Top-ranked Kansas holds off UNC thanks to depth and shooting – or at least the threat of it

LAWRENCE, Kan. -Dajuan Harris Jr. doesn’t like his new existence on the deepest team he’s played on in his five seasons at Kansas — “I love playing,” he says — but because of the depth Bill Self added this offseason, Harris and Hunter Dickinson could saving their best for last in the final minutes of a big November matchup with No. 9 North Carolina on Friday night.

A year ago, that might have been a game that Kansas would have let slip due to tired legs.

But there was Harris on the final possession, looking as bouncy and fast as if it were the first minute of the game, disrupting what North Carolina wanted by keeping RJ Davis from touching the ball. Dickinson got the game-clinching stop when he switched to Elliot Cadeau to challenge the shot that would have sent the game to overtime, and he scored the game-winning basket with just over a minute remaining.

Last spring, Self wanted depth and shooting and got one of the best portal classes in college basketball. And depth and shooting — or at least the threat of it — allowed the top-ranked Jayhawks to hold off North Carolina 92-89.

Self said he didn’t think Harris and Dickinson would have finished the way they did if they had played their usual minutes load from a year ago. In games decided by 10 points or less last season, Harris averaged 37.8 minutes and Dickinson 34.5. On Friday, they each played 29 minutes and Self had an eight-player rotation.

In two games, the KU bench has scored 87 points. Last season, KU’s bench topped 20 points just three times, one of which was Senior Night when starters KJ Adams Jr. and Johnny Furphy came off the bench.

The potential for the Jayhawks was evident in the first half when Self was able to play floor spacers around Dickinson and make the offense look easy. KU shot 59.5 percent and led 53-38 at halftime.

“They got everything they wanted,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said. “They carried out their attack as they do in a shooting.”

Davis stated that in defense of UNC, and there was some truth in that. But it’s also hard to keep track when Self is setting up plays for his best players and everyone on the floor is a threat. Last season, teams were able to shrink the floor due to a lack of shooting and only a few guys willing to make shots. Now, with additions like Zeke Mayo (21 points Friday), AJ Storr (13 points) and Rylan Griffen (6 points), KU has perimeter scorers that need to be respected.

AJ showed up‼️

🔴 13 PTS
🔵3AST#PayHeed X @storr_aj pic.twitter.com/ETyaNrYxJX

— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) November 9, 2024

Last year, Dickinson had to make his move quickly. On Friday, he was able to take multiple dribbles before UNC would even think about doubling up.

“It almost felt a little weird having so much space,” Dickinson said.

When Dickinson went to the bench last year, KU was 30.2 points per 100 possessions worse, according to CBB Analytics. Against UNC, when Dickinson went to the bench, the Jayhawks were just as good. Freshman Flory Bidunga is a nice change and provides a vertical lob threat and speed. In just 11 minutes, Bidunga had 8 points and eight rebounds, and KU was plus-six with him on the floor. It’s similar to what Connecticut had a year ago with Donovan Clingan and Samson Johnson. It’s like playing against two teams.

The Jayhawks still have a lot of room to improve, as evidenced by building a 20-point lead and having to play from behind in the final four minutes. KU struggled to keep quick guards in front of them against Arkansas and UNC. The Heels put pressure on the rim with their speed, and that got them to the free throw line, where they made 28 of 31. They also bullied Dickinson in the pick-and-roll, where he has struggled the most. of his career.

Self placed some of the blame on himself, saying he would have changed his reporting if he had to do it again. And with so much roster turnover, the Jayhawks aren’t as connected on that front as they need to be. That’s the challenge of bringing in older players and not developing them in your program. There is a learning curve that needs to happen quickly in the portal age.

“We have some guys whose pieces don’t quite fit yet,” Self said. “They just don’t know it yet. And hopefully that will change.”

But there is room for error because Self has so many options that he can bring a guy like Storr, who led Wisconsin in scoring last season, off the bench. As coveted as Storr was in the portal, some coaches might feel the need to get him started right away and let him learn on the job. Self has so much depth that he can wait for Storr to figure out what he wants from him and make him earn the job, which started happening Friday.

“One thing we saw tonight is when AJ Storr plays downhill, he’s pretty good,” Self said.

That also applies to the Hall of Famer if he has the pieces to play chess late in the game. On the final two possessions, he ran one of his favorite sets, allowing Dickinson to score and was fouled. Late last year, KU was doing its best to score, and it was clear that Self needed to replenish his board and get Harris, Dickinson and Adams some help.

“I don’t even have to make many plays,” Harris said of his new life. “You know, I barely did anything in the first half; they did all the work. So I’m just behind. They made it easier for me.”

Harris’ time came later, and it was easier for him then too.

The last time the Jayhawks had a point guard who gave Harris some rest, they won a national title; he played his best basketball in the last twenty minutes of that season. The Jayhawks still have a long way to go to get to that point, but saving the legs of their veterans could ensure they have enough if they can find a way to get there again.

(Photo by KJ Adams Jr.: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)