Kansas basketball could not overcome two NBA players and the Bahamian National Team as they fell in the finale of the Puerto Rico trip.
The 35-game win streak in exhibition matches for the Kansas Jayhawks ended this afternoon. Squaring off against the best native players of the Bahamas and Buddy Hield and Eric Gordon, Bill Self’s group lost 87-81 in a game that went down to the wire.
It was not the prettiest showing from the Jayhawks, but that can be expected when you are facing professionals three months prior to the start of the regular season. Turnovers, missed free throws, and timely baskets by the Bahamas led to KU’s eventual downfall.
Kansas looked to be in mid-season form with its free throw shooting, hitting just 60.9% (14-of-23) of their shots from the charity stripe. Free throws have always been a problem for Bill Self-led teams, and after shooting 56% across the past two games, it seems as though it’ll be an issue again.
After scoring just four points across the first two exhibitions on 1-of-12 shooting, Dajuan Harris came alive today. The senior point guard scored 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including three triples. His defensive prowess also was evident, as he recorded five steals and stripped players several times.
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Kevin McCullar scored 19 points and assisted seven baskets, while Hunter Dickinson totaled 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds. KJ Adams struggled after initially posting two strong performances, taking only two shots in 32 minutes played. Game one hero Arterio Morris sat out due to a bone bruise, an injury Coach Self does not believe is serious.
Hield and Gordon scored a combined 31 points in the three quarters they played. The Jayhawks kept it tight the entire way but ultimately did not prevail.
Phoenix Suns star Deandre Ayton was expected to appear but sat on the sidelines cheering his squad on. He did not play in either contest, including KU’s 92-87 win on Saturday. Kansas also defeated the Puerto Rico Select Team on Wednesday in the trip’s opener.
There will be plenty of lessons to learn from the Kansas basketball trip to Puerto Rico. To have the privilege of competing against NBA talent multiple months before the season starts will bode well for the KU Jayhawks as the year progresses.
The team will head back home tomorrow.
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