No. 2 Kansas (8-1) is back in Allen Fieldhouse, Saturday, December 19, for a 1:00 p.m., tip against Montana (4-5).
The Grizzlies come to Lawrence, Kan., to face one of the hottest teams in the country, having reeled off six wins in a row after dropping a heartbreaker to Michigan State in the Champions Classic.
Since that time, KU has dominated its opponents, ranking among the top 3 in scoring as well as top 3 in shooting percentage both from the floor and from behind the arc.
Wayne Selden, Jr., is playing at an All-American level, and the Jayhawks–after a hardline stance against the NCAA’s lack of cooperation–had star freshman Cheick Diallo cleared for full participation.
Kansas not how more depth than any other team in the country and can attack opposing defenses with fresh bodies and from positions on the floor.
With an 0-5 record on the road so far this season, Montana is facing an uphill battle when they take on the Jayhawks.
If there is one thing to take away from tape of KU this season, it would be playing the zone defense to slow down a potent Jayhawk offense. Lately, teams such as Harvard and Oregon State have had at least relative success using the zone to slow Kansas down.
For the most part, Bill Self’s team has done most of its damage from behind the three-point line or in transition. In half-court sets, KU has actually struggled to get into its offense, mainly because its slew of big men have been in somewhat of a funk lately–no player more than Perry Ellis, who has been called out multiple times by coach Self for not being competitive enough, and recently, saying his star senior is, “playing like he’s 18.”
Ellis has fallen into ruts throughout his career at Kansas. At times, he forgets how good he is on the offensive end and seems to forget how to use his skill set to take over a game.
While he may finish with 10-15 points, the frustration is that he could easy finish with 20-25. At this point, it’s more of a personality issue rather than actual ability. The skill is there, but the lack of demeanor from Ellis to switch into another gear and dominate a game just isn’t in his makeup as a player.
Still, he’s an all american-level talent and a player which will be significant in whether or not Kansas is able to reach and exceed its goals for the season.
Even though Montana isn’t the stiffest competition Kansas will have played this season, the Grizzlies are another chance for the Jayhawks to take the floor and get better as a team, particularly during a time where games are spread out over Christmas break. With so much time between games, practice becomes somewhat monotonous.
Having an entire week off this week between games, the Jayhawks will be ready to take the floor inside Allen Fieldhouse and put on a show for a capacity crowd.
In need of tickets for Saturday’s game? Tickets For Less has seats available throughout Allen Fieldhouse, as well as parking passes, for Saturday’s matchup with the Montana Grizzlies. With zero hidden service fees, what you see is what you get. Head to Tickets For Less and purchase your seats to Saturday’s game, as well as all future home games inside Allen Fieldhouse this season. Go Jayhawks!