There is a renewed emphasis on Kansas’ defense this season. Last season, the Jayhawks’ 69.6 points per game given up marked the nation’s 81st-best and the 7th-best in the Big 12. Not a terrible mark on either front, but likely not enough to sustain postseason success as the Jayhawks were quickly swept away by the Arkansas Razorbacks in the first round of the NCAA Tournament with a 79-72 loss.
While there can never be much stock in an exhibition matchup, especially if said exhibition is against Division-II Fort Hays State. Yet Kansas handled business well and allowed only 35 points in what was a resounding 71-35 win. The second on the bounce for Kansas as the Jayhawks also beat Louisville relatively soundly in a 90-82 win last Friday.
Yet as ever, Kansas head coach Bill Self was quick to point out his squad’s defensive frailties despite a 36-point win over the Tigers.
“I thought our free-throw defense was superb. They were 2-10. They missed shots they could have easily made. We screwed up on a lot of switches and stuff like that. So I don't think it was awful by any stretch, but I don't think we did anything spectacular defensively.”
Over the two exhibitions, the Jayhawks allowed an astounding 29.75% field goal rate, although obviously, it must be taken into account that neither of these matchups will count towards any official stat count.
The competition will quickly stiffen as Kansas opens up the season against Green Bay next Monday before heading to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to take on the UNC Tar Heels. Kansas’ early-season stretch includes Duke in the State Farm Champions Classic, UConn, Syracuse, and NC State.
Kansas opens up this season against the Horizon League this Monday at 7 p.m. CT with streaming available on ESPN+.
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