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Norm Roberts assesses Kansas' first half performance vs. Iowa State in Big 12 Tournament

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•03/10/23•

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Kansas got off to a red-hot start against Iowa State in Friday’s Big 12 Tournament matchup. The Jayhawks shot 54.2% from the field in the first half and got 15 points from Jalen Wilson to take a 33-25 lead to the locker room.

But for Kansas interim coach Norm Roberts, there are still some things to work on in the second half.

“When we move the ball and we cut hard and pass the ball to the first three men, we’re doing well,” Roberts told ESPN’s Kris Budden at halftime. “It’s when we get caught up in their traps and we hold the ball that we make mistakes.”

As impressive as Kansas’ offense was in the first half, the defense also rose the occasion. Iowa State shot 40% from the floor and only two players — Gabe Kalscheur and Jaren Holmes — had five points or more. But Roberts pointed to one big factor that allowed the Cyclones to get back in it: offensive rebounds.

Iowa State had seven offensive boards in the first half, including for early on, and Roberts said he wants to see that cleaned up, as well.

“Our defense has been very good, but now we’ve got to rebound the ball,” Roberts said. “We gave up four offensive rebounds in the first four minutes. We aren’t do that.”

Norm Roberts opens up on his emotions through Bill Self’s medical situation

Roberts is in his second game as interim head coach after headman Bill Self was admitted to the hospital with an undisclosed illness. Self won’t be on the sidelines at all for the tournament, and Roberts spoke about the emotions he felt after Kansas’ first game Thursday.

“Coach is always preaching to us, get the job done, stay focused on what you can control,” Roberts said. “There’s other things you can’t control. So what we could control is getting the team ready and getting them ready to play and locking in and playing the way we needed to to win the game. And I thought our guys did a great job of being very, very focused, especially on the defensive end early. That helped us get out to a lead.”