Kansas' Identity Crisis: A Tough Loss at Allen Fieldhouse
In the heart of Lawrence, Kansas, the Jayhawks are grappling with an identity crisis as February winds down. Despite Bill Self's fondness for his squad, their recent performance against Cincinnati left much to be desired.
The unranked Bearcats strolled into Allen Fieldhouse and handed the No. 8 Jayhawks a stinging 84-68 defeat-their first double-digit home loss to an unranked team since 1993.
Self didn't mince words, calling out his team for playing "soft." The spotlight remains on Darryn Peterson, whose presence has been seen as a barometer for Kansas’ championship aspirations. Yet, even with Peterson logging 32 minutes, the Jayhawks faltered, leaving fans heading for the exits well before the final buzzer.
Kansas is still in a state of experimentation, unlike other national contenders who have found their stride as March approaches. The Bearcats exposed Kansas' vulnerabilities, particularly on defense.
Flory Bidunga, known for his defensive prowess, couldn't plug all the holes. Cincinnati's Baba Miller took advantage, scoring eight of his 12 first-half points when Bidunga wasn't guarding him.
Meanwhile, Moustapha Thiam celebrated his 20th birthday with a dominant 28-point, eight-rebound performance, much to the delight of Cincinnati coach Wes Miller.
On the Kansas side, disappointment reigned. Self noted, "I didn't think our bigs played very big today," a concerning observation for a team aiming for national glory.
With other teams boasting formidable front lines, Kansas' size-or lack thereof-was a glaring issue. The Bearcats capitalized, pulling down 14 offensive rebounds.
Offensively, the Jayhawks struggled to find their rhythm. They managed just 1.04 points per possession and only two assists over a critical 15-minute stretch in the second half. Peterson's 17 points were largely inconspicuous, and Melvin Council, usually the team's emotional anchor, had an off night, shooting 3-for-13.
Self was candid about the shortcomings: "We didn't screen, and we didn't do a lot of things the way that I would hope. I got to do a better job of getting us to do it."
The clock is ticking, with No. 2 Houston looming on the horizon.
The Cougars, boasting an even tougher defense than Cincinnati, pose a significant threat if Kansas doesn't rectify its issues quickly. Houston could exploit Kansas' weaknesses, particularly on the boards and in offensive execution.
Self emphasized the need for a mindset shift: "It just wasn't a very tough team today like we're capable of being. Hopefully, we get that corrected."
Losing at home is a rarity for Kansas, making this setback all the more jarring. Council expressed the team's frustration: "Bad, brutal and it sucks. We are supposed to defend homecourt always."
As the Jayhawks regroup, they must embark on a journey of self-discovery, understanding their strengths and addressing their weaknesses. The road to March is fraught with challenges, and Kansas must navigate it with resilience and clarity.