Kansas Jayhawks vs NC State Wolfpack Predictions: Bill Self Returns
The Kansas Jayhawks barely got through two games last week undefeated, beating both the Duke Blue Devils in a Champions Classic thriller and then surviving against a high-performing Southern Utah Thunderbirds team on Friday, both thanks to a phenomenal performance from Jalen Wilson.
The Jayhawks are down in the Bahamas this week taking part in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, with a stacked tournament field. Up first is a matchup with the NC State Wolfpack, an undefeated team that is facing its first real test of the season. Will Kansas be able to get back to the form we saw early in the season? Or are there still struggles ahead for this team?
Do you disagree with our assessment? Make sure you read them all and then hop over to the Discord or on Twitter to share your own thoughts.
Kyle Davis
Check out our NC State Preview for Kyle's full breakdown and prediction.
Lucas Murphy
The Kansas Jayhawks squeaked out a 82-76 victory over Southern Utah. Now the Jayhawks head to Paradise Island, Bahamas in the Battle 4 Atlantis to take on a good ACC opponent, North Carolina State. The Wolfpack are leading the ACC in scoring averaging 88.3 points per game and they sport a perfect 4-0 record. They have four players averaging double digits, but the standout player is guard Terquavion Smith. Smith is 32.5 minutes per game along with averaging 19 points per game. This will be a great test for the Kansas Jayhawks who will be getting head coach Bill Self back on the sidelines. Until I am proven wrong I am going to continue with the hot hands in the Kansas lineup saying Jalen Wilson and Gradey Dick carry the offense. I am going to see how the team is managed with coach Self returning to the sidelines. I believe the Jayhawks will edge out the Wolfpack.
Kansas 85, NC State 80
Derek Noll
Even though I gave a few players high marks for their individual performances against Southern Utah, the team performance was a dud. And what better time for Bill Self to come back in the fold than after his team wins but gives away rebounds like they’re a charitable organization just trying to help the underprivileged. I expect the intensity to be higher for NC State, and I love you Norm, but it’ll be great to see Bill back out there.
Kansas 76, NC State 65.
Brendan Dzwierzynski
Matching up with North Carolina State is a distant secondary focal point of this game, and I’m with Derek that this is all about Bill Self’s return to the bench. How does this team respond with the head man back and fresh off a too-close-for-comfort win over Southern Utah? I expect it’ll be with a lot of energy and maybe a renewed focus, too. I think the Jayhawks will make it to the winners’ bracket.
Kansas 77, NC State 69.
Andy Mitts
I don't think the game last week was indicative of Kansas overlooking Southern Utah or having a letdown game after the win against Duke. Instead, it just seemed like Kansas was too hyped up and made too many mistakes due to extra effort. Southern Utah encouraged the Jayhawks to go quickly, and they went so quickly that they made silly mistakes and couldn't quite connect where they needed to.
Bill Self is back. And I doubt he was very pleased with the Friday performance. But Kansas has players back for this tournament (most notably MJ Rice) and I just don't see Kevin McCullar having another off day today. Give me Kansas bouncing back in a huge way and showing why they are the #3 team in the nation
Kansas 87, NC State 70.
Join the discussion! Come talk about this or any of our articles on the Blue Wing Rising Discord Server.
Follow Blue Wings Rising on Twitter.
Listen to the official podcast of Blue Wings Rising: The Rock Chalk Podcast.
