Postgame Report Card: Kansas 73, Nebraska 72

By Matt Tait     Dec 17, 2017

article image
Kansas guard Lagerald Vick (2) lays out for a loose ball during the second half, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Quick grades for five aspects of KU’s 73-72 squeaker over Nebraska on Saturday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb.

Offense: B
——-

This was a half-court game with a lot of jump shots and very few fastbreak points or free throws for either side. Still, Kansas got the better of the Cornhuskers in both of those areas — 4-2 in fastbreak points and 8-6 in free throws — and that helped offset NU’s better shooting night and higher number of 3-point makes.

Defense: C+/B-
———

The defense was markedly better in terms of effort and intensity, but the Jayhawks still gave up far too many buckets on drives to the rim and also allowed Nebraska to flirt with 50 percent shooting at 49.2 percent for the game. But on effort alone, the Jayhawks were much better in this one than in either of their back-to-back losses, which not only led to a passing grade but also to victory.

Frontcourt: A
———

A career night of 26 points, 10 rebounds and one huge block for Udoka Azubuike when KU absolutely had to have him and an underrated night for sophomore forward Mitch Lightfoot, who did all of the things he’s supposed to do and did them well.

Backcourt: B
——–

Svi Mykhailiuk’s clutch 3-pointer that proved to be the game winner stole the show, but Devonte’ Graham’s steady and solid night and Lagerald Vick’s quality all-around effort were just as important. With that said, Malik Newman, Marcus Garrett and Sam Cunliffe combined to go scoreless in 49 minutes and that kept things in the B range.

Bench: C+
——

Lightfoot was good but not incredible, Garrett had his moments of ups and downs and Cunliffe played just two minutes in his Kansas debut. It worked Saturday, but the Jayhawks are going to need more from their bench at some point.

PREV POST

Notebook: Jayhawks improve defensively, struggle to score against zone

NEXT POST

51481Postgame Report Card: Kansas 73, Nebraska 72

Author Photo

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.