Kansas coach Bill Self didn’t try to hide his frustration.
His face was seething, red with anger, as a call didn’t go KU’s way. Naturally, he voiced his displeasure toward a referee. The referee responded by giving Self a technical.
In the past, moments like that have often catapulted Self’s teams to victory. Instead, it didn’t change anything, and KU suffered another road loss, this one at Utah.
No. 17 Kansas fell 74-67 on Saturday night at Jon M. Huntsman Center. The Jayhawks (17-8, 8-6 Big 12) suffered their first loss ever to new Big 12 member Utah. Kansas has lost three straight road games in Big 12 play.
KU’s Zeke Mayo led the team with 15 points, adding six rebounds and three assists. KU guard Dajuan Harris added 14 points and four assists.
After another slow start by Kansas, Utah took an early double-digit lead. The Jayhawks managed to cut into Utah’s lead by halftime — it was 39-37 at the break — and tied the score at three different points in the second half. But KU never led on Saturday night.
Up next: KU travels to Provo, Utah, to play BYU on Tuesday
Until then, here are three takeaways from KU’s road loss on Saturday…
Slow starts continue
Self has repeatedly mentioned the word “energy” over the last two months.
Why? The team looks good when KU plays with good energy and a sense of urgency. When the Jayhawks lack it — they start slow and look all out of sorts.
KU certainly lacked energy vs. the Utes on Saturday.
The Jayhawks let Utah get out to an 11-point lead at one point and spent the latter part of the first period trying to cut that margin down.
KU’s effort increasing on both ends is a big part of what allowed the Jayhawks to make it a two-point game at halftime.
The concern is why this team with the most Division I experience (per KenPom) in the nation has such inconsistent effort. KU is a few weeks away from postseason play, so it’s one thing to get away with inconsistent energy in the regular season, but that certainly won’t work in March.
Come the postseason, one lousy half could mean the difference between KU advancing to the next round or going home.
Hunter Dickinson struggled
KU big man Hunter Dickinson had one of his worst outings all season vs. the Utes.
He missed multiple open layups, struggled to get rebounds and didn’t play quality defense without fouling.
Dickinson went into the half with four points on 2-for-7 shooting from the field. There have been times that he’s turned things around in the second period, but that wasn’t the case Saturday.
Dickinson finished with 12 points on 4-for-12 shooting. On top of that, he only grabbed seven rebounds and struggled to box out the tall Utah bigs.
“It was a physical game,” Dickinson told reporters in his postgame news conference. “It’s kind of what a lot of teams are trying to do as of late … try to be really, really physical and hope the refs just don’t call it every time. “
It wasn’t the first time Dickinson has struggled on the road this season. He had a poor offensive performance against Iowa State, shooting 3-of-10 and finishing with six points. He also scored 14 points on 7-of-16 shooting at Cincinnati.
One of KU’s most important players, Dickinson must play better in games like this.
Utah hurts Kansas on turnovers
Before Saturday’s matchup, the Jayhawks ranked No. 93 in turnover percentage (16.1). So what unfolded vs. the Utes was a little shocking.
The Jayhawks struggled taking care of the ball, and Utah also did its part to force KU into bad decisions.
For example, Utah double-teamed Dickinson in the post, leading to a desperate pass that a Utah player swooped in for and stole the ball.
Whenever KU looked like it was gaining momentum in the game, the Jayhawks would commit a back-breaking turnover.
Kansas finished the night with 12 turnovers, compared to Utah’s seven. The Utes turned KU’s 12 turnovers into 22 points.
KU’s defense had an interesting night
The Jayhawks’ defense has certainly had better starts.
KU’s lackadaisical defense allowed Utah to take a double-digit lead early. Kansas left shooters open and didn’t rotate well when screened.
Then, the defense slowly turned it around. The Jayhawks’ energy on the defensive end was notably better, especially in the second half. Utah went over seven minutes without scoring a point.
The Utes finished the night shooting 37% from the field. KU’s defense allowed the Jayhawks to make it a competitive game.
Still, KU struggled with foul trouble, with KJ Adams fouling out. Hunter Dickinson finished with four fouls, and Rylan Griffen also had four.
On top of that, KU struggled to get rebounds. Utah finished with a 10-rebound advantage (46-36) for the night. Utah had 14 second-chance points.
“We just couldn’t rebound the ball,” Self told reporters postgame. “I’ll have to go back and watch the tape to understand more on why.”
