How KU basketball’s big man dominated vs. Texas — in an area without as much fanfare
It’s time to start paying attention to Udoka Azubuike ... and not just when everyone else is watching.
Kansas defeated Texas 66-57 on Saturday afternoon at Erwin Center, and it was easy to see Azubuike dominating offensively in the first five minutes of the second half.
In one moment, he was sealing his man for an and-one. Then he was pivoting twice before putting in an 8-foot jump hook over Texas big man Jericho Sims. After that, Azubuike was outrunning everyone down the court before gathering a pass for a two-handed slam.
“I thought Doke played great. I did,” KU coach Bill Self said. “And scoring over an athlete like (Sims) isn’t easy.”
For all Azubuike did for KU on that end, though, perhaps more importantly he also made winning plays in the shadows.
In the same span he scored 10 of KU’s 12 points, Azubuike also was putting on a defensive exhibition, showing numerous skills he’s developed since arriving in Lawrence four years ago.
Take the 18-minute mark of the second half with KU still down three: Azubuike communicated with Devon Dotson on a screen, then shuffled his feet quickly to stop a downhill drive from Texas’ best player Matt Coleman.
When Coleman stopped just outside the lane, Azubuike walled up to prevent a shot. Once Dotson recovered, Azubuike quickly made it back to his man Sims, getting hands up to discourage another 12-foot jumper.
Sims was forced to pass it out, and Texas had to reset. A few seconds later — with Azubuike lurking again in the lane again — Texas’ Courtney Ramey panicked a bit before sailing a pass out of bounds for a turnover.
It’d be easy to call this an unforced error for Texas. Really, though, the Longhorns had multiple opportunities to score earlier in the possession ... with most of those getting snuffed out by a focused Azubuike.
Same thing two minutes later. Azubuike shuffled to stop a drive from Coleman when Dotson was beaten by a step. Then when Sims set a screen in the lane for Coleman, Azubuike was right there again, forcing the Texas guard to take his next dribbles away from the basket.
After a few passes, when Kansas guard Marcus Garrett got caught on a screen and called for an emergency switch, Azubuike was alert as well, challenging a Coleman three with an outstretched hand while also avoiding a foul.
It should be noted too — after all his activity on the defensive end — that Azubuike sprinted down the floor after this Texas miss to put himself in position for a transition dunk.
The fit Azubuike played 35 minutes Saturday — a career best as a Jayhawk.
That wasn’t as important, though, as how he played those minutes. With his reduced weight and increased intensity, Azubuike wasn’t just out there for that time; he was making an impact when it was obvious and also when it wasn’t.
“I think Doke’s become an unbelievable defender,” Self said. “I think we got ... everybody talks about their own guys — like they should — about how good they are and those sorts of things. But as far as national defenders, I think we’ve got two guys that are about as good as anybody individually at defending their spot in Marcus and Doke.”
The numbers that illustrate Azubuike’s presence are almost difficult to believe.
According to HoopLens.com — coming into Saturday’s game — KU had allowed 0.78 points per possession with Azubuike on the floor, compared to 0.91 when he was not.
The shooting numbers are even crazier. Opposing teams, entering Saturday, had made 50 percent of their twos with Azubuike off the court ... and just 41 percent when he’s out there.
Many times, it’s difficult to parse out individual defensive credit in basketball. This doesn’t seem to be one of those cases.
Azubuike, over his KU career, has developed into one of the top defenders.
Call these games ugly if you’d like. The fact is, KU is winning consistently with help from an elite defense.
Azubuike has become a big part of that — while sharpening his game both in and out of the spotlight.
This story was originally published January 18, 2020 at 7:40 PM.
