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The most important headline from Saturday was most likely Kansas dropping for a third consecutive time, if solely as a result of Kansas not often endures three-game dropping streaks. Earlier than this one, the final one got here in February 2013. So, yeah, Invoice Self’s Jayhawks being on a three-game dropping streak, and dropping to 4-4 within the Large 12, is a notable and strange improvement.
Nevertheless it should not be that stunning.
The context issues, and this is the context: all three losses are single-digit street losses to groups within the high 40 at KenPom — particularly Oklahoma State, Baylor and Oklahoma. KU closed as a favourite in solely a type of video games. So whereas this three-game dropping streak is, once more, notable, uncommon, and doubtless among the many issues that’ll preserve the Jayhawks from profitable a minimum of a share of the Large 12 title for what could be the sixteenth time in a 17-year span, it completely mustn’t, as a result of it completely doesn’t, place KU in a gaggle with Kentucky and Duke with regards to any conversations about wildly disappointing blue-blood packages. In contrast to Duke and Kentucky, Kansas has 4 Quadrant 1 wins. Kentucky solely has one. Duke has zero.
“We have had a tough stretch — however we have performed three street video games in opposition to [likely NCAA] Match groups,” Kansas coach Invoice Self stated following Saturday’s 75-68 loss at Oklahoma. “I do not suppose we’re gifted sufficient to not have a tough stretch, if we do not play properly, [when] we’re enjoying on the street in opposition to groups which are [likely NCAA] Match groups.”
Self is correct concerning the expertise.
The unresolved NCAA investigation has clearly hindered KU’s recruiting, proof being that solely one of many Jayhawks’ starters (David McCormack) was a consensus top-50 prospect popping out of highschool. Two starters (Christian Braun and Ochai Agbaji) had been truly sub-100 recruits — and there is not a possible future first-round NBA Draft choose on the roster. So, all issues thought of, it is truly type of spectacular that Self has been in a position to maintain issues collectively even when the Jayhawks are going by a tough stretch now.
Kansas dropped to No. 15 in Sunday morning’s up to date CBS Sports activities High 25 And 1 each day faculty basketball rankings. The Jayhawks’ subsequent likelihood to snap their dropping streak is scheduled to come back Thursday after they host TCU inside Allen Fieldhouse.
Jonathan Coachman is joined by Mike McClure and Larry Hartstein to interrupt down their finest bets in hoops for Sunday on The Early Edge. Obtain and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Sunday’s High 25 And 1 rankings
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