Fast recap: Kansas blows out Green Bay in season opener

Kansas picked up a comfortable win in its season-opener against Green Bay, taking down the Phoenix 94-51. The Jayhawks relied on the duo of Darryn Peterson and Flory Bidunga from the opening tip, as they combined for 44 of Kansas’ points. Bidunga’s 23 was a career-high.

However, the cramps issue seemed to surface again for Peterson in the second half. He was seen being checked out by the trainer and didn’t return to the game after the under-16 timeout in the second half. Melvin Council added a bark-filled 10 points, but the offense sometimes struggled without Peterson or Bidunga on the floor.

Defensively, Kansas limited Green Bay to 28.6% shooting from the field. The Jayhawks forced eight turnovers, scoring 17 points off turnovers and 24 in transition, showcasing their athleticism.

First half: Peterson and Bidunga combine for 34 of Kansas’ 48

It didn’t take long for Peterson to make an impact after missing Kansas’ final exhibition game. The freshman knocked down a three from NBA range, tossed an outlet pass to Bidunga for a dunk, and had a steal and dunk of his own in the first three-plus minutes. Doug Gottlieb called a timeout after Peterson’s dunk, with the Jayhawks leading 9-3.

Kansas’ length and athleticism bothered Green Bay as the Phoenix went nearly four minutes without scoring. Marcus Hall broke the ice with a three, which Bryson Tiller immediately answered with a corner triple of his own.

The Jayhawks started settling for looks from outside, missing three consecutive threes. Tre White broke the quick drought with a transition dunk off a steal from Jamari McDowell. Kansas held an 18-8 lead at the under-12, making everything difficult for Green Bay’s offense.

White’s dunk sparked a 9-0 Kansas run as the Phoenix endured another four-minute scoreless drought. The Jayhawks got to the line as Green Bay racked up the fouls, and Melvin Council Jr. scored a transition layup to extend Kansas’ lead to 25-8.

Flory Bidunga scored back-to-back baskets as the Jayhawks pushed their lead to 20, 31-11, with 6:44 to play in the first half.

Green Bay inched closer as Kansas struggled to find offense in the non-Peterson or Bidunga minutes. Both checked after Bill Self called a timeout when C.J. O’Hara threw down a dunk to cut the Phoenix deficit to 14.

Peterson instantly knocked down a three and threw down a dunk off a ball screen after checking in. A little while later, Bidunga scored on consecutive possessions to push Kansas’ lead back to 20.

Kansas took a 48-27 lead into the half on the backs of Bidunga and Peterson, who combined for 34 of the Jayhawks’ first half points. The Jayhawks shot nearly 60% from the floor, but made just three of 14 threes.

Second half: Jayhawks secure season-opening blowout

The Jayhawks raced out of the gates to open the second half, scoring seven unanswered points in just over a minute. Council pushed the pace, scoring a transition layup then dishing an assist to Rosario for a fastbreak three. Kansas pushed its lead to 28, 55-27, and Gottlieb called an early timeout.

Kansas led by 30 at the under-16 media timeout. Peterson knocked down a three, then Bidunga reached his career-high with a layup.

The Jayhawks again struggled to score with Peterson and Bidunga on the bench, as Peterson met with the trainer during the under-16 timeout. Green Bay managed just two free throws during Kansas’ two-minute drought, before Bryson Tiller brought the crowd back to life with a contested finish.

Jamari McDowell made an impact off the bench, knocking down a three and ducking in an assist for a Bidunga dunk. Kansas held a comfortable 74-39 lead at the under-eight timeout.

Nginyu Ngala got in on the fun by knocking down a three that ignited the crowd to extend the Jayhawks’ lead to 41. The Jayhawks led 83-47 with 3:04 remaining.

Kansas emptied its bench and secured the season-opening win. Wilder Evers iced the game with a late three. The Jayhawks will travel to Chapel Hill to play UNC on Friday night.