The Jayhawks are flying high, and Kansas fans cannot believe what they are seeing! Kansas added another win under their belt against Cincinnati on Saturday. After a heart-wrenching loss on New Year’s eve against the Mountaineers, Bill Self changed the way his team played the game. This defensive masterclass kept their winning streak alive, as the Jayhawks have won their last three games with similar efforts. All eyes are on the coach, as rivals and fans alike are trying to figure out what the man is planning next.

On The Field of 68: After Dark, show hosts Rob Dauster, John Fanta, and Terrance Oglesby discussed this new-look Kansas strategy. “They won by 14 on the road in Big 12 play while shooting 2-21 from three,” Dauster said, amazed, “What are we seeing here?… They move Shakeel Moore to the starting lineup before the UCF game, and they become one of the best defensive teams in college basketball. Well, the best [defensive] team within those three games in college basketball.”

Rob continued on, comparing the Jayhawks to the Houston Cougars in their approach towards the game. “We’re gonna go out there and try to win these games 55-45 every single night. Maybe not the prettiest thing in the world, but that’s three games in a row where they have looked impenetrable defensively and it’s all been with Shakeel Moore in the starting lineup.”

Defense wins games, and this match is the purest example of it. In the second half, Kansas kept Cincinnati scoreless for over six minutes. Within that time, the Jayhawks went on a 14-0 run, which ended up winning them the game. Both teams were stagnant offensively, shooting less than 40% from the field. Terrance Oglesby commented, “Kansas has picked up a new identity starting 2025, and it’s like we’re gonna out-tough you. If we score a bunch, so be it. But if we don’t? We’re gonna hold you to 40. And if you can do that consistently, you’re gonna win a lot of freaking games.”

Kansas’ offensive issues stem from the lack of spacing on the court. Their point guard and wingers cannot shoot that well, with their most talented shooter being Hunter Dickinson. The seven footer plays post, and the Jayhawks do not have enough spacing to facilitate low post offense. If there are no threes, and no court spacing, the offense cannot be elite. However, this is where coach Bill’s brilliance comes into play. His strategies focused on stopping the other team from scoring, rather than trying to force offense that Kansas does not have. It will be interesting to see how Kansas progresses in the Big 12.

Jayhawks needed more from Moore

When Kansas lost to West Virginia in their first Big 12 game, it didn’t bode well for their post-season odds. Losing to the Mountaineers was unexpected, and it was the first conference-opening loss for Kansas since 1991. That is when Bill Smalls decided to deploy Shakeel Moore to the starting lineup, his hidden ace.

The real impact of Moore cannot be seen on the stats sheet. He’s an energy player, a hustler, a pest on defense. In 27 minutes played, he only put up 8 points, but his impact on the game went way beyond his stats.

In the first few minutes of the second half, Moore poked away a dribble hand-off while fighting through a screen, only to run down the length of the court for a layup. This is what people mean when they talk about Shakeel Moore defensively. He boxes out his man; he goes for rebounds and steals. Moore has great IQ and keeps blocking passing lanes. As an athlete, he’s very explosive, which can be seen in his awe-inspiring dunks.

Kansas is hunting for the ball on defense. They dive at loose balls, make hustle plays, and rebound like their lives depend on it. If Smalls and his Jayhawks can keep up the defensive pressure, the Big 12 won’t know what hit them. Kansas next plays Iowa State on the 15th of January. Do you think their hot streak will continue? Let us know in the comments below.