Kansas
As Kansas preps for Indiana, here’s what the Jayhawks took away from win against Missouri
Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, players react to win vs. Missouri
Check out what Kansas basketball coach Bill Self and his players had to say after they were able to defeat rival Missouri.
LAWRENCE — Kansas basketball coach Bill Self seemed to have a little fun with a question Saturday, at least at first, following the Jayhawks’ 73-64 win against Missouri.
The food tastes better, Self said, when he beats the Tigers. A drink later in the evening is colder, too, he added. But then Self started to speak to what happened in the game itself.
Self pointed out that Missouri did a great job at giving itself a chance to win. He noted that the game didn’t have rhythm to it, and when Kansas is playing well that’s something they have offensively. Although he was happy the Jayhawks won, he also left the contest thinking they have to play better.
Self said he didn’t care about being 3-0 against Missouri since the rivalry series was renewed. He added he didn’t care what happened the past two seasons. He highlighted he cares about what’ll happen moving forward with his team.
“I’m not going to think about Missouri again unless we have an opportunity to play them in the post season, until next year,” Self told reporters. “But I am happy that we won. Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy that we won. But that’s not something that I’m going to hang my hat on leaving out of here, thinking we’re 3-0. You know what? We’re 9-1. We play at Indiana. We’ve got to get better for Indiana.”
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Here are some more takeaways on the Jayhawks ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bloomington to face the Hoosiers (11:30 a.m. CT, CBS Sports):
Kansas didn’t get flustered despite a strong first half from Missouri
While Missouri coach Dennis Gates was thrilled about how his team played throughout the majority of the first half, he said his Tigers couldn’t put together a full 40 minutes. Kansas didn’t panic, and went on a significant run.
After trailing by as many as nine points, Kansas got a four-point play from freshman guard Elmarko Jackson with 3:59 left in the half. It sparked a 14-point run into the break, and Kansas never led by less than eight in the second half.
“(Jackson) was locked and loaded, stood in there and knocked it down,” KU graduate senior guard Kevin McCullar Jr. said. “That was a huge momentum shift for us. Hats off to them, they came out playing a great game. It was a game of runs, so they made their run early and then we kind of went on ours.”
Second-chance points loomed large
Kansas had 13 offensive rebounds to Missouri’s seven, but the number of second chance points between the two sides was an even greater disparity.
The Jayhawks had 17 second-chance points to the Tigers’ zero. Both Self and Gates highlighted second chance points after the game as something that played into the final result.
How Hunter Dickinson handled his first game in this rivalry
Kansas senior center Hunter Dickinson’s 13-point and 16-rebound double-double wasn’t the only noteworthy performance on the Jayhawks’ side. Junior forward KJ Adams Jr. had 17 points and five assists, and McCullar had 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. But this was also Dickinson’s first game in this rivalry, as he transferred to Kansas from Michigan during the offseason.
Dickinson said he tried to treat it like he treated Michigan’s rivalry with Michigan State. He added he wanted to assume that mindset, because he knows there’s a dislike for the other program in this matchup. Overall, though, it was a fun experience.
“I thought it made for a great atmosphere and a really competitive basketball game,” Dickinson said. “And so, it was just — these are the type of games that you love to play in.”
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
Kansas
2025 NFL Draft scouting report: Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
Cutback Ability
The first thing you see when you watch Devin Neal is his ability to make decisive decisions as a runner. It allows him to see and find running lanes as they develop or while they are. It is also showcased when he breaks into the second level and is tasked with making a defender miss.
Speed
Neal can finish runs when in space, break off long runs, and find the endzone when given the chance. He shows whenever he is given the chance to be a receiver and already has momentum built up. With any touch of the ball he has, he can go to the endzone with his speed.
Receiving Ability
Neal has some drops on his film, he isn’t perfect, but he gets open when tasked with running a route. He does a good job of moving without the ball in his hands, and it allows him to be in a position to be a reliable receiver. Once he gets the focus drops out of the way, he can really find some nice receiving work in the NFL if given the chance.
Kansas
Kansas State Fans Unload On Jerome Tang After Wichita State Loss
Kansas State’s meltdown loss to the Stockers can be attributed to many on the team.
But it was coach Jerome Tang who was the center of the criticism Saturday night. This is the second time in the last three games where the Wildcats were outdone dramatically in the second half.
Kansas State stars Coleman Hawkins and David N’Guessan combined for just 15 points on 35 percent shooting. Meanwhile, David Castillo went 0 of 7 from 3-point range, contributing to a 28 percent shooting performance from the arc.
On the other end, Wichita State’s Xavier Bell and Corey Washington combined for 42 points. The Shockers collectively got to the paint and free-throw line very often Saturday.
“I saw this live,” one user said. “Competitive for 30 minutes, the Cats freaked out being down by 4 and couldn’t stop chucking threes and play horrible defense. Tang tries but this squad has no heart and grit. Soft. Fragile.”
Kansas State starts facing conference opponents next week, with their first Big 12 matchup against Cincinnati (9-1) Monday night. But honestly, most fans are ready to throw in the towel on the season already.
“I love this college with my whole heart,” another fan said. “Will always support the University but this is one of the worst starts to a season I have ever seen. This is not the standard we have built and something needs to change. The program should be embarrassed because the fans sure are.”
Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
Kansas
Chiefs Suffer Several Big Injuries Before Steelers Game
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been pummeled with injuries over recent weeks. They aren’t alone in that predicament, however, as their Christmas Day opponent in the Kansas City Chiefs are currently dealing with their fair share of bumps and bruises.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf), wide receiver Xavier Worthy (ankle), offensive tackle Jawann Taylor (knee) and linebacker Jack Cochrane (ankle) all went down in Kansas City’s win over the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon, casting doubt on their collective statuses for Wednesday’s meeting with Pittsburgh in a short week.
Jones, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s elite defensive talents for the better part of a decade, sustained his injury in the fourth quarter. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid described it as a strain, and it’s unclear if he’ll be ready to go against the Steelers.
The five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro has recorded five sacks on the season to go with 30 total tackles, nine of which have gone for losses, and a forced fumble.
Worthy, who was selected with the No. 28 pick of the first round in the 2024 draft, posted a career-high six catches for 65 yards and a touchdown versus Houston. He departed with his injury in the second quarter before returning after halftime and remaining available from that point forward, meaning he’s likely good to go against the Steelers.
Reid also described Taylor’s injury as a strain after he was pulled in the third quarter of Saturday’s contest. The 27-year-old has held a spot on the Chiefs’ injury report since Week 13 with a knee issue, though he’s yet to miss a game both this season and throughout his entire six-year career.
Taylor occupies the right tackle spot and has made 15 starts this campaign. Kansas City’s depth has already been tested after left tackle D.J. Humphries was inactive versus Houston with a hamstring injury, leaving Wanya Morris and second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia as the team’s most likely options at the two spots if the former pair of players can’t work their way back onto the field in the coming days.
Cochrane fractured his ankle, per Reid, which may very well end his year. The special teams ace logged a total of 306 snaps, mustering five tackles over that stretch.
The Chiefs are now 14-1 and have a magic number of one to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC, meaning another win or a single Buffalo Bills loss would do the job.
Thus, Kansas City could adopt a safe approach by resting some of its guys and opting not to risk worsening the health of its players with such little down time before taking on the Steelers.
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has seen its hold on the AFC North slip out of its hands following a loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday that has both teams sitting with a 10-5 record.
Though the Steelers have clinched a postseason berth, they are currently on a two-game losing streak and would ideally avoid slipping any further.
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (knee) and wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hip) both suffered injuries against Baltimore while cornerback Donte Jackson (back), defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin), quarterback Justin Fields (abdominal), safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) all didn’t make an appearance with pre-existing wounds.
Pittsburgh needs to get off the schneid quickly, and the hope is that it can return several key pieces whom are currently on the mend for its bout with the reigning Super Bowl champions from KC.
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