NCAAB Game Preview - Kansas at Texas Tech

Sat Mar 7, 2020 2:00 PM EST

Considering concerns about a stiff ankle made Udoka Azubuike questionable for his final home appearance at Kansas, the senior center made the most of his sudden recovery.

Azubuike scored the top-ranked Jayhawks' first 10 points and finished with a career-high 31 against TCU. His performance strengthened the case for No. 1 Kansas (27-3, 16-1) as the likely top seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The first matter to be settled this season, however, was regaining the perch the Jayhawks had occupied for years in the Big 12.

After letting a 14-year string of championships dissolve last season, they gained at least a share of the regular season crown by riding Azubuike to a 75-66 win Wednesday over TCU. Kansas can claim the Big 12 title outright with a victory Saturday at Texas Tech (18-12, 9-8) in Lubbock, Texas.

"Of all the teams that we've had win a Big 12 championship, I can honestly say I'm more proud of this one than any one we've ever had here," Kansas coach Bill Self said.

Azubuike showed his fortitude by overcoming the injury he sustained last Saturday in a win at Kansas State. On Wednesday, he shot 13-for-14 from the floor against TCU and recorded 14 rebounds.

The last Kansas player to net that many points in his home finale was Danny Manning before he led the Jayhawks to the 1988 national crown.

"I knew that (Azubuike) felt pretty good," Self said. "He had a little adrenaline in him and that was without question the most aggressive I can remember him to start a game. I thought he was great."

Devon Dotson added 18 points and will likely finish the regular season as the Big 12 scoring king. He carries an 18.2-point average.

Azubuike, who is on pace to set a Division I record for career shooting percentage, leads the nation with 75.1 percent accuracy and leads the Big 12 in rebounding (10.4). Marcus Garrett leads the Big 12 in assists (4.7).

"This has been as hard as it has been to win the league," Self said, "especially when you're looking up at a team like (No. 4) Baylor the vast majority of it."

Texas Tech, the national runner-up last season after sharing the Big 12 title with Kansas State, has lost three straight.

Jahmi'us Ramsey averages 15.4 points to lead the Red Raiders, who dropped a 71-68 overtime decision at Baylor on Monday.

"As disappointing as it is to come up short in games like (the Baylor loss), I think there's some valuable silver-lining lessons," Texas Tech coach Chris Beard said.

Texas Tech gave Kansas a homecourt scare in their first meeting before tumbling 78-75 on Feb. 1.

--Field Level Media