Kansas basketball: In coach Self we trust
By Stan Unruh
The Kansas basketball team lost a close road game Tuesday. Many Jayhawk fans are debating coaching decisions in the final minutes.
Kansas basketball missed a chance to take a very comfortable lead in the Big 12 conference race Tuesday in Norman. As a matter of fact, the Jayhawks outplayed Oklahoma much of the night. Fans know this is a game they could have and probably should have won. However, Hall of Fame coach Bill Self made a difficult choice to keep Udokah Azubuike in the game.
With the 7-foot sophomore in the game, Oklahoma started fouling him. Their gamble that he could not hit a free throw worked. Azubuike missed 6 free throws over the final 3:37. Fans screamed for Self to take him out. Self stuck by his center and the Jayhawks could not recover in the 85-80 loss.
There are many questions surrounding Self’s decision. It was painfully obvious what Oklahoma was doing. Azubuike did make his first free throw attempt Tuesday. That came in the first half. He didn’t make another one. As a matter of fact, he is shooting just 37 percent from the charity stripe on the season.
Late in the game, Self wanted to show Azubuike he trusted him to make more free throws. Unfortunately Azubuike didn’t come through. There were other factors that contributed to the outcome. Azubuike’s missed free throws were huge.
The Coach is thinking beyond January
“All athletes need a short term memory...this one will sting because he cares so much but this may be a good thing for down the road when he’s in a pressure situation.” - Coach Self on Udoka and his confidence in his ability to bounce back #KUbball
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) January 24, 2018
At the time, I thought Self’s decision to keep Azubuike in the game was correct. I thought the Jayhawks could overcome the missed free throws and steal a win. Self and the Jayhawks have won 13 straight Big 12 titles for a reason. The coach knows what he is doing.
Others are suggesting the move to keep Azubuike on the court was stupid and stubborn. The Jayhawks played well with Mitch Lightfoot on the court in the closing minutes of the first half. Getting Lightfoot back on the court could have preserved the victory.
Next: Jayhawks fall to Sooners in Norman
Self accepted full responsibility for the loss. Nobody likes to lose. Self’s gamble didn’t pay off Tuesday. However, the coach is thinking far beyond a late January game in Norman. Fans are disappointed today. However, what happened Tuesday could benefit Azubuike and the Jayhawks two months from now. In late March, t
his game in Norman will be a distant memory.