Kansas basketball: Italian holiday, great expectations
By Stan Unruh
Three Kansas basketball exhibitions game in Italy and three wins. Let’s get the team home and get ready for a great NCAA season.
Kansas basketball fans are enjoying a summer glimpse of what we will enjoy this fall and winter. As a matter of fact, this year’s team is going to be another fun one to watch. The Italian exhibition games are fun and the team is winning. I didn’t expect any less. I know Bill Self is not thrilled with everything he sees on the court. It’s only August.
The final score in these blowout games is far less important to Bill than the little improvement necessary to win another Big 12 Conference title. I’m sure he did appreciate the 24 assists in Saturday’s win. On the other hand, the Players Group Italian team outrebounded the Jayhawks on Saturday.
I was glad to see Lagerald Vick really get going Saturday. He is an amazing talent and we know he can score. His 23-point effort to lead the Jayhawks over Long Beach State last season is still fresh in my memory. Eighteen points in the oven at Palasport Enrico Somaschini is impressive.
Vick behind the back to Malik for 👌! Jayhawks lead 18-9 with 2:45 left in Q1.
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) August 5, 2017
Watch live via @FloHoops: https://t.co/R5zCUXwRVk pic.twitter.com/tttYgfEbbN
I see flashes of Frank Mason in Malik Newman? The Mississippi State transfer seems much more mature than what we read about him during that year for the Bulldogs. Since we didn’t see him work against the NCAA Player of the Year Mason, it is a joy to watch Newman work. On social media, it also appears Newman is a lot of fun.
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There is little doubt about the outcome of exhibition game four. The only issue is getting home with everyone healthy. The team still needs help in the paint and on the boards. Coach Self will know exactly what buttons to push when team boot camp begins in a few weeks.