Kansas Jayhawks defense dominant in past 3 Big 12 games. Here’s a look at some numbers
There has been a common denominator in Kansas’ modest three-game men’s basketball winning streak.
“Defensively, the way we’ve played the last three games is encouraging,” 22nd-year KU coach Bill Self said after the Jayhawks’ 54-40 victory over Cincinnati on Saturday afternoon at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.
While the offense has been somewhat inconsistent, KU’s ‘D’ has been responsible for keeping the Jayhawks unbeaten since a 62-61 loss to West Virginia on New Year’s Eve in Allen Fieldhouse in the league opener for both teams.
Here are some numbers to ponder as KU (12-3, 3-1) prepares for Wednesday’s 6 p.m. game at Iowa State (14-1, 4-0).
• On Saturday, KU surrendered just 15 points in the second half versus the Bearcats, who hit 6 of 28 shots — 2 of 13 3-pointers — the final 20 minutes. That suffocating defensive effort helped the Jayhawks erase a 25-24 halftime deficit and win by double digits. The Bearcats were outscored 16-3 the final 6 1/2 minutes.
• In the middle game of KU’s three-game win streak, the Jayhawks held Arizona State to 13 points in the final half of a 74-55 victory on Jan. 8 at Allen Fieldhouse. Arizona State hit 5 of 23 shots the second half and went 1-of-11 from 3 as KU erased a six-point halftime deficit.
• In the game that followed the West Virginia loss, KU held UCF to just 48 points on its own home court in a 99-48 Jayhawk victory. UCF went 7-of-34 shooting in each half. The Knights were 2-of-14 from 3 the final 20 minutes.
In summary, KU has held three Big 12 opponents to 40, 55 and 48 points after allowing 62 versus West Virginia.
“It’s our identity. That’s it right there. It’s our identity,” said senior guard Shakeel Moore, who has started the last three games, said of playing in-your-face defense.
“If we can continue to play like that every game, I think we’ll win them all,” Moore added optimistically.
It may be no coincidence the Jayhawks have excelled on defense as Moore’s minutes have increased.
Moore played 27 minutes versus Cincinnati, 21 against Arizona State and 20 against UCF. He played just two minutes in the loss to WVU as he continued to be worked into the rotation after experiencing a sore foot the early portion of the season.
“In the first half they got to where they wanted to be offensive-wise,” Moore said of the Bearcats. “We knew we needed to lock down and execute on defense the second half, to use our quickness. We have veteran guards who can get where they want to go.”
Moore was thankful the refs elected to let the players play.
KU hit 4 of 5 free throws to Cincy’s 1 of 2. Both teams committed six fouls total.
“I’ve never been in an away game or home game where they call four or five fouls on both sides. It was a nitty-gritty game. They were letting us be nitty-gritty for sure,” Moore said. “I kind of like to play like that. That means you can be as aggressive as you want to be.
“The tougher team wins. If we stick to our identity, lock in and have team stops we come out on top.”
Of course, in terms of the big picture, KU will likely have to improve on offense if it hopes to remain in contention for the league regular-season title.
“I think we played terrible offensively and also missed open shots,” said Moore who scored eight points on 4-of-9 shooting. Just two players scored in double figures. KU senior center Hunter Dickinson had 14 points on 7-of-16 shooting (0-of-3 from 3) while Cincy forward Dillon Mitchell totaled 10 points on 5-of-8 marksmanship (0-for-2 from 3).
“It was a hard grind,” Moore said. “Credit to them. They are a great defensive team. They play kind of similar to West Virginia. We know preparing for the game it’d be tough.”
Cincinnati coach Wes Miller bemoaned the fact that “there’s a lid on it (basket) for us right now. We’re not making shots and we’re not converting. It’ll come off. We’ll find our offensive rhythm again. We’ll find our swagger again offensively.”
Noted the Bearcats’ Mitchell after the team fell to 0-4 in the league: “We know the shots are going to start to fall and when they do everything’s going to open up for us. We just have to continue to lock in, stay focused on the details and stay together. That is the biggest thing. It’s all about the 15 other guys in that locker room and all the coaches. That’s all that matters. There’s a lot of basketball left. We just have to keep fighting and we will respond.”
KU will meet Iowa State next at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Ames. Cincinnati is set to square off against Colorado on Wednesday in Boulder, Colo.
