Kansas' Offense Goes Off in 102-83 Win Over K-State
No comeback was needed tonight. That’s because the Kansas Jayhawks’ offense went into juggernaut mode on its way to a 102-83 victory over Kansas State on Tuesday. Part of it was that K-State’s defense was a bit like Bruce Weber’s mask on his chin; there, but not really doing its job. But that’s not fully respecting how well Kansas played.
Kansas wore commemorative uniforms in honor of LaVannes C. Squires—the Jayhawks’ first African-American basketball player—and after what happened in Lawrence, they may need to become a staple. Because this wasn’t just one player going off for a hot night. This was a collective, efficient masterclass.
Kansas shot 64.1% from the field and 62.5% from 3 (15-24) while having four players in double figures and 31 bench points (which had been a struggle of late). Ochai Agbaji ended with a game-high 23 points to go along with seven rebounds and five assists. Christian Braun had a nearly similar stat line with 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Jalen Wilson also had 17 point and four rebounds.
The signs were there early. Agbaji had six quick points in the first four minutes as Kansas and KSU traded 3-pointers. The Jayhawks got great minutes early from Joseph Yesufu, Jalen Coleman-Lands, and Mitch Lightfoot, and soon the lead was 10. Lightfoot ended with 13 points while Yesufu and Coleman-Lands each chipped in nine points.
An Ochai 3 stretched the lead to 45-30—his 15th point of the night—before the Wildcats rattled off three straight treys to bring the lead back down to seven. But every time K-State tried to make a run, Kansas punched back. The Jayhawks took a 10-point lead into halftime after shooting 63% from the field.
The second half was more of the same. Braun went on a tear to start the second half before Wilson and Agbaji chipped in 3-pointers, and midway through the half, Kansas had broken 80 points. Then it was Lightfoot’s time to get his highlight plays in, converting and-ones on his way to 13 points. KU broke the century mark with a Braun 3—fitting for No. 2 on 2-22-22—to make it 102-81.
To K-State’s credit, its offense was also strong. The Wildcats hit 11 of 32 3s and shot 47.1% from the court, hitting some difficult shots and banked-in 3s, but it wasn’t nearly enough.
KU now prepares for a major meeting with Baylor in Waco on Saturday night.
