GAME NOTES: The second-ranked Kansas Jayhawks put their undefeated season on the line this afternoon, as they welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers to Lawrence for a Big 12 showdown at the Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks are a perfect 19-0 on the season and have won 27 straight regular season games thanks to an 83-59 rout of Iowa State this week. The victory was also the 18th consecutive home win for KU and pushed its league record to 4-0 this year. That is a lot of momentum for a Nebraska team that is winless in league play to halt. The Cornhuskers are a decent 11-5 on the season, but have failed to earn even one conference win thus far, coming into this game with a three-game losing streak in tow. Last weekend, it was the surprising Baylor Bears that got over on Nebraska, in a 72-70 decision. The Cornhuskers opened up league play against these same Jayhawks back on January 12th and suffered a 79-58 setback in Lincoln. With that victory, Kansas has now won nine straight meetings with NU and extended its lead in the all-time series to 162-71.

The Cornhuskers don't possess enough offensive firepower to win a shootout with Kansas, but instead will once again attempt to slow down the explosive Jayhawks. Nebraska is shooting the ball well enough this year (.473), but it has resulted in a rather mediocre 70.0 ppg. Defensively, the team has been much sharper, holding foes well under 40 percent shooting (.369) and a meager 56.3 ppg. The team only has one real threat and it comes in the form of center Aleks Maric. The 6-11 senior is converting an impressive 57.7 percent of his shots and currently leads the team in scoring (16.6 ppg), rebounding (8.2 rpg) and blocks (32). Guards Ade Dagunduro (9.7 ppg) and Ryan Anderson (9.3 ppg) provide limited support at the offensive end. The Huskers took a five-point lead into halftime, but could not hold off the Bears last weekend, in a disappointing two-point loss. Maric was once again impressive in the middle, finishing with a near double-double of 21 points and nine rebounds. Steve Harvey came off the bench to add 15 points, but the team as a whole shot just .382 from the floor and was outrebounded 40-32 in the loss.

What makes Kansas so dangerous is its balanced play at both ends of the floor. The team boasts of the nation's best scoring margin (+24.3), averaging 83.3 ppg, while allowing just 59.0. The team ranks second nationally in field-goal percentage (.515) and 11th in field-goal percentage defense (.375). In addition, Kansas is outrebounding foes by seven caroms per game and is forcing 18.2 turnovers. Four of the team's five starters are averaging double figures, proof of this team's offensive depth. Forwards Darrell Arthur (13.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and Darnell Jackson (12.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg) provide the muscle in the frontcourt, while guards Mario Chalmers (12.4 ppg, 86 assists), Brandon Rush (11.7 ppg), Sherron Collins (8.9 ppg) and Russell Robinson (7.2 ppg, team-high 88 assists) give the team more than enough backcourt support. Jackson picked up his first double-double of the season and fifth in his career, with 21 points and 11 rebounds against Iowa State this week. Arthur added 16 points, followed by Robinson and Rush with 11 points each and Chalmers, who finished with 10. Kansas shot 50 percent from the floor in the game, while limiting the Cyclones to just 31.1 percent.

The Jayhawks are trying to go 20-0 for just the third time in school history and should have no trouble reaching that mark. The Cornhuskers simply lack the personnel to get the job done, especially in Lawrence.