photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Jamari Traylor (31) lies on the floor after being called for a foul during the second half, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015 at United Center in Chicago.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Jamari Traylor (31) lies on the floor after being called for a foul during the second half, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015 at United Center in Chicago.

The Kansas University men’s basketball team had a golden opportunity to start the season with a statement victory in a prime-time event that would have served notice that this season was going to be different.

It still might, but the Jayhawks blew that opportunity by collapsing down the stretch against a scrappy, hard-charging Michigan State team that made all of the plays on offense and defense in Tuesday night’s 79-73 victory over Kansas in the Champions Classic in Chicago.

By all accounts, this was a bad loss. And not because Michigan State (2-0) is a bad team or because the Jayhawks no-showed. Worse. Because Michigan State is a good team, Kansas (1-1) had ’em beat and still could not close the deal.

After building an 11-point lead midway through the second half and looking like they were about to turn the lights out on the Spartans’ chances, Kansas forgot how to run offense, gave up too many easy buckets on defense and, despite never quitting, never could regain the upper hand. Kansas played catch-up basketball down the stretch and Michigan State never blinked.

The loss dropped KU to 1-1 this season and 1-4 all-time in the Champions Classic.

Quick takeaway

Like our sports editor Tom Keegan wrote in today’s paper, the Jayhawks blew this one by not understanding the importance of Perry Ellis. And I’m not just talking late or in the second half. From the very start of the game on, the Jayhawks far too often failed to give Ellis a touch on the offensive end, instead allowing for crazy driving shots at the rim that, in all reality, weren’t even close. Even if he’s not scoring, Ellis is the man that nearly every possession should run through night in and night out. Doing that makes Kansas a better team. Not doing that makes Kansas lose to Michigan State in a game they had no business losing. Ellis easily should’ve gone for 30 points in this one but the KU perimeter players — veteran guys who should know better — did not emphasize getting him the ball and KU came away empty. It’s not an end-of-the-world type of loss for Kansas. But it definitely should not have happened and it will be interesting to see what this team learned and/or gained from the defeat.

Three reasons to smile

1 – There’s not a single player on KU’s roster that can score and impact the game in as many different ways as Perry Ellis. And that was on full display in this one. He scored in the post, finished through contact and hit from the outside. Because of the loss, several KU fans already have jumped on the “Perry’s soft” bandwagon. They’re missing the point. He’s not soft. He’s KU’s best player. By far. And he needs to be the focal point of everything the Jayhawks do on a more consistent basis.

photo by: Nick Krug

2 – The Jayhawks were solid from the free throw line, shooting 24-of-30 for 80 percent, and got there nearly twice as much as the Spartans. With guys like Perry Ellis, Wayne Selden and Frank Mason in the starting lineup, getting easy points at the line should be a point of emphasis for the Jayhawks all season. Five different Jayhawks were perfect at the free throw line in Tuesday’s loss.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Frank Mason III (0) chases down a ball during the second half, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015 at United Center in Chicago.

3 – KU won the turnover battle in a big way on Tuesday night, coughing up just six turnovers and forcing 16. It could be argued that poor shot selection at times actually accounted for more turnovers, but on the stat sheet it went down as six give-aways. That’s the product of a veteran team understanding the importance of each possession and being locked in enough to avoid careless mistakes.

Three reasons to sigh

1 – Sophomore guard Devonte’ Graham was sped up all night and tried to play beyond his ability. Graham’s a great athlete, a good shooter and has a knack for finding the open man and running good offense. Last night he displayed none of that. He fired hard-driving shot after hard-driving shot off the backboard, missed his three-point tries and appeared to be a little overwhelmed by trying to put on a show on the big stage. That’s not what Kansas needs from Graham and he knows that. Don’t expect to see anything similar the rest of the year.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Devonte' Graham (4) is fouled by Michigan State guard Bryn Forbes (5) on a drive to the bucket during the first half, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015 at United Center in Chicago.

2 – Big man Landen Lucas may have tied for the team lead with seven rebounds but he had next to no impact on this game. He struggled mightily in the post on offense — why KU still throws it in there to him is beyond me — and he had defensive lapses that just can’t happen. Give him credit for grabbing seven boards, but his size advantage alone in this one said that number should’ve been attainable. There will be games down the road when Lucas’ size and rebounding ability can help this team, but he needs to improve significantly in a few other areas to warrant big minutes. After the performance Hunter Mickelson put up in Korea this summer, I’m shocked that he played just three minutes on a night when neither Lucas nor Jamari Traylor really had it going.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Landen Lucas catches a pass in the paint against Michigan State forward Deyonta Davis during the second half, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015 at United Center in Chicago.

3 – Smaller Michigan State out-rebounded Kansas by 10 on the boards and dominated stretches of the second half by getting second and third chances off of pure heart. KU had the size and depth advantage and you could not have paid me to believe that they would get out-rebounded in this one.

One for the road

Here’s a quick look at the updated all-time win totals in NCAA history.

• Kentucky – 2,180
• Kansas – 2,154
• North Carolina – 2,142
• Duke – 2,064
• Syracuse – 1,922

Next up

The Jayhawks head to paradise next week to open play in the Maui Invitational against Chaminade at 8 p.m. (central) on Monday. Win or lose, KU will play Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday in Hawaii.