Kansas City, Mo. — It was during Thursday’s scout meeting with the coaching staff when Dajuan Harris Jr. learned of his task for Friday’s Big 12 semifinal showdown with Iowa State at T-Mobile Center. He was asked to stop Gabe Kalscheur by any means necessary.
Throughout KU’s 71-58 win over Iowa State, Harris rarely left Kalscheur’s side. He fought through every ball screen, and locked down the Cyclones’ top offensive threat from start to finish.
“If you stop the head of the snake, then the game is over,” Harris said of his mindset when guarding Kalscheur.
Mission accomplished.
Kalscheur, who came into the contest averaging over 13 points per game, finished with just eight points on 3-of-12 shooting. He went 2-for-5 from long range, and never earned a trip to the free throw line during 39-plus minutes of action. For comparison, Kalscheur scored 31 combined points in two regular-season meetings against Kansas.
Harris admitted he had an idea that he would be guarding Kalscheur as soon as Iowa State prevailed over Baylor. Kevin McCullar Jr., who has been KU’s primary defender for much of the year, has been dealing with back spasms for several days and even left the game early in the second half.
But Harris’ hunch wasn’t confirmed until Norm Roberts, KU’s acting coach while Bill Self is hospitalized, gave the news to the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
“We’ve done that a couple times this year where we’ve let Dajuan stay connected on really good players,” Roberts said. “He did a great job today on Gabe.”
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Box score: Kansas 71, Iowa State 58
Photo Gallery: Kansas basketball vs. Iowa State
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Friday marked the second night in a row that Harris has guarded the opposing team’s best offensive player. He held West Virginia’s Erik Stevenson to 13 points on 14 shot attempts during the Big 12 quarterfinal matchup.
While Stevenson is capable of scoring in multiple facets, Harris knew that Kalscheur preferred to do most of his damage as a shooter.
“Gabe doesn’t really get it off the dribble,” Harris said. “He is a catch-and-shoot player, and he gets a step-back. He runs off stagger (screens) a lot, so that’s pretty hard too. He doesn’t get tired, really, so I was just trying to stay connected.”
Kalscheur actually got the best of Harris at first, getting free for a 3-pointer at the 17:21 mark. Moments later, Kalscheur seemed to have another good look from deep before Harris came through with a block from behind.
“Dajuan is crazy man,” Ernest Udeh Jr. said. “It is those certain plays like that that you can’t teach. Dajuan is just special when it comes to the defensive area. All the facilitating is cool and all, but on the defensive side, we need him man.”
Harris, who finished with four steals, recorded two big ones down the stretch to seal Iowa State’s fate on Friday.
One came at the 6:12 mark in the second half, with Kalscheur having a full head of steam on a driving layup down the middle of the lane. Harris poked the ball away at the last minute, leading to a layup for Joseph Yesufu on the other end to give Kansas its first double-digit lead of the night.
“That’s the reason he’s the Defensive Player of the Year,” K.J. Adams Jr. said. “He just has a knack for the ball. His hands are super, super quick and he knows when to swipe down. I don’t think anyone in America can get past him.”
With the game all but over in the final minute, Harris wasn’t done adding to his defensive masterclass. Kalscheur was threatening to crack double figures, trying to make a play from the top of the key. As he went up to elevate for a shot, Harris ripped the ball away and promptly hit the floor after getting fouled.
Harris clapped in celebration from the floor, as his defensive play pushed Kansas to the Big 12 tournament title game for the second year in a row.
“It just shows fans and teammates that he’s going to fight for us until the last second no matter what the score is,” Bobby Pettiford said of the final defensive play.
Tipoff for Saturday’s Big 12 championship game between No. 1 Kansas and No. 2 Texas, a 66-60 winner over TCU in Friday’s second semifinal, is set for 5 p.m.
