Jayhawks Struggle Around the Rim Against ASU Despite Offensive Rebounds

Kansas coach Bill Self watched the final 26 minutes from the locker room as his team missed numerous layups.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team struggled to score around the rim against Arizona State, going 6-for-22 on layups despite grabbing 23 offensive rebounds. Kansas coach Bill Self watched the final 26 minutes of the game from the locker room after being ejected, and saw his team fail to capitalize on their rebounding advantage, only scoring 6 second-chance points. ASU center Massamba Diop's presence in the paint and Kansas' inability to finish at the rim proved to be the difference in the game.

Why it matters

This game highlighted Kansas' struggles to convert opportunities around the basket, an area that has typically been a strength for the Jayhawks. The inability to finish at the rim despite dominating the offensive glass raises questions about the team's interior scoring and finishing ability, which could be a concern going forward in Big 12 play and the NCAA Tournament.

The details

Kansas forward Flory Bidunga had 14 points and 13 rebounds, but shot just 6-for-14 from the field. Three Jayhawks players recorded double-digit rebounds, but the team only managed 6 second-chance points. ASU center Massamba Diop had a strong game with 19 points and 9 rebounds, including several key putbacks that helped the Sun Devils pull away late.

  • Kansas coach Bill Self was ejected from the game with 26:07 remaining in the second half.
  • With 4:27 left, Bidunga missed a crucial layup that could have cut ASU's lead to one point.

The players

Bill Self

The head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team.

Flory Bidunga

A sophomore forward for the Kansas Jayhawks who had 14 points and 13 rebounds in the game.

Massamba Diop

The 7-foot center for Arizona State who had 19 points and 9 rebounds, including several key putbacks.

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What they’re saying

“What happens if you're able to finish around the rim? Of course, (ASU center Massamba) Diop had a lot to do with that. He's a presence in there. And we didn't play as big.”

— Bill Self, Head Coach, Kansas Jayhawks (ljworld.com)

“I mean, I don't know. I tried, we tried to put the ball in the hole but it didn't go in. I don't know what else to say.”

— Flory Bidunga, Sophomore Forward, Kansas Jayhawks (ljworld.com)

What’s next

The Jayhawks will look to bounce back in their next Big 12 matchup against Texas Tech on Saturday.

The takeaway

This game exposed a weakness in Kansas' interior scoring and finishing ability, an area that has typically been a strength for the Jayhawks. The team's inability to capitalize on their rebounding advantage raises concerns about their offensive efficiency and execution, which will need to be addressed as they continue their Big 12 conference play.