5 Things Necessary For Kansas Jayhawks To Win The Big 12
By Joel Wagler
Kansas Jayhawks guard Naadir Tharpe (10) Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
1- DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE: There have been occasions this season when the Jayhawks have played pretty decent defense. The second half against Florida, the second half against New Mexico, and for all but the first 7 or 8 minutes of the Georgetown game.
There are have also been some games like the one versus Toledo, where it appeared as if the Jayhawks were totally disinterested in playing defense at all.
Kansas has som much length, athleticism, and depth, they should swarm over opponents in waves. Kansas players should be leaving everything they have each game on the defensive end of the court. That is how defense that is usually played at Kansas.
Opponents are hitting 41% of their total field goals, and 34.7% from behind the arc. Neither of these marks are horrible but considering the wealth of talent on this team, those numbers should be lower. Last year’s squad, a team with little depth and not near the level of talent, held opponents to 36.1% from the field, and 30.3% from three-point range. These kinds of stats are usual for Bill Self coached teams.
This year’s edition has a long, long, way to go to match those numbers.
Much of playing good defense is heart and desire. So far, this team is lacking in both on the defensive end of the court. If they ever figure out the importance of playing hard, tough, defense, they will become an incredible team. Hopefully, they will figure it out sooner rather than later.