Jan 22, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard AJ Storr grabs a rebound against the TCU Horned Frogs during the first half at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
At Big12sportz, we’re all about celebrating the grit and glory of sports, and the Kansas Jayhawks’ recent 74-61 road victory over the TCU Horned Frogs is a perfect example of teamwork and hustle. This win, marking their second straight and fifth in six games, showcased the depth of this squad. With head coach Bill Self tweaking rotations due to KJ Adams’ injury, the Jayhawks’ bench stepped up in a big way, proving they’re a force to be reckoned with.
Freshman Fire: Flory Bidunga Steps Up
With Adams sidelined, freshman Flory Bidunga moved into the starting lineup and delivered. The young star notched his first collegiate double-double, dropping 10 points and snagging 10 rebounds, while swatting away four shots in 25 minutes. Bidunga’s ability to stay out of foul trouble—a past challenge—allowed him to dominate defensively. While Adams is likely to reclaim his starting spot once healthy, Bidunga’s performance showed he’s ready to contribute, whether starting or sparking the bench.
Starters Set the Tone
The Jayhawks’ starters did their job. Dajuan Harris orchestrated the offense with precision, Hunter Dickinson powered through for 16 points in a strong second half, and Zeke Mayo quietly added 13 points. Shakeel Moore lit it up from deep, going 3-for-4 from three-point range to finish with 11 points. But as Big12sportz knows, championships aren’t won by starters alone—it’s the bench that often makes the difference.
Bench Brigade: The Game-Changers
The real story of the night was the bench trio of Rylan Griffen, David Coit, and AJ Storr. Griffen, despite an off shooting night, chipped in a three-pointer and four points. Coit, in just nine minutes, hit a clutch three-pointer early in the second half to help Kansas seize the lead, adding two assists for good measure.
But the standout was AJ Storr, who finally had his breakout moment. After being relegated to limited minutes in Big 12 play, Storr exploded for 12 points, six rebounds, three steals, and an assist in over 20 minutes. His playmaking ability, which had been underutilized, shone brightly against TCU. At Big12sportz, we love seeing athletes seize their moment, and Storr’s performance was a reminder of why depth is a game-changer.
Why the Bench Matters
The Jayhawks’ bench strength is what sets them apart this season. Last year, Kansas lacked the depth to make a deep March run. This year, Self has built a roster where players like Griffen, Coit, Storr, and eventually Adams or Bidunga off the bench can swing games. If these players continue to buy in and deliver, the Jayhawks could be looking at a Big 12 title and a Final Four push.
Tough Tests Ahead
Kansas faces a challenging home matchup against a Top-10 Houston team this Saturday. After that, the schedule lightens up slightly, with only two ranked opponents—Iowa State on February 3 and Houston again on March 3—before the regular season finale against a strong Arizona squad on March 8. Other teams, like Baylor on February 1, could climb into the rankings, but Kansas is poised to be favored in most games. Winning on the road in the Big 12 is never easy, but with this bench, the Jayhawks have the tools to make a statement.
Big12sportz’s Take
At Big12sportz, we believe in the power of the underdog and the unsung heroes. The Kansas Jayhawks’ bench is proving to be their secret weapon. If Griffen, Coit, Storr, and company keep bringing the energy, this could be a season Kansas fans—and sports lovers everywhere—won’t forget. Stay tuned to Big12sportz for more updates on the Jayhawks’ journey and all things sports!
