on the block and when to set up his position on the block. In the second half of Sunday’s game, Cole got some great post feeds that made for easy points for Kansas. Cole’s size and strength also allows for the lane to be opened up rather easily for players like Sherron Collins to get to the basket or create for others.
Simply put, it’s highly important for Aldrich to stay out of foul trouble. With the other bigs on the Kansas roster being so young, Cole’s experience, no matter how limited it really is, can mean the difference between winning and losing for the Jayhawks.
Florida Gulf Coast doesn’t feel sorry for the rebuilding Jayhawks. The Eagles lost 11 players of last years squad that finished the year 10-21 and tied for 8th in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Lone senior Delvin Franklin does return for the Eagles. Franklin, a guard, averaged 9.2 ppg last season and upped that average by 3 ppg during the conference season.
The Eagles don’t bring much of a threat to the Jayhawks. With 12 newcomers, Florida Gulf Coast is trying to find themselves, much like Kansas is. Talent will win out tonight as the Jayhawks prepare to fave Washington at 9 p.m. November 24th in Kansas City.
