Kansas Basketball: 3 takeaways from win over Kentucky in Champions Classic

Kansas Basketball and Kentucky met up in the 2020 edition of the Champions Classic Tuesday Night.

After Michigan State defeated Duke in the early game of the Champions Classic, it was Kansas Basketball and Kentucky’s turn to take center stage on ESPN. Despite the game playing under the moniker of Champions Classic, neither team looked like a champion and the start of the game will never be confused with a classic.

After Kansas won the jump ball, it was nearly two and a half minutes when Ochai Agbaji broke the ice by giving Kansas a two-point lead. Scoring would be at a premium as with almost five minutes gone in the first half Kansas had made one of seven shots and Kentucky connected on one of four field-goals.

At just under the eleven-minute mark, Kentucky had a 15 point run and opened a 17-5 lead, thanks in part to Kansas’ 2-14 shooting and eight turnovers. By 6:13 Dontaie Allen would put Kentucky up 26-13 by connecting on Kentucky’s first three-pointer on their seventh attempt. At half Kentucky led 35-29.

In the second half, Jalen Wilson bookended the comeback with layups at the 18:11 mark and then with 11:37 remaining. With around five minutes remaining Wilson would hit a pair of three-pointers to tie the game at 51. The Jayhawks would go on to win 65-62 in a free throw contest down the stretch. The victory does not conceal warts the Jayhawks have, however.

Here’s a look at some key takeaways for Kansas Basketball.