LAWRENCE, Kan. _ Bill Self used the word "inept" to describe Kansas' offense after it managed a mere 28 points during the first half of the Jayhawks' 72-56 victory over Stanford on Sunday at Maples Pavilion in Stanford, California.
The Jayhawks' coach was just as critical of the Cardinals _ again using "inept" to describe a Stanford attack that accounted for only 18 points the initial 20 minutes.
Self, who deemed the first-half performance of both teams, "hard to watch," for sure was critical after Sunday's game, yet positive about the big picture.
After all, through 12 nonconference games (one remains against Tennessee in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge on Jan. 25), KU has averaged 81.1 points a game. The Jayhawks are on track to be the highest scoring KU team in the 17-year Self era. KU is shooting 51.6% from the field, again on pace to be the No. 1 shooting team in the Self era.
The Jayhawks, however, have made just 65% of their free throws. If that mark stands, the Jayhawks will be the worst percentage team from the line in the Self era.
To recap _ right now KU has the highest scoring team in the Self era; the most accurate shooting team and the least accurate free throw shooting squad in 17 seasons.
"We've got to play a lot better offensively to be able to keep moving the needle forward," said Self. His 10-2 and No. 3-ranked Jayhawks will meet 11-1 and No. 16 West Virginia at 3 p.m. Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse in the conference opener for both teams.
KU went 9 of 18 from the line Sunday against Stanford. Udoka Azubuike, who has made 71 of 89 floor shots for an unheard-of 79.8%, was 0 for 5 from the free throw line. His free throw percentage dropped to 31.8.
Freshman Christian Braun, who hit three threes in four tries against the Cardinal, missed his only free throw attempt and is 0 for 5 for the season. Frosh wing Tristan Enaruna, who had a bucket, three rebounds and an assist against Stanford, went 0 of 1 from the line and is 5 of 9 for the season for 55.6%.
"Doke, Christian, Tristan ... they've got to make some free throws. That's the bottom line," Self said. "I believe they will. Doke wasn't close today. It's a little discouraging he wasn't even close. He got frustrated because he wasn't getting the ball (he was 1 of 2 from the field for two points) but they trapped him today. He wasn't going to score today. They made other guys step up. Fortunately some guys did."
KU has two players who have been lights out from the line. Devon Dotson is 66 of 79 for 83.5% and Isaiah Moss 11 of 12 for 91.7%. Ochai Agbaji has made 68.8% of his free throws; David McCormack 68.2%, Marcus Garrett 67.9% and Silvio De Sousa 56.5%.
Braun, who had nine points versus the Cardinal said he's "getting more comfortable. The guys are doing a really good job of finding me in my spots. That's helping me with the offense part of it."
He has made 8 of 22 threes for 36.4%. He's 0 for 5 from the line.
"Being more active on both ends of the floor is helping me. The more comfortable I get the better I'll get as far as knocking those threes down. (I'm) still shaky from the free throw line but that'll come," Braun added.
As far as state of the team entering Big 12 play on Saturday, Braun said: "I think we are in a good spot. As you saw today our defense and rebounding are where they should be."
KU held Stanford to 56 points off 38% shooting and outrebounded the Cardinal 44-25.
"We've got to make improvements on offense. I think we've got a lot of guys capable. If we rely on our defense and our rebounding I think we can win a lot of games," Braun added.
