No. 1 Kansas took its first lack of the season Wednesday as unranked Creighton secured a 76-63 dwelling win over the Jayhawks and shook off its latest funk with power. The Bluejays by no means trailed within the battle of the birds and turned it right into a blowout late behind Pop Isaacs’ 27-point evening.
Kansas shot simply 35.7% from the sector on the evening, acquired blasted on the boards and struggled to maintain up with Creighton’s offensive explosion. All-American large man Hunter Dickinson completed with simply six factors for the Jayhawks and the workforce made simply 35.7% of its field-goal makes an attempt within the loss.
The win for Creighton was its second-ever vs. a No. 1-ranked workforce and its second in as a few years after defeating No. 1 UConn 85-66 final season in Omaha, Nebraska. It additionally marked Creighton’s first win vs. Kansas since 1949, ending a six-game skid that started in 1950.
KU opened the season ranked No. 1 within the AP Top 25 and has maintained its standing atop the rankings every of the primary 5 weeks powered by wins over North Carolina, Michigan State and Duke.
Here are 5 takeaways from the win.
Don’t mess with the Bluejays of their cage
In large video games with excessive stakes performed contained in the CHI Health Center, few groups appear extra able to embrace its position as an underdog than Creighton below Greg McDermott. Last 12 months it beat No. 1 UConn and No. 5 Marquette at dwelling. The 12 months earlier than that, No. 13 Xavier and No. 21 UConn had been amongst those that came across the Bluejays dwelling flooring. And the 12 months prior, 4 ranked groups — together with No. 9 Villanova — misplaced at Creighton. This season continues to be younger, and Creighton has already misplaced at dwelling to Nebraska, however a win over No. 1 Kansas units a pleasant tone for the rest of 2024-25.
Kalkbrenner wins battle between bigs
A decrease physique damage for Creighton large man Ryan Kalkbrenner had his standing all the best way as much as tipoff up within the air after lacking a recreation earlier within the week vs. Notre Dame. Then he went out and carried out as if he hasn’t been battling something in any respect. Against a fellow 7-footer who has All-American credentials in Hunter Dickinson, he completed with 17 factors and 10 rebounds, and within the course of held Dickinson to only six factors.
KU backcourt falls flat
A skinny backcourt doomed preseason No. 1 Kansas final season — but even a deeper backcourt this season has not completely solved its issues for a workforce that seemingly addressed its largest deficiency. That was evident within the loss the place Dajuan Harris missed 15 of his 21 shot makes an attempt, AJ Storr went 4 of 13 and Zeke Mayo completed 5-of-13. Rylan Griffen’s absence with the flu was felt — and maybe a mixture of his absence and an off taking pictures evening helps clarify issues — but it surely was a disappointing exhibiting general from the remade backcourt of the Jayhawks.
Isaacs’ scoring pop the distinction
Steven Ashworth and Kalkbrenner every had 17 factors, however Isaacs’ scoring punch was the distinction on this one. He was a fearless shot-taker and on this one, a shot-maker, ending 10-of-15 photographs from the ground and nailing six of his 9 3-point makes an attempt. Just the specter of him taking pictures it opened up Creighton’s offense in a method that we have not seen a lot of late. He performed 39 big minutes and ran by means of warmth verify after warmth verify to assist maintain KU at arm’s size.
Creighton shakes off Vegas journey
After an unsightly dwelling loss to Nebraska in November, Creighton misplaced two-straight in Vegas earlier than bouncing again Saturday with a win over Notre Dame to salvage a 1-2 journey to Sin City. The protection regarded defunct, Kalkbrenner did not look himself and the offense sputtered. Winning cures all, after all, however a win of this caliber may assist reinvigorate a workforce that is regarded lifeless at instances the previous few weeks.
