Stunning No. 8 Kansas loss could be a sign of another March disappointment

Kansas trailed by as many as 19 in the stunning loss to Cincinnati and was out-rebounded 40-29. Its defense was arguably most concerning. The Bearcats don't have a great offense, entering the day No. 273 in scoring (72.3 points per game). But they often got what they wanted against the Jayhawks.

Senior forward Baba Miller got inside the paint with ease early as part of a quick eight points, with Kansas offering little interior resistance.

The Jayhawks were even worse defending the three-point line, often too slow to close on attempts, giving multiple Bearcats shooters clean looks.

That's the type of effort that will get a team beat by either a hungrier mid-major champ or trending power conference at-large team during the first weekend of March Madness.

Kansas also can't rely on star freshman guard Darryn Peterson, who played 32 minutes Saturday but has overall been an inconsistent presence, even pulling himself from a recent win over Oklahoma State after experiencing cramping.

The Jayhawks have lost two of their last three — both by double-digits — and are projected to lose their next two against the Houston Cougars (23-3, 11-2 in Big 12) and Arizona Wildcats (24-2, 11-2 in Big 12), according to KenPom. Kansas is trending downward, and things could get rockier ahead of the NCAA Tournament. 

For a team with as much talent as Kansas has, it could easily contend for a national title. But Saturday was a reminder that it might just as easily be headed for another quick, disappointing ending.