1. Limit the production of Jalen Wilson
If the season ended today, the Big 12 Player of the Year Award would be unanimous towards Jalen Wilson, who currently is leading the conference with 21.0 ppg, along with 8.6 rpg on 2.8 apg. He’s been in double figures in every game this season, including a 33-point effort against Southern Utah. Wilson also leads the team in rebounding and has been a good passer as well, with three games of at least five assists.
While Wilson hasn’t been the most efficient scorer in the world (42% from the field and 34% from three-point range), he makes sure Kansas doesn’t go on any droughts and can get his offense at any time. The matchup between him and Texas Tech’s leading scorer, Kevin Obannor, will be the most important one at the power forward position.
There also will be times when the Jayhawks have Wilson at the five-spot in small-ball lineups. That means we could see him being guarded by Daniel Batcho, who has been great at center for the Red Raiders in place of Aimaq. While he only had two points against TCU, his defense has remained consistent will be important against both Wilson and KJ Adams, who went 6/6 from the field in the last game.
Kansas may want to have Wilson on the perimeter to force Batcho away from the paint and the Red Raiders may be okay with forcing him to make threes all game. But they have the frontcourt to make things difficult for the star forward, which could singlehandedly turn the tide in the underdogs’ favor.