Kansas hopes to put February funk in past

There is little doubt that Kansas has the talent and depth to reach the Final Four. A national championship? That would be a fitting way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the school’s last national title.

This season’s Jayhawks are little different from previous versions. Kansas has been a perennial Final Four threat but the school hasn’t made it to college basketball’s final weekend since 2004, Roy Williams’ final season as coach.

Bill Self, Williams’ successor, has been to a regional championship game four times with three different schools. He believes that the Jayhawks’ February funk that saw them lose road games at Kansas State, Texas and Oklahoma State will prove beneficial during the NCAA Tournament.

"Florida had to go through (adversity) last year to win the national championship," said Self, noting that the defending national champions suffered two lopsided losses in February. "North Carolina has gone through it this season with injuries.

“Everybody that’s really good in March has had to develop some type of team toughness. But we hadn’t done that."

ESPN college basketball analyst Jimmy Dykes says the one thing he loves about Kansas is its balance and the one thing he hates about Kansas is its balance. Dykes wonders if the Jayhawks have a singular leader like Florida’s Joakim Noah, a player that will pound his chest and fire up his teammates.

Self’s explanation of his team’s February fade seems to echo Dykes’ concern.

“Everybody decided at once to basically look out for numero uno,’’ Self said. "No one rallied around the adversity."

Kansas is at its best when its defense forces turnovers that turn into points or when its rebounding advantage produces fast breaks. However, NCAA Tournament play typically produces half-court wrestling matches.

If the Jayhawks are to play in San Antonio, they’ll have to prove they can have the patience and the moxie to score in half-court situations.

“When we play good, it’s because of intangibles,’’ Self said,

Last year Kansas lost to UCLA in the West Regional final. That was to be Brandon Rush’s final college game. He, along with fellow KU sophomore Julian Wright, declared for the NBA Draft after his sophomore season.

But last May, Rush tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a pick-up game. Because Rush had not signed with an agent and there was still time to withdraw his name, Rush was able to return to the Jayhawks for his junior season.

“There’s no doubt Brandon’s injury has been a blessing for the program,” Self said. “No doubt at all. But I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s been a blessing for Brandon.

“If he’d never gotten hurt, he’d be in the NBA right now, and that’s his ultimate dream. But if he continues to progress, his draft status will be improved, in my opinion.”

The 6-6 Rush is a dangerous perimeter shooter and an above-average defender. Add Rush to the improved play of senior post Darnell Jackson and sophomore Darrell Arthur, plus a sold backcourt of Mario Chalmers, Russell Robinson and Sherron Collins, and Kansas has a roster to match any team.