Kansas Jayhawks Seek Redemption Against Oklahoma State Amidst Criticism

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Kansas Jayhawks are looking to bounce back from a damaging 91-57 loss to BYU as they prepare to face Oklahoma State on Saturday. Head coach Bill Self aims to rally his team amid widespread criticism from fans and the national media following their recent struggles.

After a tough defeat, Self acknowledged the need to refocus. “The story hasn’t been written yet,” he said on Friday, underscoring the importance of the NCAA Tournament for his squad’s legacy. “But with that being said, we put ourselves in a position where we actually deserve a lot of the things that are probably being said. You want to change that, then fix it.”

In his “Hawk Talk” radio show, Self introduced the idea of a clean slate, labeling the upcoming game as the start of a new season. “We’re 0-0, folks, and this is the start of the season,” he articulated. “We got to really hunker down and play our best, starting off in our first game.”

Contrasting Kansas’s predicament, Oklahoma State arrives for the matchup with a steadier footing. The Cowboys enter the game with a split record over their last six contests. Recent successes, including a high-scoring victory over UCF, have energized the team. The 104-95 win was highlighted by Bryce Thompson‘s career-high 25 points.

Oklahoma State, while facing Kansas, will look to exploit its offensive momentum. Self noted their ability to score from anywhere on the court and the aggressive nature of their play. “They’ll probably play faster than any team in our league,” he explained. “Coach’s goal is that he wants to get a shot up in the first 13 seconds.”

Defensively, the Cowboys present challenges of their own. They rank low in several defensive metrics within the conference, including being 15th in scoring defense and 14th in opponent shooting percentages. However, they are adept at forcing turnovers, averaging 13.3 per game with standout contributions from point guard Arturo Dean.

The match also marks a significant moment for Kansas, as they will retire the No. 7 jersey of Arthur “Dutch” Lonborg. Lonborg, an All-American in 1919 and later a prominent figure in the Jayhawks’ athletic department, passed away in 1985. His legacy continues to resonate, particularly through this honor ahead of the game.

As the Jayhawks confront their inconsistency—struggling to finalize a starting lineup—Self reflects on adjustments made during recent games. The early inclusion of newcomer Flory Bidunga saw the team fall behind against BYU without a response, highlighting the ongoing search for reliable combinations on the floor.

Exit strategy discussions have also emerged, with notable changes looming for players like Shakeel Moore, whose recent foot injury has sidelined his performance. Meanwhile, reserve guard David Coit has shown promise after overcoming an early-season shooting slump, further complicating lineup decisions.

The game’s significance is amplified not only for standings but also for rekindling the spirit of a once-dominant program. With the challenges laid out by their opponents and their own recent performances, the Jayhawks must demonstrate resilience against Oklahoma State.