Led by Hunter Dickinson’s 25 points and Zeke Mayo’s 24, the No. 9 Kansas Jayhawks cruised to an 84-74 victory over the Kansas State Wildcats at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday.
The Jayhawks established early dominance, building a substantial lead that they maintained throughout the game. The Wildcats, despite their efforts, were unable to close the gap, never getting closer than six points.
“We played exceptionally well in the first 10 minutes,” remarked Kansas head coach Bill Self, “but then we missed KJ [Adams Jr.] for the remaining 30. We achieved some positive results today, but after such a strong start, we certainly aimed for a better finish.”
Mayo showcased his offensive prowess with 14 first-half points, while Dajuan Harris Jr. contributed effectively with nine points in the first half and six in the second.
With a crucial opportunity to narrow the deficit to five points, Max Jones’ missed three-pointer from the corner with 2:32 remaining effectively sealed the Wildcats’ fate.
Coleman Hawkins led the Wildcats with 15 points and 10 assists.
Takeaways:
- Kansas State: The Wildcats must address their vulnerability to significant scoring runs. A devastating 14-0 run to begin the game severely hampered their chances of a comeback. The Jayhawks’ largest lead reached 16 points.
- Kansas: The Jayhawks urgently need KJ Adams Jr. to recover from his partially separated right shoulder, an injury sustained against Iowa State on Wednesday. His absence significantly impacted the team’s interior play, with limited production from other inside players.
Key Moment:
The decisive 14-0 run proved to be a turning point. Kansas displayed exceptional shooting accuracy during this period, converting five of their first six shots, including three from beyond the arc, while the Wildcats missed their first seven attempts. This early dominance set the tone for the remainder of the game, with the Wildcats trailing 39-29 at halftime.
Key Stat:
Despite a dismal 23.1% three-point shooting percentage, the Wildcats managed to remain competitive. They struggled significantly from beyond the arc, making only 2 of 15 attempts in the first half and 4 of 11 in the second.
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Next Up
The Kansas Jayhawks will face TCU on the road this Wednesday with tipoff scheduled for 6:00 PM. Pregame coverage will be available from 5:30 PM on 95.5 KNDY, Z-96.3 The Lake, and SuperStar Country 102.5.
The Kansas State Wildcats will face the Baylor Bears at Bramlage Coliseum on Wednesday evening. Pregame coverage will be available from 7:00 PM on Classic Country 1570 AM/94.1 FM KNDY and Classic Hits Q-106.7, leading up to the 8:00 PM tipoff.
