KU's Loss--My Take

The deeper you get into the tournament, the more intense and disappointing the losses are.

When a team misses 18 dunks and layups, you deserve to lose. And that's what KU did. The difference in the game was that UCLA's defense was rabid, tenacious, and intense and KU could not respond.
My brother-in-law brought up the good point that KU's lack of challenge from the teams in the Big-12 North also contributed to KU's problems. The lack of any close, intense games from Nebraska, Missouri, K-State, etc...did not prepare KU for the tough, defensive games that SIU and UCLA brought forth.
Also, where were the KU big men? KU needs a big man who can score in double figures, consistently. We didn't get that this weekend. And the rebounding. When SIU and UCLA get as many offensive rebounds this weekend, it tells me that KU's rebounding fundamentals are bad.