Kansas Struggles in Ames as Iowa State’s Pressure Defense, Perimeter Shooting Prove Too Much
Kansas walked into Hilton Coliseum on Saturday and got a taste of its own medicine. The Jayhawks, so often the team dictating the tempo and applying the pressure, found themselves overwhelmed by an Iowa State squad that came out firing - both literally and figuratively - and never let up.
“They pressured the crap out of us,” the Kansas coach said bluntly postgame. And he wasn’t wrong.
From the opening tip, Iowa State’s aggressive ball pressure and trapping defense forced Kansas into uncomfortable spots. The Jayhawks struggled to move the ball, failed to attack gaps, and looked more like they were trying to survive than execute.
Even when players found themselves open, the rhythm was so disrupted that passes didn’t come. That hesitation - that moment of second-guessing - was a direct result of Iowa State’s relentless defense. Credit where it’s due: this was a Cyclone team that came in with a plan and executed it with surgical precision.
**Hilton Magic? Sure.
But Talent First. **
Asked what makes playing in Ames so difficult, the Kansas coach didn’t sugarcoat it: “They’ve got good players. That’s what makes it hard.” The crowd, loud and rowdy as always, adds fuel to the fire, but it’s the talent on the court that turns that energy into wins.
Kansas failed to check the boxes needed to win on the road in the Big 12 - especially in a place like Hilton. Taking care of the ball, limiting live-ball turnovers, and defending the three-point line are non-negotiables. The Jayhawks struggled in all three areas.
In the first half, they were beaten on the offensive glass, gave up too many clean looks from deep, and allowed Iowa State to capitalize on live-ball turnovers. That’s a recipe for disaster in any gym, but especially on the road against a top-tier opponent.
Then came the second half barrage: six or seven threes to open the frame, and suddenly Kansas was chasing shadows. “They executed and played well,” the coach admitted.
“But our defense was soft enough to let them feel comfortable shooting.” That’s not something you often hear from Kansas - and it’s not something you want to hear if you’re wearing crimson and blue.
A Tale of Two Meetings
This wasn’t the same Iowa State team Kansas handled earlier in the season. And that’s not just coach-speak.
Both teams were in different places during that first meeting. Iowa State, by their own admission, was in the middle of their worst stretch of the season.
Kansas caught them at the right time and took advantage.
This time, the roles were reversed. Iowa State had regrouped, refocused, and came out with something to prove.
Kansas, meanwhile, looked like a team still trying to find its rhythm after a tough stretch of its own. “They bowed their neck this game,” the coach said.
“We didn’t put any significant game pressure on them.”
That’s the reality of a long season. Momentum shifts, teams evolve, and sometimes, you just catch the wrong team at the wrong time.
Lineup Decisions, Health Concerns, and El Marco’s Impact
There were questions about Kansas sticking with a particular lineup down the stretch, but the coach was clear: El Marco was the best player on the floor, and you don’t take your best guy out. As for the rest, fatigue and health played a role.
One player had minor surgery midweek for an infected root canal. Another was battling illness.
But the coach didn’t lean on that as an excuse.
“The only reason anybody would think [lineup decisions] mattered is because of stats,” he said. In his view, the guys on the floor late weren’t any less effective than the ones who started. The issue wasn’t who was playing - it was how the team as a whole responded to the pressure.
El Marco was one of the few bright spots, providing energy and production in a game where Kansas needed someone to step up. But he couldn’t do it alone.
Iowa State’s Second-Half Shooting? Lights Out.
There comes a point in some games where even good defense isn’t enough - and that moment came when Milan Momcilovic hit a corner three over Flory. “That was a big-time play,” the coach said. “We actually defended that pretty well.”
Sometimes, you just tip your cap. And on Saturday, Iowa State earned a few of those moments.
Darryn Peterson’s Limited Minutes and Performance
Freshman guard Darryn Peterson logged 24 minutes, but his impact was muted - partly due to illness and limited practice time. The coaching staff tried to manage his minutes, especially with an eye toward keeping him fresh for the next game.
“I didn’t think he was great, but I don’t think he was bad either,” the coach said. “Lack of court time had a lot to do with that.
And they did a good job defending him, too.”
Peterson’s a young talent, and games like this are part of the learning curve. The Big 12 doesn’t give many breaks, especially to freshmen.
The Road Ahead: Responding Like Veterans
Losses happen - especially in February, especially in the Big 12. The key is how you respond.
“There’s a good chance it’s going to happen again,” the coach said, referencing not just Kansas, but Iowa State and Arizona too. “This league is good, especially away from home.”
The challenge now is making sure one tough loss doesn’t turn into two. That’s the test for any team with championship aspirations - and Kansas still has those. But they’ll need to regroup quickly and respond like the veteran group they are.
Offensive Rebounds: The Backbreaker
Perhaps the most demoralizing aspect of the loss? Iowa State’s work on the offensive glass.
Kansas actually defended well on first shots, particularly in the first half. But too often, that initial effort was undone by second-chance opportunities.
“You guard, you contest, and then they get an offensive rebound and you foul for three,” the coach said. “That happened at least two or three times.”
That’s a killer. And Iowa State knows how to capitalize.
They don’t just grab boards - they immediately kick it out for threes. It’s a possession-stealing machine, and Kansas got caught in the gears.
One young Cyclone in particular made an impact off the bench in the first half, giving Iowa State a spark that helped them build momentum early. “He’s really good,” the coach noted.
Bottom Line
This was a tough road loss for Kansas - not just because of the score, but because of how it happened. Iowa State brought the pressure, hit the shots, and owned the glass. Kansas didn’t have the answers this time.
But the season isn’t defined by one game. The Jayhawks have been here before. The question now is how they respond - and whether they can turn this lesson in Ames into fuel for the stretch run.