Marquette's thrashing of Kansas has fans, critics losing their minds
No. 1 no more. Marquette basketball made a big statement with their straightforward, 73-59 victory over the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks in the Maui Invitational Tuesday night. The relentless Golden Eagles looked every part of a Shaka Smart-led team, as they forced America to recognize their ample talents.
“Shaka Smart is Bill Self’s daddy!,” Connor Smith posted on X after the semifinal game. “Kansas turned the ball over 18 times. Marquette absolutely gave them fits! Will be taking The Golden Eagles against Purdue no matter the spread.” The group's trademark aggressive defense allowed it to record an impressive 11 steals.
Many fans gave Marquette its due, while Kansas caught some flak for its underwhelming showing.
— Jack November 22, 2023
Never a doubt. And it wasn’t close. Oh Baby. Marq 73 number one Kansas 59— Steve HomerTrue November 22, 2023
Marquette just handed #1 Kansas their first loss of the season – and by double digits at that.Points in the Paint: 46 to 26
Bench Points: 27 to 15
TOs: 12 to 18
Points off TOs: 20 to 9 #MUBB standin’ on business after that one. pic.twitter.com/R7sp13MGHz
— Ashley Washburn November 22, 2023
Shaka Smart is Bill Self’s daddy! Kansas turned the ball over 18 times. Marquette absolutely game them fits! Will be taking The Golden Eagles against Purdue no matter the spreadSeason: 7-5 +$2.03 units pic.twitter.com/OXyDkS25GL
— Connor Smith November 22, 2023
Kansas sports in the mud— Jordan November 22, 2023
This loaded Maui invitational features some of the best teams in the country, including the No. 4-ranked Golden Eagles. Senior center Oso Ighodaro led the way with 21 points and nine rebounds, overshadowing Jayhawks star big man Hunter Dickinson (13 points and eight boards). Reigning Big East Player of the Year Tyler Kolek and the remaining starters were surprisingly ineffective, but Chase Ross, the emerging Sean Jones and Ben Gold combined for a critical 27 bench points.
KU is always under the microscope, so a double-digit loss in a somewhat high-profile environment is going to draw some criticism . Kevin Flaherty of 247Sports and CBS Sports hearkened back to a similar situation that transpired in 2022. “About a year ago, Kansas lost to Tennessee by 14 at Battle 4 Atlantis,” he said. “Lost to Marquette by 14 in Maui tonight.”
Kansas was upset in the second round of the NCAA Tournament by Arkansas this past March. Perhaps this early-season adversity will be the thunderous wake-up call it needs. Marquette basketball battles Purdue on Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET in the Maui Final.
