Kansas handled an OSU team that came into Allen Fieldhouse having played some of its best basketball of the season over the past six games. The Cowboys won four of their previous six heading into Monday but couldn’t keep up with the Jayhawks.
OSU struggled to stop Udoka Azubuike, who finished with 19 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks. He shot 7-of-8 from the free-throw line.
“If Udoka Azubuike is going to make all of his free throws they’re going to win a national championship,” Boynton said.
The Cowboys have outscored their opponents in the paint in each of their past four wins. Inside scoring has been the key for OSU, but it’s hard to outscore a team in the paint that has Azubuike on its roster. The Jayhawks outscored OSU 28-24 down low on their way to earning their 18th consecutive Big Monday victory. It was also the 36th straight home win on Big Monday for Kansas dating back to 2002.
Kansas started the second half with a 20-7 run that created a 55-32 lead and OSU couldn’t respond. The Cowboys were outscored 48-33 in the second half. Cameron McGriff led OSU with 16 points and Lindy Waters III finished with 11 points in his 100th career start for the Cowboys. Isaac Likekele also had 11 for OSU.