Kansas is back in action at Phog Allen Fieldhouse, and even if the Blueblood Classic doesn’t count in the standings, it still gives Bill Self exactly what he wants: a closer look at a group that is still learning how to fit together.
The Jayhawks will face Duke in the exhibition matchup after dropping Wednesday’s game to Louisville, 89-83. The result won’t go into the record book, but the stretch run to the regular season is clearly about more than the scoreboard. For Kansas, these games are about helping freshmen settle in, getting newcomers comfortable in Allen Fieldhouse, and figuring out how the pieces connect against high-level competition.
That matters even more with so many new faces trying to get on the same page. Melvin Council Jr., Tre White, and Trey Kaufman-Renn are all part of a roster that has only had a few weeks to come together, and games like this are a fast-track for chemistry. They also give Self a chance to evaluate how each player can help once the games start to count.
Against Louisville, Kansas had long stretches that looked solid. There was one rough eight-minute stretch where the offense stalled and the defense slipped, but for much of the night the Jayhawks were competitive and organized. Duke should provide another useful test in that same vein.
Self is unlikely to reveal much in terms of offensive wrinkles against the Blue Devils. What he will want is better execution, sharper ball movement, and fewer possessions where the ball gets stuck in one player’s hands.
That was an issue at times against Louisville. Kansas also needs cleaner perimeter defense after giving up too many open looks on Wednesday, which made the damage worse than it needed to be.
The exhibition is set for noon CDT at historic Phog Allen Fieldhouse.
It will air on ESPN and can also be streamed on FuboTV and Disney+ with the ESPN package through a paid subscription.
There were plenty of takeaways from the Louisville game that carry over into this one. Kansas allowed 14 made three-pointers on 30 attempts, and that kind of night from deep is not something the Jayhawks can afford to repeat. On the other end, KU hit only seven threes of its own, another area that needs to clean up even in games that don’t count.
Tyran Stokes showed why his reputation is already so strong. His size and physicality jump out immediately, and he has a knack for creating contact.
The next step is turning those drives into finishes more consistently. The passing, though, already looks as advertised.
Leroy Blyden Jr. figures to matter for Kansas at some point, but maybe not right away. He looked a little overwhelmed by the jump in competition from Toledo, with the pace sometimes moving faster than he could keep up with and his ball-handling becoming loose. There’s time for that to change.
Kohl Rosario’s athleticism stands out, but he still appears to be behind defensively. If he’s going to carve out regular minutes, the threes have to start falling. Right now, getting comfortable and consistent from deep is part of the assignment.
That depth is one of the most obvious things about this roster. If a player struggles, Self has options, and that should make for an interesting season ahead.
In Other News...
Louisville Just Exposed A Kansas Concern Fans Cant Ignore
Kansas got a useful early look at itself in an 89-83 exhibition loss at home to No. 11 Louisville, and the result came with the kind of warning signs that can get buried in preseason optimism. The Jayhawks led at halftime, then watched the game tilt after the break as Louisville played with more force and confidence, while Tre White put together a game-high 25 points to help swing the night.
For a fan base already watching how the roster pieces fit, the second half raised questions about the edge and consistency Kansas can expect from this group. There were also some notable moments tied to former player Flory Bidunga, along with uneven showings from Keanu Dawes and Tyran Stokes, leaving the Jayhawks with plenty to sort through before the games start counting for real. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Fans Have Seen This Freshman Guard Scare Before
Kansas preseason loss to No. 11 Louisville came with a brief scare for the Jayhawks, as freshman guard Taylen Kinney had to leave the game early after dealing with cramps. Head coach Bill Self said Kinney received IV fluids, and the early read from the staff was encouraging enough that the situation did not sound like a major concern.
Kinney is expected to keep playing, which is the part Kansas fans will care about most after watching one of the teams newcomers head to the sideline. Leroy Blyden Jr. is set to start the next game, giving the Jayhawks a chance to keep sorting out their backcourt rotation while they move on from an exhibition loss that still offered a few uneasy moments. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas May Finally Have The Shooting Fix Fans Have Wanted
Kansas spent much of last season searching for more reliable spacing, and this roster looks built to address that problem. Between a reloaded group of newcomers, a few proven transfer shooters and a freshman with a reputation for knocking down shots from the outside, the Jayhawks suddenly have the kind of depth on the perimeter that can change how defenses play them. Coaches and players have pointed to scrimmages and practices as early signs that this group can stretch the floor better and make life easier for everyone else on the court.
What makes the outlook more interesting is that the shooting boost does not seem tied to just one specialist. Kansas has more playmaking and more versatility around the floor, which should create cleaner looks and keep teams from loading up inside. The bigger question now is how quickly all of those pieces settle in once the games start counting, because the promise is there even if the real answer will only show up over time. [Read more 🡒]