Breaking down No. 2 Kansas' 109-106 win Monday night against No. 1 Oklahoma in Lawrence, Kan.
A BATTLE FOR NO. 1: Who is the top team in the country? On Monday afternoon, the coaches in USA TODAY Sports' poll felt Oklahoma was No. 1, while writers declared Kansas No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. Come Monday night, the two Big 12 teams clashed in a triple-overtime thriller that fit the billing of two No. 1s.
The writers had the edge, as Kansas escaped with a victory in easily the most exciting game of the season. The Jayhawks survived in spite of a spectacular performance by Oklahoma's Buddy Hield , who finished with a career-high 46 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 54 minutes of action.
HOW THE JAYHAWKS WON: In a game filled with incredible shooting and momentum shifts, it was Kansas' defense that secured the win. Two late steals by Frank Mason III of Hield in the final overtime proved to be the difference makers. The first steal came with 18 seconds left and KU trailing 106-105. The second steal came on an inbounds play with 8.6 seconds remaining.
STAR WATCH: Mason is the defensive hero for the Jayhawks (13-1, 2-0 Big 12), butPerry Ellis ' offense was the X-Factor. He finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds, including a huge three-pointer with 47.9 seconds remaining to tie the score at 86-86. He also had back-to-back buckets in the final 1:30 of regulation.
Hield (13-for-23 from the floor) played like the National Player of the Year candidate he is. Hield's 46 points is the second highest scoring game in Big 12 Conference history. Following an Oklahoma timeout with 5:32 remaining in the first half, the 6-5 senior guard sparked a 23-8 run with a barrage of three-pointers to help the Sooners (12-1, 1-1) head into halftime with a 44-40 lead. Oklahoma scored more in five minutes than they did in the previous 15 — and that's the type of impact a player like Hield makes. He had a harder time scoring in the second half with Kansas switching its defensive assignments but when the team needed a big bucket, Hield provided. And his offense in the three extra periods kept the Sooners in the game until the final seconds.
Hield's teammates weren't quiet, either. Ryan Spangler finished with a double-double (14 points, 18 rebounds) despite playing in foul trouble. Jordan Woodard finished with 27 points and seven assists, including a bevy of momentum shifting shots, and never stopped penetrating and creating. And Khadeem Lattin (14 rebounds, six blocks) consistently made big plays on defense.
THE HIGHLIGHT REEL: Wayne Selden Jr. drew the assignment of guarding Hield in the first half. He had five points and three fouls at halftime. In the second half, those duties went to Mason. That freed up Selden, who finished with 21 points, in the second half and extra frames, most notably as he had a big four-point play in triple-overtime. He found his rhythm midway through the second half, highlighted by this ferocious dunk in transition.
PIVOTAL MOMENT: Bill Self erupted at an official with 3.9 seconds remaining on a blown call that he had every right to be angry about. It cost his team two points, but it also appeared to serve as motivation heading into the second half.
KEY STAT
HIGHLIGHTS FROM KANSAS-OKLAHOMA
10
PHOTOS
