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Kansas faces Missouri with perfect record on line

Jan 19, 2008 - 2:39 PM No. 3 Kansas (17-0) at Missouri (11-6) 8:00 pm EST

COLUMBIA, Missouri (Ticker) - A well-rested Kansas squad puts its perfect record on the line Saturday against Big 12 rival Missouri.

One of three unbeaten teams left in Division I, the No. 3 Jayhawks (17-0, 2-0 Big 12) are off to their best start since the 1996-97 squad went 22-0 to start the season.

The Jayhawks should be tested by the Tigers (11-6, 1-1), who are 10-0 at home.

"They have really nice pieces," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "I see them as a much improved team and a tougher team than what we faced last year."

Kansas, which hasn't played since an 85-55 victory over Oklahoma on Monday, beat Missouri twice last season and is 7-2 in the last nine games of the series.

The Jayhawks have won their last six games by an average of more than 27 points and lead the Big 12 in scoring at 83.8 points per game.

"One guy can get the hot hand," senior forward Darnell Jackson said. "Then another guy can get the hot hand. As long as we play together, we'll win a lot of games."

Sophomore forward Darrell Arthur leads Kansas in scoring at 13.4 points. Jackson is averaging 12.3 points and 7.0 rebounds.

The Tigers are coming off a 72-67 loss at Iowa State on Wednesday. Missouri has lost four games by five points or less.

Junior forward DeMarre Carroll leads the Tigers with 14.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.