George Harris
Mar 03, 2024 - 12:10

Kevin McCullar Jr. starting lineup return in Kansas basketball loss to Baylor

Kansas basketball suffered a road loss to Baylor despite Kevin McCullar Jr.'s return. Check out the key takeaways from the game.

Kansas basketball faced a tough road loss against Baylor in a recent matchup, with the Jayhawks falling short by a score of 82-74. Despite their efforts, the No. 9 Jayhawks (21-8, 9-7 in Big 12) were unable to secure a victory against the No. 14 Bears (21-8, 10-6 in Big 12).

One of the key takeaways from the game was the return of graduate senior guard Kevin McCullar Jr. after a brief absence due to injury. McCullar, who missed the previous two games against Texas and BYU, made a strong comeback by contributing 20 points, five rebounds, and two assists in the matchup against Baylor. Although he faced some challenges, his performance was a significant improvement compared to his last game against Oklahoma in February.

Additionally, redshirt senior guard Dajuan Harris Jr. put up a solid performance with 12 points and nine assists, while senior center Hunter Dickinson added 20 points and six rebounds. Junior forward KJ Adams Jr. showcased his skills at times, while freshman guard Johnny Furphy had a quieter game.

Despite their efforts, the Jayhawks were unable to secure a win against Baylor, marking their second consecutive loss after falling to BYU in their previous game. This loss highlights the challenges of playing in a tough environment like Baylor's home arena, where factors like 3-point shooting and rebounding can heavily impact the outcome of the game.

Overall, the Jayhawks will need to regroup and refocus as they look to bounce back from their recent losses and finish the season strong. Coach Bill Self and his team will have to address areas of improvement and work on executing their game plan more effectively in future matchups.

Jordan Guskey, the sportswriter covering University of Kansas Athletics for The Topeka Capital-Journal, provides insights and analysis on the team's performance and key takeaways from their recent games. Stay tuned for more updates on Kansas basketball and their journey through the season.