The Kansas Jayhawks (17-9) continue their February slump with a gut-wrenching 91-57 loss to BYU (18-8) on Tuesday night. After the game, head coach Bill Self confessed he doesn’t know how much more talking will help.
Bill Self ‘Talked Out’ After Kansas’ Crushing Loss to BYU
Kansas headed to Provo on Tuesday night to face BYU in a Big 12 encounter. The game was far from the usual Big 12 bloodbath, with the Cougars dominating from tip to end.
There was no resistance from the Jayhawks, which is surprising for a Self-led team. The 34-point loss was the biggest margin of defeat during Self’s stint at Kansas.
Kansas, a typically terrific program, struggled from beginning to end. While both teams shot 39% from the court, the biggest disparity came from beyond the arc. BYU made 13 3-pointers to Kansas’ three.
The Cougars’ unrelenting offensive pressure and outstanding defensive execution had the Jayhawks reeling.
“I’m talked out. We need to get away from each other; I’ll tell you that point blank. I thought this would be a great opportunity to do some team bonding. But it hasn’t been,” Self said postgame.
Bill Self postgame:
“I’m talked out. We need to get away from each other, I’ll tell you that point blank. I thought this would be a great opportunity to do some team bonding. But it hasn’t been” 😳
(via: @KUsports) pic.twitter.com/VYa6YqiUmI
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 19, 2025
Self’s remarks are peculiar, and successful teams prefer to spend time bonding with one another. For whatever reason, the head coach feels his team requires a vacation from one another.
What Went Wrong for Kansas?
There are several reasons for Kansas’ poor form of late, several of which showed up agianst BYU. Poor shooting is one issue. The Jayhawks were outclassed from beyond the arc, making only three 3-pointers to BYU’s 13.
Defensive Breakdowns have also been an issue. Kansas struggled to slow down BYU’s fast-paced offense, allowing Richie Saunders to lead the Cougars with 22 points. Finally, sloppy ball handling led to key turnovers, allowing BYU to capitalize on easy chances to score.
This defeat has serious implications for Kansas’ season, particularly as March Madness approaches. With their ranking in jeopardy and bracket projections shifting, the Jayhawks must find a way to recover quickly.
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The coaching staff and players must reevaluate their plans and improve both their offense and defense.
Kansas’ embarrassing loss to BYU raises concerns about their consistency and ability to compete at the top levels. With Self’s outrage visible, the Jayhawks have a lot to demonstrate as they move into the finishing stretch of the season.
Salf and his team are likely to get the time they need before Saturday’s home game against 12-13 Oklahoma State.
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