Kansas basketball: Arizona State preview and how to tune in
By Stan Unruh
The Kansas basketball team expects to bounce back from Wednesday’s Sprint Center setback to unranked Washington. Here is what you need to know for Sunday’s game.
The No. 2 ranked Kansas basketball team is hungry to get back to their winning ways. The Jayhawks return to Allen Fieldhouse for a Sunday afternoon game with another Pac-12 team following Wednesday’s 9-point loss to Washington in Kansas City. You know Hall of Fame coach Bill Self will have the Jayhawks ready to make up for the loss.
Other than Lagerald Vick, the Jayhawks didn’t do much on offense. The junior from Memphis had a career high 28-points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds. The current national player of the week Devonte Graham had a single three-point field goal to go along with 5 assists. The only other Jayhawk to score in double figures Udokah Azubuike contributed 10 points and 9 rebounds while sitting most of the first half in foul trouble.
The Jayhawks struggled on defense and the Huskies also outrebounded them. On the bright side, Mitch Lightfoot grabbed 6 rebounds in 8 minutes of action. Reliable freshman Marcus Garrett hit the boards for 5 rebounds in 15 minutes of action.
Here is how to watch the Jayhawks play the Sun Devils on Sunday.
Date Sunday December 10
Time: 1p.m. CST
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Venue: Allen Fieldhouse
Watch: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN.com
Radio: The Jayhawk Radio Network or online
Keys to Victory
The Sun Devils are ranked No. 16 by the Associated Press and the first ranked team to visit Allen Fieldhouse this season. The Jayhawks did beat then No. 7 Kentucky in Chicago in November. This will be a difficult test. The Jayhawks will need to start fast and finish strong. They certainly did not finish strong against Washington.
Arizona State has five players averaging in double figures including a senior guard. I expect Devonte Graham to keep that guard Tra Holder from getting his usual 22 points. Holder leads the Pac-12 but the Allen Fieldhouse crowd and Graham will get in his head.
Next: Reasons to smile after Sprint Center setback
The Jayhawk frontline of Azubiuke or Mitch Lightfoot will have a handful with Sun Devil big man 6-foot-10 De’Quon Lake. The Junior college transfer is averaging 11-points and 7 rebounds a game. He also is second on the team in fouls. If the Jayahwks play some defense they should get back in the win column.