Texas Basketball: 5 nailbiting Kansas defeat takeaways

The disappointing losses are really starting to rack up for Texas basketball, with another coming on Jan. 14, just 17 games into the 2018-19 campaign.

The Jan. 14 loss to the Kansas Jayhawks was one that stung more than pretty much any other this season. Texas basketball had the opportunity to pick up its biggest win of the 2018-19 regular season, against top 10-ranked Kansas, to add to the NCAA Tournament resume. We’re at the midway point of the 2018-19 regular season for Texas basketball, and racking up a few marquee victories is necessary to the cause for this team for Selection Sunday.

The loss to Kansas moves Texas basketball to a record of 10-7 (2-3 Big 12) on the season. A start to the Big 12 slate that looked as if Texas basketball could contend quickly faded. Now, Texas basketball is going to try to break its three-game losing streak at the hands of the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Kansas, by knocking off the Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Showdown on the hardwood on Jan. 20.

However, Texas basketball must first reflect on what went wrong during its three-game losing streak before it can move forward to what lies ahead against the rival Sooners this weekend. Texas basketball couldn’t close out any of the three games. Fading in the second half was an issue in pretty much every loss for the Horns this season.

Meanwhile, Kansas is looking to keep its throne at the top of the Big 12. But, there will be some tough challengers coming the Jayhawks way including Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and the Iowa State Cyclones.

Here’s a look at the definitive five takeaways from the nailbiting and heartbreaking 80-78 defeat for the Texas Longhorns at the hands of the Kansas Jayhawks on the road on Jan. 14.