/https%3A%2F%2Fgreatestshot.com%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F02%2FUSATSI_25372111-scaled.jpg)
KU never led in the game as BYU’s Richie Saunders recorded 22 points, Trevin Knell with 15, and Mawot Mag with 13 to power the Cougars (18-8, 9-6) past a despondent Jayhawks. KU’s Hunter Dickinson had 12 points and 14 rebounds on the night, but they trailed by as much as 38 points in the first half. BYU’s offense was ruthless, and when the Jayhawks had an opportunity to cut the lead after the Cougars went six minutes without scoring, BYU responded with five 3-pointers in the final six minutes of the first half.
While KU head coach Bill Self admitted his side was bad, he took the time to credit BYU for their performance: “We were so poor. I don’t think we felt the full energy of a building than if it had been a tight game,” he said.
“I think they [BYU] could have beaten anybody tonight. They were great and then we didn’t do anything to make them play less great. Our offense stunk — but that wasn’t it — it wasn’t offense. It was that we couldn’t stop them or get any momentum to stop them,” said Self.
Safe to say things aren’t going too well for KU right now. While they started the season ranked No. 1 in the country, they have now lost five out of their last eight games, including losses to Utah, Kansas State, and Baylor. It means that for the first time since 2021, they could fall out of the national rankings.
“It was awful. We’re all obviously embarrassed. We didn’t put up any resistance.” said Self.
Kansas shot 31% from the field, while the Cougars recorded 51%. They also outrebounded Kansas by 10. It looked as though the Jayhawks had simply given up. The ‘make or break’ game following the embarrassing Utah defeat means that the Jayhawks have to return to the drawing board in an effort to make any significant run in March.
