WATCH: Kansas scoreboard falls, hits player before tip-off vs. Kentucky
Kansas and Kentucky faced off on Saturday as part of the SEC/Big 12 challenge inside Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks entered the matchup ranked fifth in the latest AP Top 25 Poll, while Kentucky came in at 12th. Despite the game being one of the most anticipated matchups of the season thus far, the game was far from close.
Kentucky dominated Kansas throughout the entirety of the game. The Wildcats led by as many as 24 points, and led 51-31 at halftime. Kansas actually outscored Kentucky in the second half 31-29, but the Wildcats still walked away with an 80-62 victory.
But the problems for Kansas started before the game even began. As Kansas players emerged from the locker room and ran out onto the court, the mini scoreboard above the players’ walkway fell down and smacked an unsuspecting Jayhawks player directly on the head.
The player appears to be fine, and continued running after the shock of the scoreboard falling on him.
ESPN’s College GameDay was in Allen Fieldhouse ahead of Kansas-Kentucky
Prior to Saturday’s matchup between Kansas and Kentucky, ESPN’s College GameDay was on site in Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas fans packed Allen Fieldhouse for the show, creating even more intrigue for the game.
One Kansas fan even drilled a half-court shot, winning $19,000 in doing so.
Kentucky is red-hot, now winning six of its last seven games. Kansas, on the other hand, just snapped a five-game winning streak. The Wildcats are now 17-4 on the season, while the Jayhawks are 17-3.
In the updated Week 12 AP College Basketball Top 25 Poll, Kentucky and Kansas essentially swapped spots. Kansas fell from fifth to tenth, while Kentucky rose from 12th to fifth.
For Kansas, the schedule only gets tougher over the next week or so. On Tuesday, the Jayhawks travel to take on No. 20 Iowa State. They then return home to host No. 8 Baylor on Saturday before hitting the road again next Monday for a trip to No. 23 Texas.