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Jeff Withey gets triple-double in Kansas victory

San Jose State v Kansas

LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 26: Jeff Withey #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks blocks a shot by James Kinney #33 of the San Jose State Spartans during the game at Allen Fieldhouse on November 26, 2012 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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Holy Jeff Withey.

Kansas senior big man went insane for the No. 10-ranked Jayhawks tonight, recording the second triple-double in school history with 16 points, 12 rebounds and a school-record 12 blocks in a 70-57 victory over San Jose State.

What has to stand out is the 12 blocks, which is the elusive “big man triple double”.

A lot is expected of Withey this season, a fifth-year senior who was probably the best shot blocker in the nation not named Anthony Davis last season. This definitely the way to start the season for the potential National Defensive Player of the Year. Just as impressive may have been that with the ball in his hands so much, Withey only committed two turnovers and one foul.

He was 7-for-11 from the field and, in what could be seen as his only real negative, was only 2-for-6 from the free throw line. Not that it really mattered. Also, 10 of Withey’s boards were on the defensive end.

On the other side, Jame Kinney dropped in a game-high 30 points for the Spartans on 11-of-26 shooting.

But the big story, obviously, is Withey’s assault on the stat sheet for Kansas. It was the only game featuring a Top 10 team on the night, and that definitely was ok.

David Harten is the editor of The Backboard Chronicles. You can follow him on Twitter at @David_Harten.