Kansas basketball: A lot of work left to do
By Stan Unruh
Kansas basketball is alone again on top of the Big 12 Conference. The Jayhawks must stay focused as they travel to west Texas.
We all know Kansas basketball fans who doubted this year’s team. The losses to Arizona State and another setback to Texas Tech at the fieldhouse were tough. As a matter of fact, this group of Jayhawks looked at times like they could outscore anyone. Other times, they played with no energy and looked overwhelmed.
Many Jayhawk fans believed getting Billy Preston in the lineup would turn things around. Maybe Sam Cunliffe would have a big impact. When Silvio De Sousa arrived just after Christmas, we knew this team had the front court necessary to win a conference title and more.
Hall of Fame coach Bill Self kept the team focused when Preston abruptly left for pro ball just before the Baylor game. The team kept winning but lost a game they could and should have won in Norman. How could this team continue to win with a thin bench, De Sousa struggling, Devonte Graham playing 40 minutes a night and Udoka Azubuike missing free throws?
The loss to Oklahoma State at the fieldhouse put fans in a panic. Those who never doubt, started to ask questions. The setback to the Bears at Baylor ruined another weekend for a lot of Jayhawk fans. Self and the coaching staff kept a positive attitude and continued to work with Dok on free throws.
The Jayhawks can’t win every year.
Maybe this was the end of the ride. There would be no more Big 12 title T-shirts. This team simply didn’t have the energy to get the job done. Fans played out all of the possible scenarios that might allow the team to win. It looked bleak. The losses to the Oklahoma schools would ruin the run to 14-straight. Texas Tech was too good.
Most long-time Jayhawk fans have seen Bill Self coach through impossible situations many times. The pieces usually fall into place. Good things you never expected happen to save the day. Remember when you walked out of the room at the end of the 2008 National Championship game? Remember in the winter of 2013 when the Jayhawks lost three straight Big 12 games and your friends gave up on them? That team made a trip to the Sweet 16.
A lot of work left to do
Next: Let visiting teams worry about the refs at Allen Fieldhouse
Nobody expected the Jayhawks would run Bob Huggins out of the gym last Saturday with Dok shooting 70 percent from the free throw line. We didn’t anticipate a 30-point victory over Oklahoma on Monday with De Sousa scoring 10 points. Who expected Texas Tech to lose their last two games? (Thank you Baylor and Oklahoma State)
The Jayhawks have a lot of work to do in Lubbock Saturday. Coach Self will have the team focused for whoever is in the Red Raider lineup. We need to continue to believe in this team. The next couple of weeks will be a lot of fun.