In a decidedly mixed performance, KU basketball defeated former conference rival Nebraska, 89-72. Here are my takeaways.
Roles are starting to get defined.
Even without Carlton Bragg, the Jayhawks have plenty of offensive firepower, and serviceable big men. Five Jayhawks scored in double figures, and shot 60% as a unit. KU basketball spent most of the game hovering around 67% from the floor, a remarkable shooting performance. Graham and Mason were their usual selves, with 14 and 18 points, respectively. Mason also led KU with seven assists.
Josh Jackson was erratic, but had some highlight reel plays as well. Jackson stuffed the stat sheet as usual, with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, five blocks, and two steals. His shooting struggles continued, going 3-8 from the free throw line and 0-2 from three. His four turnovers are concerning, but they came as a result of trying to do too much.
Svi Mykhailiuk made up for Jackson’s shooting struggles, making 2-4 threes and adding 15 points. He was also effective on the defensive end. His size and quickness bothered Nebraska as well. I look for Svi to continue to gain confidence and become a key player for KU moving forward, especially if he can play some at the four-spot.
Is Landen Lucas the key to the Kansas frontcourt?
Lucas was terrific today. He did all the little things that endear him to Kansas fans, and is moving much better than he was at the start of the season. Lucas rebounded at a very high rate, pulling down seven in 19 minutes. He was a prolific scorer as well out of some terrific hi/lo sets, scoring 12 points on 5-5 shooting.
Moving forward, I hope Lucas starts over Udoka Azubuike. Not because Udoka is ineffective, but because Landen is much better in extended minutes. He’s much less foul prone than the freshman, and is KU’s best rebounder. With the small lineup, KU needs rebounding, especially on the offensive end. If Lucas can continue to rebound and score when called upon, I think he’s exactly what the Jayhawks need. Udoka would provide very good depth for spurts or when the matchup dictates it. He was good today, scoring seven points and pulling down six rebounds. He did pick up four fouls in 16 minutes.
Kansas needs to improve on two things.
All season, the Jayhawks have struggled at the free throw line. Today was no different. They made 14-25 from the line, only 56%. Josh Jackson (3-8) and Udoka Azubuike (1-4) especially struggled. If Landen Lucas, who is a good free throw shooter for a big man, plays more, then KU could improve. I am concerned about Jackson’s struggles at the line. As good a penetrator he is, he should live at the line. If he can’t consistently hit from the line, teams can limit his effectiveness by just fouling him on drives.
Rebounding also continues to be a weakness. KU barely outrebounded a small Nebraska team, 36-35. The Cornhuskers dominated the offensive glass, pulling down 16 to KU’s nine. Nebraska had plenty of opportunities to score second chance points, but only managed 13, tying KU. Bigger and better teams will convert more of these opportunities and make games much closer. Landen Lucas’s reemergence could help the situation, but KU’s lack of size and bulk underneath will continue to be an issue.
Bottom line.
There’s a lot that this team does well. They shoot, pass, and handle better than maybe any team in the Self era. However, they tend to get sloppy, don’t rebound that well, and struggle from the free throw line. If they can patch these things up, the sky is the limit.
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