Bill Self’s accomplishments at the University of Kansas speak for themselves. He’s the greatest head coach in the history of Kansas basketball – and that is saying a lot, considering the other eight men who held the post before him.
It’s hard to question the most accomplished coach in KU history who has done so much for this program, but it’s time we start.
Self’s mismanagement of this year’s roster continues to plague KU’s chances of success.
Bad news Bears
An example of that was on full display in an embarrassing, inexcusable loss to a short-handed, unranked Baylor team in Waco on Saturday. Despite being up 21 points in the first half on the Bears, KU lost to Baylor 81-70 in what was the biggest blown lead in program history.
The Jayhawks looked completely dominant in the first 20 minutes of the game. They were knocking down shots, they were getting stop after stop on the defensive end, and things were flowing with the starting lineup that included Dajuan Harris Jr., Shakeel Moore, Zeke Mayo, Flory Bidunga, and Hunter Dickinson.
Alabama transfer Rylan Griffen was also spectacular off the bench in the first half, scoring 9 points and adding 2 assists in a little more than 12 minutes of action.
However, in the second half of the game, Self opted to give the majority of Bidunga’s minutes back to senior forward KJ Adams Jr. – and that is where a lot of KU’s issues have stemmed from this season.
Adams finished the game with 6 points (on 2-of-5 shooting), 6 rebounds, and 4 turnovers in 31 minutes of playing time as the Jayhawks allowed the Bears to score 60 points in the second half.
Self’s apparent reasoning for playing Adams as much as he does is largely due to defense and energy – yet in the second half against Baylor, Adams played almost 16 minutes and was part of the reason why Baylor dropped those 60 points.
Stading at 6-foot-7, Adams often isn’t able to shut down another team’s taller power forward or center, and he doesn’t have the quickness to defend another team’s wing or guard.
Offensively, Adams has only scored in double digits three times since the month of December and only six times all season (averaging 8.4 points per game). He’s also averaging less than five rebounds (4.6) per game.
Meanwhile, Bidunga is averaging 7.2 points and 6 rebounds in just an average of 15 minutes per game, compared to Adams’ 28.4-minute average. In Adams’ absence with a shoulder injury this past month, Bidunga averaged 13 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3 blocks in those three games – showcasing how he’s also this team’s best interior defender.
In other words: Barring fouls or injuries, Bidunga should never be getting 16 less minutes of playing time than Adams like he did against Baylor.
Time for a change
It’s no secret that Self has an affinity for his seniors that have spent the majority (if not all) of their college careers at KU. It’s been that way for years. And in this day and age of college basketball, a player spending all four years at one school can be an admirable thing.
However, that admiration Self has for his upperclassmen should not supersede playing the players that give this team the best chance to win – and that is exactly what’s happening.
KJ Adams has been an incredible representative of KU on and off the court during his four years, and he absolutely has value to this team. But he cannot continue to garner the number of minutes he’s been getting if this team hopes to reach their fullest potential.
Adams is being asked to play the role of a starter, when he really should be asked to play the role of a contributor.
After Saturday’s game, Self said: “We’ve got to be better. I’ve got to be better.”
Getting better only happens if people are willing to make a change. If Self is willing to make this change, it may just help save KU’s season.