Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The No. 16 Kansas Jayhawks went into the final game of their non-conference schedule with hopes of a confidence boosting win over the No. 21 San Diego State Aztecs before they start Big 12 play. However, the Jayhawks got more than they bargained for as the Aztecs pulled off the upset 61 – 57.
The story of the game was the outstanding play of SDSU senior Xavier Thames and his ability to get open shots even if he was just 5 – 16 from the field. On Kansas’ end of things, superstar freshman Andrew Wiggins scored 14 points despite going 4 – 14 from the field. The Jayhawks fell behind late and just couldn’t score enough points in the second half to win.
Kansas will be disappointed not to go into conference play on a win streak, but it may actually be a positive thing that it got its loss out before it went into Big 12 play. The Big 12 is the strongest conference in college basketball and, if the Jayhawks were to lose one game to a team like the Texas Longhorns or Oklahoma Sooners, it could cost them the conference title and a No. 1 seed in the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
Bill Self and his Jayhawks will go into conference play more determined than ever. They started this season believing they could win a national championship, and this home loss should be a wake-up call. Expect them to roll over Oklahoma in their opener and continue to succeed throughout conference play. Kansas may be 9 – 4, but they have the most talent of any team in the Big 12.
Taylor Sturm is an SEC Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
