Council’s Postgame Celebration Sparks Backlash from Wildcat Fans

Kansas crushed Kansas State 86-62 in the Sunflower Showdown, but the spotlight quickly shifted off the court.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: JAN 24 Kansas at Kansas State
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: JAN 24 Kansas at Kansas State | Icon Sportswire/GettyImages

Saturday night’s Sunflower Showdown didn’t end the way that most fans anticipated. 

Kansas entered the game as 8.5-point favorites, closing out what became an 86-62 victory, but it’s not their performance on the court that’s drawing attention; it’s the aftermath of Kansas’ largest win at Bramlage Coliseum since 2018.

In the final 10 seconds of play, the Jayhawks held a 22-point lead, which extended to 24 after a dunk by Tre White. Following the play, Melvin Council Jr. taunted the Kansas State student section, mocking one of the university’s deeply rooted traditions: the Wabash Cannonball.

The stadium rang with audible boos heard through the broadcast, and sparked an outrage on X following the game. 

A video of Council in the locker room slamming a belt on the floor following the victory was also later put up on the team’s social media.

“We’re in a group chat, and the coaches sent a video when Kansas State beat us and the fans stormed the court,” Council said postgame. “You know, piggyback on Missouri, that happened last year.” 

The Jayhawks won their first road game against Kansas State since 2022, marking the first time in three visits to Bramlage Coliseum that the game did not go into overtime

What's next

Kansas now moves to 14-5 inlcuding a 5-2 mark in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks next take on No. 13 BYU Cougars at Allen Fieldhouse, with tipoff set for 3:30 p.m. CT on the 31st

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