Takeaways from KU Jayhawks’ Border Showdown basketball win vs. visiting Missouri Tigers
Before Kansas’ Border Showdown game against the visiting Missouri Tigers on Saturday, former Jayhawks standout Thomas Robinson had a message for the current KU men’s basketball players.
“It’s personal,” advised Robinson, whose jersey was retired during a halftime ceremony at Allen Fieldhouse.
The second-ranked Jayhawks seemed to heed those words in beating the Tigers 73-64.
Kevin McCullar and KJ Adams scored 17 points apiece as Kansas earned its fourth straight victory over Missouri. The Jayhawks (9-1) improved to 176-95 all-time against the Tigers, who haven’t won in Lawrence since 1999, when Norm Stewart was their head coach.
After a slow start, the Jayhawks trailed Missouri 20-12 midway through the first half. But KU found its footing, closing the half on a 20-2 run to lead 41-29 at halftime.
KU hung Robinson’s number — No. 0 — in the rafters at intermission. “I love you guys to death,” Robinson told the cheering Jayhawk faithful.
Once play resumed, Mizzou refused to go quietly. The Tigers cut KU’s lead to eight, 68-60, with 1 minute, 27 seconds remaining but could get no closer.
Kansas will have a little break in play before traveling to Bloomington, Indiana to face the Hoosiers on Dec. 16.
Here are some takeaways from Saturday’s game:
Despite a hot MU start, KU defense holds strong
Initially, it felt like Missouri couldn’t miss.
Then the Jayhawks clamped down inside, limiting the Tigers to 28 points in the paint. KU finished with 42.
Kansas’ excellent interior defense forced the Tigers to shoot 3-pointers. And slowly, the Tigers went ice-cold from deep. MU shot 7-for-21 (33%) from 3-point range, 24-for-58 (41.4%) overall.
KU showcased why it came into the game with a No. 7 national ranking in adjusted defensive efficiency (points per 100 possessions).
KJ Adams continues to shine
After KU’s game against the Kansas City Roos Tuesday night, Jayhawks coach Bill Self raved about KJ Adams’ improvement on the offensive end of the court.
Adams was phenomenal on both ends again Saturday, hitting timely shots and making great plays on defense.
One of his most impressive plays came when he hustled and chased down Missouri’s Anthony Robinson for a devastating block — a block that directly led to an and-one by Hunter Dickinson on the other end.
Adams finished with 17 points on 7-for-13 shooting with five assists. It was his third straight game with 15-plus points.
Quiet first half for Hunter Dickinson
Dickinson came in averaging 20.1 points per outing.
At the end of the first half, KU’s star big man had just two points on 1-for-2 shooting.
Why? Missouri’s excellent defense.
The Tigers did everything in their power to deny Dickinson the ball; this included double-teaming him, not letting him set up in the post and keeping him away from his favorite spots on the floor.
MU forced the Jayhawks to run their offense through their guards, a big reason why KU struggled to score early in the game. It took time for Kansas to adjust.
Despite his quiet first half, Dickinson finished with his sixth double-double of the year: 13 points and 16 rebounds.
This story was originally published December 9, 2023 at 6:45 PM.
