“Kansas is making progress” and finding its identity during its three-game winning streak

After Kansas suffered consecutive road losses in December, Bill Self said his team had not yet found an identity. As the calendar turned to 2025, a business card appeared. The Jayhawks have won three conference games in a row thanks to dominant defensive performances.

Kansas held UCF to 48 points, allowed just 12 points in the second half against Arizona State, and Cincinnati scored 40 points as the Jayhawks rebounded from a loss in the conference’s opening game. A trademark for Kansas’ victories is emerging, but Bill Self doesn’t go so far as to say they’ve established a true identity.

“It’s still a work in progress, but I’m sure you guys notice it too: the defensive intensity has been increased since the start of the year (2025),” Self said. “I don’t know if we have a real identity yet, but I think we’re getting closer to that identity.”

The Jayhawks posted their lowest point total of the year against Cincinnati, but still won by 14 points. Hunter Dickinson said that type of play was similar to Self’s style during his coaching days.

“It may not be the most aesthetic style of basketball, but I think that’s actually what Coach Self would prefer when it comes to winning,” Dickinson said. “He always talks about how he wants the team that is tougher, meaner and better defensively, the team that just wants it more.”

A catalyst for the emerging defensive intensity mentality was Shakeel Moore. He was inserted into the starting lineup before the UCF game and has helped the Jayhawks improve defensively and provided a spark to the team.

“It allows Juan to not guard the power guard, it allows for a lot of different things,” Self said. “I think he probably has as good defensive anticipation instincts as anyone on our team. And with his strength he can make some plays athletically that other guys can’t… I think he fired us up.”

Kansas faces one of, if not its biggest, defensive tests on Wednesday when the Jayhawks take on Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum. According to KenPom, the Cyclones rank sixth nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency. Although the offense has made tremendous strides, Iowa State still relies heavily on the defense under TJ Otzelberger.

“I think it’s the best team TJ has ever had,” Self said. “I think they’re great on offense, but what’s special about them is that – and that’s their identity – they’re really about defending in the half court, and they still do that just as well.”

Dickinson emphasized the importance of showing defensive intensity in high-profile matches and away from home. This will be crucial if the Jayhawks want to make a breakthrough in the NCAA Tournament, and it will also help them earn crucial victories in conference play.

“Defense travel,” Dickinson said. “Especially in times like the tournament, you want the defense to try and get you through. Because there will be games where there will be fierce fights, especially in the tournament. Once you get to the Elite Eight, all of these games are going to be slower games where you’re really trying to perform, you’re trying to play one-on-one, and that’s where you want your defense to kind of stand up the most, and I think we want to prepare for that.”