Azubuike tops ratings after dominating Tennessee in 74-68 win

By Matt Tait     Jan 25, 2020

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Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes congratulates Kansas center Udoka Azubuike (35) following the Jayhawks' 74-68 win, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2019 at Allen Fieldhouse.

**1 – Udoka Azubuike -** What a different game this was with Azubuike on the floor and with Azubuike off the floor. When he was out there, Tennessee pretty much had no answer on either end. More about that in today’s game story. Finished with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds and added 4 blocks, including two big ones during a monster finish.

**2 – Devon Dotson -** Made everything go and played monster minutes with Azubuike out of the game. In fact, he played nearly the entire game and never let the heavy workload negatively affect his decision making or quickness. Tallied 22 points and 7 assists in 39 minutes.

**3 – Marcus Garrett -** Like Dotson, Garrett played big minutes and continued to play with the steady presence on both ends of the floor that makes this Kansas team so dangerous. Finished with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals and no turnovers.

**4 – Ochai Agbaji -** Got things going again offensively and knocked in a couple of 3-pointers while playing 38 minutes. Finished 6-of-12 from the floor after missing his first two shots of the game.

**5 – Christian Braun -** Attacked, didn’t force 3-pointers and used his size and athleticism to help Kansas survive with Azubuike on the bench. Started the second half in place of Isaiah Moss and might be trending toward starting the first half of games, too.

**6 – Isaiah Moss -** Misfired on all but one shot attempt and looked a little lost and hesitant at times on both ends of the floor.

**7 – Tristan Enaruna -** Logged just 5 minutes in a game that most people thought he would play a lot more.

Season Standings
———–

1 – Udoka Azubuike – 140

2 – Devon Dotson – 124

3 – Marcus Garrett – 123

4 – Ochai Agbaji – 111

5 – Isaiah Moss – 84

6 – David McCormack – 83z

7 – Christian Braun – 73

8 – Tristan Enaruna – 53

9 – Silvio De Sousa – 47+

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.*

*+ = suspended for 12 games following KU’s 81-60 win over Kansas State on Jan. 21, 2020.*

*z = suspended for 2 games following KU’s 81-60 win over Kansas State on Jan. 21, 2020.*

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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.