Postgame
Looking at the stats, one would be hard-pressed to tell this was the same Northern Arizona team that hung with the Arizona Wildcats one week ago. Against Arizona, NAU had 17 assists to 15 turnovers and actually out-rebounded them, 37-30.
Tonight, not a single player scored in double figures for the Lumberjacks, who had 10 assists to 18 turnovers and shot under 32 percent for the game. KU coach Bill Self said he thought it was the best defensive effort by the Jayhawks thus far.
For KU, 10 different players ended up in the scoring column, and all of them had at least five points. During the regular season, the Jayhawks have won every game by at least 23 points, and tonight’s 41-point margin of victory was the largest of the season. KU is now 600-106 all-time at Allen Fieldhouse.
Another fact of note in KU’s blowout win: NAU’s 10 points scored were the fewest by an opponent in the first half since KU held Mississippi Valley State to the same number on Dec. 12, 1992.
The Jayhawks also saw some new career highs from a few of the freshmen. Tyrel Reed’s five assists were more than he had on the season combined (three). Cole Aldrich’s seven points were a new career high, as were his 17 minutes played and three made field goals. And for the second straight game, Conner Teahan set a career high in points, finishing with nine on 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.
Next comes KU’s biggest early-season test: a match-up with Arizona Sunday night at Allen Fieldhouse, where the Jayhawks will look for win No. 601 in the old barn.
