After the shocking loss to Houston on Saturday, Kansas basketball needed a game to get right. They didn’t exactly get that, but still got the home win against UCF.
It was close throughout, but a couple of late free throws iced the game for Kansas to avoid back-to-back home losses. Kansas played the game without Dajuan Harris, who was out with a tweaked ankle. It was the first time in nearly five years that Dajuan hasn’t been able to suit up. Kansas did return KJ Adams, who had missed the previous three games with an injury himself.
Keyshawn Hall was dominant for UCF scoring 34 points in 39 minutes, shooting 5-7 from deep and 11-11 from the line. Darius Johnson added 19 points for the Knights. For Kansas basketball, Hunter Dickinson and Zeke Mayo led the way in the scoring department, with 24 apiece. Flory Bidunga added 11 rebounds and five blocks.
A lot to reflect on for Kansas, who have a big road matchup against Baylor awaiting them. Read below for three takeaways from today’s game.
Takeaway #1: KJ Adams’ energy was the difference maker in the second half
It was a bit of a surprise that KJ Adams played today, as many were expecting him to return for the Baylor game. Self said he would play a limited role, and we must have different definitions of limited because he played 26 minutes in the game for the Jayhawks. In the first half, he definitely didn’t look in game shape, missing some shifts on defense and not contributing much on offense.
It was a different story in the second half. KJ Adams made several big plays, and most importantly his energy woke up the team and the crowd and allowed them to battle back after being down eight early in the second half. Up one with 36 seconds to go, KJ Adams missed a jumper but hustled back on defense to get the steal and knocked down two free throws to put them up three, enough to win them the game.
It wasn’t a perfect game by any means, but Kansas wouldn’t win that game without him out there. The Jayhawks need someone to bring energy so other players can feed off of it, and Adams reminded fans how capable he is of that. It’ll be very interesting to see how his minutes are divided moving forward. Flory Bidunga has been terrific, and Hunter is the star.
Takeaway #2: Kansas desperately misses Dajuan Harris’ playmaking
It is hard to picture a Kansas team without Dajuan Harris playing, but that was the case tonight, and in the first half it was very apparent. They didn’t have a true playmaker, and it led to some bad shots and turnovers, and from there UCF was able to capitalize and lead for most of the first half. Bill made some adjustments in the second half and made Diggy Coit the ball handler, and things were better, but he was certainly missed.
There were definitely things Kansas was able to do on the offensive end with some lineups that they can’t typically, but against Baylor and Iowa State, two veteran, and well-coached teams, they really hope to have him back.
Takeaway #3: AJ Storr sees less and less minutes
It’s no secret how bad AJ Storr has been for Kansas this year. For whatever reason, it hasn’t clicked, and as we get later and later into the season, the team has to make a decision on him. It seems like that decision was made today, as AJ Storr played just 7 minutes in the game, including zero in the second half. He finished with 5 points but went 0-3 from the field, and turned the ball over twice.
Not only did he not play a lot, but he was the last guy off the bench for the Jayhawks. Even Rakease Passmore, who is typically a DNP got in before him. It’ll be interesting to see if Bill Self and the coaches have decided to pull the plug on the Storr experiment, or if they will keep trying and hope something clicks. If today indicates anything, it’s the former.
Up next for Kansas basketball (15-5, 6-3): at Baylor (13-6, 4-4) – Feb. 1 at 4 p.m. EST
Up next for UCF basketball (16-3, 8-0): vs. BYU (13-7, 4-5) – Feb. 1 at 4 p.m. EST