Is Kansas Spiraling Out of March Madness Contention?

• The Kansas Jayhawks are just 6-5 in their last 11 games
• More recently, they’ve lost three of five, including a loss to last-place West Virginia
• The Jayhawks have dropped to +2000 to win the NCAA Tournament

The Kansas Jayhawks have been the Big 12 regular season champions for 14 consecutive seasons, but that streak could end this year.

As we move into the month of February, the Jayhawks are 16-5 overall and just 5-3 in Big 12 play. While that’s only a half-game behind the conference leaders, KenPom projects them to finish 11-7, a game worse than Iowa State (12-6) and even with Baylor and Texas Tech.

In sum, Bill Self has work to do. Yet his team appears headed in the wrong direction, losing three of its last five.

Are they spiraling out of March Madness contention?

Odds to Win 2019 NCAA Tournament

Jayhawks Opened the Year at No. 1

Kansas was the No. 1 team in the nation heading into the season. They were finally going to get the services of Dedric Lawson (who had to sit out 2017 due to a transfer). They were also set to add his brother, K.J., and hyped point guard transfer Charlie Moore from Cal.

And those were all additions to a roster that was bringing back Lagerald Vick and Udoka Azubuike.

Stanford was ready to upset No. 2 Kansas, but Lagerald Vick had other plans. pic.twitter.com/s1TQlg8s79

— Bleacher Report CBB (@br_CBB) December 2, 2018

Things started well for the Jayhawks as they beat Michigan State on opening night. They would go on to win their first 10 games, including victories over No. 5 Tennessee and No. 17 Villanova.

From that point on, though, they’ve been barely better than average.

What’s Gone Wrong with Kansas?

The Jayhawks are just 6-5 in their last 11 games and, on a smaller scale, have lost three of five. Even their two wins in that span were by razor-thin margins as they beat Texas by two (at home) and Iowa State by four (also at home).

In the meantime, their odds have tumbled. They were at +1400 at one top online sportsbook on January 28^th but now they are down to +1600. They’re +1800 at another and +2000 at a third source.

Texas senior guard @KLR_doce: “Before this game I was 0-7 vs. kU. 1-7 – I’m taking it. It’s very hard to get a win versus kU.”

UT knocks off 11th ranked kansas 73-63 – @JeffBarker_, @ATXANT10 and I show you what made the difference for Texas. pic.twitter.com/QqjCCfu9Zm

— Bob Ballou (@BobBallouSports) January 30, 2019

The greater concern is just how they’ve looked overall. The loss to Texas was particularly concerning as the Jayhawks can’t seem to figure out their identity.

Lagerald Vick looked like a Big 12 Player of the Year candidate early on, but has been average of late. He averaged 20.8 points per game in his first six contests; he’s hit the 20-point mark just once in his last 12 while averaging 12.0 per game over his last 15.

There’s No Need to Panic

Yes, everyone is concerned about the Jayhawks recent performance, but there are a number of reasons not to panic. For starters, the Jayhawks have yet to lose at home. When they start failing at Allen Fieldhouse, that’s when you start to worry.

Secondly, not only have all of their losses been on the road, they’ve mostly been to quality teams. They lost at No. 18 Arizona State, No. 8 Kentucky, and an Iowa State side that’s 16-5 and ranked 12th at KenPom (best in among Big 12 teams).

Yes, they lost at West Virginia – a team that got whipped by Rhode Island – but that can happen in the Big 12.

Dedric Lawson will be eligible this year for the Kansas Jayhawks. Lawson is a 6’9 highly productive forward that fills up all the stats. Dedric posted a per 40 min stat-line of 22.2 PPG, 1.1 3PM, 7.7 FTA, 11.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG, and 2.5 BPG when he last played at Memphis in 2016-17. pic.twitter.com/wUUND7Ll2H

— NBA Draft Wire (@NBADraftWire) September 2, 2018

This team definitely has some issues but think about their resume. They have faced the No. 1 strength of schedule, the No. 1 non-conference strength of schedule, and have already posted eight wins against Quadrant 1 opponents, which ties them for most in that category.

Do they have enough talent to win the NCAA Tournament? They have more than enough – especially if Silvio De Sousa becomes eligible.

Silvio De Sousa is not in uniform. Another game he’ll watch from bench. @SethDavisHoops believes next Saturday against Texas Tech could be the game De Sousa finally returns.

— CJ Moore (@CJMooreHoops) January 26, 2019

Are they a smart bet right now? Absolutely not. At the same time, this team should be able to finish the season strong, potentially win another Big 12 regular-season championship and have a top-four seed in March Madness.

“Trying to come up with something that works. The pieces just don’t quite fit yet – we have good pieces I just have to do a better job making them work.”

Coach Self on the adjustments he needs to make for his team and with the game plan #KUbball pic.twitter.com/JrRGe0PMVW

— Kansas Basketball (@KUHoops) January 30, 2019

The fact that they’re at their low point and are still ranked No. 11 in the country tells you that few people have lost faith.