Even after a tough loss to Iowa State, Kansas fans have plenty to be optimistic about. The Jayhawks had been on a roll with eight straight wins, including a big victory over then No. 1 Arizona, all without their star, Darryn Peterson.
Kansas is a tale of two teams this season: one with Peterson, college basketball’s electrifying perimeter scorer, and one without. They're formidable either way, but with Peterson healthy against Iowa State, TJ Otzelberger managed to slow Kansas down into a half-court slog. When Peterson is off his game-like his 3-10 shooting for 10 points against Iowa State-the Jayhawks struggle to adapt.
This loss might serve as a wake-up call, and their upcoming trip to Stillwater could be the jolt they need. After failing to score any fast-break points against Iowa State, Kansas will face an Oklahoma State team that thrives on speed, ranking 11th in KenPom adjusted tempo. This matchup might just be what Kansas needs to shake things up.
Despite the blazing speed of Melvin Council Jr. and Darryn Peterson in the backcourt, Bill Self hasn’t fully embraced a faster tempo this season. The Jayhawks sit at 194th in KenPom adjusted tempo, with only 13.5% of their points coming from fast breaks-putting them in the 54th percentile nationally. Yet, when they do pick up the pace, they’re incredibly efficient.
This efficiency might be due to selective pushing, going for easy looks like layups or transition threes. But with their roster, Kansas is built for more frequent transition play.
It’s not just about Council and Peterson. Tre White, a key rebounder, excels as a grab-and-go wing. Flory Bidunga is an athletic force at the rim, and Bryson Tiller, though not a top shooter, offers spacing as a trailer with his passing prowess from the top of the key.
The win over Arizona showcased Kansas’s potential in this style. The Wildcats, one of the fastest teams, rank 26th in KenPom adjusted tempo, and Kansas scored 19 fast-break points against them-their second-highest of the season.
Kansas doesn’t need a complete overhaul into a run-and-gun team, especially this late in the season. However, facing Oklahoma State might push them to embrace a faster pace, especially with Peterson on the floor, making them even more formidable.