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Rush, Kansas look to get back on track vs. USC

Dec 4, 2006 - 3:24 PM USC (5-1) at No. 5 Kansas (6-2) 9:00 pm EST

LAWRENCE, Kansas (Ticker) -- Brandon Rush and Kansas will look to prove that their last game was just a fluke.

The fifth-ranked Jayhawks will look to rebound from a disappointing first road game when they host upstart Southern California on Monday.

A week removed from its thrilling upset of then-No. 1 Florida in Las Vegas, Kansas (6-2) displayed some vulnerability after failing to hold an eight-point lead in the closing minutes of a 64-57 loss at DePaul on Saturday.

Last season's leading scorer as a freshman, Rush managed just three points on 1-of-7 shooting in the disappointing loss to the Blue Demons.

That latest game was just a continuation of struggles for the 6-6 guard, who has failed to reach double figures in his last two games and is averaging just 12.3 points on 41 percent (36-of-88) shooting so far this season.

The sophomore will need to find his touch in time against the Trojans (5-1), who have won their last five games following an 80-74 overtime setback against South Carolina in the season opener.

USC, which received great news before the season started with the signing of top prospect O.J. Mayo for next season, will be taking its first trip away from Southern California.

The Trojans are coming off a 67-50 victory over Loyola Marymount on Saturday in which Lodrick Stewart hit a career-high six 3-pointers and finished with 21 points.

The senior guard, who is shooting 39 percent (12-of-31) from the arc this season, is the second-leading scorer behind Nick Young with 14.7 points a game.

The meeting with Kansas will be a special game for Stewart, whose twin brother Rodrick is a reserve for the Jayhawks.

The game will also be somewhat of a homecoming for USC coach Tim Floyd, who coached in the Big 12 Conference with Iowa State from 1994-98. The former Chicago Bulls coach is 3-9 all-time against Kansas.

The Jayhawks are 7-5 all-time against the Trojans, including the previous meeting here in December 1998.