KU basketball looking to pull through midseason lull

STILLWATER, Okla. — Bill Self gathered his players this week to discuss a topic that had nothing to do with play execution or defensive assignments.

Instead, it had to do with their enthusiasm.

“Basketball is supposed to be a game that’s played with great energy and it’s supposed to be a fun game to play,” Self said, “and we haven’t acted like it’s a fun game to play this last week.”

KU’s past two outings — a 74-63 loss to West Virginia and 70-63 victory over TCU — have missed something. Self believes his team has been a quarter-step off of its normal pace, which would have allowed the Jayhawks to play much better in both contests.

“I think every team goes through it through the year. It’s a…