Kansas rips FGCU
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Sherron Collins had a career-high 25 points and No. 24 Kansas raced away from Florida Gulf Coast 85-45 in the CBE Classic Tuesday night after raising its 2008 national championship banner.
The Jayhawks (2-0) celebrated last season’s national title during a pregame ceremony that unveiled the school’s fifth national championship banner among the other four at the north end of Allen Fieldhouse.
The energy continued once Kansas hit the court, a memorable night quickly turning into a laughable rout.
The Jayhawks swarmed Gulf Coast from the opening tip, starting with a 13-2 run, building the lead to 32 by halftime. Kansas didn’t let up until late, building the lead to as much as 45 before emptying its bench in the closing minutes.
Collins was aggressive from the start, driving to the basket, pulling up three-pointers on his way to 18 points by halftime. He finished 9-for-14 from the field and hit four threes before coming out with 6 1/2 minutes left.
The Jayhawks were even better defensively, holding the Eagles without a field goal for nine-minute span to start and end the first half, and to 24 percent shooting overall. Reed Baker (11 points) was the only player to score in double figures for Gulf Coast, which was 3-for-15 on three-pointers and had 24 turnovers.
The Jayhawks rushed on offense at times, forcing passes, taking quick shots like they did in a season-opening win over Missouri-Kansas City. Freshman Markieff Morris, coming off a 15-rebound debut, heard the wrath of coach Bill Self early after taking two ill-conceived shots, as did a handful of other young players.
Florida Gulf Coast is facing a rebuilding year, losing 11 of 13 players from last season, the team’s first in Division I.