Three Takeaways From No. 9 Kansas Men's Basketball's 74-56 loss at No. 5 Iowa State
No. 9 Kansas saw its eight-game winning streak come to an abrupt end Saturday in a 74-56 loss to No. 5 Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. It was all Cyclones in today's game and here are three takeaways from the Jayhawks’ setback:
1. Iowa State’s suffocating defense set the tone
This game flipped when Iowa State’s pressure started dictating everything Kansas wanted to do. The Cyclones trapped aggressively in the corners, jumped passing lanes and turned the Jayhawks ball handlers uncomfortable. Kansas committed multiple turnovers in key stretches of the first half, including four in a four-minute span, which erased an early lead. Even when the Jayhawks broke pressure, they struggled to get clean looks late in the shot clock. The defensive intensity fueled Iowa State’s late first-half run and allowed the Cyclones to control the tempo the rest of the afternoon.
2. Perimeter defense faltered in the second half
Even after trailing by 10 at halftime, Kansas had chances to make it interesting. Instead, Iowa State buried any comeback hopes with a barrage from beyond the arc.
The Cyclones opened the second half 6-for-6 from 3-point range, with Milan Momcilovic leading the charge. After being held without a 3 in the first half, he knocked down four in the second and finished with 18 points.
Tamin Lipsey and others added timely shots as Iowa State stretched the lead to 17 just two minutes into the half. Kansas briefly cut the deficit to 15 and later to 15 again at 65-50 following a Melvin Council Jr. dunk with eight minutes left. But every push was answered, including a Nate Heise three-pointer that halted Kansas’ momentum. The Jayhawks couldn’t string together enough stops to mount a serious rally.
3. No sustained run in the second half
Kansas needed a sharp start after halftime and didn’t get it. Iowa State opened the second half with a 9-0 run to stretch the lead to 20, immediately putting the game on the brink.
While Kansas showed brief signs of life, including an eight-point stretch from Bryson Tiller and Elmarko Jackson, and late free throws from Kohl Rosario, every push was answered. The Jayhawks got within 12 with four minutes to play, but never closer. Extended scoring droughts and an inability to stack stops prevented any real comeback attempt.
The loss ends Kansas’ eight-game winning streak and hands the Jayhawks their first defeat in a month, serving as a tough reminder of how difficult it is to win in Ames when turnovers and early defensive pressure swing the game.