Preview: Kansas basketball set to participate in the 290th Sunflower Showdown

Kansas men’s basketball currently sits in a tie for third place in the Big 12 standings and will travel to Manhattan, Kansas to take on the Kansas State Wildcats, who currently sits in a tie for first in the conference.

The Jayhawks have mightily struggled on the road, having only one road win this season against the Baylor Bears. Seemingly every time Kansas hits the road, it struggles to find baskets and has lackluster defense, having double digit losses to Iowa State and Texas.

Now traveling to participate in the 290th Sunflower Showdown, the Jayhawks need to come out with a win if they hope to continue their reign in the Big 12 en route to a 15th straight conference championship.

Since the return of forward Dean Wade, the Wildcats have gone 5-1, including three wins over ranked teams. However, one of those ranked teams, Oklahoma, has since fallen from the rankings and another one of those teams, Texas Tech, has gone 2-4 in its last six games.

Kansas State always gives the Jayhawks a run for their money in Manhattan, no matter how much of a powerhouse the Wildcats are that specific season. This season however, the Wildcats are arguably the best team in the conference and play a home game against a team that heavily struggles on the road.

A key piece for the Jayhawks will be sophomore guard Marcus Garrett and whether he plays. Garrett is the best defender of the team, which has become even more apparent since the injury to junior center Udoka Azubuike.

Not only is he the best defender but prior to Garrett’s foot injury, he was a key offensive player. Garrett scored 20 in Allen Fieldhouse against Texas, then turned around and scored 15 at West Virginia and then rounded it out with 16 against Iowa State.

The two games after Iowa State however, Garrett only managed six points combined, but his role on the offensive remains vital, being one of the best passers and rebounders on the squad.

The best matchup to watch will be between Dean Wade and junior forward Dedric Lawson. Lawson is currently the number two scorer in the Big 12 conference and is a favorite to win conference player of the year while Wade was the preseason favorite and is the second-best scorer on the Wildcats.

Lawson has struggled being a down-low defender and will likely need some help guarding the all-around game of Wade, a guy who score from anywhere inside the three-point arc.

Overall, Kansas will need to understand how important the Manhattan game is and with a road win, the Jayhawks could find themselves some momentum moving forward in the conference.