Kansas basketball vs. Fort Hays State recap: Jayhawks played another exhibition game

LAWRENCE — Kansas basketball continued its preparation for the 2023-24 season Wednesday with an exhibition game at home against Fort Hays State.

The Jayhawks came in off of a loss in an exhibition game this past weekend on the road against Illinois. That wasn’t the type of performance that was emblematic of how Kansas envisions itself looking deep into the season. But, considering how much more time the Jayhawks still have to develop, there were positives that could be drawn from how much there is to learn from.

Who starting for Kansas in its latest exhibition game? Did the Jayhawks’ rotation look similar to how it did against Illinois? This was Kansas’ last chance to test itself against another opponent before the regular season starts up.

Here's what happened inside Allen Fieldhouse:

Kansas game time, TV channel for today’s game against Fort Hays State

Tip-off: 7 p.m.

TV: Big 12 Now/ESPN+

Kansas basketball vs. Fort Hays State recap

FINAL: Kansas 73, Fort Hays State 55

Kansas leads 64-40 with 6:52 left in 2nd half

The Jayhawks haven't had the best decision-making so far this half when they've had possession of the ball. Too often they're settling for 3s, and in the second half they are 3-for-12 from behind the arc. Too often they've been careless, and have committed more turnovers — 7 — so far since halftime than they did before halftime — 6.

Still, though, they are up 24 points. They are coasting to a win. There'll be teaching moments head coach Bill Self can point to as they prepare for their season opener.

Kansas leads 58-34 with 11:17 left in 2nd half

Nicolas Timberlake has been looking for his shot, trying to knock down the 3s he was brought to Kansas to make. But over the course of this game, those 3s still haven't been falling. He's 0-for-3 from behind the arc and 0-for-4 from the field overall with no points.

In the paint, though, the Jayhawks are out-scoring the Tigers 28-14. Fort Hays State is shooting just 25.6% from the field. Kansas is shooting 50% from the field.

Kansas leads 51-32 with 15:25 left in 2nd half

Kevin McCullar Jr. is shooting the ball really well from behind the arc tonight. He's 4-for-7 on 3s, and that's helped him to the 19 points — which lead all scorers — that he has so far. Overall, though, Kansas is 4-for-15 from behind the arc.

The other two players in double figures scoring so far for the Jayhawks are KJ Adams Jr., who has 10, and Hunter Dickinson, who has 11. Fort Hays State doesn't have anyone in double figures scoring. But both teams should be able to add some by the time the game ends.

HALFTIME: Kansas 43, Fort Hays State 23

Kansas leads 36-17 with 3:58 left in 1st half

Kansas' ability to capitalize off of turnovers, while Fort Hays State has struggled to, has been one reason the Jayhawks have been able to build this 19-point lead. Kansas has scored nine points off of eight turnovers. Fort Hays State has scored two points off of six turnovers.

All scholarship players have entered the game at some point for the Jayhawks now. So, it'll be interesting to see when head coach Bill Self starts to turn to walk-ons. It's a balance he has to strike, between continuing to get the players who'll play ready and ensuring there isn't the risk of an injury late in a game that doesn't count toward the regular season record.

Kansas leads 26-13 with 7:56 left in 1st half

Fans got a look at the lineup that has KJ Adams Jr. as the smaller 5-man during this latest sequence. It's what Adams played, for the most part, last season as he became the Big 12 Conference's most improved player. Although Kansas has Hunter Dickinson now as a center, it's an indication that when Dickinson isn't in the game the Jayhawks will still be willing to use that type of lineup — even though they can turn to Parker Braun as Dickinson's backup.

The only scholarship player who hasn't entered the game yet is Zach Clemence. But Clemence is set to redshirt. So, having the nine scholarship players who are in line to play this season all available is a positive ahead of the season opener.

Kansas leads 19-8 with 11:57 left in 1st half

Johnny Furphy is playing his first minutes for Kansas — albeit in an exhibition game. The freshman has been dealing with shin splints, and didn't play in the exhibition this past weekend against Illinois. So far he's looked like someone who's been eager to finally get on the court, and as a result has made some good and some not-so-good plays.

The Jayhawks' superior size continues to make things difficult for Fort Hays State's offense, even if the Tigers have been able to get separation at times. Fort Hays State is shooting just 20% from the field and it hasn't made a shot behind the arc. The score in this one could get ugly fast.

Kansas leads 10-4 with 15:51 left in 1st half

Hunter Dickinson has been a force early for Kansas, as should have been expected. The size advantage he has on the Fort Hays State defenders is significant. So far, he has eight points on 4-for-4 shooting from the field.

The Jayhawks' perimeter shooting was in question coming into this game, but how this game unfolds shouldn't determine one way or another a fan's confidence as the season gets going. Kansas has been able to get inside with ease. It should continue to be able to do so, unless it makes the effort to focus on taking 3s tonight that head coach Bill Self has indicated wouldn't happen.

Tip-off

Kansas won the opening tip-off, and this game is underway.

Pregame

Here are the starting lineups

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Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas basketball vs. Fort Hays State recap: Jayhawks win exhibition