Lagerald Vick bounce-back earns top spot in ratings after tough, 74-71 win over Villanova

By Matt Tait     Dec 15, 2018

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Kansas guard Lagerald Vick (24) pulls up for a three from the wing over Villanova guard Collin Gillespie (2) during the first half, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018 at Allen Fieldhouse.

**1 – Lagerald Vick -** Earns the top spot because of the degree of difficulty of so many of his shots. Bounced back from a bad week in a big way with 29 points and 7 rebounds in 39 minutes, including 9-of-15 from the floor. Also flashed that killer confidence and mean streak that this team needs.

**2 – Dedric Lawson -** So good in the first half and so solid with his positioning. Villanova had no one who could guard him and Lawson took full advantage of that for yet another double-double, 28 points and 12 rebounds in 38 minutes.

**3 – Devon Dotson -** Hounded Villanova’s Collin Gillespie all game and came up with a couple of huge buckets and free throws down the stretch to ice the tough victory.

**4 – Marcus Garrett -** Forget his offense, which came in doses. It was Garrett’s defense, both making life miserable for Eric Paschall and by hounding opposing ball-handlers with his quick hands. Four steals, four rebounds and three assists more than made up for scoring just one point.

**5 – Mitch Lightfoot -** Numbers weren’t as good today as they were against New Mexico State, but his impact was. KU had some of their best stretches with Lightfoot on the floor and the junior could quietly be carving out that young Landen Lucas role.

**6 – K.J. Lawson -** Played 14 minutes because of Grimes’ struggled but didn’t do anything spectacular. Does have a knack for getting his brother the ball in good scoring position.

**7 – Charlie Moore -** Not his best day. Missed his only shot, turned it over three times and fouled three times in 18 minutes.

**8 – Quentin Grimes -** Another rough, rough day for Grimes, who attacked a couple of times but spent most of the day a step slow and turning the ball over.

**9 – David McCormack -** Only action came at the end of the first half, when he didn’t have time or opportunity to do much.

Season Standings:
———–

1 – Devon Dotson – 63

2 – Dedric Lawson – 60

3 – Lagerald Vick – 58

4 – Marcus Garrett – 41

5 – Quentin Grimes – 38

6 – Udoka Azubuike – 34

7 – Mitch Lightfoot – 32

8 – Charlie Moore – 31

9 – K.J. Lawson – 25

10 – David McCormack – 18

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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.