Kansas has had an up and down season, where they have had many ups, but few downs. However, when they have had lowlights, they have been lower than a canyon. They have 11 wins on the season, but their two losses, one to #1 Kentucky and the other to an up and coming Temple team, were the worst in the Bill Self era. Today, against a young but tough UNLV squad that has already knocked off a top team in the nation in Arizona, the Jayhawks were looking to avoid a letdown. They Jayhawks had a 19 game winning streak at home in the Phog against unranked opponents.

Now it is 20 in a row, as although they had a 33-29 halftime deficit, they battled back and prevailed at the end, 76-61.

Although the majority of the team had impressive stat lines, one player that stood out was Frank Mason III. Mason III was all over the court for the Jayhawks, scoring a game high 18 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, dishing out 7 assists, and garnering 4 steals. The sophemore from Petersburg, Virginia, is becoming a consistent contributor for Kansas, and Bill Self will need him to continue his hot stretch for them to contend for a Big 12 title this year.

Perry Ellis almost got a double-double for Kansas this evening, scoring 16 with 9 rebounds. His freshman teammate Kelly Oubre Jr. did complete the double-double, with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Wayne Selden Jr. was another KU guard that helped out the cause, shooting 4 threes and 2 FTs for 16 points. Jamari Traylor was key for the Jayhawks on defense, as he boxed out quite well against UNLV to get 9 rebounds, and sent back 3 UNLV shots as well.

Nevada-Las Vegas seemed to keep up with the effort of KU, but were hindered by the down performance from leading scorer Rashad Vaughn. Vaughn was often flustered by the Kansas defense, giving up 4 turnovers, and had 10 points, well off his season average of 18. Although he had a few dunks early in the game, young big man Goodluck Okonoboh couldn't get good position under the basket very often due to the impressive play of Jamari Traylor. Okonoboh did play well on defense, grabbing 7 rebounds and blocking 5 shots. Forward Christian Wood and PG Cody Doolin both had productive days, each with 12 points, Wood with 8 rebounds and Doolin, a transfer from the San Francisco Dons, with 7 assists.

However, the Rebels could not hold down the scoring prowess and efficiency of Kansas' star shooters. If Mason III, Ellis, and Selden Jr. can keep their FGM-A up as high as it was today (a combined 20-38), they will have a chance to contend with Oklahoma, West Virginia, and others for the Big 12 crown.

The Vegas boys will get a much easier test on Wednesday when they head back home to battle with their in-state rivals, the Nevada Wolfpack, while Kansas has a date with Baylor in Waco on Wednesday as well.