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Aldrich, Syracuse eye CBE Classic title

Nov 25, 2008 - 2:54 PM No. 23 Kansas (3-0) vs. Syracuse (4-0) 10:15 p.m. EST

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- Cole Aldrich is helping Kansas defend its national championship.

Aldrich and 23rd-ranked Kansas go for the CBE Classic title on Tuesday when they face Syracuse in the championship game.

The 6-11 sophomore, Aldrich will be counted on heavily this season by the Jayhawks after losing all five starters from last season's squad, which prevailed over Memphis in the final of the NCAA Tournament in April.

Despite facing Washington's Jon Brockman, who entered his senior season among the top 50 preseason candidates for the Wooden Award, Aldrich had a breakout performance during the semifinals on Monday.

He scored a career-high 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, leading Kansas to a 73-54 drubbing against Washington. Aldrich made 6-of-12 shots from the field, pulled down four offensive boards and blocked six shots while limiting Brockman to just seven points on 2-of-9 shooting.

Syracuse will once again depend heavily on Jonny Flynn against the Jayhawks as the team aims for its second upset in as many days.

Flynn scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half as the Orange recorded an early quality win with an 89-83 victory over No. 18 Florida in Monday's other semifinal.

Flynn, who had a stellar freshman campaign for the shorthanded Orange last year, has continued to play well in the early going, and Monday was no different. The 6-foot star shot 5-of-7 from the field with two 3-pointers, handing out four assists and collecting two steals.