In a convincing season opener, Zeke Mayo, a graduate transfer from South Dakota State, shone with 19 points as the Kansas Jayhawks, ranked first in the nation, defeated Howard University 87-57 on Monday evening. This match marked the beginning of the season for both teams, and Kansas established a strong lead, ending the first half at 46-19 and eventually stretching their advantage to as much as 38 points.
This contest was part of the second annual McClendon Classic, a tribute to John McClendon, a notable Kansas alumnus and an inductee into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. As Kansas (1-0) gears up for an anticipated clash with North Carolina, which is ranked in the top 10, their performance showcased a well-rounded team effort, with ten players finding the scoring column and three surpassing the ten-point mark.
Hunter Dickinson, who had missed previous scrimmages and exhibition games, contributed significantly with 16 points and six rebounds, while Flory Bidunga added 13 points and led the game with eight rebounds. For Howard, Blake Harper led the scoring with 16 points.
In terms of takeaways, Howard will benefit from the financial compensation received from Kansas, providing them with tangible benefits despite the loss. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks notably achieved their 52nd consecutive home opening victory, a streak that can be traced back through various coaching tenures, including those of Ted Owens, Larry Brown, Roy Williams, and Bill Self.
A key moment in the game occurred after Kansas fell behind 4-3. They quickly rallied with a 12-3 run that effectively quashed any hopes of a Howard victory. During this stretch, Howard struggled significantly, going nearly nine minutes without scoring a field goal and missing ten consecutive shots, allowing Kansas to build an insurmountable lead.
A notable statistic from the game was Howard’s shooting performance in the first half, managing to hit only 24.1 percent of their shots, converting just 7 of 29 attempts. Looking ahead, Howard will travel to Missouri for their next game on Friday, while Kansas will face off against No. 9 North Carolina at home.