The No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks are minutes off of what was one of the most disappointing performances of the season in an 84-68 loss to the unranked Cincinnati Bearcats Saturday afternoon, which saw the Jayhawks give up 48 second-half points.
“It wasn't bad energy, but I don't think that we were as enthusiastic,” quoted head coach Bill Self following a game where Kansas was pushed around on the glass, finishing with a -11 rebound margin as the Bearcats chewed 40 boards.
At the end of the first half, despite being down 36-34, the game felt as if the Bearcats were playing at a level that was unrepeatable in the second period after having hit a strong 45.5% of their shots with big men Baba Miller and Moustapha Thiam combining for 23 points in the first 20 minutes.
From bad to worse
While many felt eventually the Jayhawks would be able to stamp their authority inside a building which has only seen Kansas lose once this season — 61-56 to UConn — the Bearcats managed to level up their game while playing at an intensity that was unmatched by Self’s squad.
“But certainly, I could feel it, too. I could feel that. It was a lot like the Utah game, to be honest with you.”
In the second half, Wes Miller’s team hit an astounding 51.6% of their shots, which included seven threes and an efficient 10 assists, which consistently swayed the momentum in favor of Cincinnati anytime Kansas was looking to grasp control.
Four Cincy players finished with double digits, including guard Day Day Thomas, who notched 10 points, guard Jalen Celestine, who marked 14 points, the playmaking Miller, who provided 18, and Thiam secured a career-high 28.
While the Bearcats were finding open shots with ease, Kansas struggled to string together any bits of positive play, having shot a 41.9% field goal rate and a paltry 1-11 from beyond the arc in the last 20 minutes.
Little time to recover ahead of monster game
Now Kansas must shift its mindset onto an incoming No. 2 Houston Cougar side, which allows the nation’s fewest points — 61.6 — and is led by elite freshman guard Kingston Flemings. Flemings averages nearly 17 points and a smooth 5.3 assists per game.
Tipoff against Kelvin Sampson’s side is set for 8 p.m. CT on Monday.
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