Day one in the books for Kansas men’s basketball

LAWRENCE, Kan. – With late Night in the Phog in the rearview mirror, Kansas men’s basketball conducted its first official practice Wednesday afternoon in the basketball practice gym adjacent to historic Allen Fieldhouse.
 
“It was pretty good,” KU head coach Bill Self said of the two-hour workout. “Because of myself, there probably wasn’t enough rhythm to practice. We didn’t get up and down quite enough because there was a lot of teaching today. The guys did pretty well and when they had an opportunity to play, they did pretty good. I think we are about two practices away from getting in a groove where we can probably truly evaluate.”
 
Every Jayhawk present participated in the first practice, including freshman center Udoka Azubuike who had been nursing a strained groin injury during preseason workouts. Self said freshman forward Mitch Lightfoot did not practice Wednesday due to a having a fever.
 
“I thought our guards were pretty good, everybody showed flashes,” Self said. “There was so much stopping and starting and talking today, it didn’t allow us to get into a good rhythm.”
 
Senior forward Landen Lucas experienced his fifth first practice as a Jayhawk Wednesday.
 
“It was great,” Lucas said. “I think everybody came out here focused and ready to go and eager to learn. The freshmen came prepared to learn the new stuff and listen to the coaches and get better.”
 
The Jayhawks will continue daily practices through rest of the week. Kansas’ first exhibition contest will be Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. when it plays host to Washburn in exhibition play in Allen Fieldhouse.
 
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