The Kansas basketball team wrapped up its brief preseason schedule with an exhibition game against Fort Hays State. The Jayhawks handled the Tigers easily, winning 71-35.
The biggest news of the night is that Darryn Peterson sat out the game due to cramp issues. It allowed the rest of the team to play without its star and to gain valuable experience, even if against an outmatched opponent.
Self used a lot of different lineups, and everyone on the roster saw minutes. It will be interesting to see how the rotation shakes out, but there is one thing for sure: this KU team is deeper and more athletic than any Self has put together in recent seasons.
It can be difficult to evaluate players in exhibition games because the coaching staff is working on specific things. This team has a lot of potential, but a few minor concerns could cause problems when Kansas gets into the meat of its brutal schedule.
2 areas where Kansas basketball needs to improve going forward
No. 1 - Ball handling
After Peterson, no one appears to be a great ball handler. Several players can dribble and handle the ball to some extent, but it remains to be seen if they can withstand intense pressure from a defense.
Melvin Council Jr. is the best after Peterson, but he doesn’t play like a true point guard. An outstanding defender may cause him problems. Elmarko Jackson, Jayden Dawson, Kohl Rosario, and even Tre White look comfortable pushing the ball upcourt in fast-break situations, but it’s unclear how they will perform under pressure.
No. 2 - Offensive physicality on the interior
Flory Bidunga has improved his ball-handling skills, which allows him to drive to the basket with more confidence than last year, but he hasn’t been able to finish those drives. He hasn’t gotten to the rim effectively yet. Hopefully, this will improve as the season progresses.
Against Fort Hays State, KU tried to post up all the big men at one point or another, but none of them had much success. Tre White looked the most comfortable, but he wasn’t very effective. Bryson Tiller and Paul Mbiya are both still unpolished and uncomfortable in that post-up position, but again, they will improve with work. Both have other skills that will help this team immediately.
Both of the freshmen will be difficult matchups for opponents, and even more so when they learn a few more inside offensive skills.
1 area that looks to be a strength for Kansas basketball
Defensive depth and talent
The most exciting thing this team has going for it, outside of Peterson, is its defensive depth. Several players are excellent defenders, and it will be a surprise if this isn’t Self’s best defensive team in a long time.
During the Fort Hays State game, KU had a stretch early in the second half where they didn’t play very good defense. Self substituted several players, and the defense quickly locked back down. It was great to watch the team respond so quickly and effectively.
KU has excellent perimeter defenders, including Council, Jackson, Peterson, and White. The Jayhawks also have length to defend in the paint, with Bidunga, Tiller, and Mybiya. Self loves to be strong defensively at all levels, so he has to be happy with how this team looks on that end of the floor. This will be an exciting team to watch defensively, and it will lead to some fun offense too!
Overall, there are far more positives than negatives, and most of the latter are just minor concerns this early in the season. This Kansas basketball team is going to get better, and it will be fun to watch.