THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
The University Daily Kansan
»
vol. 136 // iss. 13 Mon., Feb. 26, 2018
SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE
»
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT With a win over Texas Tech, Kansas earns a 14th consecutive Big 12 title to break UCLA’s record for successive conference championships
Associated Press Senior guard Devonte’ Graham lays up the ball during the second half of the game on Saturday in Lubbock, Texas.
SHAUN GOODWIN @ShaunGoodwinUDK In one of the biggest Big 12 games in recent history for Kansas basketball, it was always going to be the grizzled, veteran seniors who stepped up. Falling backward with two seconds on the shot clock, Devonte’ Graham let a desperation floater go toward the basket. Collapsing to the ground, the ball bounced around the rim before dropping in to give Kansas a 72-68 lead with 31 seconds left. As the ball dropped in during Saturday’s game, Graham knew he had led Kansas to its 14th straight Big 12 title. “The basketball gods were shining on us there,” Kansas coach Bill Self said with a laugh after the game. Already set in stone as the most lethal pair from beyond the arc in Kansas history, senior guards Graham and Svi Mykhailiuk grabbed the Jayhawks by the scruff of their necks against Texas Tech. Combining for 47 of Kansas’ total points, the pair were vital in Kansas’ 74-72 victory over the Red Raiders. Becoming the first team this season to score more than 40 points against Tex-
“The basketball gods were shining on us there.” Bill Self Kansas coach
as Tech in the first half, Kansas kept a high-scoring, high-intensity pace going all the way through. Running out to an early 8-0 lead, the Jayhawks looked like they were going to repeat what they did against the Oklahoma Sooners earlier in the week: run out to a large lead and never let it go. The early run included a pair of threes from Mykhailiuk and Graham, as well as a monster jam from sophomore center Udoka Azubuike. But sitting just a game behind Kansas and in the race for the title as well, Texas Tech refused to lie down like Oklahoma had. Bringing the game back to 13-10 in favor of Kansas, Texas Tech dominated the Jayhawks’ defensive paint, racking up eight second-chance points early in the half. Kansas’ struggles in the paint may been the stake in the heart of the Jayhawks too, if it wasn’t for their excellent three-point shooting, especially from Graham
and Mykhailiuk. The pair combined for five of Kansas’ seven first-half threes to keep Kansas afloat. Exceptional ball movement around the perimeter allowed Kansas to find open shots time and time again, with the Jayhawks displaying perhaps their best ball movement all season. Graham and Mykhailiuk combined for 23 of Kansas’ 41 first-half points, as the Jayhawks shot 59 percent from the field to lead 41-37 at half. “Today was unbelievable effort. That was as good as we can run an offense the first 15 minutes of the first half,” Self said. “We could not have executed or shot it much better.” Self was annoyed that Kansas didn’t lead by more at halftime, attributing the close game to Kansas’ inefficiency on the boards. Texas Tech’s Zhaire Smith alone grabbed four offensive rebounds in the first half, contributing half of the Red Raiders’ first-half total.
Associated Press Kansas players celebrate the victory against Texas Tech.
It was night and day between the first half and start of the second half. The Jayhawks endured a 10-possession spell in which they only scored one point, went 0-for-6 from the field and had three turnovers. The drought was finally ended six minutes into the second half when Graham converted an andone to put Kansas ahead by four points, 48-44. The teams continued to trade blows, with Graham leading the way for Kansas and Smith doing the work for Texas Tech. A huge put-back from Smith tied the game at 68 with 2:30 remaining, which was then followed by a massive denial by Smith when Graham went up for a dunk at the opposite end. But all of Texas Tech’s hard work unraveled with 90 seconds remaining. An inexcusable turnover from the Red Raiders’ Zach Smith handed Kansas the ball. On the next possession, Graham continued his dominance with the incred-
ible shot that sealed Kansas’ 14th straight Big 12. As the final buzzer sounded, Graham jumped in the air and rushed to his teammates, as Texas Tech fans began to file out of United Supermarkets Arena. The senior finished with 26 points, 18 of those coming in the second half, while Mykhailiuk finished with 21 points. “Wasn’t it fitting that the two guys that carried us home were our two seniors? Guys that have been here for eight years,” Self said. “Svi was unbelievable the first half and Devonte’ was good the first half, and then what Devonte’ did late game, no doubt puts a stake or nail in the coffin for Big 12 Player of the Year.” With at least a share of the conference title sealed up, Kansas will return to Allen Fieldhouse on tonight to take on Texas at 8 p.m. The game will also be the final game in Allen Fieldhouse this season, meaning the traditional Senior Night traditions will take place to commemorate Graham’s, Mykhailiuk’s and senior guard Clay Young’s last game in front of the home crowd.
Associated Press Kansas coach Bill Self celebrates his team’s victory over Texas Tech.