Pretty interesting breakdown in an article written by Jesse Newell yesterday about how Udoka coming back effects KU this year.
He was talking about Bart Tarvik - -basketball Analyst and what he was having to say. Tarvik has put out his Preseason projections while estimating rosters for next seasons team
Right now he has KU 7th with Azubuike and Dotson returning. He was asked what would happen to KU’s ranking if you took Udoka off the roster? Tarvik not only responded but created a tool on his site to let the fans answer the question themselves: he said if Udoka is not on the roster KU falls all the way from 7th to - - -56th. That output could either be encouraging or scary depending on one’s perspective.
The Positive: Self could not of gotten a better paler to come back. Azubuike is a dunk Machine. Self cited that Udoka had 50 more dunks than Zion (122-72 ) during his Soph year and that having that sort of efficient option is a surefire way to lift an offense.
Azubike’s presence also takes pressure of other player’s/ Suddenly Ochail might not be forced into a huge Offensive role & Dave McCormack can continue to develop at his own pace. Some of these things reflected into Tarvik’s numbers.
With Azubuike , KU’s offense is projected 5.4 points better per 100 possessions, Another way to look at it is : KU’s offense is expected to be 11th Nationally - -without would be 63rd.
However Defensively though makes just as big as difference. Within two point defense and influencing shot selection. Azubike thrives with both, Although not an elite shot blocker, he for sure changes how teams attack the rim making opposing teams hesitant thanks to presence and size.
According to Synergy Sports Technology’s logo Azubike in a small sample from last year ranked in the 99th percentile defensively as the man he was directly guarding attempted 33 shots and only making 7.
Tarvik’s numbers see a similar defensive bump for KU as a team the Jayhawks are projected the 1oth best defensively with Udoka - - -51st without him.
The exercise also seems to reiterate just how important it is for Self to fill out the roster in the next few months. The # 7 projection is best case scenario at this point assuming Azubike remains healthy and Dotson returns - would fall to 22nd if Dotson remains in the NBA - -interesting stuff. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
