After a decisive win over NC State, Kansas sits at 10-3 and is staring down two more home games-Towson tonight and Davidson on December 22-before diving headfirst into the Big 12 gauntlet. If all goes to plan, the Jayhawks should be 12-3 heading into conference play, which would put them in a solid spot, especially considering the ups and downs they’ve navigated so far.
But let’s be clear: things are about to get real. The Big 12 doesn’t ease anybody in, and if Kansas wants to make serious noise in March, it starts with the frontcourt stepping up in a big way.
Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller are the names to watch. Both are young, both are talented, and both have already shown why they’re in the starting lineup.
Bidunga, in his sophomore campaign, is putting up 14.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, and nearly two assists per game. Tiller, a freshman, is averaging 8.6 points, 5.8 boards, and 1.5 blocks.
On paper, that’s a strong one-two punch. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
The challenge? Consistency.
That’s been the missing piece. Tiller started the season hot from beyond the arc-he was 7-for-11 from deep-but hasn’t knocked one down since November 15 against Princeton.
That kind of shooting drought highlights the growing pains that come with a young frontcourt still finding its rhythm.
With Darryn Peterson sidelined due to injury, the frontcourt has had more chances to shine-and at times, they have. But those moments have been flashes, not trends.
Bidunga and Tiller have each scored in double figures in just four of KU’s thirteen games. Encouragingly, three of those came against high-major opponents-Notre Dame, Syracuse, and Missouri-where Kansas looked as dialed-in as we’ve seen all year.
Defensively, though? That’s where they’ve made a real impact.
The Jayhawks are averaging nearly four blocks per game as a team, and the big men are a big reason why. Their rim protection has been a difference-maker, but it’ll need to go up another level when they start facing some of the best frontcourts in the country.
The blueprint is clear: when Kansas gets consistent production from its bigs, everything else clicks. The team looks more balanced, more dangerous, and more like the kind of squad that can make a deep run in March.
In the meantime, others have stepped up when the frontcourt has gone quiet. Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White, in particular, have taken the reins in key moments.
That kind of backcourt leadership is invaluable, especially when the offense needs a spark. But if Kansas is going to compete for a national title, it can’t be a one-dimensional effort.
The frontcourt has to be a constant, not a question mark.
That makes these next two games-Towson and Davidson-more than just tune-ups. They’re opportunities.
Bill Self has to use them to keep Bidunga and Tiller engaged, sharpen their timing, and build some momentum heading into conference play. It’s also a chance to get others involved.
Paul Mbiya and Samis Calderon may not be ready for big minutes just yet, but they need the reps. Big 12 play is unforgiving, and depth in the frontcourt could make all the difference down the stretch.
And don’t overlook senior guard Gee Ngala. He’s undersized, sure, but he can shoot it, and these are the kinds of games where a player like that can earn himself a role.
The Jayhawks are in a good spot. But good won’t be good enough in the Big 12. If the frontcourt can find its groove, Kansas won’t just be a contender-they’ll be a problem.