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No. 23 Kansas seems to maintain up momentum vs. No. 15 Texas Tech
If Kansas wins any uglier, somebody might need to cover all of the mirrors in its basketball facility.
The No. 23 Jayhawks (16-7, 10-5 Large 12) nonetheless wrestle to execute offensively however have grown able to locking down opponents defensively as they carry a four-game successful streak right into a recreation Saturday towards No. 15 Texas Tech (14-6, 6-5) at Lawrence, Kan.
“I’m under no circumstances, form or type going to decrease what we’ve completed,” mentioned Kansas coach Invoice Self, “as a result of they’re really doing precisely what I would like them to do, is discover ways to win ugly. They’re getting confidence taking part in that approach.”
The win streak’s begin coincided with the Jayhawks dropping from the polls, which halted their NCAA-record streak of 231 consecutive rankings.
Lackluster competitors, nonetheless, has additionally contributed to the current surge, which incorporates three wins towards two groups possessing only one collective victory in Large 12 play, Iowa State and Kansas State.
Kansas scored 29 factors off 18 turnovers and benefitted from Kansas State lacking its first 15 makes an attempt from 3-point vary in a sloppy 59-41 win on Wednesday. The Jayhawks obtained away with 16 turnovers and simply 4 3-point makes.
“We all know that if the rating is within the 80s,” Self mentioned, “it most likely doesn’t profit us if you’re taking part in actually good competitors as a result of it will be tougher for us to get 80 towards actually good competitors, particularly groups that guard. So, I feel our guys are purchased into this.”
Proof may be additional established towards Texas Tech, one of many first Large 12 rivals Kansas outlasted with salty protection in a 58-57 highway win on Dec. 17. The Jayhawks allowed 32.3-percent capturing whereas driving a 23-point efficiency from Ochai Agbaji, who averages a team-high 13.7 factors.
Jalen Wilson has averaged 15.2 factors and 11.0 rebounds within the final 5 video games, together with 4 double-doubles.
The Pink Raiders will likely be coming off an 11-day layoff due to postponements which have derailed their schedule, together with a scheduled matchup Thursday at TCU that obtained referred to as off due to inclement climate.
Projected as a No. 4 seed in final Saturday’s NCAA Event bracket rehearsal, Texas Tech should nonetheless make up two video games with TCU and video games towards Baylor and Iowa State. The Pink Raiders’ final recreation on Feb. 9 resulted in a homecourt loss to West Virginia, which snapped a three-game successful streak.
“It’s a novel state of affairs, little doubt,” Texas Tech coach Chris Beard mentioned. “However COVID-19 and the 2021 season has been nothing … regular. So, it’ll be attention-grabbing to see how this deal goes down.”
Beard drew a reprimand from the Large 12 workplace following a tirade late within the loss to West Virginia, which prompted his ejection. Afterward, Beard praised the officiating crew working the sport however mentioned “typically you simply obtained to combat for the gamers.”
Mac McClung ranks second amongst Large 12 scorers with a 17.2-point common, and Texas Tech ranks first within the Large 12 in factors allowed (62.7).
–Subject Stage Media
