Kansas basketball: Defense is still the backbone of Jayhawks
Similar to last season, Kansas basketball will rely heavily on its defense rather than offense to win games.
Without NABC Defensive Player of the Year Udoka Azubuike, there was a question of whether or not this Kansas basketball team would still be elite defensively, but that question has been answered. The Jayhawks are still elite defensively, led by Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Garrett.
While the Jayhawks may not be as good as they were last year defensively, Kansas is still a top 10 team in the country when it comes to defensive efficiency according to KenPom. The Jayhawks are currently giving up 66 points per game, but if you throw out their season-opening loss to No. 1 Gonzaga, that number drops to 61.
Against every team in the Big 12 with the exception of Baylor, the Jayhawks should be able hold their opponents to a relatively low score. If Kansas can figure out how to increase their output on offense, this team could be really special. The pieces are there, Ochai Agbaji has been shooting better, and Jalen Wilson is becoming a star.
The Jayhawks do need more offensive production from Marcus Garret, who only shot 30 percent from the field against Texas Tech. David McCormack has also struggled so far this season, and getting him going would go a long way in helping this team on the offensive end.
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For the time being though, this team is going to keep winning ugly games where baskets are hard to come by for both teams. They’ll be taking on No. 8 West Virginia next, and it will likely be another defensive battle similar to the Jayhawks’ game against Texas Tech. It will be in Allen Fieldhouse though, so Kansas will have some homecourt advantage.