Kansas basketball: Mitch Lightfoot to the rescue

Bill Self’s Kansas basketball team earned another big road win Monday. Mitch Lightfoot didn’t score but made a massive contribution to the victory.

The Kansas basketball team is sitting comfortably atop the Big 12 Conference standings. The Jayhawks fought through adversity and stopped the ‘Cats at the Octagon of Gloom 70-56. Many Jayhawks contributed to the Sunflower Showdown win but none bigger than Mitch Lightfoot.

We expected seniors Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and Devonte Graham to step up and they did. The Jayhawks might not get the win without Svi’s 22 points, 7 rebounds and that hustle down the court to block Xavier Sneed’s breakaway dunk attempt.  As a matter of fact, the Jayhawks needed Graham’s leadership, 16 points and 11 assists or they leave Manhattan disappointed.

Self depends on the upperclassmen and is pleasantly surprised when sophomore Mitch Lightfoot comes through at just the right time. Lightfoot seem to have some of his best games on the road when Self is desperate. The Hall of Fame coach desperately needed Lightfoot against the ‘Cats.

Lightfoot’s 9 points, 6 blocks and 7 rebounds at TCU looked great in the box score. His 6 points, 5 rebounds and a steal at West Virginia did too. Lightfoot’s line in the box score for Monday’s win reveals nothing about his contribution to the victory.

When Udoka Azubuike picked up his first foul about 6 minutes into the first half, Lightfoot came into and brought energy, defensive intensity and his smile. His stomach is probably churning but his face indicates he is having fun. He is fun to watch. Lightfoot’s play is vastly improved over last season and even over this season’s non-conference schedule.

The 6-foot-8 former Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year is becoming the rim protector the Jayhawks desperately need. Self does not need him to score and he didn’t Monday. As a matter of fact, Lightfoot did not even take a shot. He did reject three ‘Wildcat shots and altered several others. The five rebounds he grabbed were huge especially because three of them were on offense and allowed the Jayhawks another opportunity to score.

Saved his best for late in the game

Next: Jayhawks sweep Sunflower Showdown

Lightfoot’s biggest play came with under 4-minutes left when he took that charge and Barry Brown fell on his head.  Fans feared the worst until he finally smiled, sat up and made his way to the bench. Even more impressive, Self needed Lightfoot back in the game a few seconds later. If he was hurting, you wouldn’t know. He battled for 2 more rebounds to help seal the win. With Azubuike’s inconsistency, Silvio DeSousa still learning and Billy Preston gone, Lightfoot is one of the season’s most valuable players.