Jayhawks  73    Bruins  61

(1) Kansas (6-0) at U-C-L-A (2-4)

Sports Network | December 6, 2009

GAME NOTES: The top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks invade Pauley Pavilion to take on the struggling UCLA Bruins as part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series.

Kansas extended the nation's longest home court winning streak to 46 games with its 98-31 triumph over Alcorn State on Wednesday. That win was KU's fifth margin of victory of 30 points or more in six games this season. The only close game the Jayhawks have played thus far came back on November 17th against Memphis, that being a two-point decision. Bill Self led his Kansas squad to the national title two years ago and is loaded for a run at the crown once again this season.

As for UCLA, it has suffered three consecutive losses to fall to 2-4 overall. Two of the losses during the current slide have come against Portland by 27 points and against Long Beach State in a 79-68 final last Sunday. The Bruins are painfully inexperienced, and head coach Ben Howland could be in for a long season.

UCLA holds a 10-4 advantage over Kansas in the all-time series between the two teams, and the Bruins won the most recent meeting by a 68-55 final in the 2007 NCAA Tournament.

Coming into this season, both Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich were All- America candidates for Kansas. Those two players haven't disappointed fans thus far, but neither is the leading scorer for coach Self's club. That distinction belongs to star freshman Xavier Henry, a 6-6 guard who is netting 17.0 ppg on 53 percent shooting from the floor, including 48.4 percent from three-point range. Collins checks in with 14.3 ppg and 3.7 apg, while Aldrich pitches in 11.2 ppg and 9.8 rpg. Aldrich also brings nearly four blocks per game to the mix, while Marcus Morris rounds out a foursome of double-digit scorers with 11.0 ppg. The Jayhawks are pouring in 91.8 ppg on 52.2 percent field goal efficiency while allowing 54.8 ppg on 32.6 percent shooting. Collins and Henry both had 18 points against Alcorn State for Kansas, which received 15 points and 10 rebounds from Thomas Robinson. As for Aldrich, he posted 13 points and 16 rebounds in the blowout. The Jayhawks forced a staggering total of 30 turnovers while limiting their overmatched opponent to 23.1 percent shooting from the field.

UCLA is only scoring 65.5 ppg this season, and the team is allowing 67.7 ppg. Michael Roll is the top scorer for the Bruins, as he is netting 13.2 ppg to go along with 5.0 apg. Malcolm Lee checks in with 12.3 ppg, and Drew Gordon provides 11.2 ppg. UCLA connected on only 39.3 percent of its field goal attempts in the first half against Long Beach State last time out and trailed by one point at intermission. Although the Bruins improved to 51.6 percent field goal efficiency in the second half, they were outscored by 10 points in the stanza because of a 4-of-11 effort from the foul line and a 1-of-11 three- point showing. Roll did all he could to keep his squad loose in the contest, as he poured in 23 points in 38 minutes of action. As for Reeves Nelson, he provided 11 points and eight boards.

It is hard to imagine any scenario in which UCLA could defeat Kansas today. The Jayhawks are better than the Bruins in every aspect of the game.

GAME NOTES: The top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks invade Pauley Pavilion to take on the struggling UCLA Bruins as part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series.

FACTS & STATS: Site: Pauley Pavilion (12,800) -- Los Angeles, California. Television: FSN-PT. Home Record: Kansas 5-0, UCLA 2-1. Away Record: Kansas 0-0, UCLA 0-0. Neutral Record: Kansas 1-0, UCLA 0-3. Conference Record: Kansas 0-0, UCLA 0-0. Series Record: UCLA leads, 10-4.

Kansas 91, UCLA 70