Jalen Wilson shares importance of hot start for Kansas

Kansas had lost its previous matchup against TCU handily, a game that was never really close after about five minutes. The Jayhawks didn’t want to repeat that, so players knew it was paramount that Kansas started hot in the rematch.

Sure enough, the Jayhawks came out of the gates firing against TCU on Monday night. Kansas built an early 7-0 lead and began cruising.

“Yeah, it’s been great. We’re trying to preach that all year, starting off on the right end,” forward Jalen Wilson said. “Last time we played them we started off pretty well and then they kind of just took off from there.”

In the first meeting TCU had jumped out to a 33-13 lead less than 10 minutes into the contest. Kansas was basically out of it before the game began because of its inability to get going quickly.

That wasn’t an issue at all on Monday in the rematch, a game that finished 63-58 in Kansas’ favor.

“It was good to see us on top and kind of control the game,” Wilson said. “It got close throughout the game, but I think we had good momentum throughout the entire game.”

Depth also playing a part for Kansas

The Kansas basketball team won its fifth straight game on Monday night with a 63-58 victory over TCU, and Kansas’ depth was the key storyline in the matchup.

Eight different players scored for Kansas in a very well-rounded effort.

“I’ve said all along that we’ve got five guys that can all go out there and play and take over a game,” Wilson said. “That’s the beauty of our team. Not one person, not two people, but all of us collectively doing what it takes to win.”

In the win over the Horned Frogs, only two players hit double figures: Gradey Dick with 19 and Kevin McCullar with 15. Kansas’ depth did the rest.

Everyone chipped in, and that’s how the Jayhawks like things.

“Whoever scores that night is a scorer but we’re all going to have some type of effort to win, and that’s a part of basketball, that’s a part of championship teams,” Wilson said.