The unexpected pass that stood out for KU, and why it’s so critical for the future
Udoka Azubuike rolled to the rim, but even he admits he wasn’t expecting much.
This was crunch time against West Virginia — with Kansas clinging to a slim lead with five minutes left — when Azubuike followed Bill Self’s orders, faking a ball screen for Devon Dotson before quickly cutting to the basket.
What happened next was not only vital for KU’s 60-53 victory on Saturday ... it also could hold the key for the Jayhawks reaching their offensive ceiling this season.
Dotson took two dribbles, drew an extra defender, then threw up an impromptu alley-oop to Azubuike.
The 7-footer then caught it and threw it down with two hands.
“I was surprised just when he did that, because I haven’t had a lob from him in a minute,” Azubuike said. “I would say the chemistry is still coming along.”
This is such a weird topic to discuss, and one that’s hard to believe given how successful both Dotson and Azubuike have been this season.
Dotson is KU’s point guard, and it’s no stretch to say he’s performing at an All-American level. He’s currently fourth in Ken Pomeroy’s player of the year ranking, and he also leads the Big 12 in scoring at 18.5 points per game.
Azubuike, meanwhile, has played up to his reputation as one of the NCAA’s most unguardable players, making 81 percent of his field goals while showing noticeable growth with both his passing and rebounding.
Add it all up, and KU undoubtedly has one of the best point guard-center combos in all of college basketball.
Yet, in a weird way, the two don’t complement each other as well as they should.
Here’s the proof: Azubuike was right that he hadn’t gotten a lob from Dotson in awhile.
Go back through the play-by-play data, and the last time there was a Dotson-Azubuike connection on an alley-oop? KU’s second half against Colorado — some five games ago on Dec. 7.
“In practice, coach stays on us, the guards,” Dotson said of throwing lobs. “If the big is just a little bit on top of Doke, throw it up, because there’s a good chance that he’ll go get it. That’s what we were looking for more in the second half.”
KU succeeded with that time and again. The Jayhawks executed four alley-oop plays after halftime, which was especially important considering the team went just 3 for 17 overall from three.
“It’s amazing to me, as much as we like to throw (lobs), we probably miss it 25 to 50 percent of the time,” Self said. “But when we needed it, we got it today.”
And Dotson’s was one of the biggest.
He diagnosed the play afterward while rewatching it on a computer screen. It started with Self’s play call, as the coach rarely has his big men slip screens.
On this possession, though, it was done to take advantage of West Virginia’s aggressive defense.
“Once he’s behind his defender, I drive, it’s game over from there,” Dotson said of Azubuike, “because if you throw it up, Doke’s going to catch everything.”
Dotson admits passing is an area he’s working on to improve. Throwing lobs, in particular, are not always easy, “because it’s a lot of thinking and reading on the fly. It’s full speed, game coming at you. You’ve just gotta read it. It’s just reps in practice, just getting the hang of it and keep doing it.”
Self admitted in his postgame press conference that, as of now, Marcus Garrett is the player he trusts most throwing these types of passes.
If KU’s starting point guard can start contributing more of them, though, KU’s offense still appears to have some untapped potential.
The biggest reason: The Jayhawks still aren’t fully taking advantage of Azubuike’s unique skillset. Conference opponents seem to fully appreciate what the big man can do, as he overwhelmingly won a preseason poll we conducted at The Star asking, “Which Big 12 player would you most want to be your teammate?”
Part of the reason for that respect is Azubuike’s ability to finish at the rim.
“I’m a big guy that can really — once you throw the ball up there — I’m really good at going up there and getting it,” Azubuike said. “So yeah, (Dotson) should understand that.”
Azubuike was appreciative of the play in the moment after. Replays show Dotson pointing to Azubuike following the slam, with the center signaling back to him.
“I told him that’s a good job,” Azubuike said. “I hope that comes more.”
There’s honestly little to complain about with this KU team so far. The Jayhawks appear to be the heavy favorite to win the Big 12, remaining mostly consistent during a college basketball season that has drawn headlines for its numerous upsets.
KU’s defense is strong too. Self has reported that his players like each other for the most part, and despite the school receiving a Notice of Allegations before the season, the Jayhawks have seemingly sailed along without many distractions.
This is a way for KU to improve, though. The Jayhawks might have the nation’s best 1-2 player combo, but that’s developed this season in a somewhat unorthodox fashion.
Dotson and Azubuike, to this point, have maintained production while not fully bringing out the best in each other.
Perhaps an unexpected pass — and a crucial one at that — can be the start of better harmony ahead.
