Kansas’ 19-Point Win Has Strange Twists

No. 9-ranked Kansas defeated Iowa State, 70-51, Sunday in a rough, strange game that gave the Jayhawks sole possession of first place in the Big 12.

How strange? Cyclone Coach Larry Eustachy got ejected for arguing a call that he didn’t know had been changed.

Kansas’ Wayne Simien returned from a six-week layoff only to get caught in the middle of a near-brawl.

And Iowa State’s Jackson Vroman managed to get six fouls.

There were four technical fouls in the second half, starting when Eustachy was thrown out for arguing a charging call against Vroman.

As Eustachy raged, the call was changed to traveling. But he didn’t realize that, and was handed a disqualifying second technical for continuing to argue with 12:08 left.

“Will somebody please explain what happened?” Eustachy asked afterward.

“I am a little confused because I thought they called Jackson’s fifth foul. I am pleading my case and then I had a technical out of left field and it all went from there.”

Aaron Miles, who had 14 points, nine assists and a school-record nine steals, made three of the ensuing four free throws and Kansas (19-5, 9-1 Big 12) led, 45-31.

A minute later, a near-brawl ensued under the Kansas basket when Vroman shoved Simien, who had been sidelined 11 games with a dislocated right shoulder.

Jared Homan of Iowa State (12-9, 2-8) stepped in front of Simien to stop him from charging Vroman.

Then Miles shoved Homan from behind.

After order was restored, a shoving foul and technical foul were called on Vroman, sending him out of the game with six fouls, and a technical was called on Miles.

“We got tangled up a little bit and emotions ran high. Some words were exchanged,” said Simien, who played 18 minutes and scored seven points.

The Jayhawks won for the 24th time in 25 regular-season Big 12 games.