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Kansas basketball: 3 positives, 3 negatives from Jayhawks scrimmage loss to Illinois

By Joshua Schulman

Oct 18, Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas head coach Bill Self answers questions at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tipoff at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Kylie Graham-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas head coach Bill Self answers questions at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tipoff at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Kylie Graham-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kansas basketball exhibited a handful of both good and bad signs during Saturday’s scrimmage vs. Illinois. These are the positive and negative aspects of the Jayhawks’ play that we gathered from the loss.

The No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks fell 82-75 to No. 75 in a charity exhibition that was played to raise money for the Lahaina wildfires this August. Bill Self’s long-awaited return to Champaign — the city he coached in for three seasons — did not disappoint Illini fans, for they were able to get the last laugh.

Considering Kansas basketball brought in the most sought-after player in the transfer portal and returned three starters from last year’s squad, expectations are rightfully astronomical for the 2023-24 season. However, their first showing since the Puerto Rico trip this summer vastly disappointed Jayhawk fans.

It isn’t time to hit the panic button yet, but we did learn some things about the team and how they play together. As a result, we put together a list of three positives and negatives to take away from the scrimmage.

Kansas freshman guard Elmarko Jackson (13) is interviewed during media day inside Allen Fieldhouse Wednesday.
Kansas freshman guard Elmarko Jackson (13) is interviewed during media day inside Allen Fieldhouse Wednesday. /

Kansas Basketball Positive No. 1: The offense looked fluid when it pushed the pace

Kansas was expected to have some tremendous athleticism heading into the season, and it *mostly* lived up to the potential. Dajuan Harris looked like his usual self in transition, and Elmarko Jackson’s first points came on a fastbreak. The Jayhawks were far more effective when putting the pedal to the medal rather than in their half-court offense.

Assuming Jackson keeps his job in the starting rotation, Kansas basketball should have at least three ball handlers on the court at all times. They will be responsible for driving downhill when they have numbers and getting KJ Adams involved with quick alley-oops.

Even when plays were drawn up, the offense looked stagnant and the spacing was clumpy. When KU has games like Sunday where Dickinson can’t get it going offensively, the Jayhawks will need to capitalize off long rebounds and make accurate outlet passes for quick buckets.

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