Game Recap
The #7 Kansas Jayhawks and #4 Houston Cougars met in a high-stakes Big 12 battle on March 3, 2025, with both teams vying for conference supremacy and NCAA Tournament seeding. Houston showcased elite defensive intensity, pulling out a 71-66 victory behind a strong performance from Jamal Shead and dominant rebounding from J’Wan Roberts.
The first half was a defensive battle, as both teams struggled to find rhythm against two of the nation’s top defenses. Kansas built a 23-17 lead midway through the half, but Houston responded with a 10-2 run, led by Shead’s playmaking and Tramon Mark’s three-point shooting. By halftime, the Cougars held a 34-30 advantage.
In the second half, Houston’s defense took over, forcing five Kansas turnovers in a three-minute stretch, allowing them to extend their lead to 55-45 with 10 minutes remaining. Kansas fought back behind Hunter Dickinson’s inside presence, cutting the deficit to 67-64 with under a minute left, but Houston iced the game with clutch free throws.
Key Performances
Houston Cougars:
- Jamal Shead: 17 points, 8 assists, 3 steals.
- J’Wan Roberts: 14 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks.
- Tramon Mark: 12 points, 4 three-pointers.
Kansas Jayhawks:
- Hunter Dickinson: 19 points, 9 rebounds.
- Kevin McCullar Jr.: 15 points, 5 assists.
- Dajuan Harris Jr.: 11 points, 6 assists.
Statistical Highlights
- Field Goal Percentage:
- Kansas: 44.1%
- Houston: 46.3%
- Three-Point Shooting:
- Kansas: 33.3% (6/18)
- Houston: 38.5% (8/21)
- Turnovers:
- Kansas: 14
- Houston: 9
Takeaways
- Houston’s defense was the deciding factor, forcing key turnovers that helped them control the pace.
- Jamal Shead continues to be an elite floor general, leading Houston in both scoring and playmaking.
- Kansas struggled with perimeter shooting, preventing them from closing the gap late in the game.
Call-to-Action (CTA):
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