Kansas Basketball: How the Jayhawks reached the Final Four

The highest point of the season for Kansas

Winning another Big 12 title in the regular season was a huge feat for this team, especially considering how tough the competition was up and down the schedule. But I’d argue that winning the conference tournament was the bigger deal.

Kansas had the best starting lineup in the league, but one injury changes things. And in my opinion, besides Graham, the one player they couldn’t afford to lose was Azubuike. He was the only true post player on the team, which is how the offense can work so well. Mitch Lightfoot is more of a utility player, while Silvio De Sousa has talent, but wasn’t ready for more than spot minutes.

But a huge credit has to go to the coaching staff and players for changing things up. Coach Self has shown time and time again that he’s an elite coach, and this title run proved it. Other players got extended minutes which serves a purpose in the long run, and the team can play without their big man.

Maybe that’s why Coach Self was reported saying that he didn’t care if Azubuike fouled out during the Duke game because he knew the team could still win. And that’s what ended up happening.