Bill Self makes surprising claim about Kentucky after loss

Kansas head coach Bill Self had high praise for Kentucky after their matchup on Saturday, where the Jayhawks fell 80-62 in their home gym. Self praised Kentucky for how well they played, calling them a team that could win a national title.

Bill Self on Kentucky

After a game filled with frustration from Self, even the Kansas coach couldn’t help but be impressed with Kentucky’s play in their marquee matchup. Coming into the game, Kansas had only lost two games all season, and were ranked No. 4 in the nation ahead of Kentucky at No. 12.

“That was a great basketball team we played tonight,” Self said after the game. “That team that we played tonight could win it all.”

Although there is plenty of time to correct what happened to the Jayhawks before the NCAA Tournament, Saturday’s game will be pointed to as a resume game for both schools. The loss was only the 16th time Self has lost at Allen Fieldhouse, making his career record at home with Kansas 286-16.

The Wildcats shot a full 10 percent better from the field than Kansas did, and outrebounded the Jayhawks by 12. The largest lead of the game for Kentucky was 24 points after a huge possession by Kentucky center Oscar Tshiebwe.

Oscar Tshiebwe dominates glass against Kansas

As Kentucky continued to pile on against Kansas late in the second half, Oscar Tshiebwe dominated the offensive glass over three Jayhawks for a basket. After a missed shot under the basket, Tshiebwe wrestled the ball away from three Kansas players and missed another shot. Continuing to fight, Tshiebwe grabbed his second offensive rebound of the possession and made the easy layup after knocking his defender to the ground.

In a moment that exemplified how hard Kentucky played against Kansas on the road, Tshiebwe picked up two offensive rebounds around multiple Kansas defenders under the basket. Tshiebwe’s effort pushed Kentucky’s lead to 24 points, as Kentucky improved to 16-4 on the season while handing Kansas their third loss.

Tshiebwe ended with 17 points and 14 rebounds on the day, a full six rebounds above any other player on the court.