Kansas Jayhawks: Who was the MVP Against Baylor

The Kansas Jayhawks knocked off the Baylor Bears for the second time this season Saturday, with a 74-64 victory at Allen Fieldhouse.

The win moved Kansas to 10-2 in league play, and one step closer to an 11th straight Big 12 Conference title.

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The Jayhawks had plenty of great performances, including an eight-assist game from Frank Mason III, and a key 3-pointer from one of the best shooters in the game in Brannen Greene.

But who was the MVP of the game for the Jayhawks?

It seems like each game there is a different star for this squad, which actually is the norm for a Bill Self coached team.

Here’s a look at my Jayhawk MVP for the game, as well as those who came close.

Honorable Mention

Kelly Oubre, Jr., Fr., Guard and Wayne Selden, Jr., So., Guard

Oubre finished with 18 points and six rebounds. He also tied his career high with four 3-pointers, including two during a 9-0 run in the first half that helped to eventually erase an early 13-point deficit.

The performance was much-needed after the freshman had only scored a total of 23 points the past three games.

Selden continues to play at a high level, and might be the Jayhawk MVP of the past two weeks. After scoring in double figures just six of the first 20 games, the sophomore has done so the past five games, averaging 16 points per game during the stretch.

He also connected on 17-of-29 three-pointers. Selden attacked the rim much more in this game, something Self has been harping on him about, and it paid off, as he went to the line nine times and sank eight attempts.

Runner-Up

Perry Ellis, Jr., Forward

Ellis became the 56th Jayhawk to reach the 1,000-point plateau against Baylor, finishing with 18 points and eight rebounds. However, there was more to his game. Ellis has seemed to disappear against good rebounding teams, and Baylor came in leading the country in offensive rebound percentage.

Ellis went strong to the hoop, and rarely faded away when shooting (something he has done a lot this year), and made 7-of-11 shots. He also skied for some big rebounds, and helped hold the league’s leading rebounder, Rico Gathers, to four boards below his average.

Winner

Landen Lucas, So., Forward

The Portland, OR native may not have had the best numbers on the team, but make no mistake his performance was as important as any in contributing to the victory.

It was most likely a personal best for Lucas, as he tied his career high with nine points. He also added four rebounds, an assist, and a steal in just 14 minutes. However, it was the timing of his big plays and the fact he helped make sure Gathers did not get his signature put-back baskets late in the game.

Lucas ignited his Jayhawk teammates while playing with energy all 14 minutes, but calmed himself to connect on all five of his free-throw attempts. He came in to the game shooting just 60.9 percent from the charity stripe, and every one of his attempts came at crucial spots.

His first two makes came in the first half with Kansas trailing, 23-10. If he misses those, Baylor goes up 25-10 with a basket on the other end, and who knows if the Jayhawks make their run. His third came at the 9:25 mark of the second half, with Kansas trailing by four. His FT, following an and-one layup, cut the deficit to just one.

Less than a minute later, Lucas nailed two more to give the Jayhawks their largest lead at the time, 52-49, on the heels of his defensive rebound on the other end of the court.

His final basket of the game came at the 4:05 mark of the second half. He answered two Royce O’Neale free throws with a layup that stretched the lead back to four.

Lucas’ play may not have landed him on SportCenter’s Top-10 list, but make no mistake, the sophomore made so many key plays, the Jayhawks may not have won without him. When he plays like this, Kansas will be one tough team to beat.

Next up

The Jayhawks (21-4) have short rest before their next game, as they will travel to Morgantown to take on reeling West Virginia (19-6), losers of three of its past four games.

Next: Kansas Jayhawks: Naming the All-Bill Self KU Teams

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