Breaking down New Mexico State vs. Kansas

Balance vs. Balance

One thing both Kansas and New Mexico State pride themselves on is balanced scoring. Four of New Mexico State’s starters average at least 10 points, while the fifth averages 9.5. Kansas boasts two starters who average more than 12 points, while two more average more than nine.

Neither team create a defensive strategy based on slowing down a single player.

Still, Bill Self and Marvin Menzies know who they would like to limit most.

For New Mexico State, that player is Wayne Selden.

“It is going to take a total team effort,” Daniel Mullings said. “As far as us in the backcourt, the guards, we’re going to look to speed him up a little bit and make him uncomfortable. Then we get into the frontcourt and it is going to be a total team effort. It’s going to take all five guys.”

For Kansas it is Tshilidzi Nephawe.

“We know we are going to have to rebound the ball well and defend the post well,” Selden said. “Those are the biggest keys.”

Pressing the issue

New Mexico State is not afraid to press, which could be a challenge for Kansas.

The only team the Jayhawks faced this season that defended the entire court was West Virginia, and they had trouble with the Mountaineers, losing on the road and narrowly winning at home.

Menzies plans on making Kansas prove it can beat a press before he tries anything else.

“We will mix it up,” Menzies said. “We’ll do some different things in the full-court set, but some of it we will just drop back and try to apply some pressure in the half court. We want to try to turn them over.”

Gaining confidence

If KU requires extended minutes inside from one of its bench players, Hunter Mickelson is ready.

The junior forward has played an increased role since Perry Ellis suffered a knee injury, and his confidence is high.

“It’s been great,” Mickelson said. “I have enjoyed it more than anything, just going out there with these guys. I am going to work really, really hard to provide whatever I need to.”

Winging it

The best one-on-one matchup in this game could be KU’s Kelly Oubre against New Mexico State’s Remi Barry.

Oubre is playing his best basketball, averaging 12.3 points in the Big 12 Tournament. Barry leads New Mexico State with 13.3 points.

Both are small forwards, capable of making shots on the wing and slashing toward the basket. Barry is 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds. Oubre is 6-7 and 200 pounds.

The biggest difference between them? Barry is a senior, and has lots of postseason experience. Oubre does not. Though Oubre has asked his older teammates for advice.

“They have pretty much calmed me down throughout this whole process and told me to take every game one game at a time,” Oubre said. “One possession at a time. Don’t take anybody for granted, and pretty much just play with a free mind. Try to take care of business for the name across your chest.”

Free the three

If Kansas needs three-pointers against New Mexico State’s zone defense, Brannen Greene could be the guy to make them. Though he has struggled to score in recent games, he caught fire midway through the season, making 17 threes in a seven-game stretch.

Kellis Robinett

This story was originally published March 19, 2015 at 8:37 PM with the headline "Breaking down New Mexico State vs. Kansas."