Bill Self’s straightforward message fuels Kansas’ dominant win over Baylor

The Kansas Jayhawks appear to have turned a corner, and their latest victory over Baylor only reinforced that belief.

In the span of two games, Kansas has reshaped the narrative around its season. It began earlier in the week when the Jayhawks delivered a stunning 84–63 blowout of No. 2 Iowa State inside Allen Fieldhouse, a result that sent shockwaves through college basketball. While the atmosphere in Lawrence can elevate any team on a given night, the real question was whether Kansas could sustain that level of intensity once emotions cooled.

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self walks out before taking on Baylor Bears for the game inside Allen Fieldhouse on Jan. 16, 2026. | Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Friday night provided the answer.

Kansas followed up that statement performance by overpowering Baylor 80–62, leaving little doubt that this surge is more than a one-night spark. The Jayhawks controlled the game from start to finish, showing physical dominance, defensive discipline, and a renewed edge that had been missing earlier in the season.

Much of the credit belongs to Darryn Peterson and Flory Bidunga, who were nearly unstoppable. The duo combined for 49 points while shooting an ultra-efficient 22-of-27 from the field, setting the tone for an offense that attacked relentlessly and punished Baylor at every level.

Kansas consistently lived in the paint, scoring 42 points inside as it broke down Baylor’s interior defense with strength and precision. When stops were needed, the Jayhawks delivered just as emphatically on the other end. Baylor was held to 36.1 percent shooting, a sharp decline from its season average of 47.2 percent, as Kansas smothered passing lanes, contested shots, and erased momentum whenever it began to build.

What made the performance even more impressive was its consistency. From the opening tip, Kansas played with purpose, urgency, and aggression. There were no extended lulls, no stretches of complacency. The Jayhawks dictated tempo, controlled space, and executed with confidence on both ends of the floor.

According to those inside the program, that edge stemmed from a simple but powerful message delivered by head coach Bill Self before the game. Written plainly on the board was a reminder aimed directly at the team’s mindset.

“We can’t be one-hit wonders.”

The phrase was a direct reference to the Iowa State win and a challenge to ensure it didn’t become an isolated highlight. Kansas responded exactly how Self hoped, backing up its previous performance with another authoritative showing against a respected Big 12 rival.

The victory improved Kansas’ record to 13–5 overall and 3–2 in conference play, an important step forward in a league where every result carries weight. More importantly, it restored belief that the Jayhawks are capable of playing to their potential on a consistent basis.

That belief will soon be tested. The Big 12 schedule offers little margin for error, and Kansas faces a difficult stretch ahead with three of its next four games coming away from home. The next challenge arrives Tuesday night when the Jayhawks travel to face Colorado, a matchup that will require the same level of focus and intensity shown against Baylor.

Tipoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. CT, with coverage available on ESPN.

For now, Kansas can take confidence in the fact that it has answered a critical question about its identity. These last two games suggest the Jayhawks are not simply feeding off emotion or environment, but rediscovering the habits that have defined the program under Bill Self.

If the message continues to resonate, Kansas’ midseason surge may be just getting started.