Kansas head coach Bill Self shows his frustration as the Panthers close in on the Jayhawks' lead during the second half on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

There were many troubling statistics from No. 5 Kansas’ 71-63 victory over Eastern Illinois on Tuesday night at Allen Fieldhouse.

For one, the final score was a lot closer than expected in a game where the Jayhawks closed as 38.5-point favorites. Kansas also lost the 3-point battle again, going 3-for-14 from long range while Eastern Illinois went 9-for-22 from distance.

But perhaps the most alarming number of the night for the Jayhawks came in the rebounding department. They were outrebounded by the Panthers, 36-33, losing the rebounding battle for the second time in the last three games.

“We haven’t rebounded the ball yet this year, except for Hunter (Dickinson),” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “We are going to be, but we are a very poor offensive rebounding team. We are getting well less than 30% of our offensive rebounds back.”

“Defensively is where (we) struggled,” Self added. “If Kevin (McCullar Jr.) doesn’t get it and Hunter doesn’t get it, I don’t know who gets it.”

While that synopsis might sound bleak for a team that entered the year ranked No. 1 in the preseason, it’s also the reality of the situation. According to Ken Pomeroy’s analytical website, Kansas ranks 266th in the country with an offensive rebound rate of 26% and 102nd in the nation with a defensive rebound rate of 26.7%.

For comparison, the Jayhawks ranked 179th in offensive rebound rate last year with their worst mark (28.7%) in the Self era. So it’s easy to see why Self doesn’t believe KU’s performance on the offensive glass to start the year is simply a blip on the radar. The only time Kansas has recorded double-digit offensive rebounds in a game this season was its 11-board showing against Manhattan.

However, the Jayhawks should be concerned by the early rebounding numbers on the defensive end. Eastern Illinois became the third different team to collect 10-plus offensive rebounds against Kansas. All seven opponents have recorded at least eight offensive boards.

Against the Panthers on Tuesday, Dickinson was responsible for eight of the team’s 24 defensive rebounds. No other player had more than three on that end, as McCullar, KJ Adams Jr. and Nicolas Timberlake each grabbed a trio of defensive boards.

“Coach emphasizes all five rebounding,” Dickinson said. “I think (I should be) doing a better job of just getting out there and trying to help the guys out the best I can. I could have got more rebounds out there tonight.”

Dickinson, a 7-foot-2 big man, has actually done his part in the rebounding department. He is averaging 12.7 rebounds per game, which leads all of college basketball. Per KenPom, Dickinson ranks ninth in the country with a defensive rebound rate of 30.7% and 93rd with an offensive rebound rate of 13.3%.

McCullar is second on the team with 7.3 boards per contest, but then there is a big drop-off after that. Adams is averaging 3.4 rebounds per game after posting 4.3 boards per outing last season. Most importantly, Adams’ offensive rebound rate has plummeted from 8.9% to 4.7% since last year.

“KJ historically has been a better offensive rebounder than defensive,” Self said.

Last season, Adams was playing the center position. This meant that he was closer to the rim on the offensive end while also guarding the opposing big man, whereas now he’s slotted in at the four spot. It has definitely impacted his rebounding output thus far.

“What he did last year was, he’s guarding a guy bigger than him, so he tried to make sure his guy didn’t get the rebound,” Self said. “Which is a pretty good strategy when you have J-Wil (Jalen Wilson), Kevin to clean up and Gradey (Dick), who is 6-foot-8. We don’t have that as much this year.”

“KJ has to be a guy that hit and then release and go get (the ball),” Self added. “I think too many times he’s wanting someone else to get it when he does a good job blocking off. He’s not blocking off the best rebounder, per se, like he did last year. He’s got to be able to hit and go get.”

The problem is, Kansas faces one of the more potent frontcourts up next when UConn comes to town. The Huskies might have lost Adama Sanogo off last year’s national championship team, but 7-foot-2 big man Donovan Clingan is poised for a breakout season.

The Huskies are off to a 7-0 start on the year, overwhelming teams on the glass in particular. They rank top-10 in both offensive rebound rate (42.1%) and defensive rebound rate (21.7%) so far this season, and have been a top-five offensive rebounding team in each of the last three years.

Tipoff for this marquee matchup is slated for 8 p.m. on Friday in Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Kansas center Hunter Dickinson (1) and Eastern Illinois forward Kooper Jacobi (40) battle for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Lawrence.

photo by: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Eastern Illinois forward Kooper Jacobi (40) and Kansas guard Johnny Furphy (10) battle for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Lawrence.

photo by: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Eastern Illinois guard Jordan Booker (11) shoots between Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. (15) and center Hunter Dickinson (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Lawrence. Kansas won 71-63.

Kansas forward K.J. Adams Jr. (24) pulls a ball from Eastern Illinois forward Kooper Jacobi (40) during the second half on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug