No. 9 Kansas routs Texas Southern 87-55 for bounce-back win

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas freshman MJ Rice has been by the primary two months of school basketball: a again damage throughout preseason practices, a bout with COVID-19 after which kidney stones final week that despatched him him within the ER.

The five-star recruit confirmed Monday evening what he can do when he is wholesome and accessible.

Rice got here off the bench to attain 19 factors, Jalen Wilson hit 5 3-pointers and scored 22, and the ninth-ranked Jayhawks bounced again from their first lack of the season with an 87-55 rout of Texas Southern.

“I just come in and do my job, really, whether that’s bringing energy or playing defense,” Rice stated afterward. “I know I’ve lost some time, but it’s also kind of like a step up. I need to get that momentum back.”

Gradey Dick added 15 factors, Josef Yesufu had 14 and KJ Adams 10 for the Jayhawks (7-1), who stumbled in opposition to No. 13 Tennessee within the championship recreation of Battle 4 Atlantis. They at the moment are 109-16 after a loss underneath coach Bill Self, who made his regular-season debut at Allen Fieldhouse after lacking three dwelling video games to a school-imposed suspension.

“I thought it was probably pretty good overall,” Self stated, “contemplating we had been drained and hadn’t practiced since enjoying Tennessee. I assumed that was nearly as good as we might do.”

Davon Barnes had 22 points and Zytarious Mortle scored 11 for the Tigers (1-7), whose brutal non-conference schedule has taken them to Texas Tech, Houston and Auburn with a trip to Wichita State still to come.

Texas Southern coach Johnny Jones was not available after the game.

It was a rematch of an NCAA Tournament first-round game last season won by the Jayhawks on their way to the national championship. And for a stretch in the first half, the Tigers gave the champions all they could handle.

Texas Southern was still within 14-10 midway through the first half when Kansas went on a 15-2 run to take control. But even during the breakout, the Jayhawks at one point missed three straight shots, failed to capitalize on turnovers and couldn’t salvage much of a lead on the boards against a much smaller team.

Kansas even gave up a 3 that got the preseason SWAC favorites within 40-25 at halftime.

“Defensively, we weren’t superb early,” Self said, “they usually misplaced quite a lot of strains.”

If there was any drama left, it disappeared in the opening minutes of the second half. Texas Southern turned it over four times in its first five possessions, Kansas ripped off a 14-2 run and Self was eventually able to examine his bench.

ONE LAST TIME

Broadcaster Dave Armstrong has signed on for the final time after a 38-year career broadcasting the NBA, Major League Baseball, college football and college basketball. He has been a staple in the Big 12 since 1988, when it was known as the Big 8, and regularly called games in the Big East, Big Ten and ACC.

AILING JAYHAWKS

THE BIG PICTURE

Texas Southern couldn’t overcome 16 turnovers and a poor night from the 3-point arc, where the Tigers were 4 of 17. They also got just six points off the bench and their lack of depth was evident as they tired in the second half .

Kansas was 13 of 29 from the arc, and many of the shots appeared open due to good ball movement. The Jayhawks had 23 assists on 30 shots, including six from Wilson and nine from Dajuan Harris Jr.

NEXT

Texas Southern returns home to face NAIA North American foe Sunday.

Kansas plays Seton Hall Thursday night in the Big East-Big 12 Battle.

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