Creighton has faced eight No. 1 teams in its basketball history, with the first six losses being relatively easy to swallow. However, the Bluejays’ latest victories have been more convincing. On Wednesday night, they defeated top-ranked Kansas 76-63 at the CHI Health Center.
The game marked the third time this season Creighton has taken down a No. 1 team, with their previous wins coming against UConn and now Kansas. The Bluejays played with high intensity, never trailing and leading by as many as 17 points. Ryan Kalkbrenner, the Big East preseason player of the year, scored 17 points and outperformed Kansas big man Hunter Dickinson.
Creighton’s point guard Steven Ashworth and center Ryan Kalkbrenner were dealing with injuries before the game, but they were able to contribute in a big way. Pop Isaacs’ six three-pointers added to the crowd’s electric atmosphere, which saw flames shoot up behind both backboards as students stormed the court.
Kansas coach Bill Self praised Isaacs, saying he was “terrible” and that his team struggled to contain him. The Jayhawks were led by Dajuan Harris Jr.’s 15 points, but ultimately fell short against a well-executed game plan from Creighton.
The win marked Kansas’ 105th loss to an unranked opponent as the AP No. 1 team, with only two previous losses coming in double-digit margin. For Creighton, the victory is a significant statement and marks their latest upset of a top-ranked team.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/42786110/creighton-too-much-kansas-nation-no-1-team-falls