On January 29th, the Kansas Jayhawks meet once again with the Kansas State Wildcats. This is the second encounter of KU vs K-State. In the first meeting of the Jayhawks and the Wildcats, KU pulled off a 73-72 win at Allen Fieldhouse. It was a nail biter down to the very last second. This next game will be no different. This year’s Sunflower Showdown of KU vs K-State isn’t one fans can overlook. Here’s the history of the rivalry and what is to come in Manhattan for the second match up.

KU vs K-State Record

All-Time Series–> KU: 191, K-State: 93
In Big 12 Conference Play–> KU: 45, K-State:5
*www.Big12Sports.com

KU vs K-State History

The Early Years

The rivalry between the Jayhawks and Wildcats ranks as the 2nd-longest uninterrupted rivalry between two public schools  in the same state, that classify as a “University of” and a “State University.” It all began in 1911. However, in 1910, the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University rank as the number one longest rivalry by one year longer than KU and K-State. On the other hand, the two schools began playing recreationally since 1907 and claims the rights as the most-played series in either school’s history and the sixth most-played in NCAA history.

As years passed, KU vs K-State became more intense. KSU’s Bob Boozer and KU’s Wilt Chamberlain clashed as both star players wanted to take their teams all the way. During the 1955-1956 season, tension tightened as K-State split the season series with KU and won the Big Seven Conference Title, thus leveling the competition after years of KU success during the 1930’s and ’40s.

Amid the 1950’s the two schools became the ultimate rivalries. The Wildcats made it to the NCAA championship and took second place. The following year, KU won the NCAA tournament. In the 1951-52 season, each team earned its ranking and everyone grew excited for the showdown of KU vs K-State. Especially because both teams were powerhouses of the league. The game resulted in a grueling game with overtime and the Jayhawks pulled through with a 90-88 victory of the Wildcats in the Big Seven Holiday Tournament.

The Battle of the Fieldhouses

By the mid to late 1950’s the schools began competing for more than just games. K-State received funds and permission to construct one of the largest basketball facilities in the USA. The new field house could seat 14,000. On the other hand, KU’s stadium could seat a small 5,500 fans and so began the competition to build an even larger stadium. The University of Kansas arranged for a newer, bigger and better field house. Thus, Allen Fieldhouse became constructed and the home of the Kansas Jayhawks along with 16,000 fans.

The Later Years

By the 1960’s-80’s KU and K-State each had star players come through to help excel the basketball programs. K-State had Rolando Blackman (beginning of the decade) and Mitch Richmond (closing the decade). On the other hand, KU has Darnell Valentine to start and ended the decade with Danny Manning.

Each team competed with the utmost competition. Richmond and Manning had quite the feud as the two tried to reign victorious over the other. However, Richmond lead the Wildcats to a 72-61 win over KU and Danny Manning. Ultimately, this win put a dent in Kansas’s 55-game winning streak at home in Allen Fieldhouse. Although Danny Manning fell short at home, when he and his team took to the Ahearn Fieldhouse in Manhattan, KS., it was Manning who secured the win 64-63. Later that year, in the post season tournament, Manning and Richmond faced one another in the Elite Eight. Winner would earn the trip to the Final Four and hopefully a National Championship. In the end, Richmond and the Wildcats couldn’t maintain a close came and the Jayhawks won 71-58. Next, KU went on to win the entire tournament that year.

The Revival

By the 2007-2008 season, Michael Beasley for the Kansas State Wildcats, came on the scene. Beasley stated before the season even started, “We’re gonna beat KU at home. We’re gonna beat ’em at their house. We’re gonna beat ’em in Africa. Wherever we play we’re gonna beat ’em.” When the Kansas Jayhawks traveled to Manhattan, Beasley held true to his words and beat the Hawks 84-75. However, when the tables were turned and the Cats ventured to Allen Fieldhouse, KU shutdown Beasley 88-74. While the last season built up the competition, the 2009-2010 season continued the rivalry even more. ESPN aired College GameDay at Allen Fieldhouse for the KU vs K-State game. Fortunately for KU, the Jayhawks won in overtime with 81-79 but the rivalry was back and fans were excited to compete with one another again for the best team.

KU vs K-State Earlier This Season

On January 13th, the KU vs K-State rivalry debuted at Allen Fieldhouse. Ultimately, it came down to the very last second as both the Jayhawks and Wildcats battled for the W.

With 44 seconds left in the first, KU was down 28-34. Then, Svi sank two threes and tied the game. The Ku vs K-State game went into halftime with a score of 34-34. In the second half, stiff competition ran up and down the court. With only six minutes left and tied at 59, K-State’s Dean Wade hit a 3-pointer. Then, with only 4 minutes left to play, the Cats held the lead with 67-64. However, the clock ticked down and at 1:35 to play, Kansas’s Udoka Azubuike dunked the ball to slam in a score of 71-70. Although, the game wasn’t over Xavier Sneed made a with less than 30 seconds. Made both FT, cats up 72-71. Finally, Malik draws a foul and goes to the line to make both free throws and send the hawks to 73-72 and the cats couldn’t make their shot to secure the upset.

Jayhawks vs Wildcats Game Record

03/10/16 Kansas 85-63 B12
02/20/16 Kansas 72-63 BC
02/03/16 Kansas 77-59 AF
02/23/15 Kansas State 70-63 BC
01/31/15 Kansas 68-57 AF
02/10/14 Kansas State 85-82 (ot) BC
01/11/14 Kansas 86-60 AF
03/16/13 Kansas 70-54 B12
02/11/13 Kansas 83-62 AF
01/22/13 Kansas 59-55 BC
02/13/12 Kansas 59-53 BC
01/04/12 Kansas 67-49 AF
02/14/11 Kansas State 84-68 BC
01/29/11 Kansas 90-66 AF
03/13/10 Kansas 72-64 B12
03/03/10 Kansas 82-65 AF
01/30/10 Kansas 81-79 (ot) BC
02/14/09 Kansas 85-74 BC
01/13/09 Kansas 87-71 AF
03/01/08 Kansas 88-74 AF
01/30/08 Kansas State 84-75 BC
03/10/07 Kansas 67-61 B12
02/19/07 Kansas 71-62 BC
02/07/07 Kansas 97-70 AF
03/04/06 Kansas 66-52 BC
01/14/06 Kansas State 59-55 AF
03/11/05 Kansas 80-67 B12
03/02/05 Kansas 72-65 AF
02/09/05 Kansas 75-65 BC
01/28/04 Kansas 78-70 BC
01/14/04 Kansas 73-67 AF
02/08/03 Kansas 82-64 BC
01/18/03 Kansas 81-64 AF
02/27/02 Kansas 103-68 AF
02/04/02 Kansas 98-71 BC
03/09/01 Kansas 94-63 B12
02/28/01 Kansas 77-65 BC
01/27/01 Kansas 92-66 AF
03/09/00 Kansas 84-60 B12
02/12/00 Kansas 94-65 BC
01/12/00 Kansas 87-79 AF
03/06/99 Kansas 69-58 B12
02/17/99 Kansas 62-47 AF
02/01/99 Kansas 69-46 BC
03/06/98 Kansas 68-61 B12
02/14/98 Kansas 73-58 BC
01/17/98 Kansas 69-62 AF
02/22/97 Kansas 78-58 AF
01/04/97 Kansas 62-59 BC