On Tuesday night, No. 3 Kansas defeated Texas Tech, 75-72 in Lubbock, Texas. Last season, the Red Raiders posted a perfect 18-0 record at home and continued that streak this season, winning all eight home games. However, that winning streak came to a crashing halt last night. For Texas Tech, its 29-game homecourt winning streak is no more.
Last night's road win was as big a regular season win, away from Allen Fieldhouse, that I can remember in recent memory. Had Kansas lost last night, they would have arrived in Morgantown this weekend facing a team that is currently winless in Big 12 play.
Against Texas Tech, Kansas really struggled early on in the first half and faced an eight-point deficit before the first media timeout arrived. At that point, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Bill Self’s squad. The Red Raiders were ready to play and the fans were juiced from start to finish. Also, with Kevin McCullar, Jr., making his return to Lubbock, Texas, last night's game meant a little bit more.
To me, and this is especially true after last night, one of the things that make this team so dangerous is how it continues to find ways to win and be successful in different ways. Dajuan Harris scored a career-high 18 points in 35 minutes of action against Texas Tech. He was 6-of-7 from the field and 5-of-5 from behind the arc. Without Harris, Kansas doesn’t leave Lubbock, Texas with a 2-0 record in Big 12 play.
I just never thought that Harris would be the guy, at least on the offensive end of the court, that would carry Kansas to a big-time road win against the Red Raiders.
Also, as he’s done time and time again this season, especially throughout the month of December, KJ Adams, Jr., had another monster game on the offensive end of the court. Adams, Jr., in 30 minutes, scored 14 points and pulled down five rebounds. Overall, he was 7-of-13 from the field and his dunk in transition late in the game turned out to be the difference-maker in the game for Kansas.
Kansas is just a completely different team when Adams, Jr., is playing at a high level. Jalen Wilson (16) and Gradey Dick (11) both struggled shooting the ball, but they combined for 14 rebounds and still made some key plays on the offensive end of the court on Tuesday night. They combined to hit just 4-of-14 shots from behind the arc, but both connected on some baskets inside the arc that put pressure on Texas Tech to remain within striking distance, especially late in the game.
Off the bench, Kansas received a spark from Bobby Pettiford, who scored seven points, pulled down four rebounds, and dished out six assists. In 24 minutes of action, Pettiford was 3-of-6 from the field and 1-of-2 from behind the arc.
With Joseph Yesufu out of action last night, Pettiford was called on quite often and, without question, he answered the call. Cam Martin, who tallied two points, is the only other bench player that scored against the Red Raiders.
There will be nights when Wilson, Dick, McCullar, Jr., etc., struggle to score. When that happens, there are a number of guys in this team that have the ability to step up and carry the load when need be.
Last night's road win was as big a regular season win, away from Allen Fieldhouse, that I can remember in recent memory. Had Kansas lost last night, they would have arrived in Morgantown this weekend facing a team that is currently winless in Big 12 play.
Against Texas Tech, Kansas really struggled early on in the first half and faced an eight-point deficit before the first media timeout arrived. At that point, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Bill Self’s squad. The Red Raiders were ready to play and the fans were juiced from start to finish. Also, with Kevin McCullar, Jr., making his return to Lubbock, Texas, last night's game meant a little bit more.
To me, and this is especially true after last night, one of the things that make this team so dangerous is how it continues to find ways to win and be successful in different ways. Dajuan Harris scored a career-high 18 points in 35 minutes of action against Texas Tech. He was 6-of-7 from the field and 5-of-5 from behind the arc. Without Harris, Kansas doesn’t leave Lubbock, Texas with a 2-0 record in Big 12 play.
I just never thought that Harris would be the guy, at least on the offensive end of the court, that would carry Kansas to a big-time road win against the Red Raiders.
Also, as he’s done time and time again this season, especially throughout the month of December, KJ Adams, Jr., had another monster game on the offensive end of the court. Adams, Jr., in 30 minutes, scored 14 points and pulled down five rebounds. Overall, he was 7-of-13 from the field and his dunk in transition late in the game turned out to be the difference-maker in the game for Kansas.
Kansas is just a completely different team when Adams, Jr., is playing at a high level. Jalen Wilson (16) and Gradey Dick (11) both struggled shooting the ball, but they combined for 14 rebounds and still made some key plays on the offensive end of the court on Tuesday night. They combined to hit just 4-of-14 shots from behind the arc, but both connected on some baskets inside the arc that put pressure on Texas Tech to remain within striking distance, especially late in the game.
Off the bench, Kansas received a spark from Bobby Pettiford, who scored seven points, pulled down four rebounds, and dished out six assists. In 24 minutes of action, Pettiford was 3-of-6 from the field and 1-of-2 from behind the arc.
With Joseph Yesufu out of action last night, Pettiford was called on quite often and, without question, he answered the call. Cam Martin, who tallied two points, is the only other bench player that scored against the Red Raiders.
There will be nights when Wilson, Dick, McCullar, Jr., etc., struggle to score. When that happens, there are a number of guys in this team that have the ability to step up and carry the load when need be.
