LAWRENCE, Kan. — During the first half of the game against Iowa State on Monday night, the Kansas Jayhawks experienced a moment of chaos when they turned the ball over. However, guard Dajuan Harris Jr. demonstrated exceptional hustle and skill when he made a sliding grab of the loose ball. From his seated position, he managed to pass it to teammate Hunter Dickinson, who quickly advanced the ball to David Coit. Coit then launched a remarkable pass from midcourt, allowing KJ Adams to elevate and deliver a spectacular dunk that reverberated throughout Allen Fieldhouse.
This play highlighted a critical aspect of the Jayhawks’ performance during this season. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, they displayed an intense desire to win. Zeke Mayo recorded 17 points, while Dickinson contributed 14 points and nine rebounds, helping the No. 16 ranked Jayhawks secure a decisive 69-52 victory against the eighth-ranked Iowa State. Kansas’s defense was a key factor, effectively limiting the Cyclones’ high-scoring backcourt, allowing the Jayhawks to stay in contention for the Big 12 regular-season title.
With this victory, Kansas improved to a 16-6 record overall, placing them in a tie with Iowa State at 7-4 in the conference, trailing Houston and Arizona by 2.5 games. “We discussed the importance of trust and enjoyment in playing together,” stated Kansas coach Bill Self. “The focus wasn’t solely on defense; it was about maintaining a positive mindset and playing freely, which really showed in our performance tonight.”
The Jayhawks’ defense was particularly impressive, holding the Cyclones to a dismal 3-for-21 shooting from the three-point range. Despite Iowa State committing only seven turnovers, most of these mistakes led directly to fast-break opportunities for Kansas, including the emphatic dunk by Adams. “Kansas executes transition plays better than anyone,” remarked Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger. “Even with our few turnovers, it felt like they converted each one into easy points.”
In contrast, while Kansas thrived under pressure after recently squandering a 19-point lead at Baylor, Iowa State faced another disappointing defeat, marking their third straight loss amid the absence of injured forward Milan Momcilovic. Momcilovic, who sustained a hand injury last month, participated in pregame warmups and may return to the lineup soon. “He’s making progress day-to-day. I believe he’ll be back in a few weeks, but we won’t rush it,” Otzelberger commented on Momcilovic’s potential return.
The Jayhawks’ defense did a commendable job against Cyclones players Tamin Lipsey, Keshon Gilbert, and Joshua Jefferson, each of whom managed only 11 points apiece while attempting a high volume of shots. This trio shot a combined 13 of 42 from the field, with a poor 2 of 14 from three-point range. Additionally, Iowa State’s leading scorer, Curtis Jones, struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with just seven points on 3-for-11 shooting. “Losing is disappointing,” Jones acknowledged. “We did manage some positive things, like securing 17 offensive rebounds and only having seven turnovers. If we can improve our shooting and capitalize at the free-throw line, we could have a different outcome.”
