Three home losses? Kansas falls (again) at Allen Fieldhouse: Takeaways vs. Texas Tech
There were 20 seconds remaining in the game between unranked Kansas and No. 10 Texas Tech when a fan — apparently protesting a call — launched a water bottle onto James Naismith Court at Allen Fieldhouse.
The Jayhawks were issued a warning from the officials, but the throw represented something much deeper regarding the team’s situation.
An underlying frustration.
Trailing by as many as 14 on Saturday, the Jayhawks stormed back and tied the score late, and had a chance to win. Instead, the Jayhawks crumbled under pressure, taking bad shots and throwing the ball away in the 78-73 loss.
The Jayhawks (19-10, 10-8 Big 12) have lost three home games in Big 12 play this season.
Jayhawks forward KJ Adams led the comeback effort with 21 points and 13 rebounds for the game. Hunter Dickinson added 18 points for Kansas.
The game was chaotic.
The Jayhawks led for most of the game’s first five minutes, but found themselves behind by 11 at half. The deficit grew as large as 14 early in the second half. But Kansas responded and tied the score at multiple and even briefly took the lead.
But Texas Tech pulled ahead by three with 1 minute, 27 seconds left in the game.
From that time on, KU struggled. The Jayhawks missed three shots and had a turnover in the final 90 seconds.
That included an air-balled 3-point attempt by Zeke Mayo after the Jayhawks had forced a Texas Tech turnover on an inbounds pass with 19 seconds left.
A possession earlier, the Jayhawks again had possession down three, but Dajuan Harris threw the ball away.
Up next: KU travels to play Houston for a game on Monday night. It’s KU’s last road game of the season.
Until then, here are four takeaways from KU’s loss on Saturday afternoon
Jayhawks’ perimeter defense was bad
During their two-game winning streak coming in to Saturday’s game, the Jayhawks limited opponents to 26.5% shooting on 3-pointers.
Although the competition wasn’t the best, KU defended shooters well and ensured they didn’t get quality looks.
That defense didn’t carry over to the first half on Saturday.
Texas Tech entered the game ranked No. 28 in 3-point percentage and No. 93 in 3-point rate. The Red Raiders quickly showed why, shooting 10 for 24 (41.7%) from deep in the first half. Meanwhile, KU shot 2 for 7 (28.6%).
The Jayhawks’ lack of 3-point attempts (and makes) has been a consistent problem this season. Texas Tech showed why modern basketball is oriented around 3-point shooting by finding open looks with quality shooters.
KU’s defense also struggled to guard Tech’s shooters, leading to multiple wide-open looks.
Kansas picked up its defensive pressure in the second half, and Texas Tech also cooled down.
Tech finished the game shooting 34.9% from deep. The Red Raiders made 15 3-pointers, the most an opponent has made all season vs. KU.
KJ Adams almost saved Kansas
KU forward KJ Adams is not often among the Jayhawks’ scoring leaders.
Well, make it two straight high-scoring games for the forward. He had 15 points vs. the Colorado Buffs on Monday and a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double on Saturday.
Adams did an excellent job of getting to his spots vs. the Red Raiders. He made multiple shots around the rim and some of his famous “push shots.”
For the Jayhawks, his scoring is a welcome sight — especially when KU’s offense goes through lulls. He was a big reason Kansas cut into the deficit in the second half.
Adams also had three assists to only one turnover.
Zeke Mayo is slumping
KU guard Zeke Mayo is in the midst of a shooting slump. Before Saturday’s matchup, Mayo was shooting 33% from the floor over his last three games.
Not only did he struggle to score, he looked all out of sorts vs. the Red Raiders.
Mayo only took seven shots, finishing the night 1 for 7. His decision-making left a lot to be desired. He had five turnovers and missed a go-ahead 3-pointer late in the game.
It was one of his worst games as a Jayhawk. On top of that, his struggles have put a lot of pressure on other players to deliver on offense.
Mayo has shot 40% or worse from the field in seven of his last 11 games.
Allen Fieldhouse losses pile up
It’s not often the Jayhawks lose three home games, let alone three home conference games.
The last time Kansas lost three games at home in a season was 2017-18. It’s just the second time ever under Bill Self.
Besides the 2017-18 season, the last time Kansas lost three home games was during the 1998-99 season under Roy Williams. In both cases, Kansas only lost two home conference games.
The Jayhawks have one home game left, vs. Arizona on March 8.
This story was originally published March 1, 2025 at 3:43 PM.
