Jimmy V Classic, No. 13 Memphis Vs. No. 4 Kansas: Somebody’s Getting Their First Loss

GAME NOTES: For the third time in the last four seasons, powerhouses Memphis and Kansas will square off on the hardwood, as the fourth-ranked Jayhawks and 13th-ranked Tigers collide at Madison Square Garden this evening in the Jimmy V Classic.

The Jayhawks have endured some turnover in terms of All-American talent from a year ago, but the team continues to produce, starting this season out with a flawless 7-0 mark thus far. It hasn't been easy though, including a controversial 77-76 victory over UCLA last Thursday as part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series.

The Tigers are also sporting a perfect 7-0 mark thus far. Memphis has certainly enjoyed home cooking this season, with six of its seven games coming at the FedExForum, including Saturday's 77-61 victory over Western Kentucky.

Kansas has won five of the seven all-time meetings in this series, including the memorable 75-68 overtime win in the 2008 National Championship Game. last year, the Jayhawks won another tight affair, topping Memphis 59-57 in the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase in St. Louis.

Joe Jackson led the Tigers with 15 points, but it was D.J. Stephens who ignited Memphis in the win over Western Kentucky, recording his first career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Tarik Black also posted double digits in the win with 11 points, as Memphis shot a solid .483 from the floor overall, while forcing the Hilltoppers into 20 turnovers. Balance has been the key for Memphis thus far, with the team getting the job done at both ends of the floor. The Tigers have the ability to fill up the basket at 85.3 ppg, but it doesn't come at the expense of defensive effort. Teams are shooting well below 40 percent against Memphis (.369), leading to a mere 65.7 ppg. Wesley Witherspoon leads three Tigers in double figures, averaging 13.7 ppg. Jackson is next in line (12.1 ppg), followed closely by Will Barton (11.9 ppg).

Much like Memphis this season, Kansas has flourished at both ends of the floor, resulting in an impressive +30.4 scoring margin. The team is netting nearly 90 points per game on a ridiculous 56.9 percent shooting. The Morris brothers have taken over as the leaders on this team and the two talented forwards have been a devastating duo at times. Marcus Morris is converting 64.5 percent of his shots in the early going, averaging 18.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per outing. Markieff Morris is a distant second in the scoring column at 11.9 ppg, but is nearly averaging a double-double with a team-high 9.1 rpg. Guards Tyshawn Taylor and Tyrel Reed provide backcourt balance with 10.4 and 10.1 ppg, respectively. Kansas was able to earn its 64th straight home court victory with the one-point win over UCLA last time out, thanks to a foul-call in the waning moments that sent the Jayhawks to the free-throw line to win the game. Reed and Taylor had huge games in the win, posting 17 points apiece. Marcus Morris tallied 16 points and six rebounds in support.

Two undefeated teams colliding in the Jimmy V Classic and it is bound to be another thriller between these two programs. The Jayhawks may once again have a slight edge in terms of talent, and the play of the Morris' brothers could very well be the difference.

GAME NOTES: For the third time in the last four seasons, powerhouses Memphis and Kansas will square off on the hardwood, as the fourth-ranked Jayhawks and 13th-ranked Tigers collide at Madison Square Garden this evening in the Jimmy V Classic.

FACTS & STATS: Site: Madison Square Garden (19,764) -- New York, New York. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Memphis 6-0, Kansas 5-0. Away Record: Memphis 0-0, Kansas 0-0. Neutral Record: Memphis 1-0, Kansas 2-0. Conference Record: Memphis 0-0, Kansas 0-0. Series Record: Kansas leads, 5-2.

Kansas 78, Memphis 74