Postgame Report Card: Kansas 87, TCU 68

By Matt Tait     Feb 22, 2017

article image
The Kansas bench erupts after a dunk by Dwight Coleby during the second half, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Quick grades for five aspects of KU’s 87-68 victory over TCU that clinched a 13th consecutive Big 12 title.

Offense: A
——-

The Jayhawks scored 87 points and didn’t even need to shoot above 50 percent to do it. Four players reached double figures and the Jayhawks were good from inside and out, with crisp passing leading to easy buckets, strong transition play and a 10-of-23 clip from 3-point range.

Defense: B-
——-

Nothing real impressive about this effort, but KU’s offense made sure it didn’t matter. If I had a dollar for every time KU coach Bill Self looked shocked, dismayed, angry or upset about something his defense allowed TCU to do, I’d be able to upgrade to the Early Bird Boarding on this weekend’s flight to Austin. That said, KU did hold TCU to 39.1 percent shooting and also out-rebounded the Frogs, 43-38, after getting out-rebounded 26-18 in the first half. Those two facts elevated this from C+ range into B territory.

Frontcourt: B
———

Landen Lucas was decent but far from great in his least amount of playing time since returning to the starting lineup (17 minutes) and Carlton Bragg Jr., more than made up for it with a monster night.

Backcourt: A
——–

Three of KU’s four double-digit scorers were guards, including Frank Mason III’s game-high 20 points and 17 from Devonte’ Graham and 15 from Josh Jackson. Lagerald Vick cooled off and Svi Mykhailiuk continued to be quiet.

Bench: B
—–

Bragg (7-of-10 shooting for 15 points and 7 rebounds) was spectacular but Vick struggled for just 3 points and 3 rebounds in 26 minutes. The rest of the bench, though all entering the game contributed precious little to the cause, save for Dwight Coleby’s big time slam with attitude late in the game.

PREV POST

Washington scores 36, but Kansas falls to ISU

NEXT POST

50269Postgame Report Card: Kansas 87, TCU 68

Author Photo

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.