Live Game Thread & Updates for Kansas Basketball vs Fort Hays State

If you want to track Tuesday's exhibition matchup between Kansas and Fort Hays State but don't have access to your TV or don't have an ESPN+ subscription, we've got you covered! Check back in or refresh this page periodically for live score updates from Kansas On SI.

First Half

Pregame: According to reports, Darryn Peterson is in street clothes and not expected to play today. He experienced cramping in the second half of the Louisville game. Obviously a significant blow for the Jayhawks.

20:00: The same starting five as the Louisville game besides Peterson. Elmarko Jackson, Kohl Rosario, Melvin Council Jr., Tre White, and Flory Bidunga the opening group for KU.

18:10: Kansas leads, 7-0. After going scoreless in 19 minutes last game, Rosario sinks an open 3-pointer to get the crowd going. A much-needed confidence booster for the freshman.

15:44: Kansas leads, 9-2. The Jayhawks are playing with a fast tempo and stifling defense, leading by seven at the first TV timeout.

12:56: Kansas leads, 16-4. Some early action for guys who didn't see much action last time out, including Jayden Dawson and Samis Calderon (who didn't play a minute last game). Also worth noting - yet another 3-pointer made by Tre White, who KU will need to be respectable from beyond the arc this season.

9:47: Kansas leads, 15-6. The Jayhawks offense is becoming a big stagnant. White's three was turned into a two after replay assist showed he was on the line.

7:07: Kansas leads, 19-12. Bryson Tiller showing off his craftiness down low with an impressive up-and-under move. He continues to impress for the Jayhawks.

5:54: Kansas leads, 21-12. Bidunga missed a pair of foul shots, but he is currently sharing the floor with Paul Mbiya. Bill Self testing out some double big lineups so far.

2:10: Kansas leads, 31-15. FHSU just hit its first 3-pointer of the night, but White responded with his own. Mbiya came up with a big rebound and putback dunk after Calderon missed a jumper.

Halftime: Kansas leads, 33-16. The half is over. KU is obviously missing Peterson's shot creating. Jackson leads the team with 15 minutes, while White has a team-high seven points on 3-for-7 shooting. A couple of baskets for Council and Tiller as well. It isn't pretty, but the defensive effort has been encouraging.

Second Half

20:00: Kohl Rosario begins the half on the bench. Bryson Tiller is in the game in his place.

17:50: Kansas leads, 33-22. Coach Self angrily takes a timeout after a 6-0 stretch by the Tigers to open the half. KU is having trouble distributing the ball and is running stagnant possessions.

16:49: Kansas leads, 33-22. Kansas players are getting outhustled and overmatched in the paint... by a Division II team. It's looking really ugly. About three times in the half, the ball has hit the ground and almost been turned over.

15:46: Kansas leads, 38-22. The momentum swings back in the Jayhawks' favor after an impressive and-one by Mbiya, and Council follows it up with a steal on the defensive end before throwing down an emphatic tomahawk dunk.

12:25: Kansas leads, 45-26. Council nearly rose for another posterizing dunk but was fouled. He has some incredible hops. Rosario looks good on the defensive end, but his jumper is completely off right now. White hit yet another outside shot.

9:22: Kansas leads, 51-29. Bidunga is doing it all right now. He threw down an alley-oop dunk from Council and is active on the glass. He is overpowering the Tigers in the paint (as he should be expected to).

5:37: Kansas leads, 59-33. Tiller knocks down a straightaway mid-range jumper off a nice look. KU is wrapping up what should be fairly large margin of victory.

2:00: Kansas leads, 69-35. The walk-ons are in. This one is over.

How to Watch Kansas vs. Fort Hays State

Time: 7 p.m. CT
Channel: ESPN+
Link: Watch ESPN+

Kansas vs. Fort Hays State Preview

Kansas is set to play its second and final exhibition of the preseason before next week’s season opener against Green Bay.

After defeating No. 11 Louisville 90–82 this past Friday, the Jayhawks will take the floor for their first unofficial game in Allen Fieldhouse this season against Fort Hays State.

The Tigers, a Division II basketball school based in Hays, Kansas, have faced KU in 11 scrimmages dating back to 1994.

Kansas is 13-0 all-time against FHSU, which comes as no surprise given them being an entire division below KU. However, this game could still serve as an important experience for the new-look and inexperienced Jayhawks' roster.

The top offensive option is freshman phenom Darryn Peterson, who put the college basketball world on notice with a 26-point performance in the win over Louisville. Alongside him are returning big man Flory Bidunga and highly touted transfers such as Tre White (Illinois) and Melvin Council Jr. (St. Bonaventure).

Following three consecutive early exits in March Madness, head coach Bill Self constructed a much different team than in the past few years. The Jayhawks are young, athletic, and look to push the pace in transition when they aren't running their halfcourt offense through Peterson.

There are several newcomers looking to make an impact, including under-the-radar players like Bryson Tiller and Kohl Rosario. This could also be one of the few games this season that depth pieces like Corbin Allen, Nginyu Ngala, and Samis Calderon compete in once the score gets out of had.

The Jayhawks will no doubt come out of this contest victorious, but it will be a fun night for fans in Allen Fieldhouse, and more importantly will give Coach Self a clearer understanding of where his players stand on the depth chart moving forward.

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