St. John’s Extends Lead Before Halftime in March Madness Clash with Kansas St. John’s took control of its NCAA Tournament matchup against No. 4 Kansas in the second round of March Madness, building a 34-26 halftime lead despite early struggles. The Red Storm, ranked No. 5, faced challenges in the first half, shooting just 29% from the field and enduring stretches where they missed multiple shots. However, Rick Pitino’s defensive strategies limited Kansas to 10-of-29 shooting and forced nine turnovers, which St. John’s converted into 12 points. The Jayhawks’ star freshman, Darryn Peterson, was held in check, scoring only three points after hitting two early 3-pointers. The game’s biggest disparity came from the 3-point line. Kansas attempted only six 3s, making two, while St. John’s hit 7-of-23. Zuby Ejiofor, the Big East Player of the Year, led the Red Storm with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the first round against Northern Iowa, but struggled in this matchup, scoring just two points on 1-of-5 shooting. Pitino acknowledged the challenge, telling reporters, “They don’t believe we can shoot, and we’re proving them right. We’re gonna keep shooting them until they go in.” Kansas faced its own struggles, particularly in the paint. Flory Bidunga, the team’s leading rebounder and third-leading scorer, was sidelined early in the first half after picking up two quick fouls. Without his presence, the Jayhawks struggled to find consistency, going more than four minutes without a point at one point. Despite a brief surge by Peterson, who hit back-to-back 3s after St. John’s opened the game with a 3-of-4 shooting run, the Red Storm maintained their lead. The matchup also highlighted the coaching rivalry between Pitino and Bill Self, two of the most successful coaches in college basketball history.#darryn_peterson #kansas #rick_pitino #st_john_s #flory_bidunga
This Kansas Freshman Is the Secret Weapon Bill Self Was Saving for March Kansas freshman Paul Mbiya made a significant impact in the Jayhawks’ NCAA Tournament opener against California Baptist, stepping into a pivotal role during key moments of the game. The 6-foot-10 big man, who had played just 77 minutes all season leading into the matchup, showcased his potential with a season-high eight points and a team-best +15 plus-minus. His contributions helped Kansas secure a 68-60 victory, marking a breakthrough for the young player. Mbiya’s performance was particularly notable for his composure and ability to adapt to the high-stakes environment. After entering the game as a substitute in the first half, he quickly made an impression with an alley-oop dunk and two second-chance points. Unlike previous appearances, where he struggled to adjust to the competition, Mbiya displayed a calm demeanor, executing plays with confidence. His ability to contest shots with his long 7-foot-7 wingspan became a key asset, as he stood tall to disrupt opponents’ attempts at the rim. The game also highlighted Mbiya’s value in the paint, where he was deployed to support Flory Bidunga. With Bryson Tiller’s minutes limited due to struggles on the boards, Mbiya’s physical presence became crucial. His size and reach allowed him to dominate the offensive glass, giving Kansas an edge in rebounding. Despite his rawness—such as occasional turnovers under pressure—Mbiya demonstrated flashes of skill, including a crafty up-and-under move for a layup in the second half. Mbiya’s physical tools set him apart in the tournament. His length and strength make him a formidable matchup for opponents, as he can contest shots without needing to close the gap.#kansas #bill_self #flory_bidunga #paul_mbiya #bryson_tiller
Kansas to Face Houston in Big 12 Semifinals Friday KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The No. 3 seed Kansas Jayhawks (23-9, 12-6 Big 12) will take on No. 2 seed Houston (27-5, 14-4) in the 2026 Big 12 Tournament semifinals on Friday, March 13, at 8:30 p.m. CT at T-Mobile Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Kansas, which has won 15 postseason league tournament titles, including 11 in the Big 12 era, will face Houston, the defending Big 12 champion. Since the conference’s formation in 1996-97, Kansas holds a 51-15 record in league tournament play. The Jayhawks are 23-4 in quarterfinals, 15-6 in semifinals, and 11-4 in finals. Kansas advanced to the semifinals with a 78-73 victory over TCU in the quarterfinals on March 12. Houston joined them after defeating BYU 73-66 in its quarterfinal matchup. Through March 12, Kansas ranked second in NCAA Division I strength of schedule, trailing only Alabama. Under head coach Bill Self, Kansas has ranked in the top five of strength of schedule 10 times, including six No. 1 rankings (2005, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2025). Kansas is currently No. 18 in the NET, fourth in the Big 12. The Jayhawks’ nine Quad 1 wins are tied for second in the league with Houston and fourth nationally. Kansas leads the Big 12 in field goal percentage defense at 38.7% (fifth nationally), three-point field goal percentage defense at 30.2% (19th nationally), and blocked shots at 5.8 per game (sixth nationally). Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Flory Bidunga leads the conference with 87 blocked shots and ranks third nationally. His 2.72 blocks per game are first in the Big 12 and third nationally. Bidunga also leads the league in field goal percentage at 65.1% (seventh nationally). At 13.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.72 blocks per game, Bidunga is the only player in NCAA Division I to average more than 13.#t_mobile_center #houston #kansas_jayhawks #bill_self #flory_bidunga
