The Kansas Jayhawks are teetering on the edge of a classic boom-or-bust scenario as March approaches. Saturday saw the No. 8 team in the nation suffer a shocking 16-point home defeat to the Cincinnati Bearcats, marking their largest loss to an unranked opponent in over half a century. This stumble comes just after Kansas was pegged as a preliminary 3-seed for the NCAA Tournament.
The Jayhawks have a history of unpredictability in recent tournaments. Since the 2018-19 season, they've faced early exits five times in the first weekend, despite capturing a national title in 2022. This pattern of inconsistency might be setting the stage for another rollercoaster March.
According to analytics guru Evan Miyakawa, Kansas ranks ninth in win quality but Saturday's defeat will likely drop them to 30th in loss quality. This suggests they're prone to playing to the level of their competition, a risky trait for a team with championship aspirations.
During the game, Kansas found themselves trailing by as much as 19 points and struggled on the boards, being out-rebounded 40-29. Defensively, they had a tough time. Cincinnati, not known for a high-powered offense, managed to exploit Kansas's defensive lapses, particularly inside the paint where senior forward Baba Miller scored with ease.
The Jayhawks' perimeter defense was equally concerning, as they allowed Cincinnati shooters too many open looks from beyond the arc. Such defensive efforts could spell trouble against determined mid-major teams or surging power conference squads in the tournament's early rounds.
Adding to the woes, star freshman guard Darryn Peterson, despite logging 32 minutes, has been inconsistent. His recent struggles, including cramping issues, highlight a vulnerability in Kansas's lineup.
Having lost two of their last three games by double digits, Kansas faces a challenging road ahead. They're projected to drop their next two matchups against formidable opponents, the Houston Cougars and Arizona Wildcats. This downward trend raises questions about their readiness for the NCAA Tournament.
With the talent they possess, the Jayhawks are capable of making a deep run. However, Saturday's performance was a stark reminder that they could just as easily face another early and disappointing exit.