In a rematch of one of the top games this year, the Kansas Jayhawks got the upper hand and defended their home court.
In a high-scoring affair, big games from Jalen Wilson and Dajuan Harris were enough to give Kansas the 90-78 win. Here are the three takeaways from tonight’s matchup.
Takeaway #1: Kansas breaks out of their scoring slump
The Kansas Jayhawks have been in a slump when it comes to shooting behind the arc, failing to hit double-digit threes in six straight games, a stretch they went 3-3 in. Against the Wildcats, they knocked down 11 on just 27 shots. If they can become more of a threat from behind the arc, that opens up the offense and allows players like KJ Adams and Dajuan Harris to excel.
Kansas’ 90 points are also the most they’ve scored in 2023, and the third most in the season. If Kansas’ can combine this with an elite defense, then they will get to that national championship caliber team that many saw early in the season.
Takeaway #2: Unbalanced scoring haunts the other side this time
When the two teams faced off in Manhattan, Kansas, three Jayhawks combined for 71 while the rest of the team combined for nine. Today, it was the opposite, with three Kansas State players accounting for over 70% of their points. Balance is key, and Kansas State can only succeed down the stretch if guys other than Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson step up.
Takeaway #3: Referees once again steal the spotlight
After the previous game between the two teams saw 49 fouls called, it’s expected that the refs to let the guys play a little more in the rematch. This was not the case, with 47 fouls called in this one, forcing key players like Gradey Dick and Keyontae Johnson to play conservatively throughout the second half.
While the game was by no means decided by refereeing, it should never come to a point where they are more fouls called than minutes played. The Big 12 needs to do a better job of allowing these talented athletes to play and have little to no impact on the game.
Next game for the Kansas Jayhawks: @ Iowa State (Feb. 4 – Noon)
Next game for the Kansas State Wildcats: vs. Texas (Feb. 4 – 4 p.m.)