After a big win over NC State on Saturday, the Jayhawks now sit at 10–3 on the season with two home games remaining before conference play. The first is tonight against Towson, and the other is December 22 vs. Davidson. KU should be 12–3 heading into conference play, which would be a strong position considering the circumstances.
As Kansas enters the Big 12 schedule, the challenge intensifies, and KU’s big men will need to step up against some of the nation’s best frontcourts.
Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller each have bright futures and have both shown why they are starting for this team. So far, Bidunga is averaging 14.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game in his sophomore season, while Tiller is averaging 8.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks as a freshman.
These are impressive numbers given their youth; however, they have struggled to find true consistency during the most recent stretch of games. For example, Tiller began the season shooting 7-for-11 from three-point range but has not made one since November 15 against Princeton.
With Darryn Peterson missing significant time due to injury complications, the frontcourt has had more opportunities to showcase its skills. While both have stepped up in big moments, that production has not been consistent.
Bidunga and Tiller have each scored in double figures in only four of the team’s thirteen games. Three of those four came against high-major opponents (Notre Dame, Syracuse, and Missouri), games in which Kansas looked as strong as it has all season.
Defensively, KU’s big men have been outstanding, averaging nearly four blocks per game. However, they will need to ramp up their intensity to contain the nation’s top teams.
It has become clear that the Jayhawks are at their best when the frontcourt operates consistently, and they will need more of that as the season progresses.
Outside the bigs, players like Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White have stepped up and taken matters into their own hands when the frontcourt struggled. Moments like these will happen again, but Kansas must find a way to get its highly talented frontcourt firing if it wants to compete for a national title.
Over the next two games against mid-major opponents, Bill Self must find a way to keep the frontcourt engaged and active, ensuring they’re ready for Big 12 play.
Self must also find opportunities to involve players who haven’t seen much playing time this year. While Paul Mbiya and Samis Calderon aren’t ready for major roles yet, they need more repetitions in case they’re called on in the frontcourt at some point this season.
Though undersized, senior guard Gee Ngala is a capable shooter who deserves extended minutes in these games. You never know when a player might emerge as a key contributor heading into the heart of the season.
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