No. 4 Kansas Defeats No. 13 Baylor in Hard-Fought Battle at Home
In a thrilling matchup between two top-ranked teams, No. 4 Kansas managed to secure a hard-fought 64-61 victory over No. 13 Baylor on Saturday night, extending their impressive home winning streak to 18 games. Hunter Dickinson led the charge for the Jayhawks, scoring 15 points in a game that showcased a balanced offensive attack from Kansas.
The closing moments of the game were particularly intense, as Baylor had a chance to tie it with just 14.2 seconds remaining. However, Jayden Nunn's 3-point attempt fell short, giving Kansas a sigh of relief. Baylor's opportunity to even the score was further hampered by a missed front end of a one-and-one free throw by Nicolas Timberlake, followed by Ja'Kobe Walter's unsuccessful 3-point attempt.
Despite the victory, Kansas head coach Bill Self expressed his dissatisfaction with the team's performance following the game, criticizing their inability to make shots and describing the overall play as 'ugly and muddy.' However, Self acknowledged the impact of Baylor's turnovers, which ultimately aided the Jayhawks in their quest for victory.
On the other hand, Baylor coach Scott Drew pointed out his team's 21 turnovers as a major factor in their loss, stressing the importance of maintaining better ball control against top-quality opponents like Kansas. Despite some positives, such as holding the Jayhawks to 43% shooting from the field and dominating the rebounding battle, Drew emphasized the need for improvement in controlling turnovers, comparing the significance of that aspect to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throwing six interceptions in the Super Bowl.
Kansas took the court without guard Kevin McCullar, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury. Additionally, Nicolas Timberlake made his first start for the Jayhawks in McCullar's absence. Meanwhile, Drew's record at Allen Fieldhouse now stands at a challenging 1-15.
Dajuan Harris contributed 14 points for Kansas, while KJ Adams and Johnny Furphy added 13 and 11 points, respectively, further fueling the Jayhawks' balanced offensive output. Yves Missi led Baylor's scoring effort with 21 points, while Walter chipped in with 17 points of his own.
Throughout the second half, Kansas managed to maintain a slight lead over Baylor, answering each attempt by the Bears to close the gap. Despite Baylor's efforts to bring the game within reach, including cutting the deficit to three points, they were unable to surpass the resolute Jayhawks.
Undoubtedly, Kansas's bench played a crucial role in the team's victory, with Nicolas Timberlake stepping up and contributing eight vital points. The absence of McCullar, widely recognized as one of the best players in college basketball, highlighted the necessity for other players to embrace the opportunity and make significant contributions to the team's success.
In the first half, Hunter Dickinson stole the spotlight, scoring 13 points, more than half of Kansas's total of 25 points in that period. The Jayhawks stormed out of the gate, quickly establishing an 18-6 lead before the second media timeout. Their hot shooting allowed them to convert seven of their first ten attempts.
However, Dickinson found himself in foul trouble during the first half, picking up his second foul with just under three minutes remaining and being forced to sit out the rest of the period. This allowed Baylor to make a late surge, reducing the deficit to 34-28 at halftime.
The takeaway from this encounter is that Baylor showcased resilience by not allowing the early deficit to derail their game plan. They consistently responded to Kansas runs, demonstrating their ability to compete with top-tier opponents. On the other hand, Kansas's victory highlighted the importance of Kevin McCullar's return to full health, as his absence was deeply felt on the offensive end.
Looking ahead, Baylor will aim to bounce back as they return home for a game against Oklahoma on Tuesday night. Kansas, meanwhile, will hit the road for a challenging matchup against Texas Tech on Monday night.
As the college basketball season progresses, fans can stay informed about the latest polls and updates on AP Top 25 basketball by signing up for poll alerts and updates. The AP College Basketball section provides comprehensive coverage of the sport throughout the season, enabling fans to stay connected with the latest developments.
