Kansas basketball: Jayhawks must avoid Frog revenge
By Stan Unruh
Kansas basketball has another difficult test Tuesday at Allen Fieldhouse. TCU wants revenge and is very capable of giving the Jayhawks trouble.
A month ago, the Kansas basketball team escaped Fort Worth with a four-point victory over TCU. The national polls loved the Frogs following their run through the non-conference schedule. They have not lived up to the early billing. Since the loss to the Jayhawks, TCU lost five of the next 8 games.
In addition, the Frogs also lost sophomore point guard and one Big 12’s top players Jaylen Fisher. TCU lost him to a knee injury in practice following a blowout win over Iowa State. Despite the trouble, Jamie Dixon’s Frogs are playing some tough basketball.
The Jayhawks just lost at home to Oklahoma State. A week ago, the Frogs whipped the Cowboy by 13 in Stillwater. That should get the attention of Devonte Graham and the rest of Bill Self’s team. TCU is very capable of coming to Lawrence and getting revenge for last month’s loss.
Seniors Kenrich Williams and Vladimir Brodziansky will know how the Cowboys took advantage of the Jayhawks on the glass. The 6-foot-7 Williams is averaging almost a double-double on the season. He hits the boards and can score. The 6-foot-11 Brodziansky leads the Frogs in scoring and would love nothing more than to take home a victory in his final trip to Allen Fieldhouse.
Next: Jayhawks can still accomplish their goal
Coach Self confirmed Monday he will start Mitch Lightfoot Tuesday. The 6-foot-8 sophomore was the difference in the victory over the Frogs last month. He blocked 6 shots and scored 9 points off the bench. It will interesting to watch Lightfoot and Udoka Azubuike in the lineup from the opening tip.
I expect the Jayhawks do what Texas Tech did to TCU on Saturday. The Red Raiders forced 17 Frog turnovers by playing tough defense. Coach Self doesn’t have many options if the guys in Crimson and Blue don’t play better defense than we saw on Saturday afternoon. This Kansas basketball team is tied for the Big 12 Conference lead. They know what it will take to win Tuesday. I expect an offensive explosion fueled by outstanding defense.