Azubuike’s ankle ‘swelled a lot’ overnight, KU’s Self says. He’s questionable for TCU
Kansas senior center Udoka Azubuike has a sprained right ankle and is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s Senior Night game against TCU, coach Bill Self said at Sunday’s clinic for Special Olympians in Allen Fieldhouse.
According to Self, the 7-footer from Delta Nigeria “turned his ankle” with 15:45 left in the first half of Saturday’s 62-58 victory over Kansas State at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.
He returned after a five-minute stay in the locker room for evaluation to score six points with nine rebounds and no blocks in 20 minutes.
“It swelled a lot,” Self said of Azubuike’s ankle swelling overnight.
“He showed some toughness to go back in (against K-State). We probably don’t win the game if he doesn’t come back in. He didn’t play a ton of minutes, but it allowed us to play two bigs. I’m hopeful he can be ready to go Wednesday for Senior Night, but I think he’s questionable at this point.”
Self said the presence of the Special Olympians — they’ve been coming to KU for a one-day clinic since 1984 — during a long season “always picks us up, makes us feel better. I’m sure this will be the same thing. We’re nicked up now. We’re just trying to get to the finish line now of the regular season with some guys nicked up. They are minor injuries. Doke’s is obviously the most severe one.”
Like Azubuike, junior guard Marcus Garrett will not practice Sunday or Monday, but will maybe practice some on Tuesday, Self said. Garrett has been suffering from a sore foot for several weeks now.
“He was hurting yesterday too,” Self said of Garrett, who scored three points on 1-of-5 shooting (1 of 6 from the free-throw line) with three assists and three turnovers in 38 minutes against K-State. “He’s probably going to have to deal with it every day from this point forward. He’s off today, off tomorrow, hopefully practice a little Tuesday and be ready Wednesday night.”
The Jayhawks (26-3, 15-1) could wrap up a share of the Big 12 regular-season title with a win over TCU at 7 p.m. Wednesday. It’s Senior Night for Azubuike and Isaiah Moss.
Also, Self is 499-109 in 17 years as KU’s coach. A victory would be win No. 500 for him as the Jayhawks’ coach.
“Obviously it’s Udoka and Isaiah’s night,” Self said. “We’ll do everything we can to make sure they go out in style. One of the best ways they can go out in style is win and we can celebrate their career here and also celebrate at least guaranteeing us a share of a Big 12 championship.”
Of maybe winning his 500th, Self said: “If you coach at a place long enough you’ll win some games, get a lot of wins. It would be nice … to have a chance to honor Udoka and Isaiah, win a game that earns you at least a piece of the Big 12 championship could make it a pretty special night — one of our most special Senior Nights.”
Baylor (14-2) is currently a game back of KU in the league race with two to play. Baylor next plays Texas Tech Monday night in Waco. A Tech victory would guarantee KU at least a tie for the title without the Jayhawks even having to win Wednesday.
This story was originally published March 1, 2020 at 5:08 PM.
