Wiggins’ double-double vs. Florida locks up top spot

By Staff     Dec 10, 2013

1 – Andrew Wiggins: Contributed 26 points and 11 rebounds, both game highs. He also drew two fouls on Florida’s leading scorer, Casey Prather, limited to 11 scoreless first-half minutes with Wiggins guarding him. Had four of KU’s 24 turnovers, but on a night the ballhandlers were having difficulty getting into the hands of the shooters, he had to try to make things happen. Was KU’s best scorer, rebounder and defender, competing hard from start to finish.

2 – Jamari Traylor: Always embraces a physical game and the Gators delivered that in the paint. Was in the game late because of it as KU staged a comeback. Traylor had five points and nine rebounds in 17 minutes.

3 – Joel Embiid: Phyiscal Florida center Patric Young was a tough matchup for Embiid, a relative newcomer to the game who is susceptible to giving up offensive rebounds. His presence at times made Florida guards think twice about taking it to the hoop. He blocked three shots and did a nice job of staying out of foul trouble so that he could stay on the floor for 30 minutes. Had six points, six boards, two assists, a turnover and a steal.

4 – Brannen Greene: Energized the team with hustle and made a three-point shot, had a key steal late in the game when Kansas was pressing and made both of his free throws. Unforced turnover with 55 seconds left and Kansas trailing it by six, spelled curtains for the Jayhawks, but the effort he showed was good for his development and helped KU’s comeback effort.

5 – Perry Ellis: Self went with Traylor over Ellis at crunch time. The sophomore forward didn’t mix it up underneath to the extent the team needed him to do so against the physical Gators.

6 – Naadir Tharpe: Sometimes frustrates his coach by not keeping the ball moving quickly enough and will never be a serious threat as a finisher at the rim, but on a night KU had just 11 assists (24 turnovers), he picked up five assists to go with three turnovers and two points.

7 – Frank Mason: He’s new to the point-guard position and it showed, especially in a first half in which KU had 16 turnovers. Shot the ball better (2 of 3 three-pointers) but had trouble figuring out the best means of attacking Florida’s 1-3-1 zone defense and had a rough night getting the ball to shooters. The team plays faster with him at the point than with Thapre, but this wasn’t his best effort.

8 – Tarik Black: Picked up two rebounds in three minutes but still has trouble hitting shots from close range. He missed both of his attempts, including one uncontested bunny.

9 – Wayne Selden: Turned it over 56 seconds into the second half, was yanked and never appeared in the game again. Played 14 minutes, time enough for four turnovers, four points, one assist, one rebound and a 1-for-4 shooting night.

“It was a tough night for him,” KU coach Bill self said. “He, Perry, and obviously Frank, that was a pretty tough night for those guys. Hopefully they can, and I think they can, they can learn and respond, handle situations better moving forward.”

10 – Andrew White: Accidently knocked the ball out of teammate Joel Embiid’s hands when they both battled for it and didn’t get up a shot in two minutes.

11 – Landed Lucas: Played two minutes and committed a foul.

12 – Conner Frankamp: Played less than a minute.

**SEASON STANDINGS**

Andrew Wiggins 88

Joel Embiid 86

Perry Ellis 83

Frank Mason 69

Wayne Selden Jr. 63

Naadir Tharpe 53

Andrew White III 46

Jamari Traylor 45

Tarik Black 38

Brannen Greene 22

Conner Frankamp 20

Landen Lucas 19

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43651Wiggins’ double-double vs. Florida locks up top spot