Kansas vs. Baylor rating, takeaways: No. 5 Jayhawks rally from huge halftime deficit to dominate No. 9 Bears

No. 5 Kansas pulled off a comeback for the ages on Saturday because the Jayhawks erased a 13-point halftime deficit and throttled No. 9 Baylor 87-71 behind a dominant run popping out of the locker room. KU began the second half on a 10-0 spurt, and it took the Jayhawks lower than six minutes to thoroughly erase the deficit as they surged forward on a Gradey Dick 3-pointer with 14:29 remaining.

The Bears by no means once more discovered their footing whereas struggling simply their second loss in 12 video games. With the win, Kansas (22-5, 10-4 Huge 12) stayed even with No. 6 Texas atop the Huge 12 standings after the Longhorns squeaked out an time beyond regulation win towards Oklahoma.

Baylor (20-7, 9-5) led 45-32 at halftime after taking pictures a blistering 9 of 14 from 3-point vary within the first half with guards Adam Flagler, LJ Cryer and Keyonte George combining for 42 factors. It wasn’t till Jalen Bridges hit a 3-pointer with 40 seconds left within the first half that somebody from exterior that trio scored for Baylor, which led by as a lot as 17 within the first half.

However the Bears’ collective sizzling taking pictures fizzled after halftime as Allen Fieldhouse got here to life with the Jayhawks utilizing a 34-9 run to take command. Jalen Wilson led KU with 21 factors, and level guard Dajuan Harris performed a starring function within the surge by scoring all of his 14 factors after halftime. The Jayhawks are unbeaten when Harris scores greater than three factors.

On a day when Kansas honored final season’s nationwide title-winning crew, the 2022-23 squad paid becoming tribute with one of the crucial spectacular halves performed by any crew within the sport this season. Baylor performs at No. 12 Kansas State on Tuesday, whereas Kansas performs at No. 22 TCU on Monday because the Huge 12 title race hits the house stretch.

Kansas validates its seeding

The Jayhawks landed because the fourth No. 1 seed in Saturday’s NCAA Match bracket preview, and their displaying solely validated that placement. This crew has gone by way of rising pains whereas changing key gamers comparable to Ochai Agbaji, Christian Braun, Remy Martin and David McCormack from final season’s championship run.

But when there was any doubt that this group is able to defending the title, Saturday’s second-half efficiency erased it. Since a three-game dropping streak in January, the Jayhawks have gained six of their final seven with all six of the wins coming by eight or extra factors.

Humbling for Baylor

Baylor entered the day ranked No. 1 in offensive effectivity, per kenpom.com, however the Bears slotted simply 78th defensively, and Kansas uncovered Baylor’s defensive vulnerabilities within the second half. The Jayhawks shot 63.3% and totaled 55 factors within the second half.

Kansas dedicated simply 5 turnovers within the sport, and the Bears registered no blocked pictures. There isn’t a doubt the Bears’ guard trio is an elite scoring group. Nevertheless, they might want to ramp up their defensive depth within the weeks forward if Baylor goes to make a run within the Huge 12 or NCAA Tournaments.

When Baylor gained the nationwide championship  in 2021, it had a pair of elite defensive stoppers in Davion Mitchell and Mark Important. This group doesn’t have the same defensive game-changer. The Kansas loss marked simply the fifth sport again from harm for senior middle Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua, and his presence helps, however the Bears will want extra from their guards and wings on protection if they’re going to attain their potential.

Adams’ effectivity

KJ Adams completed with 17 factors on simply 5-of-6 taking pictures from the ground as Kansas’ undersized huge man turned in one other environment friendly outing. He entered taking pictures 64.3% from the ground and continued to indicate his worth as a quiet weapon for the Jayhawks.

The 6-foot-7 sophomore is a human spotlight reel along with his dunking skill, however he is additionally a scrappy defender and rebounder who demonstrates a knack for attending to the fitting place on the proper time to be set for lobs and fast floaters. 

Kansas depends on small lineups, however Adams continues to exhibit that it may be a profitable components by standing out as an elite function participant. This marked his fourth straight sport in double digits and a little bit of redemption after he scored simply 4 factors on 1-of-5 taking pictures in Kansas’ loss at Baylor on Jan. 23.