This was a statement game for Tyshawn Taylor. Taylor finished with 13 points, four rebounds, and four assist, but his defensive effort on Joe Jackson was dominating.
Taylor held Jackson scoreless for the most part of the game, with his only point coming at the free-throw line.
This young Memphis squad could not force enough pressure on the offensive Jayhawks. There were many times where the ball handler made a great lob pass because of the lack of pressure.
That turned into a 19-assist night, as well as a big win.
Markieff Morris scored 16 points, and added six rebounds. His brother Marcus Morris also chipped in 14 points, eight rebounds, as well as Thomas Robinson chipping in 10 points, 10 rebounds off the bench.
The Tigers dropped their first game on the season with a great experience against a top-5 squad. Will Barton stepped up for Tigers pacing them in scoring with 16 points, while adding seven rebounds, and three steals.
Two other players for the Tigers were in double-figures with Charles Carmounche chipping in 12, as well as Chris Crawford adding 15 off the bench.
Memphis leader Wesley Witherspoon turned in another disappointing effort in a game where the Tigers needed him the most. He ended the game 3-of-11 (27%) from the field, and scored eight points, with two turnovers.
With both Jackson, and Witherspoon struggling with the defensive pressure of the Jayhawks, Kansas was able to slowly pull away from Memphis in the second half.
Kansas defeats Memphis for the third straight year in a row. Despite the blemish to UCLA, Kansas has been one of the more impressive teams in the nation.
Memphis was unable to contain Kansas on the glass, and that helped the Jayhawks get over the 21 forced turnovers by the Tigers. Kansas held a 38-26 advantage on the glass, with 11 second-chance opportunities.
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