KU Men’s regular season basketball is finally back. The #4 Kansas Jayhawks will look to become 1-0 as they play the Tennessee State Tigers on Friday. The Jayhawks are coming off wins against Pittsburg State and Fort Hays State as the Jayhawks have now won 27 straight exhibition games.
Recap
In the Pittsburg State game, everything was going right for the Jayhawks as they got out to an early 21-3 lead and never let up leading to a 100-54 win with Malik Newman, Svi Mykhailiuk, and Udoka Azubuike leading the scoring for the Jayhawks and Udoka Azubuike (17 Points, 14 rebounds), and Lagerald Vick ( 15 points, 11 rebounds) getting double doubles as well.
In the Fort Hays State game things didn’t come so easy for the Jayhawks, as they struggled to get any sort of separation only leading by a score of 38-33 at halftime shooting 48.3% from the field, but only 26.7% from beyond the three-point arc. Things began to open up for the Jayhawks in the second half going up 59-44 with 11 minutes to go in the game thanks to a three from Devonte’ Graham that proved to be the dagger as Fort Hays State didn’t get any closer than that with the Jayhawks winning 86-57 due in large part to 27 points, and 8 assists from Devonte’ Graham.
The Matchup
The Jayhawks will look to win their 43rd straight home opener as they welcome Tennesse State to the Phog. The history between these two teams has been a very small one, with the only game resulting in a Kansas victory where they beat the Tigers 89-54 on November 21st, 2006 in Allen Fieldhouse as part of the Las Vegas Invitational. The Tigers are a very veteran team with 11 seniors on the 16 man roster, so experience could play a huge factor in keeping this game interesting lead by seniors Delano Spencer, Ken’Darrius Hamilton, and A.C Reid.
After this game, the Jayhawks will travel to the United Center in Chicago where they will face #5 ranked Kentucky in the Champions Classic. The Tennessee State Tigers will go back home to the Gentry Center in Nashville, Tennessee where they will face Reinhardt.
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