Bill Self tied Phog Allen’s record for most wins at Kansas as the No. 1 Jayhawks held off a furious rally from No. 9 North Carolina, winning 92-89.
Hunter Dickinson led Kansas with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Zeke Mayo added 21 points, and KJ Adams Jr. chipped in 14.
North Carolina, led by Seth Trimble’s 19 points, fought back from a 20-point deficit to take a late lead. However, crucial baskets by Dickinson and Mayo, combined with a missed 3-pointer by Elliot Cadeau at the buzzer, sealed the victory for Kansas.
This was a historic matchup between two college basketball powerhouses. The Jayhawks and Tar Heels have a storied rivalry, dating back to 1960.
Key Takeaways:
- North Carolina’s Offensive Strategy: The Tar Heels relied heavily on getting to the free-throw line, making 28 of 31 attempts. However, their lack of production in the paint hindered their comeback effort.
- Dickinson’s Dominance: The Kansas center’s late-game scoring and free throws were crucial in securing the win.
- Kansas’s First-Half Lead: The Jayhawks’ early dominance set the stage for a thrilling second-half comeback by North Carolina.
Up Next:
- North Carolina will face American next Friday.
- Kansas will take on Michigan State on Tuesday night in Atlanta.
- Pregame coverage on 95.5 KNDY, Z-96.3 The Lake, and SuperStar Country 102.5 & 1530 AM will begin at 5:00 p.m. with tipoff at 5:30 p.m.
