Kansas guard Tyon Grant-Foster (1) hangs over Creighton guard Antwann Jones (0) for a block during the first half on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020 at Allen Fieldhouse.

The first three words of Bill Self’s assessment on how the Jayhawks have defended around the rim through six games said it all.

“Not very good,” Self began, shaking his head.

The Kansas basketball season got started with top-ranked Gonzaga eviscerating the Jayhawks inside, and KU’s defense near the hoop hasn’t improved a great deal since then, hence Self’s disappointment.

With no interior intimidator this season, the No. 5 Jayhawks (5-1) have lost the battle for points in the paint against the three best teams they’ve played — Gonzaga dominated in that category, 62-34, while both Kentucky and Creighton, coincidentally, edged KU, 30-28.

The Zags (helped by their ability to race to 28 fast break points), went 29-for-37 on shots around or above the rim. Kentucky finished 11-for-19 at the basket. And Creighton converted 12 of its 16 point-blank attempts.

Per hoop-math.com, KU through six games is allowing opponents to take 36.5% of their shots at the rim. That rate ranks 177th nationally entering Friday’s games. Plus, KU’s foes are converting 59.7% of their shots around the rim, which ranks 178th.

Six games is a small sample size compared to full seasons, but so far this KU roster has done noticeably worse than recent Self-coached teams at keeping opponents from getting to the rim, as shown in hoop-math.com’s archive.

Here’s a look at the percentage of shots KU opponents took at the rim each year, going back to 2011-12:

• 2020-21: 36.5%

• 2019-20: 29.1%

• 2018-19: 28.7%

• 2017-18: 28.8%

• 2016-17: 32.6%

• 2015-16: 30.5%

• 2014-15: 34.9%

• 2013-14: 34.8%

• 2012-13: 28.4%

• 2011-12: 26%

With KU’s issues so far keeping players out of the paint, the Jayhawks’ defense is allowing opponents to shoot 42.5% overall from the field.

“We don’t block shots,” Self said. “And there was a time against Creighton where they get a reverse pivot backdoor layup, where (Christian Braun) gets beat and there’s absolutely nobody to challenge. I mean nobody,” Self repeated, his eyes widening in disbelief.

“I don’t think our rim protection has been very good at all,” he added. “So those are things I know we can tighten up and be better at.”

KU’s starting big man, junior David McCormack, isn’t a shot blocker, nor a defender who dissuades players from seeking out the rim. The Jayhawks’ best shot blocker this year might be senior Mitch Lightfoot, but he’s at his best protecting the rim when coming over to help someone else who got beat. And he doesn’t play many minutes (6.2 per game).

Or maybe KU’s best shot blocker will be junior Tyon Grant-Foster, who actually plays on the perimeter. Self chuckled when bringing up the long and athletic guard.

“Tyon against North Dakota State was probably our best rim protector,” Self said. “And that shouldn’t happen.”

Grant-Foster blocked two shots, including one in the final seconds of a 65-61 win over NDSU, and then blocked two shots in just four minutes versus Creighton.

No one on this roster will be able to come close to providing the type of defensive impact Udoka Azubuike had for KU when he was on the floor the past few years. If these Jayhawks want to make it harder for opponents to get to the rim, it will take playing connected, helping defense as a team. And there’s obviously time for them to keep improving in that area.

KU opponents’ shots around the rim

• Gonzaga: 25-for-33 layups, 4-for-4 dunks — 29-for-37 (78.4%)

• St. Joseph’s: 9-for-26 layups (34.6%)

• Kentucky: 8-for-15 layups, 3-for-4 dunks — 11-for-19 (57.9%)

• Washburn: 9-for-17 layups, 1-for-2 dunks — 10-for-19 (52.6%)

• North Dakota State: 7-for-11 layups (63.6%)

• Creighton: 11-for-15 layups, 1-for-1 dunks — 12-for-16 (75%)