Through the Phog
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Kansas basketball: What we learned from Late Night in the Phog

By Stan Unruh

LAWRENCE, KS - DECEMBER 21: A box full of cardboard cut-outs of head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks sits by the door ready to be distributed to fans upon entry prior to the game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Allen Fieldhouse on December 21, 2013 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - DECEMBER 21: A box full of cardboard cut-outs of head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks sits by the door ready to be distributed to fans upon entry prior to the game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Allen Fieldhouse on December 21, 2013 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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The 2017 version of Late Night in the Phog is history. The Kansas basketball scrimmage didn’t show us much about this team

Fans enjoyed the party to kick off the Kansas basketball season. A packed Allen Fieldhouse arrived early and stayed late for the 33rd annual Late Night in the Phog. Social media users did their best to comment on and show favorite highlights of the activities. For some the Lil Yachty concert highlighted the event. For most, getting to see the 2017 Jayhawks in action topped the night.

As in the past, the 20 minutes of Kansas basketball action didn’t show much. The sloppy race up and down the Allen Fieldhouse floor ended in a tie. Here are few things we observed.

As a matter of fact, the team needs to play some defense. Fans never seem much defense during Late Night in the Phog.  It’s October not January. Bill Self, the veteran players and coaching staff will show the others and it should improve. Devonte Graham appears very comfortable as the leader of this group. He shot the ball as well as anyone on the court and led all scorers with 22 points. He also hit all five of his free throws.  This is his year to shine and we get to enjoy every minute.

Scrimmage ends in a tie

Lagerald Vick continues to improve and led the Crimson team with 17 points. His big 3-pointer late helped his team catch the Blue. Malik Newman hit the big 3 to secure the tie. Newman did not have a great shooting night but he made the shot that counted at the end. He, Vick and Graham will provide plenty of challenges for opposing Big 12 defenses. Stop one of them and Svi Mykhailiuk is ready for a big senior season. He made of 3 of 7 shots on Saturday and looked confident.

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What we saw of freshman Billy Preston is far from the player we expect to see in after Christmas. He likes to shoot the 3 but needs to mix it up in the paint and keep rebounding. He impressed me with a game high 6 boards in 16 minutes of action.  Udoka Azubuike is a beast. He hung on the rim on a dunk Saturday night similar to his play in Italy. He is fun the watch because he seems to have so much joy in playing the game.

Saturday’s scrimmage left a lot to be desired. Thank goodness coach Self is up the task of getting this group to play as a team. That is why he is in the Hall of Fame.

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