Defending opposing guards has a been a problem through the first quarter of the season for the Kansas Jayhawks, who have allowed big games to Keith Appling (19 points), Farad Cobb (21 points), Jay Kinney (30 points) and Ahmad Starks (25 points).

“That’s something that obviously has got to improve or we’ll have to change how we play,” Self said. “We’ll have to start playing some zone or whatnot.”

Self has tried moving Elijah Johnson off the ball and using Travis Releford against the other team’s primary ballhandler, but has yet to find a combination that consistently works.

Johnson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April.

“I learned a long time ago, if you’re out there, you’ve got to perform,” Self said earlier this week. “There’s nothing structurally wrong. If he doesn’t quite have the same pop that he had before, then he shouldn’t be out there, because if you’re out there, we expect it.”