Kansas vs Arizona State: Jayhawks Aim to Rebound on the Road
TEMPE, Ariz. – Following a frustrating loss to Arizona, where a promising comeback was ultimately overshadowed, the Kansas Jayhawks (21-8, 11-5 Big 12) face a quick turnaround as they travel to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils (15-14, 6-10 Big 12) on Tuesday night at Desert Financial Arena.
After the game against Arizona, Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. emphasized the need for increased toughness. “We can’t back down from nobody,” Council stated, adding, “We can’t take shortcuts when we got the lead, when we cut the lead down. We got to keep playing.” The Jayhawks struggled to maintain that intensity against the Wildcats, allowing a late surge to seal their fate.
A Challenging Road Trip
Head coach Bill Self acknowledged the difficulty of the game, stating, “That would be a ridiculously hard game regardless, but we certainly made it harder on ourselves…because we didn’t do the things that I felt like we did the first time we played them and competed at the same level.”
The Jayhawks now face a unique challenge, as teams that have recently played Arizona have had a 4-11 record in their subsequent games. Notably, four of those losses have come against Arizona State, highlighting the Sun Devils’ ability to capitalize on opponents coming off a tough matchup with the Wildcats. This trend is particularly significant given Arizona State’s recent success against teams fresh off facing Arizona.
Arizona State’s Recent Form
Despite a slow start to conference play, Arizona State has found its rhythm, winning four of their last six games. They completed a season sweep of Utah on Saturday with a 73-60 victory, showcasing a balanced attack led by Moe Odum (15 points, three 3-pointers), Massamba Diop (14 points, two 3-pointers), Anthony “Pig” Johnson (13 points), and Santiago Trouet (12 points, 10 rebounds).
Diop, a 7-footer, has emerged as a key player for the Sun Devils, displaying a solid shooting touch and uncommon fluidity for his size. Coach Self noted, “He’s pretty good in the short roll, he’s pretty good facing the basket…He almost plays like a four-man that’s playing the five.”
Key Matchups and What to Watch For
Odum leads Arizona State in scoring with 17.9 points per game and a 40.5% shooting percentage from deep in Big 12 play. Johnson, a transfer from the University of the Cumberlands, provides a strong driving presence. The Sun Devils often employ a big lineup featuring Trouet, Andrija Grbović, and Diop, alongside one guard.
Coach Self emphasized the Sun Devils’ offensive capabilities, saying, “They score the ball pretty easy…They got a point guard that can really score. They’ve got some size.”
Key Areas to Watch:
- Frontcourt Fouls: Kansas needs to avoid foul trouble in the post, learning from their struggles against Arizona.
- Battle on the Glass: Arizona State is surprisingly weak on the boards, presenting an opportunity for Kansas to dominate the rebounding battle.
- Bench Production: Kansas needs more consistent offensive output from its bench players.
Self indicated he’s looking to expand the rotation to nine reliable players, potentially giving more opportunities to Jayden Dawson and Kohl Rosario.
Game Details
ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS (15-14, 6-10 BIG 12) VS. NO. 14 KANSAS JAYHAWKS (21-8, 11-5 BIG 12)
• Desert Financial Arena, Tempe, Arizona, 8 p.m. Central time
• Broadcast: FS1
• Radio: Jayhawk Radio Network (in Lawrence, KLWN AM 1320 / K269GB FM 101.7 / KKSW FM 105.9 / KMXN FM 92.9)
Off-Kilter Observation: Former KU signee Marcus Adams Jr. is currently on the Sun Devils roster, though he hasn’t played since January 3rd.
