Kansas-North Dakota State: Jayhawks Outlast Tireless Bison

Had the numbers not been next to each team's name on the scoreboard, you might have thought this was an No. 8 vs. No. 9 game. North Dakota State played a great game, but just didn't have enough to top Kansas, and fell 84-74 in Minneapolis.

Each team's star player shined brightly. North Dakota State's Ben Woodside led all scorers with 37 points, and added two assists.

KU's Sherron Collins started hot, and didn't cool off. He had 32 points, four rebounds, and eight assists.

Cole Aldrich was cleaning glass all day for the Jayhawks. He pulled down 13 boards and had 23 points.

The game was a slugfest for all 40 minutes. Kansas was able to climb to the largest lead of 11 just after halftime, but North Dakota State fired back, and it was a contest until the very end.

Had NDSU's senior center, Lucas Moormann, not fouled out with just under six minutes left, the Bison may have been able to eclipse the Jayhawks at some point during the remaining minutes of the game.

Credit has to go to Woodside, who was 13-for-23 from the floor and was able to get to the bucket multiple times and rack up KU's team fouls. Thirty-seven points against a Kansas team that normally plays great defense against star players was impressive.

At the same time, Kansas also deserves some credit for riding the shoulders of their two best players in Collins and Aldrich, who accounted for 55 of Kansas' 84 points.

Had either of them had an off day, I'd be writing a somber recap, filled with angry sentiment. KU won though, and this writer can write with happiness.

Kansas takes on the winner of the Dayton-West Virginia game.

See you back here on Saturday as I break down that game.