For just the 10th time in the 299 game history of the Sunflower Showdown, both the Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas State Wildcats enter the matchup ranked in the Top 10.

 

The Kansas State Wildcats enter with an 18-3 record and currently ranked #7 in America, and #2 in the Big 12 conference. The Kansas Jayhawks are 17-4 and ranked #8 in the national poll, and sit 4th in the conference standings. Kansas State won the first matchup in Manhattan 83-82 in overtime.

 

This matchup could feature three future All-Americans, with the dynamic duo of Keyontae Johnson and Markquis Nowell for the Wildcats, and the Big 12's leading scorer, junior Jalen Wilson for the Jayhawks. A game changer for KSU in the first game was the emergence of Desi Sills, who stepped up with 24 points off the bench to push the Wildcats over the top.

 

KU shoots slightly less from outside the arc than their in-state counterpart, but the two programs are nearly identical in every major statistic. A key player to watch for the Jayhawks will be Ernest Udeh, who did not play in the first matchup, but will be the first forward off the bench tonight, according to Coach Bill Self. Udeh played 12 minutes against Kentucky on Saturday and is a massive body in the paint, standing 6'11 and 250 pounds.

 

Coverage of the Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas State Wildcats can be heard on a pair of stations. For KU coverage, head to Greatest Hits 104.1 FM at 5:30 p.m. CT. If you're looking for the KSU broadcast, tune in to the Mighty 690 at 6 p.m. CT. Tip is scheduled for 7.