The Kansas basketball team has a critical road matchup scheduled Tuesday. Here are a few things to know when the Jayhawks face the Cyclones.
Until Saturday, the Kansas basketball team has played great on the road this season. Hall of Fame coach Bill Self’s guys had won 4 of 5 Big 12 contests away from the fieldhouse going into Waco. We need to completely forget about that trip to the Ferrell Center and focus on Hilton Coliseum and a very good Iowa State team.
The Cyclones are coming off a big win over Oklahoma and their All-World freshman guard. Iowa State guard Lindell Wigginton and Donovan Jackson held the Sooners’ freshman to 22 points and just one 3-pointer. Wigginton contributed 26 points in the 8-point win. That’s 10 points above his season average. Jackson and Cameron Lard chipped in 19 points apiece.
The Jayhawks match up well with Iowa State but have to bring some energy on defense. The ‘Clones need all the help they can get to earn an NCAA tourney big. They’d like nothing more than to knock off Jayhawks. Just like Saturday, this game is a huge opportunity for them.
Here is where to watch the Jayhawks play the Cyclones Tuesday
Date: February 13
Time: 6 p.m. CST
Location: Ames, Iowa
Venue: Hilton Coliseum Center
Television: CBS
Streaming: ESPN 2
Listen: Jayhawk Radio Network
Keys to Victory
Malik Newman scored 27 and had 8 rebounds to lead the Jayhawks over the Clones in January. Bill Self needs him and Svi Mykhailiuk to shoot the lights out of the Hilton Coliseum Tuesday. That will take some pressure off Devonte Graham to focus on defense and sharing the ball.
Next: Jayhawks need strong finish from Svi
The Jayhawks also were strong in the paint in that first meeting. I expect Udoka Azubuike and Mitch Lightfoot to start again. Both need to stay out of foul trouble and crash the glass. Finally, the Jayhawks must use their defense to create offense. The Crimson and Blue guys scored 14 points off 17 ‘Clone turnovers in January. We need to see more of that to help bring home the victory.