Kansas Basketball: Malik Newman stepping up at right time

Something special needed to happen for Kansas Basketball when Udoka Azubuike went down. Malik Newman has been that something special.

It appears that Kansas Basketball has done enough during the Big 12 tournament to secure a number one seed for the big dance. Many thought that without Udoka Azubuike as an inside force the Jayhawks would see an early exit, but the exact opposite has happened, thanks in large part to Malik Newman.

Two games in a row Newman has stepped up and led the Jayhawks in scoring. It’s not just the scoring that has helped his team, but his overall game. Before the season started I wrote an article about how special Malik could be for this team. Although there were shades of what he could be, his true meaningfulness hadn’t really shown until the conference tournament.

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Newman averaged 12.2 points per game during the regular season, followed by 2.1 assists and 5 rebounds per game. Respectable numbers for a role player, but nonetheless numbers expected of a role player. Newman isn’t, and shouldn’t be considered a role player. He has eventual NBA talent, and has the pure ability to take over a game.

In two games thus far Newman is averaging 26 points per game. A 30 point masterpiece against Oklahoma State and another 22 against the Wildcats. He had one rebound, three assists and a steal against Oklahoma State, while his game became more rounded against the Wildcats. In the semifinals he gathered six rebounds, four assists and three steals to go with his 22 points.

The Jayhawks avoided the hat trick from the Cowboys in a big way. Shorthanded, the Jayhawks played one of their better games of the year without Udoka. Malik Newman was the story of the game.

All year long the Jayhawks searched for someone to step up when Devonte’ Graham and Svi Mykhailiuk had off nights. That someone has finally stepped up. Both Graham and Svi have struggled a bit in the Big 12 tournament. Against the Cowboys Graham was 2-8 from the field, including 1-5 from beyond the arc. Svi shot 5-10, going 2-5 beyond the arc.

Against the Wildcats, who were also shorthanded with Wade injured and Brown hurt in the first minute of the game, Newman had to be the man again. Graham was 3-11 and 1-6 but made all eight of his free throws. Svi was 4-11 on the night, all four buckets came from beyond the three-point line.

Not to go unmentioned, part of the success has to be credited to Udoka’s replacements. Mitch Lightfoot and Silvio De Sousa have stepped in to the mighty shoes Udoka usually fills. They combined for 14 points and 14 rebounds against the Cowboys and 16 points and 14 rebounds against the Wildcats.The one issue has been foul trouble, combining 16 total fouls in two games, with Lightfoot fouling out against Oklahoma State.

Marcus Garrett has played valuable minutes as well during this tournament, and Lagerald Vick has added 21 points total in support.

Next: Best seasons all-time for Kansas Basketball

If Newman can continue to stay hot, and boy is he on fire, when Graham and Svi decide to finally come around, the nation should watch out. The Jayhawks may very well be a Final Four team when healthy. Newman is that something special fans have been looking for. No matter what happens against West Virginia, this team is getting scary good for opponents.