It was a rough week for two of the Big 12’s finest – both the Kansas Jayhawks and the Iowa State Cyclones had weeks with multiple losses for the first time in conference play this year. It was a clash of two wounded giants in Phog Allen on Monday night, and only one of them seemed ready to right the wrongs of the past few days. The Cyclones had got the better of Kansas earlier in the season, but in the opening days of February, the Kansas Jayhawks dominated Iowa State en route to a 69-52 win that just might be the catalyst to turn their season around.
Iowa State and Kansas Both Entered the Game On the Heels of a Woeful Performance
On Saturday, it was announced that ESPN’s College Gameday would be heading to Ames next weekend, which no doubt thrilled Cyclone fans. Unfortunately, the crowd at Hilton Coliseum was mostly silent by the end of a horrific second half that saw Iowa State lose 80-61 to Kansas State. The Wildcats had entered the game as 15-point underdogs, but used a balanced offensive attack to stun the 3rd-ranked Cyclones.
Iowa State’s turnover percentage in their losses has been almost 7 percentage points higher than in their wins. They averaged 17 turnovers per contest over their last two games, both of which they lost.

Meanwhile, Kansas looked to be in cruise control against Baylor, but their 21-point first half lead also evaporated in the second half as the Bears had a historic comeback to win 81-70. The result comes in the middle of a rocky season that, along with uncharacteristic struggles in the previous two years, have Jayhawk fans online seemingly agreed that head coach Bill Self should “hang it up” after this season. Coach Self was just as discouraged as the Kansas faithful, saying “we sucked” and frustratedly exclaiming about his team’s inability to do the little things right.
It’s time for Bill Self to hang it up. #RockChalk pic.twitter.com/YBxo4JtOoG
— Message Board Geniuses (@BoardGeniuses) February 3, 2025
Needless to say, both teams entered Tuesday needing a win in a big way to combat a really negative weekend.
The Kansas Jayhawks Pulverized Iowa State
Midway through the first half, it was clear only one team had learned from their previous week of mistakes. Kansas was energetic, physical, and sharp in the details on both ends. Meanwhile, Iowa State’s stubbornness on offense, poor ball movement, lazy shot selection, and mental lapses on defense remained.
Kansas big man Hunter Dickinson was involved right away on offense and played very good defense as well. After he was physically outmatched against Iowa State during their game early in the season, he was more like his usual self on Monday night. His stat line of 14 points, 9 boards, and 4 blocks is entirely emblematic of how impactful his presence was.
AJ Storr made two three-pointers early in the game, and Zeke Mayo also made three of his first four long balls. He finished with 17 points on 5 made treys. KJ Adams had 6 points and 5 assists from the wing in the opening stages. The Jayhawks shot 50% from three and 47% from the field overall. The entire team looked crisp and fluid on both ends.

Coach Self praised the team and agreed that it was the best they have played in some time. Kansas’ first-shot defense was really good all night, as Iowa State settled for countless contested shots in the paint and also heaved desperation jumpers. The Jayhawks were switching 1-4 and really bothering Iowa State guards Keshon Gilbert, Curtis Jones, and Tamin Lipsey. The trio was a meek 13-40 from the floor.
I still think we’ve got another run in us, we’ve been so inconsistent – when we’ve been good, we’ve been terrific, but when we’ve been bad, it’s been a free fall. So we just gotta bottle up the good and keep grinding… I think we’ll be okay.
Kansas’ help defense was noticeable throughout, keeping the Cyclones out of the lane and limiting easy shots. Their defense-to-offense was also impressive, and Adams punctuated one of the best sequences of the college basketball season with a half-court lob after a steal.
going to be thinking about this one for awhile 🤯 pic.twitter.com/UAQgYohW68
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) February 4, 2025
Iowa State has gone from being one of the best teams in college basketball to a team that can’t get out of its own way on offense and frankly looks intimidated by physical play on defense. They barley shot over 30% on offense and allowed easy shots for Kansas throughout the night. Head coach TJ Otzelberger has a lot to get right to finish out the season.

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