Poised BYU stops KU’s 19-game home win streak

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN

  • Personnel WriterFeb 27, 2024, 10:46 PM ET Close Covers college basketball
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2011
  • Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

LAWRENCE, Kan.– After leading his group past No. 7 Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse on Tuesday night, BYU coach Mark Pope stated the 76-68 triumph was memorable in part due to the fact that of where it took place.

“I think the guys agree that everybody that grows up understands what this place is, and then, this was my very first time walking into a game and I have actually never seen an environment quite like this,” Pope stated after ending the Jayhawks’ 19-game home winning streak. “It’s actually truly special. This is a great team. We’re grateful we got a chance to come and contend here. It’s one of the meccas in college basketball.”

Late in the second half, however, Pope wondered if he had disrupted his team’s rhythm and cost it a chance at the upset. With 7:50 to play, he got a technical nasty after a spirited discussion with the officiating team during a timeout.KU’s loss snaps a

handful of notable streaks … – 82-game home win streak when leading at halftime – 67-game home win streak vs. unranked challengers – 19-game home win streak dating back to last season– ESPN Stats & Details However rather of rallying his group with the technical, Pope said it required the Cougars

to refocus.” I was irritated in the moment, “Pope said.” I wish that I was such a genius coach that like,’I’m going to get a tech right now and rally the soldiers. ‘That would be a little bit disingenuous. I was actually amazed that the tech was called with the conversation we were having. … I ended up giving [2 points] to the other group, and my guys ‘composure stayed perfect. And in this environment, in this environment, that’s really tough to do. It’s a credit to these guys and how together they are and just how much trust they have in each other, so I believe that was the best part of the tech for me. “BYU removed a double-digit lead in the 2nd half with a 3-point barrage(7-of-15 after halftime ). And Kansas had a hard time to get any

offense from its half-court sets, missed out on crucial complimentary tosses down the stretch and could not defend the boundary as BYU turned the game in its favor after the break.It was just the 18th home loss since Expense Self took over at Kansas in 2003. And it snapped a handful of other notable Jayhawks streaks, consisting of an 82-game home win streak when leading at halftime and a 67-game home win streak versus unranked opponents.Self said he prepared for a substandard efficiency before the game even started.”You might feel this coming today at shootaround, “he said.”We had a dreadful shootaround. The focus wasn’t excellent. The energy level wasn’t very good. It’s not anything from a mindset perspective. It happens throughout

a season where you have days like this.” Editor’s Picks 2 Associated With Kevin McCullar Jr. out for a 5th game because of a bruised knee, Kansas couldn’t discover the offensive trigger to match BYU’s energy in the final minutes. Self said just recently that McCullar, a prospective

All-American and a predicted first-round choice in this summertime’s NBA draft, will not return this season unless he’s healthy and ready to assist the Jayhawks in the postseason.After Tuesday’s loss, Self seemed to suggest the team is moving forward with the concept McCullar will not return.”We’re preparing like he won’t [return], “Self stated.”This is who we are. When we’re excellent, we’re pretty good, and when we’re not, we’re not.

We played pitifully tonight. … It would assist if we had [McCullar] back. However we’ve been dealing with this for about five weeks where he hasn’t been himself from a health perspective. Even when he played, he wasn’t himself. We’re not counting on [his return] We hope it can happen, however we’re definitely not counting on it. “However Self noted his group’s personnel obstacles should not reduce the victory for BYU, which has now won four games against AP-ranked challengers this season, its 2nd most in a season in the poll age (because 1948-49). Pope stated the Cougars, who were making their very first journey to the Phog

considering that 1971, went into the Huge 12 “simple”and comprehended the difficulty they would face in America’s toughest league, per KenPom and other metrics. But Tuesday’s road win in BYU’s very first season in the conference was the result of an unified team that stayed strong late, he stated.”A great deal of individuals do not beat them at home, so this is actually unique for us,”stated BYU guard Jaxson Robinson, who along with colleague Dallin Hall had a game-high 18 points.” We understand that we’re not done, so we’ve got a lot more to accomplish.”Information from ESPN Statistics & Information was utilized in this report.