NCAA Basketball: UConn, Purdue rise on top 25 power ranking after Feast Week
By Joey Loose
8. Kansas (6-1)
Kansas won the national championship last year, but that run is not why the Jayhawks were highly regarded this year. They’ve got plenty of exciting pieces on this roster, highlighted by returning star Jalen Wilson and freshman phenom Gradey Dick. There’s not enough time to highlight everyone playing considerable minutes for the Jayhawks; just know that this team is really good, but certainly not infallible.
The Jayhawks spent last week in the Bahamas at the Battle 4 Atlantis, opening things off on Wednesday with an 80-74 win over NC State, led by Dick’s 25-point outing. The next day, the Jayhawks barely survived Wisconsin, getting a 69-68 overtime win in the semifinals. Wilson had 29 points and 14 rebounds while Bobby Pettitford Jr. hit the game-winning shot in the final seconds. However, Kansas couldn’t get the job done, losing the tournament title game to Tennessee, dropping a 64-50 game to the Volunteers despite forcing 24 turnovers in the game.
The performance against Tennessee likely left a sour taste in the mouth of these Jayhawks. Their overall performance in the Battle 4 Atlantis wasn’t exactly spectacular, but there’s no reason to be devastated at this point. This team hung on against Wisconsin and does have a nice win against Duke, plus there’s reason to be excited with how Wilson and Dick have been playing this year. Next week’s schedule brings the Jayhawks back to Lawrence for home dates with Texas Southern and Seton Hall.