McCormack’s 2 late buckets lead to top spot after KU win over Oklahoma

By Matt Tait     Jan 9, 2021

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Kansas forward David McCormack (33) turns for a shot over Oklahoma forward Victor Iwuakor (0) during the second half, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021 at Allen Fieldhouse.

**1 – David McCormack -** It was tempting to put McCormack lower because of his lack of rebounds, but that might’ve been a product of the matchup as much as anything. Besides, the KU big man hit 8 of 14 shots, including two of the biggest of the game, and gave Kansas a consistent inside presence that they could throw the ball to throughout the 25 minutes he was out there. McCormack’s starting to stack solid outings up and you can see the impact that’s having on his confidence and comfort level.

**2 – Ochai Agbaji -** Another solid first half, combined with two smooth 3-pointers early in the second that helped Kansas take control was enough to keep Agbaji near the top of these postgame standings. Finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 38 minutes.

**3 – Marcus Garrett -** His return from a one-game absence was well timed because KU needed all 33 minutes Garrett gave. Most of his contributions were subtle and set things up on the defensive end. But his late, hard-driving reverse layup and rebound and put-back of a McCormack airball were both huge baskets and his final line of 7 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and a block resembled the type of line that Garrett has been known for.

**4 – Jalen Wilson -** Finished with nearly half of KU’s 16 turnovers (7) but made up for it by grabbing nearly a third of KU’s 35 rebounds (11). Add to that the two big 3-pointers he hit late and even in one of his roughest games as a Jayhawk, Wilson nearly delivered a double-double and came up big when it counted most.

**5 – Christian Braun -** Still can’t quite dial it in from 3-point range (1-of-6 in this one), but he made up for it by competing for 9 rebounds and a couple of assists in 38 minutes.

**6 – Mitch Lightfoot -** Would’ve been higher if he played more minutes, but he certainly made the most of the ones he got. Made all three field goal attempts he took, got to the free throw line and did a solid job of holding down KU’s interior presence when the bigger McCormack was not out there. It appears that Lightfoot, each time out, is feeling more and more comfortable and confident in his role on this team.

**7 – Tristan Enaruna -** Got in early again with freshman Bryce Thompson still out and looked engaged right away. He still has lapses and needs to continue to find ways to keep himself turned up, but if this stretch of extended PT — not to mention important minutes — continues, that should come.

**8 – Dajuan Harris -** A quiet game all in all, which was to be expected with Garrett back. The next step for Harris is to figure out how to consistently impact the game in limited minutes. He’s shown flashes of being able to do that, but isn’t quite consistent with it yet.

**9 – Tyon Grant-Foster -** Played just 3 minutes, missed his only shot, a 3-pointer, and coughed up a pretty ugly turnover with the first half winding down that led to an OU layup just before the halftime buzzer. KU coach Bill Self took the blame for the sloppy possession/play, but Grant-Foster remains a little ways out from looking comfortable and having a regular role.

**Season Standings**

1 – Ochai Agbaji – 108

2 – Jalen Wilson – 102

3 – Christian Braun – 90

4 – Marcus Garrett – 85

5 – David McCormack – 80

6 – Dajuan Harris – 60

7 – Mitch Lightfoot – 58

8 – Bryce Thompson – 46

9 – Tyon Grant-Foster – 43

10 – Tristan Enaruna – 38

T11 – Latrell Jossell – 7

T11 – Gethro Muscadin – 7

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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.