Orlando, Fla. — Kansas suffered an 81-75 upset defeat against UCF on Saturday, underscoring a significant deficiency in their offensive strategy, particularly the lack of a strong post presence. Head coach Bill Self pointed out that the Jayhawks did not utilize their post players effectively, failing to even throw the ball into the post for scoring opportunities throughout the game.
The absence of regular scoring from the post was evident, especially as the team missed the offensive contributions of Darryn Peterson, whose absence was felt most acutely in the second half. Fifth-year senior Melvin Council Jr. displayed remarkable resilience by stepping up his game, delivering a notable performance that included a scoring burst of 12 points in under four minutes. His speed and ability to drive to the rim provided a necessary offensive spark in a challenging game.
However, despite Council’s contributions, the forwards struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Sophomore Flory Bidunga was limited to just eight points from 3-for-5 shooting and faced foul trouble that restricted his playing time. His recent performances against high-major opponents have seen him average below his typical mark of 14.2 points per game. Similarly, fellow forward Bryson Tiller had a rough outing, finishing 0-for-5 from the field and missing crucial free throws that could have changed the game dynamics.
Self’s strategy often hinges on effective post play, which has been a hallmark of successful Kansas teams in the past. The contrasting performance this season compared to previous years, including the 2024-25 squad that dominated UCF in their earlier matchup, highlights the need for improvement. The team struggled to establish a consistent inside game, a factor that contributed to their defeat this time.
Reflecting on his team’s performance, Self reiterated the importance of a strong post presence for success. “We’ve got to have that to be good,” he stated, emphasizing the necessity of playing through the post to enhance their offensive productivity. As the Jayhawks move forward, finding a way to integrate their post players effectively will be critical for their performance in future games, aiming to align closer to the winning form of past Kansas teams.