Kansas’ offensive issues have been well-publicized throughout the season. As of writing, the Jayhawks hold just the 152nd-best scoring offense in the country at just 75.6 points per game, and an offensive efficiency rating of 118.4 that ranks 57th in the nation, further emphasizing the need for an offensive production spike.
There are several ways this can come about. For one, the Jayhawks must find a more reliable second option when guard Darryn Peterson finds himself smothered on the court.
Other teams take a more risky three-point outlook, which provides the highest ceiling and lowest floor. If shots find the bottom of the net, great; if not, then games can quickly fall out of reach.
Then comes using the bench. This has been a hot topic around Lawrence over the season, as KU sparingly relies on its bench pieces. For example, in Kansas’ 70-60 loss to Arizona State earlier this season, the Jayhawks found just five points off the bench. However, it is worth noting, of course, that there is a drop-off across every team’s bench and starting five that must be accounted for.
Bill Self looks for new route to Kansas success
While there were no obvious bright spots in KU’s 69-47 loss to the No. 2 Houston Cougars in Friday’s Big 12 semifinal clash, there was a glimmer of hope in freshman Kohl Rosario’s play.
Rosario came off the bench and provided eight points in 11 minutes with an additional four rebounds and one assist.
“Well, you know, he hasn't made a lot of shots, but he did make a couple tonight, which was great to see,” quoted head coach Bill Self postgame.
Rosario started the season for the Jayhawks as a regular starter, having registered 20+ minutes in six of Kansas’ first seven games, playing consistently well. However, as Big 12 play began to take shape, Rosario struggled to get into games and solidified himself as a role player.
“You know, we made seven threes tonight, but we really didn't make seven. We really made four. up until the under-4 timeout. Last night we made four. So us shooting the ball, and having, whether it be him or Mari [McDowell] or whatever, that's a bonus. Having those guys see the ball go down because we definitely need that.”
Rosario and McDowell combined for 14 points off the bench with a 4/7 mark from beyond the arc, and were Kansas’ two leading scorers after Peterson, with eight and six points respectively.
Increasing three-pointers would be a seismic shift
Kansas attempts just 21 three-pointers per game, a mark that sits 245th in the country. To add to that low number, Self’s quad hits only 35% of said threes, which ranks 125th.
When you comb through the KU roster, it doesn’t take long before you run out of consistent sharpshooters. Tre White leads the team at a 42.1% clip, and Peterson’s 38.4% is second; after that is Elmarko Jackson at 37.2%. Following those, the stats take an unfavorable dip. Rosario and McDowell average out to a 29.35% rate between the two, meaning a sudden, unseen slump must come to an end for the pair to provide much value from outside.
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