Kansas basketball: Three most important wins from the 2019-20 season

#3 Kansas vs. #1 Baylor, February 22

The top-three Big 12 clash on the road against Baylor takes the cake as the Jayhawks’ most important win of the season. The game had so much riding on it, with the winner receiving a significantly increased chance at a conference title, the right to be the No. 1 team in the next AP Poll, and a virtual lock to be the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament as well as the Big 12 tournament.

The hype leading into the game was enormous. College GameDay was in town, the arena was sold out, and the Jayhawks were looking for a little revenge after Baylor had defeated them earlier in the season at Allen Fieldhouse.

After the conclusion of the first half, the Jayhawks went into the locker room with a 34-31 lead. In the second half, Kansas led the whole time; however, they nearly faltered down the stretch.

With two seconds remaining in the game, Jared Butler took a three-point shot from the top of the key while defended by Devon Dotson. The ball soared through the air and looked on target until it clanged off the from of the rim. The Jayhawks would win the game 64-61, but if Butler had put just a little more on the shot, it would have been on to overtime.

Notable performances:

• Udoka Azubuike: 23 points, 19 rebounds, 3 blocks
• Devon Dotson: 13 points, 3 assists, 2 steals
• Isaiah Moss: 11 points
• Marcus Garrett: 9 points, 7 assists
• Jared Butler: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists

This was the game that won Azubuike Big 12 Player of the Year. He finished the game 11-of-13 from the floor, dunking the ball over and over again no matter what Baylor tried to do. He was unstoppable.

The win over Baylor evened up the Big 12 championship race, ultimately allowing Kansas basketball to claim the 2020 title outright and have a strong case to be the No. 1 overall seed come tournament time. For those reasons and more, the Jayhawks’ win over Baylor was the most important win of the 2019-20 season.