KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Big 12 Tournament needed a feel-good underdog story, but the Kansas Jayhawks failed to deliver, succumbing to the Arizona Wildcats in a disappointing 88-77 loss that leaves the team’s postseason future uncertain.

The Jayhawks, who had an opportunity to emerge as a dark horse in the tournament, ended up not only losing but also being overwhelmed in the final moments of the game, marking their second consecutive failure to reach the Big 12 Tournament semifinals, an unprecedented occurrence in the program's history.

Throughout the game, Kansas really struggled, particularly in the paint, where Arizona dominated with a staggering 46-20 advantage in points scored inside. The Jayhawks seemed out of sync, displaying defensive lapses and a lack of depth, as evidenced by Arizona's bench outscoring Kansas's reserves, 45-13. This has been a recurring theme for Kansas, with the team unable to capitalize on its earlier achievements against powerhouse programs like Duke and Michigan State.

Center Hunter Dickinson captured the team's predicament succinctly, calling Kansas "one of the volatile teams in the country," noting that their performance often varies drastically from one game to the next. The inconsistency has plagued Kansas throughout the season and raises concerns about their positioning for NCAA Tournament seeding, likely to be the lowest in years.

In the wake of player Zeke Mayo's struggles, which included a lackluster February performance against Texas Tech, the Jayhawks have faced scrutiny both on and off the court. Mayo's recent improvement, highlighted by his shooting efficiency during the tournament, shows promise, yet the cloud of discontent lingering from fans and commentators remains a heavy burden.

Despite scoring 77 points, which typically is sufficient to compete at this level, coach Bill Self acknowledged that his team needs to dig deeper. "We need a couple of days of rest," he said, signaling both concern for their performance and fatigue levels heading into the tumultuous NCAA Tournament.

As the tournament continued, it became clear that this year's competition lacked the usual powerhouse narratives, as Kansas and Iowa State struggled in their respective game outcomes, paving the way for potential new frontrunners. Arizona celebrated a solid first showing in the Big 12, while teams like BYU and Texas Tech aimed to capitalize on the shaken status quo.

With Kansas currently holding a mediocre record of 21-12, fans are left questioning the caliber of this year's squad. Coach Self’s tenure at the helm has seen ups and downs, but this season's average performance has unsettled long-standing expectations around the program. "Our team is not cuddly right now; we’re heading into a NCAA Tournament with plenty of uncertainty," he added.

As the Jayhawks prepare for their upcoming matchups, the pressure mounts to emerge from a challenging season with a turnaround that could reignite their tournament hopes. Everything now hinges on their ability to put together a complete performance, as Dickinson remarked, "You only have to be great for 40 minutes," acknowledging the daunting task that lies ahead for the beleaguered but resilient Kansas squad.