![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Bill-self-2.jpg?width=600)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Bill-self-2.jpg?width=600)
In the high-stakes world of college basketball, Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self has long been hailed as a maestro, orchestrating symphonies of success. Yet, as the Big 12 chaos unfolded, Self’s usual brilliance seemed to falter, leaving fans clutching their brackets and whispering a word that’s rarely associated with Kansas basketball: “panic.” Just as a game can hinge on a single missed free throw, so can a season’s promise unravel under mounting pressure. The Jayhawks’ struggles, highlighted by their shocking 62-61 loss to West Virginia, have cast a shadow over their Final Four aspirations.
According to a recent episode of the “Field of 68: After Dark” podcast, John Fanta didn’t shy away from voicing concerns about Kansas’ prospects. “Kansas is not a national championship caliber team. They’re not a final four-caliber team. They’re not in the lead eight caliber team.“
Although Kansas held the No. 1 spot in the Week 6 AP Top 25 college basketball rankings, three losses later, the tables have turned dramatically by Week 9. According to NCAA.com, the Jayhawks now rank 56th in scoring defense and sit 11th in assists-to-turnover ratio, with a modest 1.76.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
When asked if Kansas should start hitting the panic button, Jeff Goodman, a guest on the Field of 68 podcast, remarked, “So I thought they addressed their issues from last year, which were shooting and a guy that they could put the ball in their hands and go make a play. And the only one who’s stepped up is Zeke Mayo because Rylan Griffin’s really done nothing. And AJ Storr has been completely invisible, and they like him. The staff, that’s the crazy part. They rave about AJ Storr as a team guy, but he barely played. He didn’t do anything last game. And I think he’s the X factor for them.”
Indeed, AJ Storr’s performance—or lack thereof—has become a glaring issue. Logging 15 minutes of playing time, Storr failed to score a single point, a stark contrast to preseason expectations. Goodman further elaborated, “In order to get to a point where you are a Final Four contender, you better be able to get something out of AJ Storr.” Unfortunately for Kansas, Storr’s struggles mirrored larger team-wide inefficiencies. The Jayhawks shot a dismal 38.8% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc, with a starting lineup that couldn’t find its rhythm against a West Virginia team missing key players.
But Kansas’ troubles didn’t end with Storr’s inefficacy. The cracks in their foundation ran deeper, exposing a team grappling with mismatched pieces and vulnerabilities that opponents like West Virginia have been quick to exploit.
Defensive collapse: Bill Self’s Jayhawk crumbles under pressure as Big 12 race heats up
Compounding Kansas’ woes was the uncharacteristic collapse of their defensive structure. “Let’s face it. They’re just not right,” Goodman observed. “When you have KJ Adams, DeJuan Harris, and Hunter Dickinson all on the floor together…they’re just not. DeJuan Harris is not a shooter. KJ Adams is not a shooter. Hunter Dickinson, for a stretch there, made a bunch of threes, but he’s not a shooter. And defensively, Hunter puts you in a tough spot. You can take advantage of him. That’s what West Virginia did here.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/USATSI_24802485.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Imago
Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self yells out to players during the first half of the game against North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks inside Allen Fieldhouse Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024.
Kansas missed 15 of their first 19 shots, digging themselves into a deep 18-point deficit. Despite Zeke Mayo’s heroic 27-point effort, including a perfect 13-for-13 from the free-throw line, the Jayhawks couldn’t overcome their early struggles. West Virginia’s Javon Small, who scored the go-ahead free throw with 1.8 seconds remaining, outmaneuvered Kansas down the stretch. Small’s decisive play symbolized what Kansas lacked: composure and execution in crunch time.
The Jayhawks’ ranking at seventh in the Week 9 AP Top 25 poll underscores their talent and potential, but cracks in the armor are evident. Hunter Dickinson’s 12 rebounds and Mayo’s offensive brilliance were overshadowed by turnovers and a lack of cohesion. The loss also marked Kansas’ first conference-opening defeat since 1991—a historic blemish on their record.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
As the Big 12 race intensifies, Bill Self’s ability to recalibrate will be critical. Goodman summed up the stakes succinctly: “The pieces are never going to fit perfectly. But for Kansas to make a legitimate Final Four run, they need answers, and fast.” If the Jayhawks want to avoid an early exit in March, their puzzle must come together—and soon
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
Challenge Your Sports Knowledge!
Solve the puzzle and prove your knowledge of iconic players, terms, and moments.
Debate
Has Bill Self lost his magic touch, or can he still lead Kansas to glory?
What’s your perspective on:
Has Bill Self lost his magic touch, or can he still lead Kansas to glory?
Have an interesting take?