Behind 23 points and 18 rebounds from Udoka Azubuike, the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks picked up a massive 64-61 win over the No. 1 Baylor Bears in Waco, Texas on Saturday. The Jayhawks (23-3, 13-1 Big XII) were between 1.5 and 2.5 point underdogs at tip-off, but the win on the road over the Bears (24-2, 13-1 Big XII) flips their only conference defeat from earlier this season. It also gives KU the inside track for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Kansas was outstanding from the floor, shooting 27-53 from the field against the third-best adjusted defense in college basketball in their gym. Most of the ratings services had Kansas as the best team in America before this game, and this performance won’t change it. As long as they continue to win, they should be favored every game the rest of the season.
MaCio Teague for Baylor, who was questionable before the game with a wrist injury, made a three-pointer to cut it to 62-61 with 18 seconds left, which locked in the over on the total of 130 points. Baylor was still forced to foul, and two clutch free throws from Isaiah Moss. Jared Butler came back with a contested three-point attempt from the top of the key to tie, but it came up short, and the clock expired before Kansas even corralled the rebound.
It’s also quite likely that these teams could meet again, with a battle in the final of the Big XII Tournament as a rubber match that could determine who is the top-overall seed in The Big Dance, with what would be the easiest path to Atlanta in the eyes of the NCAA Selection Committee.
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