Kevin Haskin: ‘Man-imal’ presence shape abundant potential for Udoka Azubuike

LAWRENCE — If covering the basketball court at a breakneck pace, Kansas has one player who prompts concerns.

When officials also occupy spots on the floor, their whistles cause additional concerns for that same player.

Call Udoka Azubuike a wild card because his size and power — if harnessed so he doesn’t fatigue and doesn’t foul — definitely impacts the KU rotation, and the Jayhawks’ encouraging potential.

Enough that freshman forward Billy Preston offered this characterization: “He’s really like a man-imal.’’

Good call. At 7-foot, 280 pounds, special guidelines are imposed in practice for KU coaches to gauge Azubuike’s progress.

“Coach has been on him about that, making real moves, making real game moves, jump hooks,’’ said senior guard Devonte’ Graham, “because if Clay (Young) is guarding him in the post and he goes up and dunks, coach (Bill Self) doesn’t really count it as a basket.

“That’s what coach says. ‘That’s not a basket. You’ve got to make real game moves like it’s another 6-10 guy guarding him.’’’

The biggest hope is what moves, and what strides, Azubuike makes will happen over the duration of the season.

A year ago he showed considerable promise as a raw freshman, but played in only 11 games before suffering a season-ending wrist injury.

“I was really feeling confident in my game. It was just unfortunate, having an injury and sitting out,’’ Azuibuike said. “I was starting to understand what coach wanted.’’

A year later, Self wants Azubuike to provide an inside presence the Jayhawks sorely need.

Landen Lucas provided a veteran presence inside, but Azubuike actually started his last six games a year ago when Lucas struggled early in the season. The situation led Azubuike to believe he would solidify himself as a starter.

“Yeah, because I was catching up,’’ he said, “and I was really feeling good about myself in terms of how the game is played in college. I was grasping even more of that, so I really think so.’’

Azubuike averaged 12.9 minutes, 5.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and shot 62.9 percent, with many attempts from point-blank range. He played 15 minutes in a Champions Classic victory against Duke, but recorded a game-high 12 rebounds to go with six points.

“Last year hurt him, set him back quite a bit because he was just so young and didn’t know the game,’’ said Self, “so he didn’t get a chance to get a lot better because he missed those six months.

“But I have expectations for him to be an all-league type performer this year. I think he can be. He’s certainly got to get in better shape … but he can run, he can jump, he should be able to defend his position and he can certainly score in tight.’’

But can Azubuike stay on the court?

Estimates regarding his potential problems influenced Self to change expectations for how often his team would play “small.’’ It’s down now to a 50-50 proposition, “but I think,’’ Self said, “we’ve got to play big at least 20 minutes a game. At least.’’

Keep in mind, Preston is listed at 6-9, 240. Hardly the heft Azubuike carries, though matchups in practice are providing the heralded freshman some insight on “how I have to play if I’m on some bigger dude and figure out a way to get around it.’’

Few will pose the same body type as Azubuike.

“Once he gets to that point to where it’s just like relentless,’’ said Preston, “he’s going to be a dog and he’s going to be a force.’’

Not only has Self taken into account his own preference to play through his big men, but noted that last year’s finalists in the NCAA Tournament, Gonzaga and North Carolina, were “maybe the two biggest teams in America.’’

If everything falls right for Azubuike, he could be among the country’s most difficult bigs to contain.

In part, because the KU system permits that opportunity.

“I knew from the time I came to Kansas that it was a big-man school and coach really plays to the bigs,’’ Azubuike said. “So in the back of my mind, I just started working hard and I knew coach was going to emphasize passing inside to the bigs. So I’m looking to make a huge impact.’’