I've got somewhat of a long drive home, so here are some takeaways from KU's loss in Manhattan. I'll post the video before I leave along with the story Joe wrote.
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Well, it was another frustrating loss for Bill Self and No. 4 Kansas on Monday night. The Jayhawks, coming off a big win at home against Houston, lost on the road to Kansas State, 75-70. This one, without question, was a head-scratcher for sure.
Kansas had so many opportunities to put this game away, especially early on in the second half, but simply failed to slam the door on the Wildcats. Up by two points at the half, the Jayhawks had a chance to make it four right before the half, but Kevin McCullar, Jr., failed to convert on a drive to the basket.
In the second half, Kansas led by 11, 41-30, but that lead didn’t last long. The Wildcats tied the game with 15:00 left in the second half. Kansas, with 6:16 left in the second half, led Kansas State by four points but failed to close out the game down the stretch.
Tylor Perry, with 4:49 left on the clock, was fouled while shooting a three and converted all three attempts. After a missed shot by Hunter Dickinson on the next trip down the court, Cam Carter drilled a three, and KSU led by four points with 4:23 left in the second half.
Kansas actually regained the lead with 1:42 left on the clock, 62-60, but Perry tied the game shortly thereafter.
KJ Adams, Jr., tied the game with 14 seconds left in regulation, and the game was headed to overtime.
In overtime, Kansas led by one, 66-65, with 4:15 left in the extra session, but wouldn’t lead again the remainder of the overtime period. Perry put KSU up for good, 67-66, with 2:41 left in the extra session. Kansas managed to pull within two points, 70-68 but would get no closer down the stretch.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock in overtime, KSU walked off the court victorious, 75-70.
You can talk about Hunter Dickinson (21), Dajuan Harris (15), Kevin McCullar (15), and KJ Adams (13) scoring in double-figures on Monday night. However, the bottom line is, well, there are a couple to look at here.
Johnny Furphy tallied just four points on 2-of-7 shooting from the field, including 0-of-4 from behind the arc, and, more importantly, Elmakro Jackson (2) was the only player to score off the bench for Kansas.
Kansas was 28-of-68 from the field, 3-of-15 from behind the arc, and 11-of-16 from the free-throw line.
Kansas was hammered on the glass, 43-33. Kansas State, offensively, was 9-of-26 from behind the arc and 18-of-26 from the free-throw line.
The Jayhawks turned the ball over just nine times, but a number of those turnovers just came at the wrong time. Getting dominated on the glass, missing layups, turning the ball over, and getting just two points off the bench on the road in the Big 12 simply won’t get it done.
McCullar, Jr., was 6-of-18 from the field and 2-of-5 from three. As I mentioned above, Furphy was 2-of-7 from the field and 0-of-4 from behind the arc. If he hits his season average, or even close, the final outcome is different.
You all have seen this team enough to know what its potential is, both the good and the bad. If something doesn’t change with the bench and if they don’t rebound the basketball and if they continue to turn the ball over and if they don’t hit shots, and if they fail to convert free throws, nights like tonight are going to happen.
Some of you might appreciate this now, some might tomorrow, and some might tonight and tomorrow. These guys care and they care hard. I could see it in Dajuan’s eyes after the game and I could hear it in his voice, along with Hunter Dickinson.
Dickinson made it clear that he’s got to be better on both ends of the court. He said he’s got to be better at rebounding and can’t afford to tip-in the ball in the opposing team's goal.
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Well, it was another frustrating loss for Bill Self and No. 4 Kansas on Monday night. The Jayhawks, coming off a big win at home against Houston, lost on the road to Kansas State, 75-70. This one, without question, was a head-scratcher for sure.
Kansas had so many opportunities to put this game away, especially early on in the second half, but simply failed to slam the door on the Wildcats. Up by two points at the half, the Jayhawks had a chance to make it four right before the half, but Kevin McCullar, Jr., failed to convert on a drive to the basket.
In the second half, Kansas led by 11, 41-30, but that lead didn’t last long. The Wildcats tied the game with 15:00 left in the second half. Kansas, with 6:16 left in the second half, led Kansas State by four points but failed to close out the game down the stretch.
Tylor Perry, with 4:49 left on the clock, was fouled while shooting a three and converted all three attempts. After a missed shot by Hunter Dickinson on the next trip down the court, Cam Carter drilled a three, and KSU led by four points with 4:23 left in the second half.
Kansas actually regained the lead with 1:42 left on the clock, 62-60, but Perry tied the game shortly thereafter.
KJ Adams, Jr., tied the game with 14 seconds left in regulation, and the game was headed to overtime.
In overtime, Kansas led by one, 66-65, with 4:15 left in the extra session, but wouldn’t lead again the remainder of the overtime period. Perry put KSU up for good, 67-66, with 2:41 left in the extra session. Kansas managed to pull within two points, 70-68 but would get no closer down the stretch.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock in overtime, KSU walked off the court victorious, 75-70.
You can talk about Hunter Dickinson (21), Dajuan Harris (15), Kevin McCullar (15), and KJ Adams (13) scoring in double-figures on Monday night. However, the bottom line is, well, there are a couple to look at here.
Johnny Furphy tallied just four points on 2-of-7 shooting from the field, including 0-of-4 from behind the arc, and, more importantly, Elmakro Jackson (2) was the only player to score off the bench for Kansas.
Kansas was 28-of-68 from the field, 3-of-15 from behind the arc, and 11-of-16 from the free-throw line.
Kansas was hammered on the glass, 43-33. Kansas State, offensively, was 9-of-26 from behind the arc and 18-of-26 from the free-throw line.
The Jayhawks turned the ball over just nine times, but a number of those turnovers just came at the wrong time. Getting dominated on the glass, missing layups, turning the ball over, and getting just two points off the bench on the road in the Big 12 simply won’t get it done.
McCullar, Jr., was 6-of-18 from the field and 2-of-5 from three. As I mentioned above, Furphy was 2-of-7 from the field and 0-of-4 from behind the arc. If he hits his season average, or even close, the final outcome is different.
You all have seen this team enough to know what its potential is, both the good and the bad. If something doesn’t change with the bench and if they don’t rebound the basketball and if they continue to turn the ball over and if they don’t hit shots, and if they fail to convert free throws, nights like tonight are going to happen.
Some of you might appreciate this now, some might tomorrow, and some might tonight and tomorrow. These guys care and they care hard. I could see it in Dajuan’s eyes after the game and I could hear it in his voice, along with Hunter Dickinson.
Dickinson made it clear that he’s got to be better on both ends of the court. He said he’s got to be better at rebounding and can’t afford to tip-in the ball in the opposing team's goal.
