Kansas basketball puts recent issues in past, wins vs Iowa State

LAWRENCE — Coming into Tuesday’s home game against Iowa State, an overtime win was the only thing standing between Kansas basketball and a winless start to Big 12 Conference play.

No. 25 KU’s win earlier this month at home against TCU was sandwiched in between losses on the road against UCF and West Virginia. Neither defeat inspired much confidence in the Jayhawks’ chances in Big 12 play, the way they ended. And with No. 2 ISU arriving this week for a matchup inside Allen Fieldhouse, undefeated at the time, the Cyclones looked poised to deliver the KU faithful another disappointing outing.

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But Kansas recovered with an 84-63 victory against Iowa State in Lawrence, routing the Cyclones (16-1, 3-1 in Big 12) in a game ISU never led. According to senior guard Tre White, it came down to paying attention to the details and playing with more grit. White looked at a key reason his Jayhawks had lost those two recent games, being the mistakes they made themselves.

RELATED: Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger analyzes loss vs Kansas basketball

Here are a few more takeaways from this win for Kansas (12-5, 2-2), before Friday’s home game against Baylor:

Why Tre White felt it was important to get Flory Bidunga, Bryson Tiller going early offensively

As Kansas took an 8-2 lead early against Iowa State, the Jayhawks’ points all came — four each — from sophomore forward Flory Bidunga and freshman forward Bryson Tiller. It helped KU establish a presence inside, which contributed to the Cyclones’ defensive problems throughout the evening. Bidunga ended up with 10 points by game’s end, and Tiller eight.

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White loved seeing that happen and highlighted how important it will be to continue to be an emphasis moving forward. Do that, and gaps for KU players to make plays will continue to open as defenders gravitate toward them. White named himself, as well as senior guard Melvin Council Jr. and freshman guard Darryn Peterson, as three individuals that is…

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Publish date : 2026-01-15 09:05:00

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