Seated at the end of the visitor’s bench wearing black Kansas Jayhawk warmups and blue shoes — as well as a black soft cast on his left hand — freshman center Udoka Azubuike watched attentively as his teammates claimed a 71-53 victory over UNLV on Thursday night at Thomas & Mack Center.
The 11-1 Jayhawks won their first game without the 7-foot, 260-pounder, whose season is over because of a wrist injury incurred at practice on Tuesday.
Kansas, ranked No. 3 in The Associated Press rankings, didn’t seem to miss its starting center against the 7-6 Runnin’ Rebels — at least in the first half — thanks in large part to another freshman — fellow McDonald’s All-American Josh Jackson.