In a nail-biter that lived up to the hype, No. 1 Kansas slipped past No. 11 Duke with a 75-72 victory in Las Vegas on Tuesday night.Down by one with mere seconds left, Duke’s freshman standout Kon Knueppel turned the ball over with just 3.0 seconds remaining. Kansas guard Rylan Griffen, cool as ice, sank two clutch free throws after drawing a foul. Knueppel had a chance to redeem himself but missed the final shot at the buzzer.
Hunter Dickinson’s Ejection Shakes Things Up
Kansas star big man Hunter Dickinson was ejected midway through the second half after an incident involving Duke’s Maliq Brown. Dickinson appeared to kick Brown while he was on the ground, leading to his abrupt exit at the 10:26 mark. Before leaving, Dickinson contributed 11 points in 22 minutes. Freshman Flory Bidunga stepped up big time, filling the void with six points and eight rebounds.
Dajuan Harris Jr. Steers the Ship
Guard Dajuan Harris Jr. was the steady hand Kansas needed. Dropping 14 points and dishing out nine assists, he orchestrated the offense with precision. Fellow guard Zeke Mayo chipped in 12 points, and the Jayhawks showcased depth with seven players scoring at least six points.
Cooper Flagg Shines in Second Half
Duke’s star freshman Cooper Flagg found his rhythm late, scoring 11 of his 13 points after the break. Guard Tyrese Proctor led the Blue Devils with 15 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Kansas’ balanced attack.
Knueppel’s Tough Night from Deep
Kon Knueppel, known for his sharpshooting, couldn’t find his touch from beyond the arc. Missing all eight of his three-point attempts, he still managed to contribute 11 points and eight assists. It was an off night he’ll likely use as a learning experience moving forward.
Bench Players Make Their Mark
- Maliq Brown: Despite the incident with Dickinson, Brown provided a spark off the bench for Duke with a dunk and a quick three-pointer.
- Flory Bidunga: Thrust into a larger role after Dickinson’s ejection, Bidunga’s energy and presence in the paint were crucial for Kansas.
Bill Self Praises Team Resilience
Kansas coach Bill Self had plenty to smile about. Even after losing a key player, the Jayhawks maintained composure. Self lauded KJ Adams Jr., who filled in admirably on both ends of the floor. Adams’ defense on Duke’s Cooper Flagg was particularly noteworthy.
Duke’s Late Surge Falls Short
The Blue Devils made a valiant effort to claw back into the game. A two-handed slam by Flagg gave Duke a brief lead with under six minutes to play. However, Kansas responded with key plays down the stretch to secure the win.
Statistical Breakdown
Here’s a quick look at some game stats:
| Team | FG% | 3P% | FT% | Rebounds | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 48.3% | 38.1% | 75% | 35 | 12 |
| Duke | 45.6% | 33.3% | 70% | Thirty-four | 14 |
Note: Stats are illustrative.
What This Means Going Forward
This early-season victory solidifies Kansas’ top ranking and sets a tone for the rest of the year. For Duke, the loss is a tough pill to swallow but offers valuable lessons, especially for their young stars like Flagg and Knueppel.
