Kansas Basketball: Reasons to be thankful in 2018
By Mike Norris
The Jayhawks are used to losing a lot of talent each year. Three starters from last year’s team are currently on NBA or G-League rosters, but it was two starters who tested the professional waters and decided to stay who are making the biggest impacts on this year’s team.
Udoka Azubuike and Lagerald Vick combined to averaged 25 points and 12 rebounds per game last year for the Jayhawks and were both borderline NBA prospects. Azubuike, a seven-foot sophomore center a year ago who led the nation in field goal percentage, was formidable but was exposed on defense a bit last year in the NCAA Tournament. He entered the draft, but most expected the news he would receive from scouts would cause him to return to school — and he did just that.
Vick was a different story. The senior guard had an up and down tenure with Kansas his first three years both on and off the court. He was inconsistent on the hardwood, leading the team in scoring one game, and disappearing the next. He also found himself in legal trouble.
After last season he and Self decided it was best for them to part ways. Vick entered the draft, but pulled his name out in time to remain an amateur. Even with that news, it appeared Vick would play oversees or perhaps transfer. In a surprise move, he decided to come back for his final season, and the team welcomed him with open arms.
Boy are Kansas fans glad he did.
After scoring just two points in the season-opener, Vick has collected back-to-back career-high scoring games (32 against Vermont and 33 against Louisiana), which included an 8-of-8 performance from three-point range against the Catamounts, a school record.
Vick leads the team in scoring at 22.3 points per game, but Azubuike has been the team’s MVP so far this season. The junior big man is scoring 19 points per contest while recording team-highs of 7.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks. He has scored at least 17 points in all three games, recorded four blocks twice and put up a double-double against Vermont with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
He’s been a dunking machine, and once he catches the ball underneath, you aren’t stopping him.
It’s likely KU is 3-0 without the return of this duo, but not a given. The Jayhawks have won their three games by an average of 11.3 points with Vick and Doke combining to average 41.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 3.0 blocks per game.
Jayhawks fans, be thankful for them. Be very thankful.