A review of the telecast of Kansas University’s basketball victory over top-ranked Florida revealed an interesting statement by Dick Vitale.

“How good is Darrell Arthur? Bill Self told me yesterday he has a chance to be the best he’s ever coached,” Vitale said.

If Arthur fulfills that prophecy, it would mean he also would qualify as the most improved player Self ever has coached. Arthur has gone backward of late, and he was part of the group of big men called out as “soft” by their coach after a 23-point victory against hapless Colorado University.

Julian Wright and Arthur combined to outplay Joakim Noah and Al Horford that November night in Las Vegas when Vitale shared his Self conversation with the audience. Two months after that high point of a night, in which Arthur and Wright combined for 40 points and 19 rebounds, they combined for eight points and five rebounds against a Colorado team that is 1-6 in the Big 12.

Whereas Wright’s peaks and valleys can occur within the same game, Arthur’s decline is easier to trace. Arthur was a better player in the first 11 games than in the past 10.

Arthur’s foul trouble used to be the source of much stress. Not lately. When Arthur fouled out of the Colorado game, it was barely noticeable because he was so invisible throughout 18 minutes in which he totaled two points and one rebound.

He’s not shooting as well, not scoring as well, not rebounding as well and not blocking as many shots as early in the season. If it really is darkest right before the dawn, expect Arthur to break out of his midseason slump.

Statistics don’t always tell the whole story, but in Arthur’s case, they do point to a specific game when he started a down-turn in production. Against Boston College, which featured shot-blocker Shawn Williams, an extraordinary athlete, Arthur made one of seven shots from the field.

In 11 games before B.C., Arthur averaged 13.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and shot .604. In the 10 games starting with B.C., Arthur has averaged 8.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and shot .423. Playing time isn’t the issue. He averaged 21.5 minutes in the first 11 games, 20.4 in the past 10.

His talent suggests he’ll bounce back, but just because he can run and jump and shoot and was a McDonald’s All-American who was the subject of a protracted recruiting battle doesn’t mean he’s overflowing with self-confidence. In reality, he appears to get down on himself when he fails to hit an easy shot or forgets to be in the right place at the right time. His facial expression screams, “Darn it!” A shy, humble sort, Arthur’s confidence appears to be hurt by poor performances more than it seems to be boosted by strong ones.

His exceptional athletic ability also doesn’t change one thing: He’s 18. Teenagers are unpredictable by definition.

When a young basketball player takes a temporary step backward, the tendency is to want to blame the coach. That’s wrong-headed. It’s the equivalent of blaming the parents whenever a teenager gets in trouble.

Once Arthur emerges from his funk, he’ll be a better player for having gone through it. As mustachioed 19th-century philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche used to say, “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”