The Kansas Jayhawks' recent surge-an eight-game win streak that had them looking every bit the contender their No. 9 ranking suggests-started with a statement win over then-No. 2 Iowa State. But in a twist of basketball symmetry, that same Cyclones squad just brought the streak to a screeching halt.
Inside a raucous Hilton Coliseum on Saturday, No. 5 Iowa State flipped the script. The Cyclones didn’t just beat Kansas-they overwhelmed them, handing the Jayhawks a 74-56 loss that served as a stark reminder of just how tough it is to win on the road in Big 12 play.
"We were trying to survive."
That’s how Kansas head coach Bill Self described his team’s performance. And it wasn’t hyperbole.
From the opening tip, Iowa State’s defense swarmed like bees to honey. Every pass was contested, every dribble pressured.
Kansas coughed up 10 turnovers in the first half alone, many of them unforced errors under the weight of relentless ball pressure.
“They had so much pressure on the ball, even when guys were open, we didn't think about passing to them, 'cause we were trying to survive,” Self said postgame.
Survival mode rarely wins games, especially against a team as disciplined and disruptive as Iowa State. The Cyclones turned those early giveaways into 11 first-half points, a critical edge in a half where buckets were at a premium. Neither team cracked 40 before the break, but Iowa State’s opportunism gave them a 37-27 cushion heading into the locker room.
Second Half, Same Story
Kansas needed a spark coming out of halftime. Instead, they found more of the same. The Jayhawks shot just 9-of-29 from the field in the second half-a cold spell that left them chasing shadows as Iowa State kept pouring it on.
The Cyclones, meanwhile, stayed efficient and aggressive. They hit 13-of-26 from the floor in the second half and buried Kansas from deep, racking up 24 points from beyond the arc. The Jayhawks had no answer.
“That game today, it mirrored the game in Lawrence,” Self said, referencing Kansas’ earlier win over Iowa State. “You know, it was us in Lawrence doing that. Today, it was them doing that and we didn't handle it very well at all."
A Flip of the Script
Back in mid-January, it was Kansas who dictated the tempo. They forced 17 turnovers and shot a blistering 51% from the field. That version of the Jayhawks kept Iowa State at bay, using pace and precision to keep the Cyclones on their heels.
But this time around, Iowa State had the answers-and the depth.
T.J. Otzelberger’s squad showcased a balanced attack, with five players scoring in double figures: Blake Buchanan (11), Joshua Jefferson (11), Milan Momcilovic (18), Tamin Lipsey (11), and Jamarion Bateman (11). That group shot a combined 22-of-46 from the floor, spreading the wealth and keeping Kansas from locking in on any one threat.
“Iowa State's got really good players out there on the court. That's what makes it hard,” Self admitted.
What’s Next
There’s no time for Kansas to dwell on this one. The Big 12 gauntlet doesn’t let up, and the Jayhawks have a quick turnaround with Oklahoma State coming to town on Wednesday night.
Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT, with the game streaming on Peacock.
For Kansas, the mission is clear: reset, regroup, and rediscover the rhythm that fueled their eight-game run. Because in this league, momentum is precious-and fleeting.