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Jayhawks seek 11th consecutive triumph vs. Texas Tech

Jan 20, 2007 - 3:33 PM No. 5 Kansas (16-2) at Texas Tech (13-5) 4:00 pm EST

LUBBOCK, Texas (Ticker) -- Kansas coach Bill Self hopes his team's recent string of close victories will become character-building experiences.

Self looks to guide the fifth-ranked Jayhawks to their 11th consecutive win Saturday and maintain their unbeaten mark in Big 12 Conference play Saturday when they visit Texas Tech.

Off to a 3-0 conference start for the 11th time in 13 seasons, Kansas has won 31 of its last 35 contests and can win 11 in a row for the second time in Self's four seasons. The Jayhawks opened the 2004-2005 campaign with 14 victories.

After last Saturday's overtime triumph at Iowa State, Kansas hung on in Monday's 80-77 win over Missouri. Freshman Sherron Collins scored a season-high 23 points, including seven of the team's last nine down the stretch.

Texas Tech has won two of its last three after coach Bob Knight surpassed fellow-Hall of Famer Dean Smith for most career victories. Knight is 882-355 in his 41st season.

However, the Red Raiders had their three-game winning streak halted with last Saturday's 73-70 defeat against Baylor, falling to 2-1 in conference play. Jon Plefka scored 19 points off the bench and Jarrius Jackson added 16 for Texas Tech.

Kansas has won 16 of the 18 encounters against the Red Raiders, including last season's 86-52 victory. Brandon Rush led the Jayhawks with 24 points and 11 rebounds.