OMAHA, Neb. — Malik Newman noticed a change in the Jayhawks after they took a 20-point lead over Clemson.
“We kind of relaxed,” Newman said after KU’s 80-76 win. “We stopped being as aggressive.”
While the Jayhawks allowed the deficit to slowly get cut down to four, they managed to outlast the Tigers, thanks in part to a key play by Devonte’ Graham.
While the senior didn’t have his best game, shooting just 4 for 12 and committing three turnovers, Newman noted there were other things he did in the win.
“He’s a winner. He’s a winner,” Newman said. “At the end of the day, that’s what’s in his DNA.”