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KU Basketball: Where To Watch Jayhawks Vs San Diego State

By Alec Tilson

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The KU basketball team takes a long west coast trip to take on the San Diego State Aztecs, heading into the holiday break.

The No. 2 Kansas Jayahawks (9-1) average 89.8 points per game this season and shoot 46.7 percent from three point range. That’s third in the nation in both categories, and, no, Roy Williams didn’t walk back through that door.

In atypical Bill Self fashion, the Jayhawks are running teams out of the gym. Not with smothering defense as much as an overwhelming offensive assault. Four players average 10 or more points, while Brannen Greene, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and Cheick Diallo each average seven points or better.

That’s not to say Kansas can’t defend. Kenpom.com, using advanced stats and analytics, ranks the Jayhawks 10th in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency. And that’s mostly been without Diallo, a freshman big and a potential defensive force.

Kansas begins Big 12 Conference play on Jan. 2, so this is a nice final road tuneup before the games start to count. While San Diego State (7-5) is not the same team it’s been for the last couple seasons, it’s a true road game for the Jayhawks and the timing right before Christmas break can always be tricky.

KU Basketball Television Viewing Essentials

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Who: San Diego State Aztecs (7-5)

Where: Viejas Arena, San Diego, California

When: Tuesday, December 22, 10 p.m. CT

How: CBS Sports Network; Jayhawk Radio Network

KU Basketball Live Stream: CBSSports.com Live Video

You can follow the Jayhawks on CBS Sports Network, or you can follow the KU Basketball live stream on CBSSports.com’s Live Video page.

RELATED ARTICLE: WHERE TO LIVE STREAM YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS ONLINE

Three Players to Watch for the San Diego State Aztecs

  • Jeremy Hemsley – 13.4 points per game, 2.8 rebounds, 48.2 percent field goal shooting
  • Winston Shepard – 8.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists,
  • Zylan Cheatham – 8.5 points, 6.2  rebounds, 50 percent field goal shooting

Three Players to Watch for the Kansas Jayhawks

  • Frank Mason III – 13.4 points per game, 4.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds, 1.3 turnovers
  • Wayne Selden Jr. – 16 points per game, 3.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1 steal, 55.6 three point shooting
  • Perry Ellis – 14.7 points per game, 6.2 rebounds, 53.1 percent field goal shooting

KU basketball has a great engine with these three leading the way. Ellis, Mason and Selden are the increasingly rare upperclassmen in today’s NCAA, and they have a deep, talented supporting cast.

Diallo, who’s played just 58 minutes this season, is averaging just under 12 minutes per game, and he’s giving the team 1.4 blocks. He’s the team’s best rim protector and he’s only scratching the surface as far as playing time goes.

This season, Mason and guard Devonte’ Graham have a combined 94 assists to just 21 turnovers, a 9:2 ratio for those adding up at home. That means not only are these two minute-heavy guards taking care of the ball, but also that their teammates are making shots. It’s a tribute to this team’s efficiency this season, despite playing a soft schedule at times.

By comparison, San Diego State’s two leading assisters have combined for 48 assists and 50 turnovers, worse than a 1:1 ratio.

It’s been an impressive long-range shooting season for the defending Big 12 champions. First of all, Greene is 11-for-14 from range this season. He’s shooting 78.6 percent from beyond the arc. Not the free throw line; the arc.  Selden is 30-for-54 from three this season. Mykhailiuk is 15-for-41, but that’s a different story.

Oddly, the team shoots 68.8 percent from the free throw line.

Next: Ranking the KU Coaches All-Time

Enjoy the Kansas Jayhawks vs San Diego State live stream action as the defending Big 12 Champions look to get a final run-through before the real auditions for the NCAA Tournament begin.

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