Game blog from Allen Fieldhouse: No. 5 Kansas vs. Eastern Michigan

3rd & 7 37yd

Per KU: 7-footer Udoka Azubuike back in the starting lineup today.
Has been out over 3 weeks with right ankle sprain. #KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 6:31:56 PM
Azubuike's out there warming up and looks pretty good. He'll play today. I'd guess in the 10-12 minute range. Can't see it being more than that... (A) No reason to push it and (B) They likely won't need him. #KUbball

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 6:41:17 PM
#KUbball Pregame Minute for Kansas-Eastern Michigan...

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 6:43:42 PM
Dok back on the AFH floor... #KUbball https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DvmvD_7VYAEVcG5.jpg

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 6:45:57 PM
Dotson, Grimes, Vick, Lawson and Azubuike are starting for KU

by SJacksonLJW 12/29/2018 7:04:20 PM

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Udoka's starting for #KUbball today... Just introduced to the AFH crowd, followed by a huge roar.

Dotson, Grimes, Vick, D. Lawson and Azubuike.

Here we go.

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 7:05:24 PM
Lawson operating in the high post, spinning and dishing to Vick for a floater to get things started for KU, which is hoping for a smooth offense today with Udoka back in. #KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 7:06:59 PM
Lawson and Azubuike trap the post, forcing a turnover.
Udoka went after the ball near the sideline to save it for KU.
Not moving great but showing trust in that ankle. #KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 7:08:58 PM
#KUbball doubles EMU forward James Thompson IV in the post on his first touch... With Lawson and Azubuike, no less. Led to a turnover. KU leads 6-5, 17:16 1st half.

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 7:09:10 PM
Even on a recuperating ankle, Azubuike beats EMU down the floor and is fed for a dunk, draws the foul. Missed FT though. #KUbball up 8-7

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 7:10:57 PM
8 possessions for KU and 4 layups/dunks. 1 turnover. 10 points in the paint. Up 10-7. #KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 7:13:56 PM
8 possessions for KU and 4 layups/dunks. 1 turnover. 10 points in the paint. Up 10-7. #KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter retweeted by SJacksonLJW 12/29/2018 7:14:07 PM
Dok stays out there out of the Under-16 timeout and immediately gets an and-one on a nice dive through the line. FT misses and #KUbball leads 12-7 15:30 1H

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 7:16:05 PM
OK. Udoka guarded EMU guard Paul Jackson on a switch and 1-on-1 on the perimeter swatted his jumper.
... Shortly after, jams over defender, while drawing a foul.
Great start for the big man. #KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 7:17:32 PM
Azubuike exits after 5:12 on the floor. 3-for-4, 7 points, 1 reb., 1 block, 1 steal. Solid return to action for the big fella. #KUbball

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 7:17:58 PM
Pretty good half-court work vs EMU zone leads to Charlie Moore corner 3 and KU is up 18-9. #KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 7:18:36 PM
Udoka gets switched on a guard and ends up with a nice block #kubball t.co

by Shane Jackson via twitter 12/29/2018 7:19:03 PM
#KUbball is carving up that EMU zone with Lawson right in the middle at the high post and getting deep into the paint. Everything generates there and looks pretty easy. KU leads 20-9, 13:41 1H. Timeout Eagles.

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 7:19:37 PM
Lawson and Dotson both with 3 assists already... #KUbball

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 7:20:17 PM
Udoka with a strong slam through contact #KUbball t.co

by Shane Jackson via twitter 12/29/2018 7:20:21 PM
Good rhythm there for Grimes. Didn't rush it like so many other 3-point attempts by him this season #KUbball leads 23-15, 11:29 1H

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 7:22:59 PM
No hesitation from Quentin Grimes as KU swings it around the perimeter to the right wing, where he drains a 3-pointer.
But next possession called for a charge.
He's assertive, which is a good sign. #KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 7:23:23 PM
6 turnovers on first 17 possessions for KU.
But otherwise hitting close to everything - 10 of 12 FGs, 2 of 2 3s - so up 23-15.
Also 16 points in the paint to EMU's 2.
#KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 7:26:04 PM
Dok's back on the floor for #KUbball He rested just 2:19 of game time. KU leads 23-17, 11:11 to play 1st half.

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 7:26:56 PM
Perfect placement on the entry pass from Lawson to Udoka.
Lawson's assists are gonna go way up with the big man back.
#KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 7:30:20 PM
Lawson's last game with more than 2 assists was Nov. 23 vs Tennessee.
He has 4 in the 1st half today, with 7:53 to go until intermission. #KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 7:36:25 PM
Azubuike's played 8 minutes already today... On the bench now, with 7:45 to play 1st half. Won't surprise me at all if he sits most of the second half after this, provided the game is under control. #KUbball leads 35-19.

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 7:37:34 PM
EMU bigs getting beat down the floor by Udoka is a thing that's happening today somehow. #KUbball
Another Azubuike dunk and he has 11 points.
KU up 37-21.

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 7:43:36 PM
#KUbball ridiculously well balanced offensively today... Seven Jayhawks have scored and the point totals look like this: 11, 6, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 7:46:51 PM
Nice awareness from KU Lawson to sling a pass inside to Udoka for his 6th dunk of the 1st half off a loose ball. #KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 7:49:32 PM
Nice awareness from KJ Lawson to sling a pass inside to Udoka for his 6th dunk of the 1st half off a loose ball. #KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 7:50:06 PM
Refs missed that one. Grimes got clobbered. Nice finish, though. #KUbball leads 42-21 late 1st half.

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 7:50:22 PM
Incredible find by K.J. Lawson, which leads to a dunk for Udoka #kubball t.co

by Shane Jackson via twitter 12/29/2018 7:51:00 PM
Incredible finish by Devon Dotson #kubball t.co

by Shane Jackson via twitter 12/29/2018 7:54:40 PM
Like that awareness to close the half from Dotson. In position to prevent an open-floor look for EMU before the buzzer and defended perfectly, knowing you can't foul on a desperation 3-point shot. #KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 7:56:52 PM
Wow. Jayhawks shot 65.4% from the floor in the 1st half and assisted on 14 of their 17 FGs.
Up 46-25 at half.
28 points in the paint.
#KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 7:58:40 PM
A pretty strong return to action for Udoka Azubuike in that first half...

14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal and 2 fouls in 11 minutes. Made 2 of 5 free throw attempts. #KUbball

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 8:03:11 PM
*5th dunk of 1st half

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 8:10:36 PM
Same starting five for #KUbball to open the 2nd half. Dok entering his 12th minute of play in this one.

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 8:12:26 PM
Bad start for Dok to the second half. Self yanks him 1:39 in. #KUbball leads 46-27, 18:21 2H

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 8:14:42 PM
That 3-pointer from Dotson made me think... #KUbball had 14 assists on 17 field goals in the first half and is now up to 16 assists on 19 field goals for the game. KU leads 52-30, 13:53 2H

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 8:29:05 PM
Usually the man who scores will point back to the man who dished the assist. On that dunk by Dok, Self pointed to Garrett. It was a perfect pass. #KUbball

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 8:32:27 PM
Udoka 9 of 11 from the floor and basically unstoppable when KU gets him the ball in the paint.
He's not as explosive as when he's healthy. But he's a lot closer to getting there than I figured. #KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 8:34:45 PM
Pretty mediocre showing considering Duke had them down 30 at half.

by David Kemp 12/29/2018 8:37:41 PM

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Pretty sick pass by Vick there. Over the top of the D, where only Azubuike could catch it. #KUbball leads 65-41, 7:39 to play.

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 8:44:35 PM
Big hand for Azubuike as he sits down for what has to be the final time today... #KUbball

23 points
9 rebounds
10-13 shooting
2 blocks, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers
20 minutes

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 8:51:03 PM
That was about to be an all-time backdoor cover by Eastern Michigan though.

by Shane Jackson via twitter 12/29/2018 9:08:09 PM
FINAL from AFH... #KUbball tops Eastern Michigan, 87-63.

Big game from Udoka Azubuike tops ratings as KU closes 2018 with a big win. Next up: Oklahoma at home Jan. 2.

ljw.bz/2QXxdQ3

by Matt Tait via twitter 12/29/2018 9:09:11 PM
Bill Self: He didn't expect Udoka to be so effective today in his first game back.
#KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 9:48:06 PM
Self: Thought Udoka ran well and slid his feet OK. About as well as he thought he could do. #KUbball

by Benton Smith via twitter 12/29/2018 9:50:06 PM

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Game blog from Allen Fieldhouse: No. 5 Kansas vs. Eastern Michigan

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