Jayhawks' Streak Shattered by Cyclones' Pressure

Kansas's eight-game winning streak was decisively broken on Saturday by Iowa State, who secured a 74-56 victory in Ames. This marked the Jayhawks' most substantial loss of the season. The game shifted dramatically when Iowa State executed a dominant 20-2 run late in the first half, establishing a lead they would not relinquish.

Following the game, head coach Bill Self addressed the team's performance, attributing the loss to Iowa State's overwhelming pressure on the ball. He noted the Jayhawks' difficulty in moving the ball and creating scoring opportunities, particularly in the first half. While the team improved in the second half, Self emphasized that Iowa State's strong play and execution, including making their first seven three-pointers after halftime, proved too much.

Self also commented on the cyclical nature of the Big 12 conference, acknowledging that teams, including Kansas, had previously caught Iowa State during a difficult stretch. He stressed the importance of resilience and proper reaction to setbacks, particularly in away conference games, warning against letting a single loss lead to consecutive defeats. The coach also briefly touched upon a player's substitution due to conditioning and illness, prioritizing future game readiness.