Thin, injured front court an issue for Kansas basketball

The Kansas basketball front court is hurting and thin. Coach Bill Self has some work to do to as the team prepares to leave for games in Italy.

Kansas basketball fans knew they would miss Landon Lucas.  Remember how you felt when Udoka Azubuike injured his wrist last fall?  Bill Self depended on Lucas who graduated and is set to play in Tokyo. Who will Self depend on this season? I’m glad it’s still July.

Azubuike is healthy again but is he fragile?  Reporter Matt Tait indicated Azubuike is working hard and playing well this summer. That’s good news but Kansas basketball is incredibly limited in the paint. The surprise announcement that grad transfer Jack Whitman didn’t like Lawrence was tough. Now Sophomore Mitch Lightfoot is recovering from injury, according to a report from Tait at KUsports.com.

I know Bill Self is working to fill the need. He always has a plan but this series of events that started when Azubuike got injured last fall is scary. Thanks to their excellent conditioning and their work with Strength coach Andrea Hudy, the Kansas basketball team is very healthy and strong.  On the other hand, accidents happen. Azubuike’s injury sounded like one of those rare accidents.

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It’s hard not to like Mitch Lightfoot, his big smile and athletic ability.  I hate to see him held out of any practices or miss some playing time with the broken nose. Especially in these important, ten July practices before the Italy trip. Since he needed surgery, it must have been a dramatic injury. I hope Hudy is putting a lot of muscle on Lightfoot this summer. Self obviously needs him big, strong and ready for action while working to add depth in the front court.