Garrett goes down swinging as KU’s best in lopsided NCAA Tournament loss

By Matt Tait     Mar 22, 2021

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Kansas guard Marcus Garrett (0) tries to shoot around a USC defender during the first half of a men's college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

**1 – Marcus Garrett -** In what might have been his last game as a Jayhawk, the KU senior led the Jayhawks with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and was one of the few players on the KU roster who was not overwhelmed by the size and stature of the USC roster. His poise didn’t always lead to good outcomes, but Garrett competed hard all night and did everything he could to keep KU in it.

**2 – Dajuan Harris -** Made the only shot he attempted — a 3-pointer that seemed big at the time — and also dished four assists with no turnovers in 28 minutes. The point guard position is his at Kansas for the next few seasons. He might get some help in the backcourt, but there’s no question that Harris will be a big part of KU’s future.

**3 – Christian Braun -** The numbers don’t do his effort justice. No, Braun didn’t shoot it very well (who did for KU?), but he attacked, tried to fight and looked unafraid throughout the first half as the Jayhawks desperately tried to stay in the game.

**4 – Tyon Grant-Foster -** He had absolutely nothing to lose when he came in in the second half, so his performance is graded on a bit of a curve. But still, he flashed a couple of good moments and showed why the coaching staff was so high on him in the first place earlier this season. Next up: Grant-Foster needs to become more consistent and learn the importance of defense — team and individual — so he can use his athleticism and offensive skills to help this team out.

**5 – David McCormack -** The KU big man still just two games into his return from COVID-19 tried to follow the game plan of using his bulk to bully the Mobley brothers. It just didn’t matter. They were too long and McCormack was a little too wild. He finished with 5 points, 4 rebounds and a block in 22 minutes.

**6 – Ochai Agbaji -** He started slow and disappeared at times in the first half. But then found a little bit of life early in the second. It was not nearly enough, though, and KU’s leading scorer and best shooter finished with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals but went 3-of-13 from the field (2-of-8 from 3-point range) to get it.

**7 – Mitch Lightfoot -** Lightfoot battled for the 11 minutes he was on the floor, and his rebound and put-back at the halftime buzzer that was waived off because of a travel was very nearly an important spark for struggling Kansas. It likely would not have mattered in the big picture, but it shows the kind of effort and attitude Lightfoot has at all times.

**8 – Jalen Wilson -** Whether because of his recent case of COVID or the matchup or both, Wilson just didn’t have it on Monday night and never really got much of an opportunity to find it. He played just eight minutes, missed all three shots he attempted and struggled with foul trouble, as well. Tough ending to what was a solid first season for the KU wing.

**9 – Bryce Thompson -** Played 15 minutes and missed five shots while recording 1 assist and 1 foul. You can see the desire and drive to be great all over Thompson, but he still has a ways to go before he gets there.

**T10 – Gethro Muscadin -** Grabbed a rebound late during mop-up time.

**T10 – Latrell Jossell -** Scored two points late during mop-up time.

**Final Season Standings**

1 – Ochai Agbaji – 230

2 – Jalen Wilson – 210

3 – Marcus Garrett – 206

4 – David McCormack – 201

5 – Christian Braun – 194

6 – Dajuan Harris – 140

7 – Mitch Lightfoot – 139

8 – Bryce Thompson – 92 ~

9 – Tyon Grant-Foster – 83

10 – Tristan Enaruna – 75

11 – Latrell Jossell – 15

12 – Gethro Muscadin – 12

~ missed more than a month of the season with back and finger injuries and returned to the lineup on Feb. 11.

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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.