The 2011-2012 Kansas basketball season officially tips off Friday night when the Kansas Jayhawks host Towson inside historic Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks will have guards Tyshawn Taylor and Elijah Johnson back on the court after being suspended for the two exhibition games against Pitt State and Fort Hays State. With those two back on the court fans will get their first glimpse of the Jayhawks with everyone on the court.
The Jayhawks haven’t lost a home opener since the 1973-74 season, and haven’t lost a season opener since the 2001-2002 Final Four season. With Towson coming off of a 4-26 season last year both streaks are likely to continue after Friday’s game.
Kansas junior big man Thomas Robinson made his return to the court in the final exhibition game against Fort Hays State on Tuesday night after hyper-extending his knee in practice a couple of weeks ago. Robinson was spectacular in his return in scoring 22 points and snagging 12 rebounds. The predictions of Robinson having an All American type season certainly looked like good ones after seeing him play for the first time this season.
Now Towson must deal with #TROBASAURUS and the fully loaded Jayhawks on Friday night in what will surely be a wild atmosphere inside Allen Fieldhouse. Towson Senior forward Robert Nwankwo is Towson’s top. Sophomore forward Erique Gumbs is the other returning who averaged 3.6 points and 2.8 rebounds with four starts during the 2010-11 season.
The Jayhawks will travel to New York City to face Kentucky inside Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. The Wildcats and Jayhawks are the two winningest programs in college basketball history, and the Jayhawks will be going for their fourth straight win over Kentucky with their last win coming in the 2007 NCAA tournament.
2012 Kansas signee Perry Ellis will be at the game Friday night, as will 2012 C Landen Lucas who is officially visiting Kansas this weekend.
