Top Ranked Kentucky Crushes Number 5 Kansas 72-40

It’s probably not a good idea to read too much into losses that some perennial college basketball powerhouses sustain when playing other perennial powerhouses in the first few weeks of the season. Teams are still making adjustments and players are still getting used to new team mates, and may not round into form until December or January. With that understood, the way #1 Kentucky destroyed #5 Kansas on November 18th at the State Farm Champions Classic in Indianapolis says more about how good Kentucky is playing already rather than a statement about the Jayhawks’ prospects this season.

Kentucky got off to a 24-9 lead and Kansas never threatened after that. After closing to within 10 points at halftime (38-28), the Wildcats’ stifling defense held the Jayhawks to just 12 second half points for a 72-40 victory.

Kentucky’s opponents this season had their work cut out for them, but if this game is any indication, they’ll really have their hands full. Kentucky’s next ranked opponent is Texas, currently ranked 10th. That game will be December 5th in Lexington.