As the Big 12 tournament heats up, the Kansas Jayhawks are back on the hardwood at the T-Mobile Center, set to clash with the reigning Big 12 champions, the Houston Cougars. The stakes are high: a win could potentially elevate Kansas to a 3-seed on Selection Sunday. Let’s dive into the matchup and see what’s at play.
Jacob Webb points out that this game is a real toss-up, much like their last encounter. Kansas started slow against Houston in their previous meeting at Allen Fieldhouse, but they managed to control the game in the second half.
A key factor was Houston’s Emanuel Sharp, who was limited to just 1-for-10 shooting. Sharp, usually a reliable scorer with an average of nearly 16 points per game, has been in a slump, except for a standout performance against Baylor.
Houston has had a solid season but has struggled against the Big 12’s elite, going 1-4 against the top five teams. Webb highlights a concern for Kansas: guarding Houston’s bigs.
If Flory Bidunga gets into foul trouble, it could spell trouble for the Jayhawks. Houston is expected to grab offensive rebounds, and players like Kingston Flemings will make their presence felt.
If Chris Cenac Jr. and JoJo Tugler dominate the paint, Kansas could face a challenging night. Despite the momentum and home crowd advantage, Webb predicts a late win for Houston, 72-68.
AJ Neargarder adds that after a shaky start to the tournament, Kansas faces a tough task against Houston. The previous win at Allen Fieldhouse was fueled by an electric crowd, but the atmosphere in Kansas City might not match that intensity. Both teams are coming off narrow victories, setting the stage for another close contest.
Bidunga, who had a quiet game in their first matchup, is expected to bounce back. He recently showcased his skills against TCU, scoring 13 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and blocking three shots. His presence on the court was pivotal for Kansas, and they’ll need him to stay out of foul trouble.
Darryn Peterson also stepped up for the Jayhawks, scoring 24 points in their last game. His second-half aggression will be crucial in this matchup.
On the Houston side, Kingston Flemings was a standout in their loss to Kansas, scoring 16 points. He’s been a consistent performer, recently putting up 17 points against BYU in the quarterfinals.
Kansas’s game plan will likely focus on containing Flemings and Sharp, as it did in their previous meeting. If they can execute that strategy again, the Jayhawks have a strong chance to advance. However, Houston’s resilience under coach Kelvin Sampson should not be underestimated.