Former Kansas Basketball Players React to Embarrassing Loss to BYU
The Kansas basketball program hit a historic low Tuesday night, suffering a crushing 91-57 loss to BYU. The defeat marks one of the worst in head coach Bill Self’s storied tenure and has sparked sharp criticism from former players and fans alike.
The 34-point blowout ties the largest margin of defeat since Self took over in Lawrence and ranks as the third-worst loss in Kansas Jayhawks basketball history, according to ESPN. For a program accustomed to dominance, especially in Big 12 play, this kind of collapse is both rare and alarming.
Following the loss, the Jayhawks dropped to 8-7 in the Big 12 and are now tied for sixth in the conference standings. Even more concerning is the team’s recent slide, having lost six of their last nine games at a critical point in the season.
Former Kansas basketball players didn’t hold back on social media. Cole Aldrich, a key contributor during Self’s earlier years, tweeted, “Put the managers in. Maybe they care.” Meanwhile, Mario Little added, “This is shocking to watch…”—a sentiment that echoed throughout the Kansas fan base.
Bill Self, known for his calm demeanor and strategic leadership, acknowledged the seriousness of the loss. He suggested that the team, plagued by poor chemistry and inconsistent effort, needs to step away and reset.
“We need to get away from each other, I’ll tell you that point blank,” Self said postgame. “I thought this trip would be a good team bonding experience, but it hasn’t been. It’s time for the guys to get home, rest, and regroup. Let’s come back Thursday ready to reconnect and figure out how to play like a team again.”
The Jayhawks will look to bounce back on Saturday in a must-win game against Oklahoma State. With tough matchups ahead—including games against Texas Tech, Houston, and Arizona—Kansas faces a brutal stretch that could define their NCAA Tournament fate.
The team has talent, led by players like Hunter Dickinson, but even solid individual performances have looked hollow amid poor team execution. Fans are left wondering whether this roster, built in part through the transfer portal and NIL deals, has the cohesion needed to compete at the highest level.
March Madness is just around the corner, and unless the Jayhawks can rediscover their identity quickly, their postseason could be short-lived. The Kansas basketball faithful are hoping this BYU loss serves as a turning point, not a breaking point.
With five games left before the Big 12 Tournament, time is running out for Kansas to fix what’s broken. Bill Self has overcome adversity before—but this time, the climb may be steeper than ever.
