Sooners Set to Host Kansas at Lloyd Noble Center

NORMAN, Okla. -- A week ago, Kansas was rolling with a six-game winning streak and an unbeaten mark in the Big 12.

It's safe to say the mood in Lawrence has changed a bit.

The eighth-ranked Jayhawks will try to avoid losing three straight for the first time since the 1993-94 season when they visit No. 22 Oklahoma on Monday.

Kansas (20-3, 10-2 Big 12) is coming off a pair of close losses which have allowed No. 4 Oklahoma State to move into a tie with the Jayhawks for first place. Kansas fell in two overtimes at Texas Tech last Monday and then dropped a 63-61 overtime decision to Iowa State on Saturday.

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Kansas, which dropped six spots in this week's AP Top 25 poll, will host Oklahoma State on Sunday.

``I haven't thought we had a cushion all along,'' Kansas coach Bill Self said. ``We shouldn't even be thinking about the league race. We should be thinking about playing better at Oklahoma.''

Wayne Simien was the only Jayhawk in double figures on Saturday, finishing with 17 points. Kansas shot 4-of-23 from 3-point range, including a 1-of-11 effort by shooting guard J.R. Giddens.

Simien, who is averaging a team-high 18.7 points, said he was capable of an even bigger effort but the poor outside shooting was a major reason why he was limited to only seven shots.

``When we are not making shots from the outside and not attacking by dribble penetration, it is tough to get the ball inside,'' Simien said. ``I have confidence in my teammates to get the ball inside. I felt like I could get some things going on the inside, but I was never able to get into a rhythm.''

Giddens has struggled over his last two games. The Oklahoma City native, who is shooting a little better than 41 percent from the field this season, combined to shoot 6-of-29 in the two losses.

Oklahoma (19-6, 8-4) ended a three-game road losing streak with a thrilling 69-68 win at Kansas State on Saturday. Drew Lavender scored a season-high 29 points, including a driving layup at the buzzer for the win.

``I just went coast to coast,'' Lavender said. ``I had to shoot it with my left hand and it bounced around the rim. I asked (Kevin) Bookout if he touched it and he said he didn't touch it, so I knew it was golden.''

Lavender has come off the bench in each of the last two games for Oklahoma, which shook up its lineup following three straight losses. The 5-foot-7 guard has scored 39 points in his last two outings after combining for nine in his previous two.

The Sooners remain puzzled over the poor production from Bookout, who is averaging 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds in Big 12 play. The 6-8 starting forward is averaging just 7.0 points and 4.5 boards per game over the last six games.

Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson said his team's focus has been a major problem.

``We say to this team more than any team I've ever coached about mental toughness, competition and playing hard,'' Sampson said. ``It's just the way we've been playing games.''

Oklahoma, which is 12-1 at home, will be trying to record its eighth straight 20-win season.

Kansas posted a 79-58 win over Oklahoma last year to mark the Jayhawks' second win in the last five meetings.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners Set to Host Kansas at Lloyd Noble Center

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