Benton Smith: Easing Udoka Azubuike back into rotation now good for KU’s long-term success

By Benton Smith     Dec 28, 2018

Nick Krug
Kansas center Udoka Azubuike (35) delivers a dunk before the Vermont defense during the first half, Monday, Nov. 12, 2018 at Allen Fieldhouse.

While no one should expect to see the most spry version of Udoka Azubuike on the court Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse, it seems a fairly safe bet that the University of Kansas basketball team’s junior center will return to the lineup against Eastern Michigan.

The 7-footer isn’t likely to start. In fact, Azubuike might only play a few minutes. But it’s important for the Jayhawks’ long-term trajectory that they get the most enormous of their bigs back in the mix as soon as possible.

Barring any last-minute setbacks, Azubuike should play for the first time since Dec. 4, when he sprained his right ankle versus Wofford.

His head coach, Bill Self, didn’t put a standard sports injury label on the big man’s status, such as probable or doubtful. But while speaking with reporters Friday morning before No. 5 KU practiced, Self’s optimism about getting the 270-pound center involved stood out.

“We’ll see how he does today,” Self replied, when asked whether Azubuike would play versus EMU. “I think there’s a chance. I’d certainly like to play him if we could and the doctor and trainer says it’s OK.”

That last part of the equation hasn’t been an issue for practices. Self said KU’s would-be starting center got “up and down” the court during various practice situations on Thursday, inspiring the coach to think there’s “a good chance” Azubuike is capable of dipping his large toes into a return and getting “some minutes” against the Eagles.

It’s clear to Self that Azubuike isn’t 100 percent recovered from his ankle injury. Where exactly the big man lands on that scale at this point is known by the center and those monitoring his recovery. But Azubuike, as is typically the case with athletes who have missed games due to injury, wasn’t available to media members to be asked how he feels.

“But I thought yesterday was a positive sign,” Self added of Azubuike’s practice reps on Thursday. “We went long yesterday and he was able to get through everything and hang in there, even though he wasn’t near as explosive, and I don’t think he trusts it like he needs to trust it.”

And that’s why KU isn’t waiting this out until Azubuike is back to his old ways of overpowering offensive post play and backboard-shaking dunks before bringing him back into the lineup. Timing has a lot to do with reinserting him now. The Jayhawks (10-1) need an effective Azubuike in the paint, and the sooner he gets comfortable with his right ankle again, the earlier that happens.

Plus, with the Big 12 opener on Wednesday against Oklahoma on the horizon, Self would like to see his junior center begin to regain confidence in his recuperating ankle now, as opposed to during the early portion of the conference grind.

Even if KU held Azubuike out a little longer, until he was all the way back at 100 percent, there would still be an adjustment period for both the big man and his teammates. Easing him in now can expedite that process.

“We’ve got to win tomorrow, obviously, and his presence would help us do that, I believe,” Self said. “But you don’t want to put him out there if he’s going to be a detriment to the team. The doctors have said whatever he can do, go do. But I do think, from a rhythm standpoint and everything, I think it’s going to take him a while. You know, he’s been out 25 days. So I think it’ll take him a little time to get that back.”

Even if Azubuike isn’t fully back this weekend, allowing him some limited in-game competition should only assist his resurgence.

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