For Kansas, things continue to get worse from worse.
Brigham Young kicked the Jayhawks out of the gate, and Kansas didn’t know what hit it. This is the latest poor game that has turned into a scary stretch for the No. 1 team in the preseason.
The game took place at Provo’s packed Marriott Center, where Kansas made his first trip to BYU since 1960. The Cougars fired energy and excavated the shot past the three-point line. BYU started the game with a 22-7 run. Kansas showed some life to cut the deficit to single digits with eight minutes remaining in the half, but the Cougars regained momentum with an 8-0 run, and Kansas never responded.
BYU led 20 points at halftime – the biggest halftime deficit in Kansas this season – – ran 10-0, 10-0 early in the second half, pushing the lead and blowing the contest off on a massive scale I changed it to. Kansas coach Bill Self could only throw his hands into the air as the team scored up to 38 points in the second half.
The game simply knocked down the shots and Kansas had a cold night. One of the nation’s most effective shooting teams, the Cougars shot 51.5% off the field and scored 14 3-pointers in 36 attempts (38.9%). Kansas shot just 36.5% and 32 for 32 (28.1%) over the Ark.
The worst loss in Kansas history
The 34-point loss on Tuesday was linked to Kansas’ worst defeat under Bill Self, who has been head coach since 2003. It coincided with a loss to Southern California in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. See the worst setback in team history:
March 2, 1900: Losing 40 points to Nebrascadec. 23rd, 1974: Losing 37 points to Kentucky Feb. 18, 2025: Lost on Byumarch 23, 2021 with 34 points. 7, 2000: Losing 33 points to Oklahoma Statenoff. 18, 2014: Losing 32 points to Kentucky Deck. 7, 2000: Losing 31 points at Wake Forestfeb. 28, 1916: Missourimarch 9, 2024 lost 31 points. We lost 30 points to Houston Jan. 17, 1976: 30 points lost to Missourideck. 6, 1969: Losing 30 points to Kentucky
The Kansas struggle continues
Tuesday was undoubtedly the latest low point of the Kansas season. The Jay Hawks, the No. 1 team in the preseason USA Today Sports Coach poll, got off to a 12-3 start in the campaign with a quality victory over Duke and Michigan State.
However, with the increase in Big 12 plays, the Jayhawks have found inconsistency. They have some head-turning losses and blown-out defeats. Kansas had no chance in Iowa in January, and there was an unlikely comeback by Houston 10 days later.
He revenges in the Cyclone but suffers further losses on state rival Baylor in Kansas, giving a poor show against Utah on Saturday. The Jayhawks are 5-6 in their last 11 games.
The poor winning streak was 17-9 in Kansas and just 8-7 in the meeting. The Jayhawks, who currently ranked sixth in the Big 12, are on track to miss a double-by in the conference tournament and will need to play in the second round.
Kansas has also seen the expected spots for the fall of the NCAA Tournament. He was set to be the third seed in the first USA Today Sports Bracketing Studies of the season. In the recent edition, it is currently projected to be No. 5 seed, and could potentially fall further after Tuesday’s blown-up loss.
The tough stretches are creepy from last season in Kansas. After starting the 2023-24 season with the USA Today Sports Coaches Poll, the Jayhawks jumped to a 13-1 start, and came across a 10-10 finish, including four losses of at least 20 points. The second round of the NCAA Tournament against Gonzaga.
This story has been updated with new information.