Three Takeaways From No. 14 Kansas Men's Basketball's 104-85 Senior Day Sunflower Showdown Win Over K-State
No. 14 Kansas men's basketball honored six seniors before the Sunflower Showdown for senior day. Five of the seniors started the game with Nginyu “Gee” Ngala checking in shortly after. The two usual starters, Tre White and Melvin Council Jr., were joined by Wilder Evers, Justin Cross and Jayden Dawson.
It was a storybook ending for the seniors' time in Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks sent the Kansas men’s basketball seniors off on a good note with a 104-85 win over rival Kansas State on Saturday.
The day began with all six seniors seeing the court and ended with them closing the offensive explosion. Melvin Coucil Jr. invited the whole team to midcourt for his postgame senior speech and kissed the Jayhawk logo. The win marks the first time Kansas men’s basketball has completed the 2-0 season sweep over the Wildcats since 2022. Here are three takeaways from the game:
Darryn Peterson is primed for a postseason run
Peterson put together one of his most efficient games of the season. He said it was probably the best he has felt all season, and head coach Bill Self agreed postgame. He moved with purpose and looked good throughout his time on the court.
The star freshman dropped 27 points on 10-15 shooting with five rebounds and four assists. Peterson put together one of his best games all season just in time for the postseason.
Tre White and Melvin Council step up big time
White and Council joined the other seniors who don't play as much in the starting five, and they set the tone from the start. White nailed five 3-pointers for 23 points and showed how important his shooting could be down the stretch.
Council neared a triple-double and contested all over the court. He brought out a new crimson headband and dropped 17 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists.
Storybook ending for the seniors
Council and White put together great games, but don't forget a four-year member of the team and walk-on, Wilder Evers. Evers scored five points with one 3-pointer that put Kansas over 100 points, a storybook ending to his career at Kansas. All six seniors saw the court and had one last goodbye to Allen Fieldhouse.
With the win, the Jayhawks finish the regular season at 22-9 overall and 12-6 in Big 12 Conference play. Kansas will now head to Kansas City, Missouri, for the Big 12 tournament next week.
Final Stats:
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