Quick grades for five aspects of the Kansas basketball team’s 74-67 loss on Tuesday at Bramlage Coliseum.
Offense: D
——-
The Jayhawks’ 23 turnovers destroyed their chances of winning on their rival’s home court.
Dedric Lawson, Quentin Grimes, Devon Dotson and Ochai Agbaji combined to commit 17 between them.
K-State’s defense repeatedly kept KU off balance, leading to KU’s fourth loss in a row on the road.
Defense: C-
——-
K-State, not known for its offense or 3-point accuracy, drained 10 of 24 from deep.
KU played competent defense for stretches in the half court, but a lack of consistency on that end against one of the Big 12’s worst offensive teams caught up with the visitors.
Frontcourt: C
———
While KU would be lost without Lawson, the Wildcats harassed him and kept long defenders on him, making for a long night for the leading scorer.
Lawson shot 6 for 15 from the floor and only made 1 of 5 from 3-point range.
Backcourt: C-
——–
Boy, did the Jayhawks’ guards look uncomfortable versus the defensive-minded Wildcats.
Quality shots were rare at best, impossible to find at other junctures. The same issues that have plagued KU on the road haven’t gone anywhere.
Bench: B-
—–
Charlie Moore was a surprising bright spot, providing KU with 8 points and a pair of assists.
Mitch Lightfoot looked like someone who had experienced the Sunflower Showdown before, and his characteristic go-hard approach led to 6 points and 5 boards.
KU’s bench was outscored by K-State’s subs, 20-17.