By Jonathan Lidskin
Back in March after an NCAA Tournament loss to Gonzaga, Bill Self said he had already been looking toward next season. The Jayhawks, despite snagging a four-seed, had shooting and depth issues.
So like a lot of college basketball programs, they turned to the portal. Last night against UNC, it was a local product coming home that got the Jayhawks a home win over a Top 10 UNC team.
Zeke Mayo, a Lawrence native, transferred back home from South Dakota State and posted 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists last night to guide Kansas in the victory. Mayo was one of multiple wings that Bill Self added in the off-season and in a system where wings typically thrive, Mayo doesn’t look like an exception. He looks like the alpha.
Kansas also got 20 points and 10 rebounds from preseason All-American Hunter Dickinson, 14 from KJ Adams and 13 from AJ Storr.
Of course, the Jayhawks nearly blew a huge lead and some of it was thanks to Seth Trimble and Jae’Lyn Withers, but the Tar Heels also went 28-31 from the line.
While we’re only five days into the season and probably didn’t find out a ton about either team from this one game, Kansas picks up a massive win and Zeke Mayo was a huge part of that.
Other Friday Night Storylines:
Late last night, New Mexico beat UCLA leading wire-to-wire. Donovan Dent had 17 points and 8 assists for the Lobos.
Washington State crushed Bradley for the first marquee win of the David Riley era. Six different guys scored in double figures for the Cougs.
Multiple buy game losses. Austin Peay upset Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse and Central Conn. St. took down St. Joe’s.
Furman and Cornell took down Belmont and Samford, respectively on last-second shots.
UIC pulled the biggest mid-major over mid-major upset of the night win a home win over Yale.
Games to Watch on 11/9:
Auburn vs Houston, 9:30 p.m. EST, ESPNU
Arkansas vs Baylor, 7:30 p.m. EST, ESPNU
Tennessee @ Louisville, noon EST, ACC Network
Northwestern @ Dayton, 7:30 p.m. EST, ESPN+