The Kansas Jayhawks are still dealing with the aftermath of their 78-73 loss to Texas Tech on Saturday, a game that ended in controversy and ignited strong reactions from fans. One of the biggest talking points has been the criticism aimed at Kansas guard Zeke Mayo, who became a target of online abuse, some of which he publicly shared on X.
Zeke Mayo Faces Backlash After Tough Performance
Mayo had a chance to tie the game in the final moments, but his three-point attempt missed badly, capping off a rough night where he scored just five points on 1-of-7 shooting, including 0-of-5 from beyond the arc. The missed opportunity led to frustration among fans, with some directing harsh criticism toward the young guard.
Bill Self Admits He Made a Mistake Speaking Out
In an effort to support his player, Kansas head coach Bill Self initially addressed the situation publicly. However, upon reflection, Self now believes he may have made an error by drawing more attention to the issue.
“I shouldn’t have done it, because all it did was bring more attention to what was said,” Self told Hoops HQ’s Seth Davis during a Sunday night interview.
Self went on to explain that much of the negativity directed at Mayo was not from true Kansas fans, but rather from gamblers frustrated by losing bets.
“I feel like there’s been some unfair personal attacks and criticism, but not by people that matter,” Self added. “A lot of that comes from people who are not KU fans. They’re gambling and lost a bet or whatever. But so much of young people’s identity is what people are saying about them on social media. I wanted to get that point out that these kids care. They’re trying.”
Jayhawks Shift Focus to Houston and the Big 12 Tournament
While the controversy surrounding Mayo continues to linger, Kansas is focused on moving forward. With the regular season winding down, the Jayhawks now turn their attention to a crucial Monday night matchup against No. 4 Houston, followed by a showdown with No. 22 Arizona.
From there, the team will prepare for the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, which begins on March 11. As Kansas looks to bounce back from recent struggles, their ability to stay focused and block out distractions will be key to finishing the season strong.
