No. Kansas snapped its three-game losing streak in one of college basketball’s toughest venues when the Jayhawks got an early knockout from Kentucky and held off the Wildcats the rest of the way in a 77-68 victory Saturday at Rupp Arena. Jalen Wilson led the Jayhawks with 22 points and Kansas dominated Kentucky on the offensive glass to end the Wildcats’ winning streak after four games and avenge last season’s 80–62 home loss to the Wildcats.
The game was the big showdown of the last SEC/Big 12 Challenge, and saw both teams play well offensively in a battle for the winningest programs of all time. Kentucky jumped out to an early 11-6 lead, but Kansas weathered the storm and was never behind after 9:35 of the first half. With the win, KU avoided its first-ever four-game losing streak under 20-year-old coach Bill Self.
Oscar Tshiebwe led Kansas with 18 points and nine rebounds, but the Jayhawks negated his impact on the offensive glass by finishing with an 11-0 lead in rebound points. Kentucky entered the game at No. 5 nationally in offensive rebounds per game with 14, while Kansas ranked No. 145 in the same category with 10.7 per game.
With the Jayhawks relying on an undersized center in KJ Adams Jr. and the Wildcats with one of the game’s best rebounders in Tshiebwe, it looked like the UK would have a clear advantage on the glass. Instead, it was Kansas that dominated in that regard as it won a critical and much needed victory.
This story will be updated