[IUFR] The 2-Part Formula for Beating Kansas

History suggests there are two key stats that predict trouble for Bill Self-coached teams at Kansas. Fortunately for IU, these are stats the Hoosiers have been in strong in so far this season.

How can Indiana beat Kansas?

The question almost seems tongue-in-cheek after Indiana’s performance against Auburn last weekend.

But the venue change will make a difference, as will some of the stylistic differences between Kansas and Auburn. There is a path.

What does that path look like?

You may be surprised how easy it sounds … on paper anyway.

The Keys to Beating Kansas

What if I told you that two key stats have been very predictive of Kansas’ success over the past five seasons?

Those two stats?

• 2-point percentage margin

• Opponent assists

Just how predictive of success?

When Kansas has a better percentage on 2-point field goal attempts and their opponents tally fewer than 10 assists in a game, they’re 51-2 the past five seasons.

When only one of those stats happens, they’re still 55-6.

However, in the past five seasons, when Kansas’ opponents outshoot them inside the arc and have ten or more assists, Kansas is 11-18 (and 0-1 this year).

Those are both areas where IU has done much better than average this year. They are shooting 56.4% inside the arc (29th in the country) and assisting on 54.2% of their field goals (100th).

So what does Indiana need to do for these predictive metrics to be in their favor?

Let’s dive into the film.