Dec. 10, 2009
La Salle Explorers at #1 Kansas Jayhawks
Date: Saturday, December 12
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Location: Sprint Center (Kansas City, MO)
Game: Non-conference
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Explorer fans can take part in Saturday's action by attending the "Watch Party" at Tom Gola Arena. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. ET and the first 50 people will receive one FREE burrito courtesy of Chipotle. Free soft pretzels, drinks and prizes will also be available. The "Watch Party" is sponsored by La Salle Athletics and the Student Promotions Committee.
La Salle Explorers (6-2)
Conference: Atlantic 10
The La Salle Explorers head into the most anticipated game of the season on Saturday riding on a three-game winning streak. The Explorers, who went 2-0 in their most recent two-game homestand against Lafayette and Hartford, defeated Rider on the road Wednesday night, 69-60.
Rodney Green led the Explorers in scoring for the fifth time this season with a season-high 25 points, to go with a game-best seven assists, six rebounds and two steals. He went 9-for-17 from the floor and 3-for-4 from beyond the arc in the road victory.
Kimmani Barrett, who is just 36 points away from joining the 1,000 point club, was the third and final Explorer in double figures, ending with 11 points and four boards. Classmate Yves Mekongo pulled down a season-best 10 boards, to lead the team, and his eight points were all scored at the charity stripe.
The Explorers did a good job of keeping the Broncs off the glass, outrebounding them 44-40, while also blocking 10 shots. La Salle, who has been struggling from the free-throw line as of late, went 17-of-22 from the stripe (77.3%).
Saturday will mark the third time in history that La Salle and Kansas have matched up. Kansas holds a 2-0 series lead with the last win taking place in 1975 when the Jayhawks defeated the Explorers, 74-73.
Kansas Jayhawks (8-0)
Conference: Big 12
The 2007-08 NCAA National Champions, Kansas takes its undefeated record into the Sprint Center on Saturday as they get set to take on the Explorers.
In their most recent 99-64 win over Radford, six Jayhawks finished in double figures led by senior Sherron Collins and junior Cole Aldrich who both finished with 15 points apiece. Kansas shot 51 percent from the field, 56 percent from three-point range and outrebounded Radford, 44-29.
An All-Big 12 First Team selection in 2008-09, Aldrich is averaging 11.1 points and 10.0 rebounds, while shooting 52.5 percent from the floor this season. His 7-4 wingspan allows him to be an effective shot blocker and a force on both ends of the floor under the glass.
Joining Aldrich as a key returnee this season is preseason All-American Sherron Collins. Collins, who is 25th on the Kansas all-time scoring list and the team's leading returning scorer the past two seasons, is posting averages of 14.4 points, 4.3 assists and two rebounds in 29.8 minutes this season.
Eye on an Explorer: Aaric Murray
Freshman forward Aaric Murray has met all preseason expectations with his dominance in the early going of this season. Through the first eight games, Murray has scored in double figures six times which includes a season-best 16 points in the home opener against Hampton.
Murray scored 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked a game-high five shots in Wednesday's 69-60 win over Rider. He recorded a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds against then No. 4 Villanova back on Nov. 28.
Key Matchup: Rodney Green vs. Xavier Henry
This backcourt matchup, which features two players on opposite sides of the spectrum, will certainly be an exciting and entertaining one for all. La Salle's Rodney Green is an experienced veteran who is also the unquestioned leader for the Explorers, whereas Kansas freshman guard Xavier Henry is just getting accustomed to the lengthy collegiate season.
Green leads the team in scoring at 18.0 points per game and is also averaging 5.8 boards, 3.9 assists and two steals per contest. The Charleston Classic All-Tournament team selection has four 20-point games this season and currently sits 19th on La Salle's all-time scoring list.
Henry rounds out one of the most dominant backcourts in the nation alongside Collins. As a freshman, Henry leads the team in scoring at 16.4 points per game and is shooting a remarkable 53.6 percent from the field. He was a McDonald's and Parade All-American in 2008-09 and was ranked as the third-best high school prospect by ESPNU.
The last time La Salle faced the No. 1 team in the nation dates back to the 1995-96 season when the Massachusetts Minutemen claimed the top spot. La Salle is also the only team in the nation to play two top three teams this season (No. 1 Kansas, No. 3 Villanova).
