REVISED ARTICLE
Kansas Survives Thrilling Matchup Against Duke
LAS VEGAS — In a heart-stopping thriller, the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks managed to hold on and win 75-72 against the No. 10 Duke Blue Devils in Las Vegas.
The Jayhawks started strong, but Duke fought back, turning the matchup into a nail-biting battle down to the wire. Despite losing one of their stars, Hunter Dickinson, to an ejection in the second half, Kansas showed resilience and determination, making crucial plays to maintain their lead.
As the game entered its final stretch, Kansas found itself ahead by three points with approximately three and a half minutes remaining. However, Duke had momentum on their side following Dickinson’s ejection. The Jayhawks’ ability to step up and make decisive plays ultimately proved to be the difference-maker in securing the win.
With Dickinson ejected, Kansas needed Flory Bidunga to rise to the occasion. The Jayhawks’ reliance on 3-point shooting paled in comparison to Duke’s, but they managed to maintain a six-point lead with 12 minutes left in the second half. Kansas’ ability to shoot well from beyond the arc and dominate in the paint gave them a crucial edge.
Early in the second half, Duke briefly took the lead, but Kansas swiftly regained momentum with a 9-0 run that forced a Blue Devils timeout. Duke’s scoring drought lasted over two minutes, allowing the Jayhawks to regain control.
The first half saw neither team handle the ball well, with each committing seven turnovers. Kansas capitalized on these mistakes, scoring nine points off Duke’s turnovers, while the Blue Devils managed six. The Jayhawks maintained a nine-point lead with under eight minutes left in the first half, despite their shots not falling as regularly as they had at the start of the game.
As the game began, Kansas dominated, going on an 11-0 run to lead by 10 with 16 minutes left in the first half. Hunter Dickinson stood out, scoring five points, grabbing rebounds, and dishing out an assist. Duke’s Cooper Flagg struggled to make an impact, thanks in part to solid defense from the Jayhawks’ KJ Adams and the team’s collective effort.
Game Details
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 26
- Time: 8 p.m. (CT)
- Location: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
Broadcast Information
Kansas basketball’s matchup against Duke was broadcast on ESPN. Karl Ravech (play-by-play), Fran Fraschilla (analyst), Kris Budden (reporter), Joe Taylor (producer), and Anthony DeMarco (director) were on the call. The game is also available for streaming on ESPN+.
Betting Line
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Nov. 25
- Odds: Duke by 2.5
- O/U: 148.5
Upcoming Schedule
Here is a look at the first five games of Kansas’ regular season:
- Nov. 4 (home): Howard — Kansas won 87-57
- Nov. 8 (home): UNC — Kansas won 92-89
- Nov. 12 (neutral): Michigan State — Kansas won 77-69
- Nov. 16 (home): Oakland — Kansas won 78-57
- Nov. 19 (home): UNCW — Kansas won 84-66
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
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