Self searching for solution to depth issues as Jayhawks host Aggies
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Be ready for Kansas opponents to foul Udoka Azubuike late in games if the sophomore center is on the floor.
The strategy was hardly a surprise when Oklahoma used it to pull out a win on Jan. 22, though it marked the first game plan that incorporated the maneuver to such an extent.
Coach Bill Self let his 7-foot postman play through it, but Azubuike missed 7 of 8 free throws and the No. 5 Jayhawks saw their lead in the Big 12 slip to one game.
Kansas (16-4) ventures away from the conference on Saturday and will play host to Texas A&M (13-7) in Allen Fieldhouse as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge.
When analyzing Azubuike's release from the foul line, Self mentioned "mechanically it's not sound," but the coach resisted making any drastic changes at this point in the season, like incorporating an underhanded approach.
"If you're going to make drastic switches like that, I think it needs to be done over a course of time," Self said. "You can't practice them underhanded and in the game (and then say), 'Well, I'm not quite comfortable, so I'll shoot them back the way I always shot them.'"
An ongoing issue that factors into the decision to leave in Azubuike down the stretch of tight games is the Jayhawks' lack of inside depth. Sophomore forward Mitch Lightfoot is the lone frontline backup Self has much confidence in.
Silvio De Sousa, a 6-9 freshman who enrolled at semester break out of high school, has looked quite raw, logging just 14 minutes in four games.
Depth remains an issue for the Jayhawks at all positions. Their senior captain, point guard Devonte' Graham, averages team-highs in points (17.8) and assists (7.4), but has played all 40 minutes in each of the last three games.
"This week we got him three days off," Self said. "I don't remember ever doing that with anybody. We know he's got to play a lot. I think what we're trying to do is just limit his exposure during practice a little more."
One regular Kansas needs to gain more production from is Lagerald Vick. The 6-5 guard often takes on additional responsibilities inside because his athleticism makes him a natural to grab rebounds, but his point production has dipped to 8.4 in conference play after averaging 17.1 in nonconference games.
"He defers too much," Self said. "We need him to do certain things to give us the best chance. It's not effort, it's a mindset of playing safe and we've got to get him out of that."
Rebounding could boost Texas A&M, which averages 42.4 boards and carries a margin of plus-7.7 to rank 14th nationally. The Jayhawks, who have been outrebounded in each of their Big 12 games, possess a slim margin of plus-0.6 on the glass.
The Aggies got a double-double on Tuesday from Robert Williams. The 6-10 sophomore forward collected 21 points and 15 rebounds, but the Aggies committed 20 turnovers and fell 77-65 at LSU, their sixth loss in eight games.
"We just really struggled getting into our offense," Texas A&M coach Billy Kennedy said. "It was sloppy. I've got to do a better job of preparing our team in practice. We've got to have guys be able to practice instead of just resting them while they're hurt or recovering from being hurt."
