Kansas basketball: Udoka Azubuike is the key to a championship

If you Udoka Azubuike and the Jayhawks keep playing at such a high level, there may be no stopping Kansas basketball in March.

Udoka Azubuike has been on a rampage lately. The big man shifted into high-gear after being benched by head coach Bill Self for the Jayhawks’ game against Texas on February 4. Kansas basketball would go on to beat the Longhorns 69-58 behind Azubuike’s 17 points and 12 rebounds.

In the month of February, Azubuike is averaging nearly 15 points 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game. He’s led the Jayhawks to some of their biggest wins, including a line of 23 points and 19 rebounds on the road against former No. 1 Baylor. Azubuike has also greatly improved in an area where he’s struggled: free throws.

The big man was a known liability at the free throw line, shooting well under 50 percent for his career; however, this month he’s been hitting from the line at about 53 percent. While that still isn’t a great percentage, it at the very least could start dissuading teams from fouling Azubuike in the post intentionally, similar to what NBA teams used to do to stop Shaquille O’Neal.

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Boyton had some words regarding Azubuike and his free throw shooting after he was 7-8 from the line against the Cowboys:

"“Hell, I’m not afraid to say it: If Udoka Azubuike is going to make all his free throws, they’re going to win a national championship.”"

Boyton continued to comment on Azubuike’s game, saying that he’s worthy of the National Player of the Year this season. He’s not wrong either.

Udoka Azubuike is basically unguardable. Oklahoma State was literally triple-teaming him in the post and Azubuike still went for 19 points and 16 rebounds.

With just how dominant and consistent Azubuike is, it’s hard not seeing the Jayhawks making a deep run in March. There really isn’t a player in the country that can hang with him for 40 minutes, and by the way, when Azubuike does sub out eventually, you get to deal with David McCormack who would be starting on nearly every other team in the country.

If Azubuike can continue putting up these ridiculous numbers, it’ll force teams to totally change what they do on defense, opening things up for everyone else. There really isn’t another player in the country that demands as much attention as Azubuike, and that’s why he can lead the Jayhawks to their sixth national title.