UConn Outlasts Kansas in Defensive Battle at Allen Fieldhouse, 61-56
On a night when the Allen Fieldhouse crowd brought everything it had - 119.2 decibels worth of energy, to be exact - Kansas couldn’t quite get over the hump. The Jayhawks went toe-to-toe with No. 5 UConn in a game that felt like it belonged in the thick of March, but ultimately came up short, falling 61-56 in a gritty, low-scoring affair.
Kansas had its chance. Down three with 23.2 seconds left, guard Jamari McDowell had the ball and a lane to the basket.
But UConn forward Alex Karaban met him at the rim with a clutch block. The Huskies grabbed the rebound, Kansas fouled, and freshman Braylon Mullins calmly sank both free throws to ice it.
After the game, head coach Bill Self explained the call: the first option was a three, but if it wasn’t there, McDowell was told to attack the basket. The play didn’t unfold perfectly, but Self wasn’t placing blame.
“He did what I asked him to do,” Self said. “It was just… a really good defensive play.”
That one sequence summed up the night - a defensive slugfest where every possession mattered, and every bucket was a battle.
Let’s break down what we learned from a hard-fought night in Lawrence.
1. Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell Are Finding Their Groove
One of the bright spots for Kansas? The continued emergence of redshirt sophomore guards Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell.
These two have looked like different players since returning from the Players Era tournament, and Tuesday night was another step forward. McDowell got things going early with back-to-back threes, a much-needed jolt for a KU squad that’s struggled to find rhythm from deep all season. Jackson followed with a personal 8-1 run off the bench - a three, a tough finish through contact, and another three - all in quick succession.
Together, Jackson and McDowell combined for 19 points on 5-of-8 shooting in the first half alone. They finished with 19 total on 7-of-13 from the floor, including 4-of-10 from deep. That kind of production from the backcourt - especially off the bench - is exactly what Kansas needs, particularly with Darryn Peterson sidelined.
If these two can continue to provide scoring punch and confidence in the rotation, it could be a game-changer for the Jayhawks’ ceiling moving forward.
2. Without Darryn Peterson, the Offense Lacks a Creator
The Jayhawks were missing more than just a name on the roster Tuesday - they were missing the engine of their offense.
With freshman star Darryn Peterson out due to a hamstring strain, Kansas struggled to generate consistent offense, especially in the half court. There were multiple scoring droughts, including a brutal stretch in the second half where KU went over four minutes without a bucket. Their second field goal of the half didn’t come until just over nine minutes remained - a floater from Melvin Council.
UConn took full advantage of those dry spells, flipping a four-point halftime deficit into a lead they never relinquished.
Without Peterson, Kansas lacked a go-to shot creator - someone who can break down a defense, draw help, and either finish or kick out. That absence forced the Jayhawks to rely more on transition and hustle plays, and while they competed hard, the offensive flow just wasn’t there.
Kansas shot just 35.3% from the field (18-for-51) and 27.8% from three (5-for-18). Even with those numbers, they led for over 25 minutes of game time, which speaks to how well they defended - but also how much they missed Peterson’s shot-making.
If he remains out, Kansas will need to find new ways to manufacture offense - whether that means more touches for Council, better post entries to Flory Bidunga, or leaning even more on Jackson and McDowell.
3. Flory Bidunga’s Offensive Game Still a Work in Progress
Flory Bidunga continues to show flashes, but Tuesday wasn’t the breakout performance Kansas fans have been waiting for.
Matched up against UConn freshman Eric Reibe - a player averaging just 17 minutes per game - Bidunga struggled to impose his will. Despite Reibe picking up three fouls, Bidunga never fully took advantage of the matchup.
UConn’s defense did a great job of pushing him off his spots and denying clean entry passes. When he did get the ball, he often looked rushed or uncomfortable finishing through contact.
Bidunga finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds, but shot 4-for-9 from the floor and never quite looked in rhythm offensively. His rebounding and defensive presence were solid, but Kansas needs more efficient scoring from its big man, especially when the perimeter game isn’t clicking.
As a team, KU was outscored 30-20 in the paint and shot just 5-for-13 on layups. That’s an area where Bidunga has the tools to dominate - now it’s about putting it all together.
Final Thoughts
This was the kind of game that’s going to pay dividends in March - even in a loss. Kansas went toe-to-toe with one of the nation’s top teams, without its best scorer, and had a shot to tie it in the final seconds.
The defense was there. The effort was there. But the offense, especially in the half court, is still a work in progress - and Darryn Peterson’s absence only magnified that.
There’s no time to dwell, though. Next up: a rivalry showdown with Missouri in Kansas City on Sunday. That one always brings the energy, and after Tuesday’s battle, the Jayhawks will be looking to bounce back with renewed urgency.
Keep an eye on McDowell and Jackson - their confidence is rising. And if Bidunga can take the next step, Kansas could still evolve into one of the most balanced teams in the country.