KU basketball wins thriller vs. defending champion UConn. Here are 4 takeaways
Kansas Jayhawks guard Kevin McCullar released a well-deserved roar on Friday night at Allen Fieldhouse.
As KU struggled to score late in the second half against UConn, McCullar canned two straight 3-pointers.
After one of McCullar’s 3s, Jayhawks star big man Hunter Dickinson hit a 3-pointer of his own to give KU a 61-54 lead over the Huskies.
From there, Kansas did just enough to come out on top, with the No. 5-ranked Jayhawks beating No. 4 UConn 69-65 at Allen Fieldhouse.
McCullar scored 21 points and Dickinson added 15 for Kansas (7-1), which improved to 4-0 all-time against the Huskies.
UConn guard Cam Spencer attempted a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left with the Huskies trailing by two points, 67-65. He missed. Kansas forward KJ Adams rebounded the ball, then iced the win by making both of his free throws.
Before that, Kansas had possession with 23.3 seconds and guard Dajuan Harris was fouled. He missed both free throws, which allowed UConn a chance to attempt a game-winning shot.
Here are some takeaways from Friday evening’s game:
KU’s defense excels early.
The Jayhawks’ first-half defense was a sight to behold.
They were connected and focused. KU blew up multiple dribble-handoffs and forced the Huskies into tough situations as the end of the shot clock.
UConn resorted to desperation 3-pointers, which to their credit, the Huskies converted by shooting 7 for 14 (50%) from deep.
But as a whole, the Huskies shot an abysmal 10 for 26 from the floor (38.5%) and never looked comfortable in the first half.
McCullar and Dickinson make big-time shots
Time and time again, whenever Kansas needed a bucket, Dickinson and McCullar answered the call.
They combined to shoot 12 for 22 from the floor (54%) for a total of 36 points.
Without their clutch shooting late, KU never would’ve pulled this one out.
Kansas guards struggle on offense
KU’s starting guards, Elmarko Jackson and Dajuan Harris, haven’t had the best start on the offensive end this season.
That did not change Friday.
The guards combined to shoot 3 for 11 ( 27%) from the floor for a total of nine points. And when they struggle to score, immense pressure falls upon Dickinson and McCullar.
Not to mention the fact that Kansas’ offense becomes predictable.
A lone positive for the pair? KU coach Bill Self had called on Harris to be more aggressive offensively, and Harris did just that — even if his shooting splits weren’t great.
The duo of Harris and Jackson must figure out their scoring issues for KU to make good on its title aspirations.
UConn red-hot from deep
Heading into Friday night’s game, the Huskies were shooting 30.9% from 3-point range.
The number was a bit misleading — their roster has multiple capable shooters who’d just been ice-cold from deep.
Those players broke out of their slumps on Friday. The Huskies shot 11 for 28 (39.3%) from 3-point range. UConn made a mixture of contested 3s and a couple of open ones due to miscommunication by KU on defense.
UConn’s very good guard, Tristen Newton, led the way for the Huskies, shooting 6 for 9 (66%) from 3-point range.
This story was originally published December 1, 2023 at 10:36 PM.
