If you are a Kansas basketball fan, you might have tried to talk yourself into a way that Bill Self's group could make a run this season. Today, reality set in when the Jayhawks suffered a 21-point loss to Gonzaga in the Round of 32.
In a battle of Hall of Fame head coaches, the Zags took advantage of KU's poor pick-and-roll defense and shot a tremendous 60.3% from the floor. Despite leading after the first half, Hunter Dickinson and the rest of the team ran out of gas, once surrendering a 37-6 run to Gonzaga after leading a couple of minutes into the second half.
The loss effectively ends one of the worst Kansas basketball seasons during Bill Self's tenure. KU was selected as a No. 4 seed in the tournament, tied for the worst mark since 2000, and lost in the second round of the tournament for the fourth time in the past five tries.
Dickinson led the team with 15 points but shot just 6-for-15 from the field. Dajuan Harris had a 10-point, 11-assist double-double but could not do enough to lead KU to the promised land. The team's defense as a whole was an embarrassment, and Coach Self made very few adjustments to the Bulldogs' high-tempo offense.
The Jayhawks entered the 2023-24 season as title favorites, but the season quickly unwound after losing transfer guard Arterio Morris before the year began and Kevin McCullar in the NCAA Tournament due to a knee injury.
Next year's roster will look much different with McCullar and Nick Timberlake graduating. Junior forward KJ Adams said he was unsure whether he would return to the Jayhawks for a senior season. Dickinson and Johnny Furphy have a decision to go to the NBA or stick around one more year.
In the era of the transfer portal and NIL, time will tell who the Jayhawks' add to the roster. But for a second consecutive season, the season ends on a sour note.
Final.
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) March 23, 2024
GU 89, KU 68.