Kansas basketball: Silvio De Sousa ready for prime time

Kansas basketball finally has another big man they can count on. Silvio DeSousa appears ready to help the Jayhawks finish the season strong.

Kansas basketball received some welcome assistance off the bench in Monday’s blowout win over Oklahoma. Silvio De Sousa had an outstanding night for the Jayhawks.  Since the season opener, coach Bill Self has needed more front court help off the bench. Finally, with three games left in the Big 12 season, De Sousa is showing he’s ready for prime time.

There were dozens of highlights in the Big Monday revenge victory.  Devonte Graham’s 23 points and shutting down the Sooners star freshman guard. Five other players also scored in double figures including Malik Newman, Lagerald Vick, Svi Mykhailiuk, Udoka Azubuike and De Sousa.

The 6-9 newcomer played seven very effective minutes in the first half. He scored four points in that stretch included a pair free throws with the best shooting form on in the Big 12. DeSousa hustled on defense, grabbed a pair of rebounds, looked confident and Self used him again in the second half.  That move he made to score on Kadeem Lattin  was impressive. Lattin is a 6-9 senior.  De Sousa made him look bad.

During his 6 minutes of action in the final twenty minutes, De Sousa was even more impressive. He scored 6 more points, kept his head up on defense and blocked out to find two more rebounds.  With Azubuike and Lighfoot available, De Sousa doesn’t have to do much more than what he did against the Sooners.

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The biggest liability on this Kansas basketball team is the lack of depth in the front court. Fans have debated, hoped and prayed. When De Sousa arrived just after Christmas, we all wanted him to get going immediately. Coach Self wisely said wait until February.  The Hall of Famer knows his business. De Sousa is going to help this team a lot over the next few weeks.