The Kansas Jayhawks had a rough start to conference play when they lost 62-61 to West Virginia. It was the first time the Jayhawks lost their Big 12 opener and the first time since 1991 that they’ve lost a conference opener, back when the conference was called the Big 8. After a couple of tough road losses to Creighton and Missouri in early December, this was also the first loss at home for the Jayhawks. Kansas got off to a rough start on the road in conference last season, and head coach Bill Self did not want a repeat of history.
Self has been tinkering with the starting lineup going all the way back to exhibition games before the season began. The only constant has been Hunter Dickinson, KJ Adams, and DeJuan Harris.
The other two starting spots have floated between several players who transferred in during the offseason including Zeke Mayo, AJ Storr, Rylan Griffen, David Coit, and Shakeel Moore. Freshman Flory Bidunga also made a start early in the season when Dickinson was dealing with an injury. Trying to figure out strengths and weaknesses, chemistry, and buy-in to the system is all a part of what Self has to deal with while figuring out the new players. It’s taken a while, but things may be falling into place for the Jayhawks.
The new starting five may be locked in for good as long as everyone can stay healthy. Dickinson, Adams, Harris, Mayo, and Moore have been the starting five for both games since the calendar flipped to 2025, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive. The Jayhawks went on the road and defeated UCF 99-48 in a game that was never close after the opening tip.
Kansas hosted Arizona State on Wednesday, and after a hard-fought first half by both teams, ASU led 42-36 at halftime. The Jayhawks dominated the second half, holding the Sun Devils to 13 points. Defensive dominance turned into scoring opportunities, and the Jayhawks took control for the entirety of the second half, ultimately winning the game 74-55. Kansas had 13 steals, including three from Dickinson and Harris. Dickinson added three blocked shots as well. Moore had steals on back-to-back possessions which led to Kansas taking their first double-digit lead of the game.
While the starting five seems to be sorted out for conference play, the bench will still play a big role in the Jayhawks’ success and how far this team can go in March. Storr has looked disinterested at times, and his playing time reached a season-low four minutes against Arizona State. Griffen continues to be a major player off the bench, getting 18 minutes in each of the past two games. He added 14 and nine points, respectively, in each of those games as well. Bidunga continues to be a bundle of energy off the bench. Bidunga typically gives Dickinson a rest when needed, but it is fun to watch them both on the floor at the same time when Self gives them that opportunity. Coit is a starting caliber point guard but can give Harris and Harris a breather when necessary. Coit is a proven three-point shooter who can be a spark from beyond the arc if the starters get off to a slow start shooting the ball.
Kansas has some tough games ahead. Road games at Cincinnati and #3 Iowa State will be next up on the schedule. Sunflower Showdown rival Kansas State and #12 Houston will also be coming to Lawrence before the end of the month. There is no easy game in the Big 12. Self should continue to roll out his new starting five while mixing in the bench players as needed. The conference opener against West Virginia will likely be an outlier as we look back after the season ends. This Kansas team still has a high ceiling and can be a National Title contender. The Big 12 schedule will get them ready for what’s to come in postseason play. The Jayhawks have what it takes to make a run late in the season, and they are just getting started with a new starting five intact.
