Kansas Jayhawks Outplayed By The Texas Longhorns In Loss
By Joel Wagler
Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
When the Kansas Jayhawks (16-5, 7-1) are bad, they are very, very bad. They were thoroughly whipped by the Texas Longhorns (17-4, 6-2) in just about every aspect of the game in the 81-69 loss in Austin, Texas.
Kansas was due for a stinker, so this wasn’t a totally surprise. They have struggled by tough, physical defensive teams all year. Texas came out of the gate, and just outplayed, out hustled, and out defended the Jayhawks all game long.
Much like the San Diego State game, Kansas just couldn’t get comfortable on offense. The Longhorns are an aggressive, physical team, just like the Aztecs, and the Jayhawks just couldn’t hit shots with the ease they have displayed in the Big 12 play thus far.
Not only could Kansas not shot the ball, they were beat on the backboards 44-37, and were out hustled most of the day. The Jayhawks just didn’t look like they were prepared to play this game, and it was obvious.
It was also painfully obvious that this Kansas team probably is never going to get it defensively. They either have no desire, or lack the talent, to be a good defensive basketball team. They seem to have little to no understanding of the basic tenants of sound defensive play. They can’t play on the ball, or off the ball, or help defense.
Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
It looked as maybe the Jayhawks were finally making tiny improvements defensively over the past few games but was obviously just a mirage.
Wayne Selden, Jr. was the only Jayhawk who was productive scoring the basketball. He scored 21 on 8 of 16 from the field. He also made a few hustle plays but offered not much else. He had just 2 rebounds, no assists, and no steals. Perry Ellis was the only other Jayhawk in double figure points with 11. Joel Embiid netted 8 and had 10 rebounds.
Andrew Wiggins had a particularly horrible day, scoring just 7 points on 2 for 12 shooting. He was off kilter all day long, never getting into the flow of the game.
The Longhorns were paced by Isaiah Taylor with 23, and Jonathan Holmes with 22. Cameron Ridley had 9 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks, while Demarcus Holland pulled down 11 caroms.
Statistically, the Longhorns dominated the Jayhawks in just about every category. Not only did Texas win on the scoreboard and the glass, they blocked 12 shots to Kansas’ 4, and recorded 7 steals to 4.
Kansas only recorded 10 assists on the day.
The Jayhawks were also whistled for 31 fouls compared to just 19 for the Longhorns. Texas shot 45 free throws, making 30 of them. Kansas had 19 attempts, making 13. This huge 17-point deferential from the line had a big impact on the game. Kansas drove to the basket as much as usual but had trouble finishing at the rim, and they just weren’t getting the same foul calls that Texas was getting.
Kansas has little time to recover. They turn around and play Baylor in Waco on Tuesday. The Bears are the only other team in the conference outside of Texas that has the size to bother the Jayhawks. Baylor has struggled in Big 12 play but they beat Oklahoma State on the road Saturday to halt their losing streak.
The Baylor game will be another tough match up, and Kansas cannot afford to go into a slump right now.