Kansas Basketball keys to avoid a falling into a slump against Texas Longhorns

Control the Tempo!

The Texas Longhorns have the 17th-best point differential in the nation, winning games by an average margin of 12.1 points per contest. They have a roster full of elite athletes who love to run the floor, and they even prefer playing close to the basket in the halfcourt set. This can translate to a lot of points scored in a short period of time; it’s what allowed them to erase a double-digit deficit against Kansas State on Saturday.

In order to stop the Longhorns from going on one of their signature runs, Kansas must dictate the pace of the game. While they are also capable of scoring and have elite athletes of their own, outscoring their opponents is not their claim to fame. Head Coach Bill Self teaches a disciplined brand of basketball that is centered around ball movement and solid defense. The Jayhawks must not forget this or else they may fall into the trap of playing Texas’ style of ball. If they do, the chances of them beating their opponent at their own game are slim to none.

Kansas’ loss to Iowa State on Saturday was a setback that could ultimately affect their seeding when the NCAA Tournament rolls around. In order to get their season back on track, they need a big win against a formidable opponent. Luckily for them, they have a respected conference rival coming to town on Monday. This equates to an immediate chance at redemption in front of their hometown fans. If they defend the paint, share the ball, and control the tempo, they have a great shot at winning the game.

Life in college basketball can be a rollercoaster; every late-season game has postseason implications. It can be nerve-wracking for fanbases to go through, but that’s also what makes it so much fun to watch!