Quick recap: Kansas advances to Big 12 semifinals with win over West Virginia

By Shane Jackson     Mar 9, 2023

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Kansas forward Jalen Wilson (10) puts up a three against West Virginia during the first half on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at T Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Despite not having head coach Bill Self on the sideline, the Kansas men’s basketball team secured a 78-61 victory over West Virginia during the Big 12 quarterfinal matchup on Thursday inside T-Mobile Center.

Assistant Norm Roberts, who led the team for the first three games of the regular season while Self served a university-imposed suspension, was once again the acting head coach to lead the Jayhawks (26-6) to their third win over the Mountaineers (19-14) on the year.

In addition to not having Self, KU senior Kevin McCullar Jr. did not start the game due to back spasms. He ended up laboring through pain to provide an impact off the bench, while Joseph Yesufu started in his place.

Given everything that took place prior to tipoff, it was no surprise when the Jayhawks found themselves in a 14-11 hole midway through the first half. But give them credit, they responded — just as they have done all year.

Box score: Kansas 78, West Virginia 61

Kansas went on a decisive 14-0 run after that, which was capped by a steal from McCullar that led to a layup for Dajuan Harris Jr. in transition. The Jayhawks played in front from that moment on, but they never stopped doing the necessary things to prevail on Thursday.

Led by the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Kansas was active on the defensive end and managed to get into the passing lanes. Harris had four steals in the first half alone, disrupting the flow of the West Virginia offense.

On the offensive end, the Jayhawks were always on the attack and emphasized getting the ball inside. Even when they missed, they were usually there to collect the miss. Jalen Wilson secured seven rebounds in the first half, but seven of KU’s eight rotation players grabbed at least one rebound.

West Virginia never went away, of course, cutting the deficit to as low as four midway through the second half. That’s when Wilson, the Big 12 Player of the Year, did Big 12 POY things by responding with timely buckets to keep his team ahead. None were bigger than a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 10:41 left to play.

Four different players scored 13 points or more for Kansas in the win, led by a 22-point performance from Wilson. Freshman Gradey Dick broke out of a brief slump to knock down four 3-pointers.

Kansas, the No. 1 seed in the Big 12 tournament, will face Iowa State in the semifinals on Friday. The Cyclones used a second-half comeback to defeat the Baylor Bears for the second time in a week on Thursday.

Tipoff for KU vs. ISU is slated for 6 p.m. at T-Mobile Center.

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Written By Shane Jackson