Kansas Basketball: Jayhawks Need a Go-To Scorer to Step Up Before Big 12 Play

The University of Kansas Jayhawks keep finding a way to pull out victories in close games against high-quality opponents. 

However, the luck of the Jayhawks is bound to run out sometime soon if they don't identify a go-to scorer before Big 12 play begins January 7 at Baylor. 

In the closing stages of the 63-60 win over a talented No. 13 Utah squad, Kansas had to rely on six clutch free throws and two solid defensive possessions to leave the Sprint Center with its eighth victory of the season. 

The good news for the Jayhawks is they have no problem sinking foul shots, which is keeping them afloat at the moment. Brannen Greene is automatic from the charity stripe, and the team, as a whole, went 21-of-23 from the line against Utah. 

That is the one attribute about this particular Kansas team that remains consistent. But it is the other inconsistent qualities of the Jayhawks that will eventually do them in. 

As the player with the most experience on the roster, Perry Ellis is expected to step up in key situations. But the junior forward scored a single basket in the final 10 minutes of Saturday's victory. 

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In the close win over Georgetown Wednesday, Ellis was also nowhere to be found in the scoring department during the final 10 minutes, as he made one field goal and two free throws. 

Ellis is a reliable player on the defensive end of the court, but he has to be willing to step up and sink baskets during crucial stretches of key games. 

In the tremendous second half against Florida, Wayne Selden Jr. was the star with 21 points in front of the home crowd at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks also saw freshman Cliff Alexander show up in major fashion with a commanding double-double against a weakened Florida frontcourt. 

In the two games following the massive come-from-behind win at home, Selden and Alexander have combined to score just 23 points. The regression in scoring typifies the season Kansas is having so far. Once the Jayhawks take one step forward, they end up taking two steps back. 

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The young age of the team can be blamed partly for those struggles. But when you have an experienced player like Ellis on the floor, you would expect him to inspire the young guys with a few clutch performances. 

Right now, the Jayhawks do not have any standout individuals on the roster. They are winning games as a team, but that will only get them so far against the likes of Texas and Iowa State in conference play. 

With four nonconference games left against Lafayette, Temple, Kent State and UNLV, someone has to put the team on their back and prove to Bill Self he can trust someone in the final five minutes of a close game. 

We saw some signs of life from Kelly Oubre Jr. in the first half against Utah, but he ended with nine points in just 17 minutes. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk also has the potential to develop into the go-to guy, but he only received 10 minutes of playing time after a cold spell over the last few games. 

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All of the statistics suggest everyone on the Kansas roster from Ellis and Jamari Traylor in the frontcourt to the shooters in the backcourt are having trouble with consistency this season. 

The same stats also lead us to believe Self has little faith in keeping his players on the court for long spells. When Self finally gave Traylor an expanded role against Utah, he rewarded his coach with 13 points in 26 minutes. 

The junior forward also helped clog the paint on defense during most of the game, which is likely to lead to more minutes over the next few games. 

Instead of displaying a short leash with his players, Self should let his guys work out the growing pains on the court. Maybe what Self needs is someone like Traylor to prove success can be had without working under the short leash. 

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The best thing for the younger players like Oubre, Alexander and Mykhailiuk to do to fix their inconsistent numbers is to play more. Sitting on the bench will not help the progression of these players one bit. 

By failing to give his freshmen a consistent amount of minutes, Self is hurting himself and the team. A consistent clutch performer doesn't just pop up out of the blue in one game. 

For now, Self will have to rely on the team's consistent approach at the line and some periods of solid defense. 

If the Jayhawks are going to continue their streak of consecutive Big 12 regular-season titles, one of the young stars must accept the role of finisher. 

Who that player is remains to be seen. And based off what we have seen so far, the absent go-to scorer may not show up for quite some time. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

All stats obtained from ESPN.com.