I had the privilege of being in Allen Fieldhouse for Kansas’ senior day, just as I was the year before.
What stood out about the experience Saturday was how normal of a game day experience it was. No senior speeches, no trophy presentation. Yet it was also normal in that it was still an intimidating environment with a crowd that was loud and on top of everything (mostly the refs) as usual. But it was clear nothing was at stake. It wasn’t a memorable atmosphere. It was just normally great.
The buzzer sounded, fans cheered, and then everyone took off for the exits.
“I guess that’s it,” my wife said to me. “No presentation.” Nope. It was strange. Especially compared to the spectacle of Devonte’ Graham, Svi Mykhailiuk, and other’s final home game a season ago.
But here’s where I want to give this year’s team credit. Because it would have been easy and understandable for these Jayhawks to be defeated and mail it in after being the team that ended the streak and having little to play for. Yet that didn’t happen. It wasn’t always pretty, but I didn’t see a team that had quit. That’s promising.
The end of the regular season means the final Hawks of the Year standings. Without further ado...
Most Valuable Jayhawk: Dedric Lawson
Dedric has been on top of this award all year and it hasn’t really been close. Perhaps if Doke was healthy all season, the gap would have shrunk a bit and there could be some debate. But as the season turned out, it’s got to be Dedric. He’s been by far the most consistent player, the offense runs through him, and he’s the best rebounder on a team desperate for rebounding.
Saturday encapsulated Dedric’s value well. In the first half, he missed multiple shots that would normally fall, and was not much of a presence as Baylor kept nipping at KU’s heels. Lawson’s surge in the second half was when the Jayhawks built and maintained a comfortable lead. That’s how it’s been all year and that’s how it’s going to be in the postseason.
Most Valuable Jayhawks: Runners Up
2. Devon Dotson
Kansas’ point guard is a pressure-packed position, and the freshman embraced it well. Dotson was a must-have on the court in tight situations and his late-game free-throw shooting was beyond his years.
3. Ochai Agbaji
There’s no telling where this team would be if Agbaji’s redshirt hadn’t been removed, or if he was still at the level the coaches thought when redshirting him.
4. Marcus Garrett
A defensive stopper turned 3-point sharpshooter? Not quite, but Garrett has found ways to score in spurts, it just hasn’t been as consistent as fans may like.
5. Quentin Grimes
Grimes is an X factor for this team’s ceiling and postseason success. When he’s confident and shots are falling, the offense is rolling. But will they?
Most Productive Jayhawk: Dedric Lawson
Again Dedric is far and away the obvious choice for this award. Lawson averaged a double-double on the season—19.1 ppg and 10.6 rpg—while compiling 20 double-doubles in 31 games. Only Thomas Robinson and Cole Aldrich have racked up 20 in a season under Bill Self.
Dedric should be in line to make an All-American team, and still could make the first team if things fall the right way.
Most Productive Jayhawks: Runners Up
2. Devon Dotson
The freshman averaged 11.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 52 percent from 2 and 37 percent from 3. I’d say the future is bright for Dotson.
3. Ochai Agbaji
Granted, Agbaji has played in 14 fewer games than Lawson, Dotson, and Grimes (it’s crazy that only three players on this team played in every game), but his production has been mostly steady from the start. Agbaji averaged 9.2 points and 4.9 rebounds, while shooting an efficient 60 percent from 2-point range.
4. Marcus Garrett
It was a tight race between Garrett and Grimes for the fourth spot. Garrett narrowly edges out Grimes thanks to slightly better rebounding and more steals. The breakdown:
Garrett: 7.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, two assists, 1.6 steals
Grimes: 7.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, .5 steals
5. Quentin Grimes
There were flashes that made you understand the hype for Grimes coming into the season, but not enough to keep up any consistent production that stood out. Though he is only a freshman. There’s plenty of time for it to click.