Kansas center Udoka Azubuike, after playing three minutes in the first half of the Jayhawks’ NCAA Tournament victory over Penn, said he could have played in the second half, too.
The Jayhawks’ 7-footer, still working his way back form a left-knee injury, said KU coach Bill Self deemed the typical starter didn’t need to play down the stretch of a 76-60 victory.
After not attempting a shot and contributing one rebound and one steal during a stretch from the 8:32 mark to the 5:51 mark of the first half, Azubuike said he didn’t feel hesitant to jump while playing with a brace on his left knee.
“I was only concerned with my running, getting back on defense, sliding my feet,” Azubuike said. “That’s pretty much what I was really concerned about. I wasn’t concerned about my jump, because I know once you throw me a lob or something I’m going to jump and get it.”
