2 of the most premier teams during the Big 12 Tournament once again and for the 7th year in a row, Kansas or Iowa State will be hoisting up the trophy and taking the crown home.
Kansas and Iowa State previously met during the 2015 title game and that was a game that was won by Iowa State. They met on Saturday and with the Sprint Center packed and a electric atmosphere, this game did not disappoint in anyway.
First Half:
Both teams came out a little flat offensively and neither team could take advantage of another’s flaw. Neither team was shooting over 40% and was dominated by defense. The teams combined to shoot 2-16 from 3 and is a slow paced game.
Iowa State was able to find ways to build a lead as with under 4 to go, Iowa State would take a 6 point lead off a bucket from Tyrese Haliburton.
Iowa State was able to get a couple more buckets and with less than 2 minutes to go and down 11, Bill Self would take his 2nd timeout within the span of 5 minutes and Iowa State was up, 32-21.
Kansas was 10-23 from inside the paint and 0-13 from outside the paint in the first half. Shooting 2-8 from the free throw line and all out of sorts in the first half. Iowa State would lead up 10, looking to wrap up another Big 12 title. Iowa State 32, Kansas 22.
Second Half:
The beginning of the 2nd half would look similar to what the first half consists of. Iowa State would begin to break away with a 15 point lead. KU had 10 turnovers and was still waiting on their first 3 pointer of the game 5 minutes into the second half. Kansas would get a 9-2 run going into Lindell Wigginton would get a layup to get it back up to 12.
Matt Jacobson has been the main offense throughout as 8 minutes into the 2nd half, Jacobson had 14 points on 6-7 shooting. Kansas would get extremely cold from the field and Iowa State’s defense that has been so impressive through the tournament continued to flourish.
Devon Dotson would finally get KU their first 3 pointer 9 minutes into the half. That would spark a 7-0 Jayhawk run that would be ended by a Tyrese Haliburton 3 pointer. Both teams would trade blows back and forth as KU couldn’t get the score below single figures for a while.
Nick Weiler-Babb would hit a 3 and force Bill Self to call his final timeout with a little under 6 minutes to go. Iowa State seemed to be the more fatigued team, but it didn’t matter as they outplayed the Jayhawks and outworked them. Iowa State was able to wrap the game up and for the first time in Big 12 History a 5th or higher seed won the tournament. Iowa State 78, Kansas 66.
Notable Players:
Iowa State:
Matt Jacobson: 14 Points (6-8), 4 rebounds, 2 blocks.
Marial Shayok: 15 Points (5-12), 4 rebounds, 3 assists.
Lindell Wigginton: 17 Points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists.
Kansas:
Dedric Lawson: 18 Points (8-21), 8 rebounds, 3 steals.
Devon Dotson: 17 Points (7-12), 3 rebounds, 3 assists.
Quinten Grimes: 10 Points, 2 blocks.
Devon Dotson had a very impressive game for a Freshman and showed that if he stays another year, he will be the captain of this team next season. 2-12 shooting from Marcus Garrett and 17% from 3 ultimately ended up being Kansas’s downfall as Iowa State was able to score on KU and put up 46 in the second half in order to capture their 4 title in the previous 7 seasons.
Both teams will be watching on Sunday for where they are placed in the NCAA Tournament and looking for a clearer path to the National Championship.
