College Basketball

No. 3 Jayhawks' multiple options present challenge for foes

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:09 p.m. ET

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LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Stopping a hot shooter for Kansas often leads to problems containing another scorer.

Junior guard Devonte' Graham was red hot in the first half of the No. 3 Jayhawks' most recent win against Stanford on Dec. 3. He scored 15 points in the first half, all on 3-pointers, then missed the three shots he attemped after that.

The fallout prompted some teasing from the Kansas staff after the 89-74 romp.

"My trainer was giving me a little bit of stuff about not scoring in the second half," Graham said. "I just told him I didn't need to because everybody else was making shots."

That is what opponents must confront with the Jayhawks (7-1) on a seven-game winning streak entering a home game Tuesday against Missouri-Kansas City (6-3) in Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas has had at least four double-figure scorers in six games. That production involved eight players and gives the Jayhawks great diversity, though most of the scoring has come from the backcourt.

"It's just good for us to have all those threats," Graham said, "and it's kind of like a nightmare for other teams."

Point guard Frank Mason has been the most consistent scorer, leading the Jayhawks in six games while averaging a team-high 19.6 points. Graham, however, provides a streaky touch and can ignite Kansas from 3-point range.

"When he's shooting the ball (well), he needs to look to shoot the ball," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "You know, I thought the second half (against Stanford) we moved the ball well and made the extra pass, but the first half (Graham) made shots and basically got us the lead."

Reserve junior guard Svi Mykhailiuk is another bomber capable of burning opponents from outside, and freshman wing Josh Jackson provides the ability to score off penetration or dish off as a skilled passer.

The Jayhawks are also attempting to push the pace, scoring 90-plus points in each of their last three games.

"A lot of teams are in strong help, or trying to pack the lane," Graham added. "If they try to pack the lane, we have guys who can make open jumpers. If they try to close out, we have guys on the perimeter who can drive by and make plays for others."

Self will bid for his 600th career win in the game against UMKC. He is in his 24th season overall, with stops at Oral Roberts, Tulsa and Illinois before arriving at Kansas.

Self is 392-84 in his 13th season with the Jayhawks, who carry the nation's longest home win streak (46).

UMKC won six of seven and was off to its best start in 15 years before falling at South Dakota State 77-68 on Dec. 3.

"I'm excited for the guys," fourth-year coach Kareem Richardson said. "It's still early in the season, but it's better to win and build as opposed to not (winning). We have a long way to go, but we're excited to be in the position we're in."

Guard LaVell Boyd, one of six UMKC seniors, leads the Kangaroos with a 19.1-point average and had 19 points, six assists and five steals in the loss to South Dakota State.

Another senior guard, Martez Harrison, carries a 16.5-point average but missed the past three games serving a disciplinary suspension.

This past summer, Richardson received a contract extension through 2020-21. The Kangaroos were 12-19 last season and tied for sixth in the WAC but logged nonconference wins each of the past two seasons against SEC opponents, Mississippi State and Missouri.

"The guys have confidence in each other and the chemistry is really good," Richardson said. "We're a pretty good passing team when we get the ball moving. We have a lot of confident offensive players on the team that when the opportunity presents itself, they can knock down shots."

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