Kansas basketball vs. Texas Tech: Three keys to victory

First Key: Starting Christian Braun

When Kansas basketball lost David McCormack to suspension, Bill Self was forced to make a change to the starting lineup. Against Tennessee, Self started Isaiah Moss in place of David McCormack, favoring a four-guard lineup due to the lack of frontcourt personal.

Despite coming off the bench, freshman Christian Braun played 32 minutes, scoring seven points. The following game, Braun was inserted into the starting lineup and he didn’t disappoint. Braun dropped 16 points in addition to nine rebounds. He was on target from behind the arc too, knocking down four out of eight three-point attempts on the night.

Braun’s role has been growing exponentially this season, going from a typical freshman reserve to a legitimate starting option.

Now that McCormack is back though, there was a question of whether or not Self will continue starting four guards, or revert back to starting McCormack. Self answered the question after the win over Oklahoma State, saying that he’d continue starting four guards according to Benton Smith.

Christian Braun will probably start again this Saturday against Texas Tech, and it’s important he does. Braun’s a good three-point shooter, which the Jayhawks need. It spreads the floor, allowing Udoka Azubuike to go to work in the post and Devon Dotson to drive to the rim. Multiple three-point threats would take this team to another level, and Braun could be the catalyst that sparks the Jayhawk offense.