KANSAS

Kansas Basketball Embarrassed by BYU in Provo Blowout

The Jayhawks traveled to Utah this week and returned to Lawrence with back-to-back losses.
Mathey Gibson|
Feb 3, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts during the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Feb 3, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts during the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

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Kansas Jayhawks

On Tuesday, the Kansas Jayhawks were absolutely obliterated by the BYU Cougars, 91-57, marking their second straight loss. The No. 23 Jayhawks (17-9, 8-7) were hoping to bounce back after nearly slipping out of the top 25, but BYU (17-8, 8-6) had other plans.

The teams faced off for the first time this season, and it quickly became clear this wouldn’t be Kansas’ night.

The game got off to a rough start for the Jayhawks, with BYU jumping to a 13-5 lead by the first media timeout. Kansas couldn’t find its shooting touch, going just 1-of-5 from deep while BYU hit 3-of-7.

Bill Self tried to adjust, pulling Flory Bidunga from the game, but that only seemed to help BYU, as they scored three straight baskets at the rim. The Cougars kept rolling, stretching their lead to 19-7 with 14 minutes left in the first half.

Rylan Griffen came off the bench and hit a couple of threes, but it didn’t do much to slow down BYU.

The lead quickly ballooned to 32-17, with Kansas unable to stop the Cougars’ shooting barrage. BYU finished the first half up 46-26, with Richie Saunders scoring 14 points on perfect shooting, including 4-for-4 from deep.

Kansas, on the other hand, looked lost. Dajuan Harris Jr. and AJ Storr were a combined 0-for-7, and Kansas had 8 turnovers.

The second half wasn’t any better.

BYU opened with an 8-0 run, making it 54-29, and the Jayhawks had no answer. By the time it was 64-33, Self used his final timeout with 14 minutes to go. The Cougars kept pushing, stretching the lead to 38 points—Kansas’ largest deficit under Self.

The Jayhawks went nearly five minutes without scoring, and the game ended with them losing by 34.

This one will be hard to forget for all the wrong reasons as Kansas drops to 17-9, 8-7 in conference play.

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Mathey Gibson
MATHEY GIBSON

Mathey Gibson is the Managing Editor for the Kansas Jayhawks On SI. A graduate of the University of Alabama, he has extensive experience covering major college sports, including reporting on Crimson Tide athletics since 2019 for outlets like Alabama Crimson Tide On SI, The Crimson White, and Tide Illustrated. Now focused on Kansas, Gibson has covered significant events such as the NCAA Tournament, College World Series, and the College Football Playoff, bringing a deep understanding of collegiate athletics to one of the nation’s premier programs.

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