Kansas basketball: Stop worrying about what you don’t have
By Stan Unruh
The Kansas basketball team is still trying find their identity. The Jayhawks need to stay focused and stop waiting for Billy Preston or Silvio De Sousa.
The Kansas basketball team lost to a good Texas Tech team on Tuesday night at Allen Fieldhouse. Jayhawk fans don’t like to watch their team lose. As a matter of fact, it is much more painful to watch them lose at the greatest sports venue in all of America. The team has not dropped a pair of home games in the same season since ’06-07.
Most fans I know hoped Silvio De Sousa or Billy Preston would be in the lineup by now. I still can’t believe we haven’t seen Preston. I’m sure his teammates feel the same. On the other hand, that needs to stop. I’m as guilty as anyone. What’s the latest on Preston or De Sousa? I heard it a thousand times over the holidays. This Jayhawk team needs to focus on energy, playing tough and not on who is going to ride in on a white horse to help on the Jayhawk front line.
We know Hall of Fame coach Bill Self’s team is talented. Just consider all the preseason honors given to this group of Jayhawks. Senior leader Devonte Graham is one of the nation’s best guards. He’s already earned a national player of the week award and scored 27 points in Tuesday’s setback.
Graham can’t do it all by himself.
LaGerald Vick is among the most athletic players on any team anywhere. The junior from Memphis can jump out of the gym. He also can play lock down defense and is among the best scorers on the team. He didn’t have his best game on Tuesday.
Look at the success Kansas basketball fans have enjoyed due to Svi Mykhailiuk. He is not a great ball handler but he can score the basketball and is a better defensive player this season. Think how we might have felt if he didn’t’ t make that shot
at Nebraska. He did and he will continue to hit big shots.
Billy Preston’s mom is also tired of waiting for the NCAA
Udokah Azubuike is a beast. The sophomore learns with each game. We know he is not 100 percent healthy. We are told his back hurts. When you are that big, it must really be painful. On the other hand, except for the first five minutes against Mo Bamba, Dok played him even.
Next: Kansas basketball: Reasons to smile after loss to Tech
The Jayhawks’ fifth starter is a work in progress. It really doesn’t matter if Marcus Garrett or Malik Newman come off the bench. Both have qualities this team needs. Garrett always seems to be around the ball and makes plays. Newman is still getting up to speed but we know he can do big things.
Preston and De Sousa can’t win games sitting on the bench. For now, they are at the mercy of the NCAA. I am tired of focusing on them. This team already has the talent to win the Big 12 title and much more.