Kansas basketball: 5 keys for Mass Street to overcome second round opponent in TBT

Key No. 4: Improving on rebounding

Although Mass Street outrebounded We Are D3 47 to 32 last game, let’s face it — those players were inferior athletically and height-wise. KU’s opponent had one player on their roster above 6-foot-5 and still allowed 13 offensive rebounds.

The Show Me Squad has much more height than We Are D3 did. In fact, they have a height advantage over Mass Street. 6-foot-11 Jontay Porter and 6-foot-10 Tony Criswell are taller than any Jayhawk on the roster.

Mass Street will need other players to step up on the offensive glass besides Thomas Robinson. We could see more lineups with Kevin Young, who brought a plethora of energy when he checked into the game. He recorded six rebounds in 14 minutes of action last game.

Kansas basketball will simply need better production from its big men. Jamari Traylor and Mitch Lightfoot were essentially non-factors on Wednesday. If they can’t step up their game, it is paramount that Dedric Lawson plays after missing the opening round.