2021 Kansas Jayhawks

The 2021 Kansas Jayhawks finished with a record of 21-9 (12-6), earning a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament. They made the Round of 32 before losing. The team’s Sports Reference link is here.

OFFENSE

Looking at the offensive side of the ball for the 2021 team, center David McCormack led the team in nearly every important category. He accounted for the second-most points on a per game basis, and was also the team’s most efficient shooter while taking a large volume of shots. His impact and efficiency were bolstered by strong offensive rebounding rates. When combined, his +3.44 value on the offensive end grades out as a top 20 individual season in the 25-year timespan of 1997-2021. Other starters provided solid offensive seasons in more complimentary roles. Jalen Wilson had multiple 20+ point scoring outings against a difficult schedule, and could make the marginal shot the team needed him to. Ochai Agbaji was the team’s best at finishing a play set by an assist (think lob dunks and kick-out 3’s). Despite playing out of position, Marcus Garrett’s offensive numbers as the leading PG was comfortably above replacement-level. The only negative-value starter on offense was Christian Braun, but on a per possession basis he was still better than each rotation bench player.

DEFENSE

The defensive side of the ball was where the 2021 Jayhawks were more competitive, and this was primarily due to Marcus Garrett’s record-setting season. Not only did he give up a paltry 7.5 points per 60 possessions, he balanced this solid on-ball defense by winning possessions through defensive rebounds, steals, and forced turnovers. The unseen adjustment was that of the average strength of opponent, which in 2021 was the toughest KU has ever faced. Garrett wasn’t shutting down lesser offensive talents, he was doing it against skilled opponents. Other positive-value defenders were Ochai Agabji who played solid on-ball defense, Tyon Grant-Foster who was an excellent rebounder as a wing, Christian Braun who added small but accumulated value from all phases of defense, and Bryce Thompson who defended the perimeter adequately.

Total Adjusted PPG +/-

Marcus Garrett led the team with a +4.45 value score, and each of the other starters proved themselves to be capable KU-level players. Both McCormack and Agbaji made big leaps from the prior season. The newcomers mostly struggled to perform. Only Tyon Grant-Foster produced positive value of rotation non-starters, but his minutes were limited due to inconsistency. Chris Teahan played 18 minutes all season, yet still produced +7.9 points of value over 10 games. While not a large sample size, he played well when called upon.

The team’s offense and defense were both below KU expectation. The defense was Self’s 5th lowest in 18 seasons; the offense was his worst while at KU. Overall the team had the lowest value score of any KU team since 1999, but was comparable to these other teams (2019, 2015, 2004, and 2000). The team was 5-1 in games decided by four points or fewer, which probably helped bump it up a seed line or two.