Updates » second time Stanton crushed a ball in Denver. He hit a home r

NEW YORK -- Kansas did not get off to a flying start in more than one sense.By going to overtime in a season-opening loss to Indiana in the Armed Forces Classic, the No. 7 Jayhawks were left scrambling to make a flight out of Hawaii.They flew to New York both frazzled and disappointed while forced to get ready for another elite showdown Tuesday against top-ranked Duke in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden.We need to get ready and think about Duke, Kansas coach Bill Self said, but certainly you come all the way over here (to Honolulu), you play 45 minutes, youve got to win. I mean, thats the bottom line and we just didnt do it.Instead, four starters fouled out and the Jayhawks fell 103-99 to the Hoosiers, despite forcing an overtime by overcoming a five-point deficit with slightly more than a minute remaining.Senior guard Frank Mason posted a career-best 30 points while also leading Kansas with nine assists and seven rebounds.He missed a big one, Self said of a free throw by Mason with 40 seconds left in regulation, but other than that, he was great. He had some mental lapses defensively, but Franks so tough.Defensive breakdowns were most concerning for Self after his team allowed Indiana to drain 15 bombs from 3-point range. He also was not pleased with the Jayhawks shot selection.The reality of it is, theres so many possessions that youve got to be able to guard your man and youve got to pay attention to the scouting report, Self said. I didnt think we were. We played like it was the first game.That variable no longer exists, and the competition only stiffens after Kansas lost a season opener for the first time in Selfs 14 seasons as coach.Duke played two home games last weekend as part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic. The Blue Devils (2-0) played without three injured freshman post players but had no trouble pounding Marist and Grand Canyon.I like my team a lot, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. We just have to keep getting better, and then once these injuries are taken care of in some time, we can become a different team. Right now, we have to be this team and not think about who we could be. Our complete focus has got to be how to win this team.That directive requires perimeter players to crash the boards. Junior guard Grayson Allen snagged 10 rebounds as part of a double-double that included 25 points against Grand Canyon. The Blue Devils trailed by six early, but five scorers netted double figures to lead the 96-61 blowout.We know the big guys that we do have in the game, theyre going to be battling, boxing out the other bigs, so the perimeter, we need to crash in and rebound and clean up all the loose stuff, Krzyzewski said.None of the injured freshman big men -- Harry Giles (knee), Marques Bolden (lower leg) and Jayson Tatum (foot) -- are expected to play against Kansas.The absence of Giles prevents a showdown between two of the nations most coveted recruits, though Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson struggled in his debut, scoring nine points on 3-of-11 shooting from he field against Indiana.Whatever amount of time, whatever it is, lets just get well, Krzyzewski added. And while you guys are getting well and supporting the team, lets become a team with these nine (healthy) guys. We made that a priority this past week.The lone Kansas victory in the Champions Classic since its inception in 2011 was a 94-83 victory against Duke in 2013. The Blue Devils leads the all-time series 7-3.Tipoff for the Duke-Kansas clash will follow a matchup between Kentucky and Michigan State. The Spartans also opened their season on Nov. 11 in Honolulu, losing at the wire to Arizona. Cheap Air Max 97 All Black China . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse. Cheap Air Max 97 All Pink China . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. http://www.cheapairmax97fromchina.com/cheap-air-max-97-yellow-china/ . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. Cheap Air Max 97 Grey China . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Cheap Air Max 97 Rose China . LOUIS -- Alexander Steen scored a power-play goal with 59. DENVER -- Ichiro Suzuki nearly got his 3,000th hit and Giancarlo Stanton hit a record-long home run. It should have been a night to celebrate for the Miami Marlins, but the Colorado Rockies relentless offense spoiled the party.Suzuki grounded out in his first try at 3,000 hits and the Marlins, despite a 504-foot home run by Stanton, lost to the Colorado Rockies 12-6 on Saturday night.Charlie Blackmon homered among his four hits and drove in four runs for the Rockies, who moved within three games of the Marlins and St. Louis for the second NL wild-card spot on a night when history was nearly made.I dont know if Ive ever been in a game where Ive seen 3,000 hits, Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. Its a big deal.It didnt seem like Suzuki would have a chance after the Rockies took a 12-3 lead in the seventh, but he had a pinch-hit infield single to lead off the eighth inning for No. 2,999, just beating the throw by Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado. Suzuki stayed in the game to play right field.When I threw it I thought I had him, but like I said, hes too fast, Arenado said. Thats why hes so good.In the ninth, with many in the crowd at Coors Field standing, Suzuki hit a comebacker to Scott Oberg. The 6-foot-2 pitcher reached high to get the ball before it went up the middle and, after dropping the transfer, quickly gathered it to barely throw out Suzuki.I was trying to turn a double play on that, but once I bobbled it, I was just trying to get the out at first base, Oberg said. What hes done in his career has been an outstanding accomplishment. Hes been an inspiration to a lot of players.The 42-year-old Japanese star will become the 30th player in major league history to reach 3,000 with his next hit.You put him in the game when we did theres a little thought that he might get two (at-bats), Miami manager Don Mattingly said. Once he gets that first one, as that inning gets extended, you know hes going to get another AB. The guys were excited to have a chance to see it.Rookie David Dahl had three hits to extend his hitting streak to 12 games and Daniel Descalso drovee in three runs for Colorado, which is 15-7 since the All-Star break.ddddddddddddStantons 23rd homer was the longest in the major leagues this season and the longest in Coors Field history. Suzuki batted for the All-Star Home Run Derby champion in the eighth.Stanton, who flew out on a 3-0 pitch in the third, connected in the fifth on an 89 mph changeup from Chad Bettis (10-6), sending a drive into the seats in left-center field for a 3-2 lead.I wasnt happy with my 3-0 swing, Stanton said. It was a good swing but not the type of attack you should have with that so I said if he throws me that again Im going to do what I should have done 3-0 and he did.Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza held the record for the longest homer at Coors, hitting a 496-footer in 1997 when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers.This was the second time Stanton crushed a ball in Denver. He hit a home run 494 feet in 2012.It put us in a good place but didnt seem to work out, Stanton said.Andrew Cashner (4-8) retired 10 straight after Dahls leadoff triple in the second, but faltered in Colorados seven-run sixth. The Rockies got five straight hits and a walk off the righty to take a 7-2 lead, and they tagged reliever Mike Dunn for three more runs.The Rockies sent 13 batters to the plate in the inning, which ended with reliever Nefi Ogando striking out Carlos Gonzalez with the bases loaded.We want to play out front and our offense is helping us do that, Weiss said. At the same time were getting good starting pitching. We got a long way to go. We got a lot more games to win, but its been nice seeing our guys fight their way back in the mix here.STILL STREAKINGDahls streak is the second longest by a Rockies rookie to begin a career. Juan Pierre reached 16 in 2000. ... Gonzalez also had two hits to reach 17 straight games. His is the longest current streak in the majors.UP NEXTThe Marlins will send LHP Adam Conley (7-6, 3.41) against Colorados Jon Gray (8-4, 3.77) on Sunday. ' ' '