photo by: AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski

Kansas guard Shakeel Moore (0) drives against Central Florida guard Dallan Coleman (6) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Orlando, Fla.

Orlando, Fla. — Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self said he’s been struggling with whom to start.

A convenient defensive matchup made the decision for him on Sunday against UCF, as he turned to the Jayhawks’ fifth different starting lineup in 14 games.

Shakeel Moore, KU’s transfer point guard from Mississippi State, had only played in five prior games due to his ongoing recovery from surgery following an offseason foot injury. But Self observed that he would be an ideal physical counterpart for UCF’s standout guard Darius Johnson. Johnson stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 200 pounds; Moore is the same height and just 10 pounds lighter.

“So from a strength and from a speed standpoint, I thought he was the best guy to guard him,” Self said, “which then allows Juan (Harris) to guard Jordan Ivy(-Curry), which is a better matchup for him. So I thought we kind of got fortunate on that.”

Moore started alongside Harris and Zeke Mayo in the backcourt, and centering that trio of guards worked out exceptionally well for the Jayhawks’ defense. In their blowout 99-48 victory over the Knights, they held Johnson and Ivy-Curry, who had been averaging more than 15 points apiece, to a total of eight combined on 2-for-13 shooting.

“Guys that play hard and create havoc — you’re not always going to make shots, but (if) the other team can’t score, you’re not going to lose,” Self said, “and I think Shak gives us the best chance to have that mentality.”

Moore didn’t need to play typical starter minutes in his lineup debut — he was on the court for half the game — but it was still not far off the 29 combined minutes he had played throughout the rest of the season. He made all of them count with what center Hunter Dickinson called “passion” on the defensive end.

“I think that’s where he’s going to help us the best, is being a dog defender, being someone who can pick up 94 feet, and really change the game defensively, and really help Juan out,” Dickinson said.

On offense, where Dickinson also described him as “super athletic,” Moore hit his first two 3-pointers of the season and finished with six assists after committing two early turnovers.

In general, Moore said it doesn’t meaningfully affect his approach whether he starts or comes off the bench.

“I actually don’t see a difference,” he said. “I kind of been around the block, it’s my fifth year, so I kind of know what to expect coming into the game or starting, and I’ve been at a school where I didn’t start, and then I’ve started 34 games. So it just doesn’t really matter to me — just got to bring the energy regardless.”

Teammate Rylan Griffen, who was able to shine off the bench in his own right on Sunday, has more familiarity with Moore than just about any Jayhawk, given that the pair faced off in the SEC prior to this season when Moore was at Mississippi State and Griffen at Alabama.

“He just did what he always does — played great defense, looked to get others involved, get downhill, make shots,” Griffen said. “I mean, he did great out there starting today, and I’m very happy and proud of him.”

photo by: AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski

Central Florida guard Darius Johnson (3) is defended by Kansas forward KJ Adams Jr. (24) and guard Shakeel Moore (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Orlando, Fla.

photo by: AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski

Central Florida guard Jordan Ivy-Curry, second from left, fights though a screen by Kansas center Hunter Dickinson (1) as Kansas guard Shakeel Moore, second from right, drives around during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Orlando, Fla.