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Kansas Basketball: 2019-20 keys to a Jayhawks home win over Baylor

By Jason Burgess

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - FEBRUARY 25: Kansas Jayhawks fans cheer during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Allen Fieldhouse on February 25, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS - FEBRUARY 25: Kansas Jayhawks fans cheer during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Allen Fieldhouse on February 25, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – JANUARY 8: Rasir Bolton #45 of the Iowa State Cyclones lays up a shot as Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – JANUARY 8: Rasir Bolton #45 of the Iowa State Cyclones lays up a shot as Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

1. Kansas must limit Baylor’s second-chance opportunities

The first big key for the Jayhawks will be their ability to control the defensive glass because Baylor dominates their offensive backboard. Kansas is a good rebounding team, averaging 38.4 per game but limiting Baylor to one and done possessions will be key.

Baylor is 11th in the country in offensive rebounds per game with 11 and as a result, they rank 8th in the country in extra scoring chances per game with nearly seven per contest. The good news for Kansas is not only are they a solid defensive rebounding team, they can focus their boxing out efforts on two guys, Freddie Gillespie and Mark Vital who have grabbed 93, just over half of the team’s total this season, while no other player has grabbed more than 14 in their 13 games.

Unlike Baylor’s offensive rebounding, Kansas is more balanced on the defensive glass. As expected Udoka Azubuike leads the team with 85 defensive rebounds, but every other player that has grabbed a defensive rebound has snatched at least 18 and four of them have 40 or more. I expect this game to be a close back and forth battle so limiting Baylor’s offensive rebounds will be important if the Jayhawks want to defend their home floor.

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