If you want to win the conference 13-5 is the number. This is a difficult game to lose because we played well. Shot over 50% from the field and 38% from 3. We are going to have plenty of road games where we don't hit those numbers.
Kansas wins games like this. Show me a time when KU has shot over 50% from the field and still lost a conference game.
They need to isolate Shayok, THT or Wiggington in late game situations. Those are your three closers in my opinion. I would prefer Shayok and this point.
ISU held BU to 43.6% FG, which is below their season average. Both teams had 10 TOs, ISU outscored BU in the paint, 32-24, had more points off TO 9-7. Then there is the killer...10-4 offensive rebound differential, and BU outscoring ISU in second chance points 13-5.
To your point, KU usually wins games like that (and the conference) because night in and night out they are generally good enough across all aspects of the game...i.e. they usually don't tank one part of the game.
For ISU, from a practical standpoint, having to shoot better than 50%, or going on the road and holding teams even further below their season FG% to make up for giving the opponent second chance points is going to make for a tough life in the Big 12. Hopefully, they can clean up the rebounding.