With First-Ever Win at Indiana, Does Kansas Really Have Championship Caliber?

No. 2 Kansas proved once more that they have the blueprint of a champion. After trailing Indiana by 13 points in the second half, the program overcame the deficit to win its inaugural game inside IU’s Assembly Hall on Saturday, 75-71. The Jayhawks (10-1) withstood a blitz from the Hoosiers (7-3) early in the second half and rallied late thanks to the efforts of their experienced quartet of starters. The boisterous crowd seemed to have little effect on KU in its first real away game of the season.

During the latter part of the second half, when KU intensified their attack, veteran center Hunter Dickinson—who had spent three seasons at Michigan—even raised his arms to signal for applause. With 4:49 remaining, Dickinson’s hook jumper gave Kansas its first lead, and the Jayhawks never looked back, streaming their inner champions.

Kansas’ case of championship proximity

Kansas has displayed its dominance throughout the season with impressive wins against top-ranked teams in both nonconference and conference play. Their victories over Kentucky, Duke, Indiana, Missouri, and NC State showcased their ability to compete against high-caliber opponents.

In the fiercely competitive Big 12, the Jayhawks continued to excel, securing wins on the road against tough teams like TCU, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech. Their only blemish in conference play was the surprising 23-point defeat to TCU.

However, Kansas rebounded strongly, outperforming most teams in terms of Quad 1 and 2 victories. With a solid record of 27-7 overall and 13-5 in the Big 12, the Jayhawks have proven themselves as formidable contenders. Jalen Wilson, the former team captain, has been a key contributor with his consistent double-doubles and impressive scoring performances.

While he may not have the same playing style as Ochai Agbaji, his impact on Kansas’ success cannot be understated. The point guard, Dajuan Harris Jr., holds the key to the team’s success. The Jayhawks have an impeccable record of 25-0 when he records an O-rating of 77 or above.

However, their performance suffers greatly when he falls below that threshold, resulting in a 2–7 record. Kansas does face a challenge in their frontcourt, as they lack a strong player in their starting lineup. This could prove problematic when facing formidable opponents like Zach Edey of Purdue, Trayce Jackson-Davis of Indiana, or Drew Timme of Gonzaga.

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Nonetheless, the Jayhawks are determined to make history and become the first men’s college basketball team to win the title twice in a row since the Florida Gators in 2006–07. With their proven ability to defeat opponents and the potential for a favorable bracket, Kansas is undoubtedly among the top contenders for the championship.

The selfless team spirit of the Kansas Jayhawks

The assist rate for Kansas was an impressive 73.1% prior to the game, highlighting that a significant majority of their baskets were the product of successful passes resulting in scoring opportunities.

In the victory over Indiana, the Jayhawks had an additional 18 assists, with five coming from Harris.

The Jayhawks shared the basketball in the second half rather than depending on isolation plays or pick-and-roll settings centered around the dribble, which was a big result of their ability to locate the appropriate looks.

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With their latest victory, the Jayhawks showed how effectively Dickinson’s move from Michigan to Kansas is benefiting all parties with yet another exhibition of selfless basketball.