It’s going to be an interesting season for Kansas and they enter the 2015-16 season with the benefit of playing a series of games representing America in the World University Games in South Korea.
The Jayhawks -- plus SMU’s Nic Moore and Florida Gulf Coast’s Julian DeBose -- won their opening game overseas, 66-57, as Wayne Selden and Perry Ellis were standout performers. Playing against Turkey, Kansas overcame an eight-point end of first quarter deficit to rally and win.
Selden had 19 points and eight rebounds while Ellis contributed 17 points and six rebounds in the win for the Jayhawks. Frank Mason also added 12 points and four assists.
The play of Selden this summer has been encouraging for Kansas, and as Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star notes, Selden is thriving on the wing playing alongside two smaller guards. The former McDonald’s All-American has been a strong rebounder on the wing in the past, so it might be smart for Bill Self to investigate some small ball lineups with Selden at the three if he continues to produce at this high of a level.
It’s also notable that Kansas freshman forward Carlton Bragg played with a face mask despite breaking his nose during practice. While it’s not good Bragg was hurt, showing toughness to play in a summer game is a positive sign
Kansas will continue the World University Games on Sunday with a game against Brazil.