Bad to worse: Kansas blown out by Houston while Hunter Dickinson exits with injury

The Kansas men’s basketball team was tied with the Houston Cougars at 2-all for the first 2:27 of Saturday’s game at Fertitta Center.

From 2:28 to the end of the game, the Cougars were in complete control.

The Jayhawks looked shell shocked and unprepared from the opening tip as No. 1 Houston demolished No. 14 Kansas 76-46 on Senior Night. KU’s point total was the lowest ever in conference play under coach Bill Self.

After a dominant first half, Houston led 40-21 at halftime and didn’t look back.

“They threw the first punch and we folded,” KU big man Parker Braun said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t even get up.”

Kansas star Hunter Dickinson exited the game midway through the second half due to a right shoulder dislocation. He wouldn’t return for the rest of the game. He had 11 points and six rebounds.

“Hunter dislocated his shoulder — popped (it) back in, but he will have an MRI soon to see what the diagnosis is and try to get a game plan moving forward for him,” Self said.

Freshman guard Johnny Furphy added nine points, as KU (22-9, 10-8 Big 12) lost its regular-season finale, splitting with Houston on the season.

KU is now locked into a Wednesday game at the Big 12 tournament, missing out on the double-byes afforded to the top four teams in the conference.

Overall, Self felt the Jayhawks lacked competitiveness.

“There were a lot of 50/50 balls, a lot of blown things that we did that made it look even worse than what it was,” Self said. “I am not going to the fault the effort, but being prepared from the competitive standpoint, I would certainly fault. We could be a lot better in that area.”

Here are three takeaways from KU’s loss to the Cougars...

KU’s offensive woes

KU’s offense in the first half was the worst it has been all season.

The Jayhawks scored their lowest point total (21) in a half this season. Kansas shot an abysmal 6-for-23 (26.1%), including 1-of-10 from 3-point range.

The Cougars’ defense did an excellent job packing the paint and forcing the Jayhawks to take perimeter shots — a major weakness for KU.

Houston also limited the impact of Dickinson by doubling him around the rim and forcing him into tough shots. He had four points on 2-of-6 shooting at the half

Perhaps the most impressive part was that the Cougars turned 10 KU turnovers into 21 first-half points.

KU did a little better in the second half, shooting 40.9%. But for the game, Kansas shot 33.3% from the floor. Meanwhile, Houston shot 43.8%.

Kevin McCullar and Hunter Dickinson battle injuries

Kansas star Kevin McCullar came into the game questionable to play due to a bone bruise in his left knee.

He warmed up and started Saturday’s game. Still, he played only in the first half — logging 15 minutes. He had zero points while shooting 0-of-4 from the floor.

In the second half, KU freshman and Houston native Jamari McDowell replaced McCullar in the starting lineup. McDowell finished with two points and two rebounds in 17 minutes.

The injury to KU’s stars tested the resolve of this team.

“You can’t worry about it, it’s got to be next man up,” Braun said. “As long as we got five people on the floor, you have to be ready to compete.”

KU’s issues on the boards

The Jayhawks had the size advantage with the 7-2 Dickinson on the inside, but Houston came into the matchup known for its physicality and toughness, especially on the glass.

It showed: UH won the rebounding battle 38-31 and nearly doubled up KU in offensive rebounds, 13-7.

The Cougars were quicker, more decisive and more determined to get rebounds, which led to a 16-point advantage in second-chance points (17-1).

For the Jayhawks, winning the rebounding battle is especially important because KU struggles to shoot from deep. When other teams get second and third chances on a possession, KU doesn’t always have the firepower to match or catch up.

As KU heads into postseason play, the rebounding battle may very well play a major role in how far the team advances.