Kansas basketball: Malik Newman made for March Madness
By Stan Unruh
The Kansas basketball team is enjoying another amazing post season run. The month of March has been good to Malik Newman.
Red-shirt sophomore Malik Newman led the Kansas basketball team to another tough post season victory 83-79 over Seton Hall Saturday night at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita. The Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player had another big game this month. His 28 points against the Pirates puts the Jayhawks back in the NCAA Sweet 16 for the 31st time.
In six games this month, Newman is averaging almost 20 points a game. Forget the 7 points he scored in that ugly loss in Stillwater on March 3. That game meant nothing and is history. Newman is making history this month. On March 4, the Big 12 Conference coaches named him the 2018 Newcomer of the Year. That honor and the direction of Hall of Fame coach Bill Self gave Newman the spark for a fabulous conference tournament.
After the sub-par performance in Stillwater, he responded with 30 points against the ‘Pokes in the Big 12 Tourney opener. His 72 points in the three game Sprint Center tourney title run earned him the Most Outstanding Player award. He didn’t just score points for the Jayhawks. Newman was aggressive on defense and crashing the glass. As a matter of fact, stat sheet credited him with 12 rebounds in the tourney wins over the ‘Cats and Mountaineers.
Newman didn’t slow down in his NCAA Tournament debut. He has scored 38 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in the Jayhawk victories over Penn and Seton Hall. He played 40 minutes against the Pirates. His big shot from beyond the arc to end the first half Saturday was fabulous. His drive and kick out to Svi Mykhailiuk for a dagger three-pointer with 1:18 left was one of the highlights of the season and the game.
Newman and Jayhawks hope to play beyond March
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Newman is playing his best basketball at just the right time. Opponents are focused on stopping All-American Devonte Graham. The senior leader needs all the help he can find. If Newman and Lagerald Vick continue to attack the basket, this Jayhawk team can play beyond March in San Antonio.