Waco, TX – In an early affair, the two top teams in the Big 12 and possibly the country, squared off. The #3 ranked Jayhawks controlled most of the game, but the home Bears were never down enough to call it a game. The #1 ranked Bears stayed within striking distance and in the final part of the second half they made it a one possession game. Ultimately, the Bears lost 64-61, after a Jared Butler three at the buzzer came up short.
Kansas coach Bill Self talked about how this game was bigger than conference standing. “You know with a lot of eyeballs watching it today, that meant a lot more to us than the actual league race.” The win will likely drop Baylor to #2 and bring Kansas to the top spot, after losses by Gonzaga and San Diego State yesterday.
Big man Udoka Azubuike led the Jayhawks with 23 points, on 11-13 shooting, while he had 19 rebounds, Jared Butler led the Scott Drew’s Bears with 19. The Jayhawks will return home to Lawrence to face Oklahoma State on Monday. Baylor will take on struggling Kansas State on Tuesday.
Bracketology Effect: Kansas moves to the number 1 overall seed but it does not effect either teams location. The Jayhawks stays in the Midwest, and Baylor stays in the South.
Betting Effect: Covered: Kansas +1.5, Under 128