Encouragement displayed in Kansas basketball’s victory over TCU

In a game of upmost importance, Kansas basketball and freshman point guard Devon Dotson pulled off a vital victory in its quest of keeping the notorious consecutive Big 12 titles streak alive.

Against the TCU Horned Frogs, Kansas showed encouraging

developments that could set the table on more than just the Big 12 championship.

Take a guess at which point guard being discussed here: he played every minute of vital games, created vital offensive plays for himself and others and hit crunch time free throws, icing the game in a hostile environment.

Sounds a lot like former Jayhawks Frank Mason or Devonte Graham doesn’t it? I am actually describing guard Devon Dotson against the TCU Horned Frogs.

Dotson scored put up 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists and the stat line still does not do him justice. Dotson looked like a senior in the way he led his squad against TCU.

On a night where Junior forward Dedric Lawson struggled scoring and struggled with fouls, Dotson proved he was able to create for himself and showed a honey badger-like energy on the defensive end.

Kansas showed an inapt ability to respond to adversity throughout the game. Playing in an incredibly tough environment, the Jayhawks and Dotson had their back against the wall down four with 1:13 remaining in the contest.

The Jayhawks remained tough on both sides of the ball with impact players, such as freshman guard Quentin Grimes, Lawson and junior forward Mitch Lightfoot, all in foul trouble.

Role players for Kansas will be huge come the final two months of the regular season.

Against TCU, Lightfoot provided 22 minutes and stacked four points, six rebounds and three blocks, tacking on a steal as well.

Sophomore forward KJ Lawson provided a massive 16 minutes for the depleted Jayhawks, hitting clutch shots and getting much needed rebounds on his way to a 10 point, three rebound stat line.

Freshman forward David McCormack showed improvement from his Oklahoma State performance, but still looked young on both sides of the court.

McCormack showed why given some time he will be an absolute monster for the Jayhawks, showing both strength and a nose for the ball on the boards.

In the closing seconds of overtime against the Horned Frogs, TCU’s JD Miller missed a free throw that could have put the Frogs within one.

On the rebound, McCormack overpowered a Horned Frog defender, then passed the ball to fellow freshman Dotson, who was immediately fouled, which proved to ice the game and was a staple of what is to come for the freshman big.

Kansas went to a tough Big 12 opponent’s house and showed extreme poise and resiliency, but there are still more hurdles to come. The Jayhawks showed what they are truly made of and come March, when grit is needed the most, I am confident this squad will fare incredibly well.