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 current funk with pressure. 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 sphere on the evening, bought blasted on the boards and struggled to maintain up with Creighton’s offensive explosion. All-American huge man Hunter Dickinson completed with simply six factors for the Jayhawks and the staff 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 staff 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 High 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.
Listed here are 5 takeaways from the win.
Do not mess with the Bluejays of their cage
In huge video games with excessive stakes performed contained in the CHI Well being Middle, few groups appear extra able to embrace its function as an underdog than Creighton below Greg McDermott. Final yr it beat No. 1 UConn and No. 5 Marquette at dwelling. The yr earlier than that, No. 13 Xavier and No. 21 UConn have been amongst those that came across the Bluejays dwelling ground. And the yr prior, 4 ranked groups — together with No. 9 Villanova — misplaced at Creighton. This season remains 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 harm for Creighton huge man Ryan Kalkbrenner had his standing all the way in which as much as tipoff up within the air after lacking a sport 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. In opposition to 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 staff 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 mix of his absence and an off taking pictures evening helps clarify issues — nevertheless it was a disappointing exhibiting total 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 pictures from the ground and nailing six of his 9 3-point makes an attempt. Simply the specter of him taking pictures it opened up Creighton’s offense in a means that we have not seen a lot of late. He performed 39 enormous minutes and ran by way of warmth test after warmth test to assist maintain KU at arm’s size.
Creighton shakes off Vegas journey
After an unpleasant 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 Metropolis. The protection appeared defunct, Kalkbrenner did not look himself and the offense sputtered. Profitable cures all, after all, however a win of this caliber might assist reinvigorate a staff that is appeared lifeless at occasions the previous few weeks.