Kansas needs Billy Preston to reach the next level

CHICAGO — After the graduation of Frank Mason, No. 4 Kansas was expected to endure some offensive struggles as it adjusted to playing without last year’s Naismith Player of the Year. Just over 90 minutes before tipoff, coach Bill Self’s unit was informed of another setback for its matchup against No. 7 Kentucky in the Champions Classic on Tuesday.

The Jayhawks announced via Twitter that the 6’10, 230-pound Billy Preston wouldn’t suit up against the Wildcats following his involvement in a “single-vehicle incident on campus” Saturday. Preston was the school’s lone five-star haul in its 2017 recruiting class, focusing on adding four transfers during the offseason instead.

Since the 2017 McDonald’s All-American sat out Kansas’ season opener on Friday after missing curfew and a class, it was unknown if he would’ve earned a starting nod vs. Kentucky. Still, his teammates showcased a rugged offensive display without him in their 65-61 win, shooting 35.3 percent from the field, along with averaging just .90 points per possession.

“I think all of us are still adjusting,” Newman said. “It’s still early, so that’s a good thing … sometimes I think we were rushing the issue.”

Despite the opponent notching a mere .84 points per possession and 18 turnovers, the Jayhawks failed to find the spark plug they needed in order to pull away from an inexperienced bunch. Kansas’ four-guard lineup, consisting of Devonte’ Graham, Malik Newman, Svi Mykhailiuk, and Lagerald Vick, combined to shoot just 28.6 percent from behind the arc. Preston could’ve provided a boost in that department, hitting 40 percent of his threes during his days at Oak Hill Academy.

Although it’s just one game, Self’s group lacked a go-to scoring option down the stretch. Graham won’t shoot 3-of-14 every game, but he doesn’t appear to have the knack to takeover down the stretch like the aforementioned Mason. Newman did knock down a triple with 2:10 left to push his team’s lead to two possessions, but he still hit just 4-of-14 from the field.

“One way we build (off this) is get in the gym and shoot,” Newman said.

Fans already saw this movie in the Elite Eight a season ago, as Kansas shot just 35 percent in a 14-point loss to Oregon. It needs a lengthier playmaker to contend in the latter part of March Madness.

Moreover, led by forwards Sacha Killeya-Jones and Kevin Knox, the Wildcats seemingly wore down the Jayhawks’ seven-man rotation in the second half, out-rebounding them 26-15. Preston still has work to do on the glass, but he’s one of Kansas’ bigger bodies nonetheless.

“I thought we defensively rebounded the ball great in the first half, and as good as we were in the first half, we were about that poor in the second half,” Self said.

He also could’ve given Mykhailiuk a break from defending Knox, who notched 20 points via 8-of-13 shooting. The 6’8, 205-pound guard credited Knox for his length in creating separation.

On the flip side, Self said he felt this game would be irrelevant when determining Kansas’ overall success, or lack thereof, this season. Once Preston cracks the Jayhawks’ rotation, though, the difference in his team’s play should be evident.