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Kansas basketball: Big 12 champs did not need a win in Stillwater

By Stan Unruh

LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 14: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts from the bench during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Allen Fieldhouse on January 14, 2017 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 14: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts from the bench during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Allen Fieldhouse on January 14, 2017 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Kansas basketball had nothing to prove Saturday in Stillwater. Oklahoma State completed a season sweep with an 82-64 win over the Big 12 champs.

The Kansas basketball team showed fans and the rest of the Big 12 what they are made of in Lubbock a week ago. The Big 12 champs who made history in west Texas just needed to finish the regular schedule Saturday in Stillwater. The question was whether Bill Self’s guys win the conference by 2 or 3 games. When the Jayhawks committed three early turnovers you could sense the Jayhawks might not be mentally ready to get revenge over the February loss to the Cowboys.

The ‘Pokes are desperate for ways to enhance their resume to earn a trip to the NCAA tournament. They also wanted to win on senior night.  I don’t think either coach or many Jayhawk fans care that Oklahoma State is now the only team to complete a season sweep of Bill Self in hit time KU.  I’m sure the Hall of Fame coach doesn’t care. However, the fans in Stillwater will bring it up next season or at Sprint Center this week.

As a matter of fact, the Jayhawks had their worst scoring game of the season Saturday. They only scored 65 in that December loss to Washington. We have since learned the Huskies were good enough to win 20 games and finish tied with UCLA at 4th place in the Pac-12 Conference.

Despite Saturday’s outcome, Big 12 Player of the year candidate Devonte Graham led the Jayhawks with 15 points and eight assists. Just before the game, Graham learned he made the short list of finalists for the Wooden Most Outstanding Player Award. The senior with the million-dollar smile did everything he could Saturday. It wasn’t enough to overcome the desperate Cowboys.

Next: Devonte Graham makes more history

Other than Graham, there were highlights. Marcus Garrett continues to hustle and make plays. He finished with 7 points and 5 rebounds. His confidence is building for March. Junior Lagerald Vick played with more energy and scored 8 points while making his way to 5 rebounds. Silvio De Sousa worked hard in his 13 minutes of action. The freshman scored 7 points and had 3 rebounds. The experience will have an impact during March Madness.

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