Kansas vs. Texas score, takeaways: Longhorns dominate Jayhawks in KU's worst home loss under Bill Self

Texas led from start to finish in a surprisingly easy 84-59 win over Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse

The Shaka Smart era of Texas basketball hit a new peak on Saturday when the No. 8 Longhorns snapped a nine-game road losing streak against Kansas by dispatching the No. 3 Jayhawks 84-59 with a dominant offensive performance at Allen Fieldhouse. Texas hit 8-of-13 3-pointers in the second half while ending Kansas' eight-game winning streak and proving it belongs in the Big 12 title conversation.

Jalen Wilson led Kansas with 20 points, scoring 14 of them in the second half. But his team's shoddy defense stymied Wilson's efforts to lead the Jayhawks back. The Longhorns hit six straight 3-pointers to begin the second half and had no trouble attacking the basket as they handed Kansas (8-2, 2-1 Big 12) its worst home loss under Bill Self.

Courtney Ramey led the way for Texas (8-1, 2-0) with 18 points, and fellow guards Andrew Jones and Matt Coleman III contributed 14 and 13, respectively. The Longhorns also looked better on the interior as senior forward Jericho Sims notched a double-double with 11 points points and 12 rebounds. Kansas shot just 30.8% from the field and made just 3-of-23 attempts from 3-point range.

Longhorn breakthrough

Texas was already enjoying its highest ranking of Smart's six-year tenure, and the Longhorns will only climb higher after such a dominant victory over a top-five opponent. Unlike Smart's previous teams, which all finished outside the AP Top 25, this team has staying power. The back court trio of Ramey, Coleman and Jones provides Texas with the veteran guard play that is so often critical to postseason success. With Sims and five-star freshman forward Greg Brown in the front court, the Longhorns also have plenty of heft as well.

Detractors will note last season's team, comprised of a similar roster, cracked the top 25 as well and started 9-1 before struggling to a 9-9 record in league play. But this iteration of the Longhorns are a year wiser and look lightyears more comfortable offensively. Navigating the Big 12 will bring adversity, as quality foes like No. 9 West Virginia, No. 13 Texas Tech and No. 2 Baylor await. But this team proved on Saturday that it has the chops to withstand the grind and emerge as a contender in March.

Disappearing act

Ochai Agbaji and Marcus Garrett pulled off a disappearing act in the second half for Kansas, leaving Wilson as the only starter making offensive contributions in a lifeless comeback effort. After scoring 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting in the first half, Agbaji missed all five of his shot attempts in the second half. Garrett missed all three of his shot attempts in the second half. In total, KU's four starters aside from Wilson combined to make just one shot from the field in the final 20 minutes of the game.

The lack of production from Kansas' big men was of particular concern Saturday. Though it's been a season-long struggle for the Jayhawks to extract meaningful contributions from their post players, the problem was particularly noticeable against Texas. Starting center David McCormack finished with eight points and five rebounds. But all eight of his points came at the free-throw line. Self played him for just four minutes in the second half, opting instead to go with redshirt senior Mitch Lightfoot in the post. But Lightfoot's only contributions of note were a pair of blocks as he did not attempt a shot and was credited with no rebounds.

Shorthanded showdown

Texas announced Saturday morning that junior forward Gerald Liddell plans to transfer. The former top-50 prospect was averaging 11.4 minutes per game in 11 appearances this season. The Longhorns were also without reserves Kamaka Hepa and Royce Hamm. The absences limited the rotation to eight players. But Texas avoided foul trouble and got 23 points from its trio of bench players, including 12 from sophomore forward Kai Jones.

Kansas was not at full strength, either. Five-star freshman guard Bryce Thompson did not play due to a back injury. Thompson was averaging 5.4 points in 17.4 minutes per game.

[Jan 2, 2021 at 1:58 pm ET · David Cobb]

It's going to be the worst home loss for Kansas in the Bill Self era.

[Jan 2, 2021 at 1:49 pm ET · David Cobb]

McCormack and Lightfoot have combined for 0 field goals. Sometimes Kansas looks like it has moved from Azubuike without too much trouble. Other times, it looks totally lost without a dominant (or competent) big man.

[Jan 2, 2021 at 1:45 pm ET · David Cobb]

Wow, this is on the cusp of being the worst Kansas home loss under Bill Self. Obviously, it's a different world with few or no fans. But still.

[Jan 2, 2021 at 1:41 pm ET · David Cobb]

Uh-oh. Marcus Garrett is getting attention from a trainer after getting a Jericho Sims elbow to the face. Looks really painful.

[Jan 2, 2021 at 1:36 pm ET · David Cobb]

Good grief. Texas is absolutely on fire. 68-47 Longhorns. Kansas' defense is in total disarray. Eight minutes to go.

[Jan 2, 2021 at 1:32 pm ET · David Cobb]

Well, Texas has finally missed a second half 3-pointer. But the Longhorns are also getting to the basket with relative ease. So all is well in UT basketball. Football on the other hand....

[Jan 2, 2021 at 1:28 pm ET · David Cobb]

No Lightfoot and no McCormack on the floor for Kansas. But the small-ball lineup can't stop Texas from hitting another 3.

[Jan 2, 2021 at 1:24 pm ET · David Cobb]

Texas still hasn't missed a 3-pointer in the second half. 5-for-5. Hard to beat anyone shooting like that.

[Jan 2, 2021 at 1:22 pm ET · David Cobb]

Kansas isn't getting anything from its bigs in this game. Kinda feels like Jalen Wilson making something happen is the extent of the offense right now.

[Jan 2, 2021 at 1:17 pm ET · David Cobb]

Long ways yet to go. But this win would be a massive validation of Texas' direction less than a year after it seemed Shaka Smart was on the hot seat. Fans or no fans, winning at No. 3 Kansas is as good as it gets in the Big 12.

[Jan 2, 2021 at 1:12 pm ET · David Cobb]

Sheeesh. Felt like KU was making progress to start the half. But the Texas lead is up to 50-38 at the 15:39 mark after a 3-for-3 start from 3-point range for the Longhorns. Largest lead yet.

[Jan 2, 2021 at 1:08 pm ET · David Cobb]

Jalen Wilson is getting going early in the second for KU. Big development, because he can be a sparkplug for this squad.

[Jan 2, 2021 at 1:03 pm ET · David Cobb]

KU committing to the 5-out will be interesting, because Texas is going to be playing Jericho Sims. Can Sims stay in front of his defensive assignment? If not, can KU shooters actually hit on the subsequent drive-and-kick looks?