Kansas News

Photo gallery: KU basketball defeats Eastern Michigan
Now in his 16th year, KU coach Bill Self noted after the game that he thought Azubuike exceeded expectations in his return. Azubuike hit 10 of his 13 field goal attempts and also blocked two shots in his 20 minutes. Eastern Michigan coach Rob Murphy also noted he didn't expect Azubuike to have as prevalent a role as he did in the game. On the other side of things, James Thompson IV had 15 points and 14 rebounds for Eastern Michigan.

Udoka Azubuike dominant in return from injury vs. Eastern Mich.
Udoka Azubuike was focused on his feet in the Jayhawks’ 87-63 win over Eastern Michigan Saturday afternoon, but it was his handprints that were plastered all over the game. The KU center scored a season-high 23 points on 10-for-13 shooting with nine boards, two blocks and one steal in his first 20 minutes of gametime since being sidelined with an ankle injury earlier this season.

Bill Self, Kansas players assess strength of Big 12
"We have two days of practice to get ready for Oklahoma, a very talented team that people didn’t think was going to be that good, but I watched them play a couple times on TV," said KU big man Dedric Lawson. "They are pretty good, and they’ve got nice bigs and guards. And plus I played them twice at Memphis and those guys I played my freshman year, they’re like seniors now, so they’re going to be a pretty good team to play against."

Dedric Lawson adjusting to new role with Udoka Azubuike back
“I think the offense will move more freely with Doke [Udoka Azubuike] being out there," said Lawson after KU's 87-63 win over Eastern Michigan. "It’s another guy you have to pay attention to, you have to scout for and run defensive schemes for.”

Benton Smith: Azubuike's return unlocks Dedric Lawson's prolific passing skills | KUsports.com
For more than a month, the superb passing skills of Dedric Lawson seemed to go dormant. Gone were the high assist totals that characterized the big forward’s first handful of games in a Kansas basketball uniform.

Postgame Report Card: Kansas 87, Eastern Michigan 63 | Smithology | KUsports.com
Keeping things efficient early, KU scored its first 14 points of the game in the paint, even getting some (all be it not too ferocious) dunks from Udoka Azubuike, who returned to the court after missing 25 days with an ankle injury.

Why two Bill Self sideline acknowledgments were a big deal for this Kansas team
Three minutes later, there was another play worthy of praise. Marcus Garrett brought the ball up in transition, and with the court spaced well, he threw a pass away from a defender and over the top to Udoka Azubuike, who finished with a dunk.

As Big 12 play approaches, Kansas gets even better with return of Udoka Azubuike
A guessing game unfolds annually in the Big 12 around New Year’s Day as conference play approaches. Find the team with the best chance to unseat Kansas.

Azubuike scores 23 points in return, KU throttles Eastern Michigan 87-63
“I just had to trust my feet and my legs. That’s what I did,” Azubuike, Kansas’ 7-foot junior center from Delta, Nigeria, said after scoring 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting and grabbing nine rebounds in the No. 5-ranked Jayhawks’ 87-63 victory over the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Allen Fieldhouse.

Other Sports

Pac-12 caps worst December by major conference in 20 years as five teams lose
With five losses on Saturday's schedule, the men's college basketball season went from bad to worse for the Pac-12, which is assured of the worst December by a major conference in the past 20 years.

Notre Dame's Brian Kelly: No 'overwhelming' talent disparity with Clemson
After falling to Clemson 30-3 in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly stressed that "four big plays" were the difference and that the Irish's issues Saturday were "technical and tactical," not talent-based.

Klay Thompson of Golden State Warriors talks to hand while ending shooting slump
Golden State Warriors swingman Klay Thompson scored 32 points in a 115-105 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night, but it was the pep talk he gave to his right hand in the midst of breaking out of his slump that got more attention than the scoring outburst he and his teammates have been craving.

Alabama- Clemson Part IV will be an historic College Football Playoff National Championship
So you're sick and tired of watching Alabama play Clemson for the College Football Playoff National Championship, huh?

Other News

Daily Inter Lake - Local News, Skiers stuck on lift at Whitefish Mountain Resort
More than 100 skiers were stranded after a lift malfunctioned at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Saturday afternoon.

Oregon hotel fires employees who asked black guest to leave
An Oregon hotel said it fired two of its employees for "mistreatment" of a black guest who was talking on his phone in the lobby when he was asked to leave a week ago.