For the first time since the 2020-21 campaign, the Kansas Jayhawks have lost three games in a row. It is just the fourth three-game losing streak by KU during the Bill Self era.
No. 9 Kansas only led for 52 seconds during its 75-69 loss to No. 17 Baylor on Monday night inside the Ferrell Center in Waco Texas. The Jayhawks are now 16-4 on the year, including 5-3 in Big 12 play, following losses to Kansas State, TCU, and Baylor. The Bears improved to 15-5 and 5-3 against conference opponents.
KU’s defensive issues carried over into Big Monday, as the team gave the best backcourt in the nation plenty of open looks from the jump. LJ Cryer drilled five 3-pointers in the first half alone, and the Bears led by as many as 13 at one point during the opening stretch.
The Jayhawks did put up a better fight in the second half, and eventually grabbed a 46-45 advantage at the 15:24 mark. But Baylor answered immediately to take back control of the contest.
KU never went away, however, and eventually cut the deficit back to five with 1:18 left to play. A key offensive rebound by Baylor led to a trip to the line, where Jalen Bridges hit a pair of freebies to give the home team some cushion in the closing seconds.
For the game, Baylor went 9-for-30 from long range. Cryer paced the team with 22 points in the win, and Adam Flagler finished with 17. While Jalen Wilson finished with 23 points in the loss, Kansas got some scoring punch from someone other than him in this game. Gradey Dick recorded 24, and Kevin McCullar finished with 14.
One could say the Big 12/SEC Challenge couldn’t come at a better time, as the Jayhawks need a break from the gauntlet that is this league race. But Saturday’s trip to Kentucky won’t be a cake walk, as Oscar Tshiebwe figures to be a problem inside.
Tipoff for Saturday’s KU-Kentucky matchup is set for 7 p.m.
