The No. 4 Kansas Jayhawks almost saw a monumental collapse in their 68-60 first-round win over the No. 13 Cal Baptist Lancers. At one point, Kansas led by as many as 26 points, but an inspired performance from guards Dominique Daniels Jr. and Martel Williams dropped the lead to just six points with just 1:20 to play.
While Kansas ultimately persevered, there was nail-biting to the greatest extent as the Jayhawks’ offense managed just a 40.0% mark from the field, in comparison to the 50% that the Lancers put up.
However, the most important thing is that the Jayhawks found a way to advance and move onto the round of 32, where they are set to take on the No. 5 St. John’s Red Storm in what will be a thrilling matchup between two of the game's best-ever coaches to do it.
ESPN points to a strong Flory Bidunga performance as the best route to KU success
Jeff Borzello of ESPN pointed to sophomore forward Flory Bidunga as the key to a first Sweet 16 bid since 2021/22, but not in the way Bidunga has been pointed to all season long as a defender, but rather his offensive skillset, which has seen varying rates of success.
“In Kansas' wins, Bidunga averages 15.1 points and shoots better than 70% from the field. In losses, he averages 9.9 points and shoots 50.6% from the field.”
Everyone knows that Bidunga is elite defensively and will only truly have problems when there is more than one big man to go up against. Everyone will also tell you that former Kansas transfer Zuby Ejiofor will give the sophomore all that he can handle on the defensive end. Yet if Bidunga can get himself assertive down low and get Ejiofor into early foul trouble, then the complexion of the game may be dependent on that alone.
Bidunga has never been the guy who will win the game on his own and finish with 20+ points. As a matter of fact, in just one of Bidunga’s five 20+ point games, he has done it against ranked opposition – 82-78 win over No. 1 Arizona – but outside of Peterson, Kansas has really struggled to find a consistent scoring outlet.
Council has gone 6/25 from the field over the last three games, and White has notched an 8/27 mark, which has played a pivotal role in why the Jayhawks haven’t reached 70 points in two of those three games.
Bidunga has always been the most efficient player this season for KU. His field goal rate currently sits at 63.9%. But for the chance at picking up some of the slack for his ailing teammates, Bidunga may have to be willing to risk his field goal percentage to push Bill Self through to another Sweet 16.
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