KU Basketball News: Udoka Azabuike Out for Season
KU basketball news revolves around freshman Udoka Azabuicke missing the rest of the season. Azabuicke was averaging five points a game this season with the Jayhawks.
The Kansas Jayhawks might be rolling on the court this season, but they’ll be missing freshman Udoka Azabuicke for the duration of the 2016-2017 campaign.
Azabuicke had seen recent starting time for the Jayhawks and was faring well for a freshman. He currently leads KU in blocked shots with 18. The seven-foot freshman will have to get surgery done on his wrist within the next week.
In Azabuicke’s absence, Landen Lucas will be starting, and he did so last Thursday against the UNLV Rebels. Lucas had four points during that game and grabbed 12 rebounds.
Lucas has struggled this season, which is why Azabuicke got a chance to start in the first place. Bill Self will now likely go back to Lucas and hopefully he can show some improvement down the stretch.
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The Jayhawks took down the Rebels on Thursday by a score of 71-53 and are rolling with an 11-1 record so far. Conference play will begin on December 30th when the Jayhawks head to Fort Worth for a date with the Horned Frogs of TCU.
This looks to be one of the best Kansas squads we’ve seen in the last few years, but the injury to Azabuicke is definitely a bummer. The kid was having a nice season and now will miss some valuable playing time in his first year with the Jayhawks.
Here’s what’s trending in KU basketball news from around the web.
Injury sidelines KU center Udoka Azabuicke [Gary Bedore, The Kansas City Star]
Udoka Azabuicke of Kansas Jayhawks out for season with left wrist injury [Jeff Goodman, ESPN]
Udoka Azabuicke Injury: Jayhawks Center Out for Season with Wrist Injury [Timothy Rapp, Bleacher Report]
KU Basketball: Where do the Jayhawks Turn Without Key Big? [Kyle Abbott, Through the Phog]
"While Udoka’s loss is a major blow to KU’s season, it’s not the end of the world. This is still Kansas, and there are talented players on the roster. They all have to work to replace what Udoka brings, other than the big man’s unique size. Look for the KU juggernaut to continue, if differently than before."
Kyle Abbott of Through the Phog said it best. This injury is not the end of the world for the Jayhawks.
They have a stacked roster who has shown they’re ready to compete and get KU back to the National Championship game for the first time since 2012. They could definitely win it all this year with all of the loaded talent they have on board.