The upcoming matchup between No. 9 Kansas and Kansas State on Saturday promises to be a heated affair in a Big 12 showdown in Lawrence, Kan. The Jayhawks, likely fueled by their recent loss, will be eager to bounce back after their three-game winning streak was halted by a decisive 74-57 defeat against No. 2 Iowa State.
As the Wildcats continue to struggle offensively, it is anticipated that the game will be characterized by low scoring, fittingly adding to the intensity of the historic rivalry known as the “Sunflower Showdown.” Kansas State (7-9, 1-4) finds themselves in a slump, having dropped their last four games and seven of their last eight outings. Their inability to surpass the 70-point mark in recent games has highlighted their offensive challenges, ranking them near the bottom of the Big 12 Conference in scoring, averaging 73.2 points per game due to a lackluster non-conference schedule.
On the other side, Kansas (12-4, 3-2) has been facing their own offensive struggles despite maintaining a strong defensive presence. In their previous matchups leading up to Iowa State, the Jayhawks showcased their defensive prowess by limiting opponents such as Arizona State and Cincinnati to a mere 28 points combined in the second half. Despite their defensive efforts against Iowa State, holding the Cyclones to a 40.7 percent field goal shooting, turnovers proved to be detrimental for the Jayhawks as they registered 17 turnovers compared to just 16 assists in the game.
Reflecting on the performance against Iowa State, Kansas head coach Bill Self acknowledged the team’s effort but emphasized the need for improved competitiveness. Self commended Iowa State for their talent and coaching staff but pointed out their ability to secure loose balls as a key factor in their success. Hunter Dickinson stands out as a pivotal player for Kansas, contributing significantly with an impressive double-double average of 15.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Zeke Mayo also plays a crucial role in the team’s offense, averaging 14.4 points per game. Mayo, a Lawrence, Kan. native, transferred to Kansas after three seasons at South Dakota State.
Kansas State, on the other hand, is in search of a breakthrough as they aim to reverse their recent string of defeats. Following a promising start with a Big 12 victory over Cincinnati, the Wildcats have struggled to maintain momentum, suffering four consecutive losses, including two at home where they failed to exceed 57 points in each game. In their recent matchup against Texas Tech, scoring proved to be a challenge as both teams combined for a mere 13 points in the final 10:09 of the game. The Wildcats were held scoreless in the last 5:50 of play, highlighting their offensive woes.
Expressing his perspective on the team’s performance, Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang emphasized the importance of learning from adversity and maintaining a fighting spirit despite the challenging circumstances.
