Kansas cruises to a win over Texas A & M

The Kansas Jayhawks like playing in the Big 12 Conference tournament.  They like to think of it as a home away from home.  The Jayhawks have been very success in this tournament.  Coming into today’s game against the Texas A&M Aggies is 16-1over the last six years.

Today was not any different.  The Aggies stayed with the Jayhawks for the first 12 minutes of the game.  With 8:37 left in the half the Aggies had a 21-17 lead.  The Jayhawks went on a 13-0 run with Elijah Johnson scored 8 of the 13 points. 

Johnson connected on two three pointers in less than a minute.  Khris Middleton finally ended the run by the Jayhawks with 4:00 left to make it 30-23.  Johnson went 4 of 4 from three point range and gave the Jayhawks the separation from Aggies.

Kansas took a 12 point lead into the locker at 40-28.  The Jayhawks shot a sizzling 56 percent from the floor going 13-23 in field goals and 5-8 from behind the arc. 

The second half belonged to Kansas.  The Jayhawks shot better in the second half.  The Jayhawks shot 66.7 percent from the field.  Kansas was very aggressive making more free throws than the Aggies attempted.  The Jayhawks made 19 free throws, while the Aggies only attempted 17 for the game.

Kansas had 4 of it’ starters had double digit points.  Johnson lead the way with 26 points Thomas Robinson, candidate for best player in the country, finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Middleton was the Aggies lone offensive bright spots.  Middleton was the only Aggie in double digit points with 24 points.  David Loubeau picked up two early fouls and the Jayhawks were able to exploit his absence.

Aggies head coach Billy Kennedy said, “You have to give all the credit to Kansas.  They demand so much help with Thomas Robinson and Jeff Withey that we left some guys open on the perimeter.”  Kennedy continued, “I am proud of my guys for competing, especially in the first half.  I thought we did some good things.”

Kansas coach Bill Self said, “It was a good win.  I don’t know if we played great, but we shot great.”   The Jayhawks made 10 of 15 three point shots on the day.  When asked if his team had an abnormal great shooting night Self said, “Well, don’t call it abnormal.  Today we got a lot of open looks from the defense.”

Box Score