Photo Gallery

KU vs Tennessee State

The real Julian Wright returned Tuesday night.

After a pair of non-Julian Wright games, Kansas University's high-flying, vocal wing went back to being his old self - filling up all areas of the stat sheet and chatting up a storm - in KU's 89-54 rout of Tennessee State in Allen Fieldhouse.

Wright finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals in 25 minutes on the floor.

"I just think I needed to have more bounce, energy to start it off, and can't wait for everyone else," he said. "I feel I can be an aggressive player.

"Sometimes I get a little antsy, or I don't get aggressive.

"Coach told me he'll take that every day, and as long as I'm playing with intensity, energy, trying to boost the morale of the team out there, slapping hands, high-fives, talking, communicating : those are what my strong points are. I haven't been playing with those intangibles lately. But I'm trying to get better at it."

On top of scoring in the first half, Wright was key in the transition game and provided a defensive aura in the low post against TSU.

"Him starting good doesn't have anything to do with him making baskets," KU coach Bill Self said. "He's too much of a thinker. He thinks way too much. Tonight he was just out there playing and reacting."

The scoring wasn't a bad add-on, though. Wright was a wholesome 4-of-4 from the free-throw line and had a couple of electrifying dunks, which ignited a less-than-capacity Allen Fieldhouse audience.

Those types of plays fall right in line with what Self wants to see more of from his lengthy do-it-all forward.

"We're starting to practice better, and everyone's starting to realize that if we have strengths, even if it's not scoring or defense, that you can bring them to the team," Wright said. "I know that's one asset I have is trying to boost everyone up and getting them to play at a higher intensity level."