Kansas basketball: Sam Cunliffe must play some defense

The long wait for Kansas basketball transfer Sam Cunliffe to see prime time action is over, or is it? How much will Bill Self play him Saturday.

Kansas basketball fans are nervous. It’s been a long time since the December 2, win over Syracuse at the Hoophall Miami Invitational. As a matter of fact, the Jayhawks are busy concentrating on wrapping up the 2017 fall semester and preparing for the road trip to Lincoln.

While the two weeks since a Kansas basketball victory seem difficult, imagine the almost 52 weeks Sam Cunliffe has had to wait. As a matter of fact, it was the first week of 2017 when word broke that the 6-foot-6 Seattle native announced he intended to leave Tempe to play for Coach Bill Self. It doesn’t matter why he left. One of his eight sisters is a top sprinter who started school at Oklahoma and transferred to Oregon. Kids change their minds and in this instance, it is very good for Kansas basketball.

We know Culiffe can play. In ten games a freshman in Tempe, he finished in digits five time. He didn’t see any action against Pac 12 teams. On the other hand, he did have 14 points in 31 minutes of a blowout 115-69 loss to a good Kentucky team. He hit just 4 of 16 shots against the ‘Cats.

Bill Self does not need Cunliffe to score

Cunliffe saw 25-minutes of action in a December 2016 game against Purdue team. The team featuring Caleb Swanigan the Jayhawks faced in the NCAA tournament. On a 2-9 shooting night, Cunliffe scored just 5 points and had two assists in a 97-64 loss.

If Cunliffe plays defense, coach Self will play him to give one of the starters a rest. The Jayhawks don’t need him to score. Having an extra body to spell Devonte Graham or Lagerald Vick is ideal. He may also see some action of Malik Newman is hampered from the concussion he suffered on Sunday. However, Cunliffe has to play defense or it’s a waste of time getting excited about him in the lineup this season.

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