Kansas Basketball: Bill Self failing at bench management

It continues to be an up and down season for Bill Self and Kansas Basketball. As the season drags on, the Jayhawks look tired with no break in sight.

Another home loss to a lesser opponent this past weekend has everybody scrambling for a quick fix. The Kansas Basketball name has been mired in a season of unexplainable events. If the season continues down the path it is currently on, Bill Self will endure half as many losses at home in one season as his entire career at Kansas.

Finger pointing will lead you to all sorts of outcomes. Some will point to the absence of Billy Preston, who was supposed to be the biggest weapon the Jayhawks possessed. Other will point to free throws, turnovers, or the lack of an inside game. The issue is management. With a short bench, Self has mismanaged the use of the bench, causing issues with depth and tired legs.

Devonte’ Graham hasn’t sat for a single minute since January 13th against Kansas State. Six whole games Graham has been on the court. Even though Graham has done a decent job filling in Frank Mason’s shoes, he doesn’t have Mason’s motor.

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Svi Mykhailiuk and Malik Newman are both seeing their minutes actually increase as well. There are minutes to be had for the short bench that Kansas has, but Self has failed to acknowledge them. Bill Self would coach circles around any one writing or reading this article, so no, this isn’t an attempt to give coaching advice. It is an educated  observation however.

The miss

There are two moments in each game the rest of this season that Graham should see the bench, no matter the score, no matter the situation. The under eight minute television timeout in each half is that moment. This gives Graham the chance to play roughly 12 minutes of game time before getting a well deserved break.

Self can pull Graham before the break in a dead ball situation, and sit him until the timeout is over. Self could do same after the timeout, leaving Graham to sit until the first dead ball.

If there is any part of the game when you decide to fix a snack or head to the food stand, it’s the under eight timeout. Admit it.

The point is that there is a chance to give your best player a break every now and then.

Another way to give Graham a breather would be to allow Newman or Svi bring the ball up court. Every second counts in all of the major sports. If Self moved Graham to basically be a shooting guard, Graham would not have to bring the ball up court every time, that means a few seconds for periods of the game where he can wait for the play to develop.

There is a great chance that Malik Newman will be placed at point guard next season, so perhaps the second bird can be killed with the same stone.

The bottom line, the Jayhawks need their legs to make a run in March. If things don’t change, Kansas will struggle to make it out of the first round of the dance. With Sam Cunliffe, Marcus Garrett, Silvio De Sousa or Mitch Lightfoot available to make relief, there is no excuse.

Next: Best seasons ever for Kansas Basketball

All that said, as a coach, I do understand wanting your best player on the court at all times.