No. 8 Texas at No. 3 Kansas: 5 key storylines for Big 12 matchup
Kansas rebounding their missed threes
The recurring theme in this story will be the lack of size that the Kansas Jayhawks possess in their line-up this season. One of the by-products of their lack of size is their dependency on scoring away from the basket and a team cannot get much further than the three-point line.
In their first two conference games, the Jayhawks are averaging over 27 three-point attempts. That number is significant because it is just over four more than they have attempted during their nine total games this season.
Coach Self has also suggested that he would like to increase the number of three-pointers attempted by his team now that they have entered conference play. Which for all intents and purposes makes sense, even if it is showing his cards a little bit. Regardless of the words being spoken or not, it would not take long for opposing coaches to realize the Jayhawks strategy.
So far this season there is a direct correlation between offensive rebounds and three-point attempts by Kansas. Despite their lack of size, Kansas’ rebounds are a collective effort as they have five players who average over four-and-a-half rebounds per game, three of those players average two or more offensive rebounds per game.
There are two particular three-point performances that stand out for Kansas. The 31 they attempted versus Omaha when the Jayhawks also collected 20 offensive rebounds. As well as the 37 three-pointers they attempted in their most recent game which was against West Virginia where they collected 17 offensive rebounds.
Any coach knows the best three-point attempts are those off the offensive rebound as the defense scrambles. It will be interesting to see how many Kansas attempts versus Texas.
Whether it be connecting from three, the battle for rebounds, or the potential of several mismatches for both teams on either end of the court, the storylines that run through this game will continue through the Big 12 until at least their next meeting on Feb. 22, 2021, which will be each team’s second-last game of the season.
It is expected by the end of the Big 12 games on Saturday, one of these teams will be one of the two undefeated teams on top of the conference standings.