College Basketball Week 9: 5 biggest takeaways
By Chris Stone
2. Landen Lucas’ revival is helping stabilize Kansas
Earlier this season senior Landen Lucas lost his place in the Kansas Jayhawks’ starting lineup to freshman Udoka Azubuike after a string of rough performances, but when the latter was lost for the season due to a wrist injury, the former was asked to take back his role. Lucas has delivered, helping Kansas get out to a 3-0 start in Big 12 play while delivering massive individual performances.
In the Jayhawks’ first three conference games — against TCU, Kansas State and Texas Tech — Lucas is averaging 18.4 points and 15.7 rebounds per 40 minutes while shooting 72.0 percent from the field. He has the best offensive rebound rate (19.4 percent) in the conference and is pulling down 25.2 percent of the available defensive boards.
Entering league play, there was a viable argument that Kansas was better off playing sophomore Carlton Bragg as their lone big man alongside four guards, but Lucas’ individual work may be changing that tune. In the three conference games so far, the Jayhawks have been 13 points per 100 possessions better than their opponents with Lucas on the floor as the team’s lone big man, per Hoop Lens data.
The 6-foot-10 center still has his detractors, but his return to form is helping Kansas stay afloat as they continue their march towards a 13th straight regular season conference championship.