Things keep going from bad to worse for Kansas.
Brigham Young blitzed the Jayhawks out of the gate and Kansas didn’t know what hit it, losing 91-57 on the road Tuesday in one of the largest defeats in program history. It’s the latest poor game in what has turned into a dreadful stretch for the preseason No. 1 team.
The game was played at a jammed-packed Marriott Center in Provo with Kansas making its first trip to BYU since 1960. The Cougars played off the energy and got off to a fast start, drilling shots from beyond the 3-point line. BYU started the game on a 22-7 run. Although Kansas showed some life to cut the deficit to single digits with eight minutes left in the half, the Cougars got the momentum back with an 8-0 run and Kansas never responded.
BYU led by 20 points at halftime − the largest halftime deficit for Kansas this season − and a quick 10-0 run early in the second half pushed the lead out even further and turned the contest into a big-time blowout. Kansas coach Bill Self could only throw his hands in the air as his team trailed by as much as 38 points in the second half.
The game simply came down to BYU knocking down shots and Kansas having a cold night. One of the most effective shooting teams in the country, the Cougars shot 51.5% from the field and made 14 3-pointers on 36 attempts (38.9%). Kansas shot a measly 36.5% and a dreadful 9-for-32 (28.1%) from beyond the arc.
Worst losses in Kansas history
Tuesday’s 34-point loss was tied for Kansas’ worst defeat under Bill Self, who has been the head coach since 2003. It matched a loss to Southern California in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. A look at the worst setbacks in team history:
March 2, 1900: Lost by 40 points to Nebraska
Dec. 23, 1974: Lost by 37 points to Kentucky
Feb. 18, 2025: Lost by 34 points to BYU
March 23, 2021: Lost by 34 points to Southern California
Feb. 7, 2000: Lost by 33 points to Oklahoma State
Nov. 18, 2014: Lost by 32 points to Kentucky
Dec. 7, 2000: Lost by 31 points to Wake Forest
Feb. 28, 1916: Lost by 31 points to Missouri
March 9, 2024: Lost by 30 points to Houston
Jan. 17, 1976: Lost by 30 points to Missouri
Dec. 6, 1969: Lost by 30 points to Kentucky
Kansas’ struggles continue
Tuesday was, without a doubt, the newest low point of Kansas’ season. The No. 1 team in the preseason USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, the Jayhawks got out to a 12-3 start on the campaign with quality wins against Duke and Michigan State.
But as Big 12 play has ramped up, the Jayhawks have not found consistency. They have some head-scratching losses and blowout defeats. Kansas had no chance at Iowa State in January and there was the improbable comeback by Houston 10 days later.
Although it got revenge on the Cyclones, it did suffer further losses to Baylor, in-state rival Kansas State and had a poor showing against Utah on Saturday. The Jayhawks are 5-6 in their last 11 games.
The poor streak has Kansas at 17-9 and just 8-7 in conference. Now tied for sixth in the Big 12, the Jayhawks are on track to miss out on the double-bye in the conference tournament and would have to play in the second round.
Kansas has also seen its projected spot in the NCAA Tournament fall. In the first USA TODAY Sports Bracketology of the season, it was slated to be a No. 3 seed. In the recent edition, it’s now projected to be a No. 5 seed, and could tumble down further after Tuesday’s blowout loss.
The tough stretch is eerily similar to last season for Kansas. After beginning the 2023-24 season at No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports coaches poll and jumping out to a 13-1 start, the Jayhawks stumbled to a 10-10 finish that included four losses of at least 20 points, including in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Gonzaga.
This story was updated with new information.