Kansas freshman Kohl Rosario walked into Allen Fieldhouse without his signature bushy mustache.
His look was different. His play was, too.
The newly clean-shaven freshman didn’t hesitate and instead just played his game. With the Jayhawks missing freshman phenom Darryn Peterson, they needed offense, and Rosario was not afraid to let it fly.
No. 25 Kansas defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 77-46 on Tuesday night. The Jayhawks (2-1) improved to 2-0 all-time against the Islanders.
Rosario scored 16 points and grabbed five rebounds. Four different scorers hit double-digit points: Rosario, Bryson Tiller, Flory Bidunga and Tre White.
Elmarko Jackson started in place of Peterson, with no official reason for his absence given pregame.
KU’s starting lineup Tuesday was Jackson, Rosario, Melvin Council Jr., White and Bidunga. That group helped Kansas build a 38-18 halftime lead, dominating start to finish while holding the Islanders to 23.3% shooting in the first half, 32.2% for the game.
Up next: KU hosts Princeton on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.
Until then, here are three takeaways from Tuesday’s game:
Kohl Rosario’s breakout game
Rosario looked like a completely different player Tuesday.
With the Jayhawks missing Peterson, Rosario understood he needed to be aggressive from the start. He made multiple plays in the first half that illustrated why the coaching staff and his teammates are so high on him.
At one point, Rosario drove, spun, absorbed contact and finished strong. It was perhaps the most impressive play by anyone on the court.
He led all scorers with 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting at the break. In the second half, Rosario took a bit of backseat and only attempted two shots.
Still, he finished with 16 points in 25 minutes.
KU’s defense bounces back
Coach Bill Self made it clear he wasn’t happy with the Jayhawks’ defense after the loss to UNC. The Jayhawks gave up 58 points in the second half and Self called the rebounding effort “soft.”
Well, KU players seemed to take that personally. The Jayhawks’ defense was impressive Tuesday.
KU forced multiple shot clock violations and made Texas A&M-CC take a plethora of bad shots with defenders all over them. The Islanders shot 7-for-30 (23.3%) from the field, including 11.1% on 3-pointers, in the first half.
It’s clear that KU’s defense will be its calling card this season. When Kansas is locked in and focused on that end, it’s a scary sight for opposing teams.
The Islanders finished the night shooting 32% from the field, including 7% on 3-pointers.
Bryson Tiller provides bench scoring
Bryson Tiller might be KU’s X-factor.
The freshman has a way of making an impact when he’s on the court. After hitting four 3-pointers vs. UNC, Tiller continued to provide KU’s bench with much-needed scoring Tuesday.
The freshman hit shots all over the court, but also showcased his ability to draw fouls. Now, he just needs to hit his foul shots. He went 4-for-9 from the line.
Self has asked KU’s big men to play to their size, and Tiller did that Tuesday. He scrapped down low and grabbed eight rebounds.
He finished with 11 points on 3-for-6 shooting.