Perhaps stories of Kansas’ demise in the Big 12 this season have been greatly exaggerated. The Jayhawks overcame a double-digit second-half deficit to steal a 71-66 win at West Virginia on Monday night in front of a charged crowd in Morgantown.
Kansas vs. West Virginia final score: 3 things we learned in the Jayhawks’ big comeback win
The Jayhawks stormed back in the second half to win in Morgantown for the first time five years.
Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Kansas trailed by 13 at halftime but stormed back behind the strong play of point guard Devonte’ Graham. Graham scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half, adding six assists and making big plays on defense.
Svi Mykhailiuk led Kansas with 17 points, hitting three of the team’s eight three-pointers on the night.
The win snaps a four-game losing streak for Kansas in Morgantown. West Virginia shot only 40 percent (25-of-62) from the field.
Here are three things we learned in Kansas’ big win:
Kansas needs Udoka Azubuike on the floor as much as possible
Kansas’ biggest weakness all season has been front court depth. The midseason addition of Silvio De Sousa helps, but the new freshman isn’t quite ready yet. If Kansas is going to win the conference for a record 14th straight year, Udoka Azubuike needs to stay out of foul trouble and on the court as much as possible.
The Jayhawks are a different team with Azubuike on the court. He’s one of the strongest players in the country. Just ask the Mountaineers:
ESPN
Azubuike finished a perfect 5-for-5 from the field before fouling out with Kansas up three and one minute left.
Sagaba Konate is a legitimate enforcer for West Virginia
West Virginia is always known for its defense. Typically, that starts with its tenacious full court press. Now it seems like the Mountaineers have found an impact rim protector in big man Sagaba Konate.
Konate had five blocks in the first half, none more impressive than this one on Svi Mykhailiuk:
ESPN
Konate finished the game with 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, with nine rebounds and those five blocks. He played great.
Kansas loves small ball now
Bill Self used to love playing two traditional big men at the same time. Jayhawks fans remember Perry Ellis starring in the high-low game for what felt like 10 years.
This isn’t that type of Kansas team. Now the Jayhawks want to spread the floor with shooting and athleticism, often playing four guards at the same time.
It worked against West Virginia. Mykhailiuk, Graham, Lagerald Vick and Malik Newman all made an impact in the win.
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