Azubuike’s complete game at Texas earns top spot in ratings

By Matt Tait     Jan 18, 2020

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Kansas center Udoka Azubuike (35) is fouled by Texas forward Jericho Sims (20) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

**1 – Udoka Azubuike -** Dominated stretches of [KU’s 66-57 victory][1] on both ends, including the start of the second half which gave KU control. Continues to show his maturity and improved understanding of what it takes to play hard all the time. Just missed yet another double-digit rebounding effort, with 9, and added 17 points, including 10 in the first five minutes of the second half when KU took control.

**2 – Marcus Garrett -** Another day, another ailment for Garrett, who hit the deck hard in the second half and had to go to the locker room temporarily before returning to the action. KU should wrap him in bubble wrap these days because he’s too steady to keep off the floor. Finished with a monster line of 13 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and got it all in a fairly ho-hum manner.

**3 – Devon Dotson -** Hit four big free throws and a clutch 3-pointer that all but sealed the deal for the Jayhawks in his return from a one-game absence following a hip injury. Shot just 6-of-16 from the floor and 1-of-4 from 3-point range, but at least some of that can be attributed to rust. In the end, his 21 points

**4 – David McCormack -** There was nothing flashy about McCormack’s 20 minutes in this one. But they were solid. He finished with 6 points, 7 rebounds and did not turn it over. That’s really all the Jayhawks’ starting 4 man needs to do to be a positive presence on this team.

**5 – Isaiah Moss -** Scored 5 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 33 minutes, which included a starting nod in the second half. His 3-pointer from the corner after a KU timeout that followed Texas taking an 8-point first-half lead helped keep the Jayhawks close heading into halftime.

**6 – Ochai Agbaji -** Agbaji, who played 31 minutes in this one, could not find his offensive game, going just 1-of-6 from the floor and 0-of-3 from 3-point range. Made a few defensive miscues and also seemed to let his offensive struggles keep him from impacting the game elsewhere with his athleticism.

**7 – Silvio De Sousa -** Nothing special here, but three rebounds and at least one altered shot in 2+ minutes were enough of a contribution to say he mattered and did not hurt the team.

**8 – Christian Braun -** Played just 3:38 and lacked aggression from the perimeter. The one time he did get aggressive, he drove right into the teeth of the Texas defense and had his shot rejected.

**9 – Tristan Enaruna -** Played just over a minute and did not record any statistics.

Season Standings
———–

1 – Udoka Azubuike – 125

2 – Devon Dotson – 112

3 – Marcus Garrett – 111

4 – Ochai Agbaji – 102

5 – David McCormack – 82

6 – Isaiah Moss – 78

7 – Christian Braun – 61

8 – Tristan Enaruna – 49

9 – Silvio De Sousa – 45

10 – Jalen Wilson – 2x

x = broke his ankle 20 seconds into the second game of the season and is expected to be out at least three months.

[1]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2020/jan/18/he-was-difference-devon-dotson-returns-help-no-6-k/

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Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.