The Jayhawks rolled in a game that lost its energy early, and once again the Kansas roster proved to be resilient as Elijah Johnson got the start at the point and scored a career-best 15 points.
Not to suggest there might be a changing of the guard at the position, but coach Bill Self did mention Wally Pipp as his postgame news conference was winding down.
“You hear the Wally Pipp story all the time,” Self said of the New York Yankee who lost his starting job to Lou Gehrig and never got it back. “I’m not predicting anything like that, but guys have to be ready when their number is called. Roles can certainly change when guys are given opportunities and make the most of them.”
Johnson’s opportunity presented itself when Taylor was suspended earlier Monday for an undisclosed team violation that was termed indefinite.
Taylor sat on the starters’ side of the bench, took part in the huddles, applauded teammates and even rushed on the floor to chest-bump Marcus Morris after he blocked a dunk late in the first half.
Monday marked the 31st time this season a Kansas regular — one of the top 10 in minutes played — has missed a game for a team or NCAA suspension, injury or personal reason.
For Taylor, the trouble was the latest in a careerlong series, but Monday marked the first time that he didn’t suit up.
Before the start of last season, Taylor dislocated his thumb in an altercation between members of the basketball and football teams. Also last year, Taylor’s Facebook page became an issue when he was posting controversial comments.
“It’s disappointing,” Self said. “I know he’s disappointed, too.”
Self didn’t elaborate on the nature of the trouble, or speculate how long Taylor would be unavailable, but clearly Self was thrilled with Johnson’s play.
There was the occasional ill-advised pass early, but Johnson became steadier as the night progressed.
When he knocked down his fourth three-pointers in four attempts late, Johnson had surpassed his career best in scoring and had three assists with two turnovers. His defense on Oklahoma State’s Keiton Page, a three-point specialist who made just two of eight from beyond the arc, also was critical.
“That’s all I really cared about this whole game,” Johnson said. “I didn’t care about starting or scoring. Tyshawn wasn’t there to stop him, and I had to be the one to be there.”
Josh Selby and Brady Morningstar also played at the point, and Selby was in the plan to start. But at the 3 p.m. shootaround, just before the team’s live 10-minute scrimmage where the starting lineup is identified, Selby didn’t have an insert he uses for the shoe of his injured foot. Selby couldn’t practice without it, and the nod went to Johnson.
“We can’t let him practice without it,” Self said.
The game also marked the return of forward Thomas Robinson, who underwent meniscus surgery on his knee 10 days ago. The original timetable was set at two weeks, but there was Robinson, checking in with 13:44 left in the first half.
He didn’t miss a beat. Robinson’s first shot swished from 16 feet. He was active and tough with no sign of a problem except for the knee brace.
On a day when Self gave him a “50-50 chance” of playing, Robinson finished with six points and six rebounds in 10 minutes.
The game was a mismatch from the opening tip, when the 6-foot-8 Marcus Morris found the only thing between him and the basket was the 5-9 Page. Easy layup, and the Jayhawks were on their way.
Kansas never trailed, and it took about 8 minutes to shake Marshall Moses and the Cowboys.
Moses, who had missed playing and practice time recently because of illness, should be this sick all the time. He had 10 of Oklahoma State’s first 19 points and finished with 27, matching the total of Marcus Morris.
But with the score 24-19, the Cowboys faded in Kansas’ rearview mirror. The Jayhawks scored the next 12 points. Three-pointers by Johnson and Marcus Morris got it started.
Moses stopped the run with a basket, which was promptly answered by Mario Little’s three-pointer, starting a 6-0 run that doubled the score at 42-21.
Only a couple of weeks ago, the Cowboys had reason to feel optimistic about their NCAA Tournament chances. Their victories over Kansas State and Missouri put them in a strong position.
But Monday’s loss was the fourth straight, and although the schedule lightens up, it may be too late for the Cowboys and coach Travis Ford to return to the bracket.
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