It is rare in modern college basketball that a team can find long-term success when they struggle immensely from three-point range. This concept makes the Kansas Jayhawks something of an enigma, as they have now won 15 consecutive games in which they have hit one or less three-point field goals. It was an ugly game and despite being one of the weakest teams in the Big 12 Conference, TCU did not go quietly. In the end, Kansas was able to pull away and held off the Horned Frogs 64-59, setting up a semifinals matchup on Friday with the Baylor Bears.
The two squads were evenly matched for about half of the opening segment of the game, with the Horned Frogs even leading the Jayhawks 12-11 midway through the period. Kansas' stellar freshman Kelly Oubre, Jr. remarked recently that TCU was one of the best defensive teams that they have faced all season, and the boys from Fort Worth lived up to the billing. In an somewhat unusual move (although not unexpected, considering his current roster limitations), Bill Self utilized several players from deep off of the Kansas bench in the first half, including Svi Mychailiuk, as well as giving Landen Lucas more minutes due to numerous issues with depth in the paint. After an ugly yet competitive first half of play, Kansas led TCU by seven at the break.
The Jayhawks are an undersized team, and with Cliff Alexander out due to eligibility issues and Perry Ellis not playing due to an injury, the team was even more depleted down low than normal. To add insult to injury, starting forward Jamari Traylor was slowed down for a good portion of the game, forcing Kelly Oubre to move to the four spot at one point. TCU would not go away, taking advantage of 17 KU turnovers and even tying the game at 49 in the second half. In the end, however, thanks to a great game and a solid performance at the charity stripe by the aforementioned Oubre, Kansas was able to stay above water and defeated TCU for the third time this season, escaping the Horned Frogs by a score of 64-59.
Trey Ziegler led the TCU offense with 20 points on Thursday, however he also contributed 8 turnovers and fouled out right before the final horn. Chris Washburn also contributed 10 points, while also pulling down a team-high 7 boards. In an otherwise disappointing performance for Kyan Anderson, the starting guard led the Horned Frogs with three assists. While Kansas played a sloppy game, TCU didn't control the ball well either, turning the ball over 15 times in the matchup.
Kelly Oubre, Jr. continues his ascent to stardom as he put together another huge performance in his first collegiate postseason game. He scored 25 points, on the back of making 15/19 free throw attempts, along with 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks. In place of the injured Perry Ellis, Landen Lucas also scored in double digits, putting up 13 while also grabbing a team-best 7 rebounds. Devonte' Graham came off the bench to lead the Jayhawks with four assists.
TCU played up to their competition on Thursday and gave the Jayhawks a run for their money, however their season will close without an NCAA Tournament berth to look forward to. Kansas, on the other hand, will be taking on Baylor on Friday as their season continues. Perry Ellis will likely return from injury, giving Bill Self a huge bonus in the paint. However, the scoring woes continue for KU, as they continue their poor shooting streak. Brannen Greene, at one point one of the nation's top scorers from the outside, has gone into a slump at a most inopportune time, and the rest of the team will have to help out Kelly Oubre in the scoring department if they wish to keep winning in the postseason. They will tip off with Baylor at 7 PM EDT on Friday at the Sprint Center in Kansas City.