Two weeks after falling in extra time in the course of the first Sunflower Showdown of the season, No. 8 Kansas bought revenge on Tuesday with a 90-78 win over No. 7 Kansas State behind one other enormous evening from Jalen Wilson. The Jayhawks star reached the 20-point mark for the fifth straight recreation as he completed with 20 to raise KU (18-4, 6-3 Large 12) right into a tie for second within the league standings with the Wildcats (18-4, 6-3).
Wilson helped Kansas construct their lead whereas the protection helped the Jayhawks keep it as they tied Okay-State to a season-worst capturing at 33.9% from the ground. Star guards Marquis Noel and Contay Johnson mixed for 45 factors for Kansas State, however made solely 5 of 18 makes an attempt from the bottom within the second half. Whereas once more rising, Wilson scored 9 totally different gamers for Kansas with goaltender DaJuan Harris hitting a profession excessive with 18.
A Kansas State win would have earned the Wildcats their first season sweep of the Jayhawks for the reason that 1962-63 season and their first win at Allen Fieldhouse since 2006. However Kansas continued to indicate that their gorgeous 83-60 house loss to TCU on January 21 was simply an aberration. That defeat was a part of a three-game shedding streak for Kansas that ended with a win over Kentucky on Saturday.
With back-to-back wins now over Kentucky and Kansas State, it formally appears to be like like Kansas is again heading in the right direction because the nationwide champions advance towards one other postseason run.
traces of brackets
When Kansas State beat Kansas within the first assembly, it helped the Wildcats legitimize their resume. Shortly thereafter, they shot as much as the anticipated No. 1 seed for the NCAA Event in Jerry Palm The science of braces. In the meantime, the Jayhawks have slipped off the streak of a projected No. 1 seed amid their shedding streak. However with Tuesday’s win, the Jayhawks are again within the anticipated No. 1 seed streak and Okay-State will fall again to the No. 2 seed streak, in line with Palm.
There are nonetheless a number of weeks earlier than Choice Sunday, however the Jayhawks are 9-4 in Quad 1 video games now whereas Kansas State is 5-3 in Quad 1 probabilities. Going 3-3 over their final six video games, the Wildcats host Tenth-ranked Texas on Saturday.
Harris’ large evening
Going into the season, it appeared like a much bigger offensive function might be dugout for Harris, who averaged 5.4 factors per recreation as the start line guard throughout final season’s Nationwide League title run. However going into Tuesday’s contest, Harris averaged simply 6.4 factors in league video games and appeared reluctant to hunt baskets for himself. Over 4 video games spanning January, Harris scored a complete of 5 factors on 2-of-18 capturing because the Jayhawks misplaced three of these 4 video games.
Towards Kentucky, nonetheless, Harris bounced again from Funk with eight factors, together with a pair of giant early three-pointers to assist the Jayhawks get again within the profitable column. He took it to a different stage in opposition to Okay-State, particularly within the second half because the trio of Wilson, Grady Dick and Kevin McCullar mixed to shoot 3 of 14 from the sector. Scuffling with beginning choices, Harris took it upon himself to help and scored 12 within the second half alone.
bench contributions
Kansas entered the sport ranked 346th nationally in bench minutes, per kenpom.com. However the Jayhawks obtained vital contributions from their reserves, even with backup heart Zuby Ejiofor lacking the sport with a foot damage. Bobby Pettiford, Joseph Yessoufou, Zach Clemens and Ernest Ode Jr. scored between 10 and quarter-hour off the bench, every hitting pictures from the sector as KU edged bench Kansas State 19-9.
Because the Jayhawks step up their title protection and cruise by means of the Large 12 grind, receiving constant contributions from the bench can be important. Tuesday’s recreation was a step in the suitable route in that regard.