Jalen Wilson, Jayhawks sought revenge vs. K-State after loss in Manhattan, court storm

Memories of Kansas’ one-point overtime loss to rival Kansas State haunted KU forward Jalen Wilson the past 14 days, ever since the Wildcats’ wild victory celebration on Jan. 17 at Bramlage Coliseum.

The postgame party on the court in Manhattan was one that included K-State coach Jerome Tang grabbing the microphone and speaking to the students who rushed onto the floor after the first edition of the Sunflower Showdown during the 2022-23 regular season.

“We just understand that we were going to come out and play today. How it ended last game, obviously it was not the way we wanted it to go,” Wilson said after the No. 8-ranked Jayhawks (18-4, 6-3) gained revenge on No. 7 K-State (18-4, 6-3), courtesy of a 90-78 victory Tuesday night at Allen Fieldhouse.

“It was kind of a big rub in our face, them storming and stuff. I always remember stuff like that,” Wilson added after scoring 20 points on 5-of-15 shooting (4-of-9 from three and 6-of-8 from the line). His offensive performance gave him 133 points over the last five games, which marks the most points by a Kansas player in a five-game stretch since the inception of the Big 12 in 1996-97.

Added Wilson: “I just wanted to make sure today we got off to a great start, set the tone early to kind of control the game. I think we did that the most part.”

KSU coach Tang noted that Wilson, who had 38 points versus K-State in Manhattan and Gradey Dick (nine points Tuesday after scoring 16 in Manhattan) did not single-handedly beat the Wildcats in this game.

“Regardless what they said about 38, I don’t have to score that to win. We have a deep team and confident team,” Wilson said. “When we play like we did today, for the most part there’s not any team that can stay with us.”

Senior guard Kevin McCullar, who hurt his right index finger in the second half but continued in the game, scored 16 points on 2-of-10 shooting (10-of-12 from line) and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Dajuan Harris tied a career high with 18 points.

“He has to be as good a guard rebounder as there is in the country,” KU coach Bill Self said of the 6-6 McCullar.

Sophomore guard Bobby Pettiford, who suffered a hamstring injury in the second half but also continued in the game, had six points and four rebounds off the bench. He was joined by fellow reserve guard Joseph Yesufu and forward Zach Clemence (five points each), plus big man Ernest Udeh (three points six boards), who contributed to a productive day for KU’s bench.

KU coach Self noted after the game that “pride is a factor whenever you play an in-state school.

“We felt it was one that could have gone the other way. Our guys certainly were ready to play tonight.”

Tuesday’s result was a huge win for KU in the Big 12 race.

KU, which would have been two full games behind KSU and three behind Texas had it lost Tuesday, now is tied with KSU, Iowa State and TCU at 6-3, one game back of 7-2 Texas. Baylor is 5-4.

“I don’t quite look at it as staying with K-State,” Self said. The Cats on Tuesday were led by Markquis Nowell (23 points, four assists) and Keyontae Johnson (22 points, 12 rebounds).

“I look at it as staying with everybody in that upper (division). There’s six teams in our league that can win our league. Maybe there’s more. There’s six teams that have a legitimate shot at winning our league.”

Continued Self: “If K-State gets this one today after they won at Baylor and at Texas, you could say they’ve gone to three or four of the hardest places and come away with a W. They already played at Iowa State. Their schedule tips to their favor. Now those teams still have got to go to their place, but they’ve got a few of the toughest road venues out of the way.”

KU will next meet Iowa State at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.

Freshman MJ Rice was unavailable

Self said freshman wing MJ Rice told him his back was bothering him and he would be unavailable for the game.

“He said he couldn’t go because of his back. We were limited there,” Self said of the wing position.

Of McCullar, Self said he initially thought the transfer wing “dislocated or broke his (right index) finger” when McCullar got hit in second half.

“I don’t know if that’s what happened; it’s what I thought at the time,” Self said. “Kevin hurt his finger which has been bothering him a while. He came back, which is good.

“Bobby tweaked his hamstring. He came back that’s good. We were just limping home fortunately we got to the finish line.”