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Texas Tech basketball: Three Kansas Jayhawks to know

By Matthew Conner

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 27: Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks and Ryan Mikesell #33 of the Dayton Flyers get tangled up doing a free throw attempt during the second half at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 27, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 27: Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks and Ryan Mikesell #33 of the Dayton Flyers get tangled up doing a free throw attempt during the second half at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 27, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Center Udoka Azubuike is the biggest player in the Big 12

The moment that Texas Tech fans started to realize that this team was going to be relying on 6-foot-8 T.J. Holyfield as its primary post presence, we began to ask “how are they going to stop Udoka Azubuike”?  Now it’s time to find out.

The massive 7-foot, 270-pound senior is finally playing a full season after injuries took a toll in each of the last two years.  He’s averaging 12. 8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.  In addition, his 2.6 blocks per game are good for second in the conference.

That’s an area of concern for a Red Raider team that has been timid at times when trying to get buckets against elite rim-protectors.  Hopefully, the team’s recent games against Kentucky’s Nick Richards and WVU’s Derek Culver have helped them figure out how to combat largeer post defenders.

There is a massive flaw in Azubuike’s game though…the free-throw line.  This year, he’s shooting just 42.4%.  But before you laugh, let it sink in that he’s hitting at a career-high percentage this year…then you can laugh.

Of course, Wednesday night 60% free-throw shooter Derek Culver of West Virginia hit 14-16 free throws against Tech so anything can happen.  But playing hack-a-Daoka is something that might be wise in critical moments this weekend.

Kansas doesn’t run just a ton of sets for their big man.  They will throw it into him, especially against smaller teams like Tech, but he gets the majority of his points off of lobs and offensive boards.

The key is to somehow try to push him as far away from the basket as possible and then swarm him when he gets the ball.  He’s got some natural athleticism but he’s not the type of big man that Kentucky’s Richards is in that Azubuike isn’t going to kill you with jumpers from outside the paint.

It will be fun to watch how the Red Raiders deal with the largest player in the Big 12.  After seeing them outplay West Virginia in the post, it doesn’t seem as daunting to have to try to deal with Azubuike because, while he is massive, his skill set is rather limited.

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