When Duke and Kansas met on the court for the Vegas Showdown on Tuesday, fans knew they were in for something special. It was a battle of college basketball heavyweights. Duke had Cooper Flagg, the freshman phenom everyone couldn’t stop talking about, while Kansas senior, KJ Adams Jr. came into this game with something to prove. Adams faced the tough task of guarding Flagg, and according to coach Bill Self, he did rise to the occasion.

From the get-go, the Jayhawks took the lead and never really looked back, despite a few nail-biting moments. When asked about how he thinks Adams guarded the Duke freshman, the coach answered, “We talked a lot about not making it Adams versus Flagg, but Kansas versus Duke.”

He was worried that KJ would be too overhyped and foul. “But he was great,” the HC expressed. “Cooper’s so good; he’s going to get his, eventually. But KJ showed tonight you can be an elite player at this level without being a prolific scorer. He did it all.” 

Adams is known for his versatility. Being a senior, he has been the glue that holds Kansas together. Sure, he’s not the top scorer, but his pick-and-roll execution and defensive plays make him an invaluable player, as the coach said in the post-game press conference. While fans often focus on points, Adams’ ability to keep the team composed and make big plays in crucial moments proved essential, especially in a game this close.

But this game was surely full of events. Kansas was cruising with Hunter Dickinson, their star center, leading the charge until the 24-year-old got ejected for a flagrant foul after kicking Duke’s Maliq Brown in the head. Luckily, the team didn’t falter. Freshman Flory Bidunga stepped up.

Meanwhile, Duke’s hyped freshman forward took advantage of the moment with a series of dunks, layups, and a free throw, keeping Duke in the fight. Flagg finished with 13 points, but Kansas’ defense, anchored by Adams, ensured that he didn’t completely take over the game. The Kansas senior had 8 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks.

In the end, it was Zeke Mayo’s clutch jumper with under two minutes left that clinched the win. The Jayhawks held on for a 75-72 win, improving to 6-0 this season. They have now won six of their last eight meetings with Duke, with nine of those matchups decided by single digits.  For Kansas, this game wasn’t just about maintaining their undefeated record. It was about proving they’re still the team to beat.

Bill Self & Co. sealed the much-needed victory

Coming into the night, Kansas was the preseason No. 1 team, but they were still looking to prove their mettle after some less-than-convincing performances. A gritty win over Michigan State? Check. Surviving against North Carolina? Sure. But this game against No.11 Duke was their biggest test yet. 

Losing this could have raised serious questions about whether they deserved their top ranking. After the game, coach Bill Self said it best, “This team had no identity yet. We could take some pride and say we’ve got more of an identity now. We kind of won ugly down the stretch, and we had to play that way to have a chance.” 

Bill Self and Co. are gunning for their third national title under him, and after last season’s abrupt exit, expectations are through the roof. Although coach Self has admitted that some newcomers are “about a month away” from settling into their roles, the team hasn’t lost its rhythm. All in all, Kansas didn’t just win; they silenced doubts, answered critics, and showed their true potential.