Saturday night’s Sunflower Showdown was supposed to be business as usual for Kansas. An 8.5-point favorite heading into Bramlage Coliseum, the Jayhawks handled their business on the court with an emphatic 86-62 win - their largest margin of victory in Manhattan since 2018.
But it wasn’t the scoreboard that had fans talking once the final buzzer sounded. It was what happened in the final seconds - and immediately after - that stole the spotlight.
With the game well in hand and just under 10 seconds left, Kansas capped off their dominance with a dunk from Tre White, stretching the lead to 24. That’s when things took a turn.
Melvin Council Jr., clearly fired up, turned toward the Kansas State student section and let them hear it. His taunt?
A mocking version of the “Wabash Cannonball,” a cherished K-State tradition and a staple of postgame celebrations between head coach Jerome Tang and the fans.
The reaction was immediate. Boos rained down from the stands, and social media lit up.
Videos of the moment quickly made the rounds, with fans and media alike weighing in on Council’s antics. One clip even showed Council in the locker room postgame, slamming a championship-style belt on the floor in celebration - a moment captured and shared via Flory Bidunga’s Snapchat.
Council didn’t shy away from explaining the emotion behind it all. “We’re in a group chat, and the coaches sent a video when Kansas State beat us and the fans stormed the court,” he said after the game.
“You know, piggyback on Missouri, that happened last year.” The message was clear: this one was personal.
And it makes sense. Saturday’s win wasn’t just another notch in the win column - it was the Jayhawks’ first win at Bramlage Coliseum since 2022.
Their last two trips to Manhattan ended in overtime heartbreak. This time, Kansas left no doubt.
Now sitting at 14-5 overall and 5-2 in Big 12 play, the Jayhawks are starting to build some momentum in conference action. Next up?
A showdown with No. 13 BYU at Allen Fieldhouse, where tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
CT on the 31st. With emotions running high and the team riding a wave of confidence, that matchup is shaping up to be must-see basketball.