Johnny Furphy Explodes. Kansas vs. Cincinnati Prospect Overview

By: Nicolas Rioja

Final: #7 Kansas 74, Cincinnati 69

Johnny Furphy, Kansas:

23 PTS | 11 REB | 7/8 FG, 3/4 3PT

The highly touted freshman from Australia lived up to every bit of the hype. Furphy set a new career high with 23 points mainly by killing the Bearcats with his activity off-ball. Often, Cincy defenders lost track of Furphy, who was sneaking in for offensive rebounds, or racing out on the break. When Cincinnati made a run to cut in to the KU lead, Furphy delivered the dagger on a catch and shoot 3, extending the Kansas lead to 67-57 with two minutes remaining. Playing big minutes for Bill Self as a freshman is no easy task, but Furphy has worked his way into the rotation and is now integral to the Jayhawks attack.

Dan Skillings Jr., Cincinnati:

16 PTS | 5 REB | 3/6 3PT

Leading the team in minutes with 31, Dan Skillings Jr. was up to the challenge of facing a stout Jayhawk defense. Always a talented player, the sophomore has been searching for consistency; leading the Bearcats in scoring tonight, Skillings had only 1 point last game. A 29 point showing earlier in the season against Stetson provided a peak at what Skillings can be capable of - but was preceded by games with 5 and 6 points, respectively. At 6’6” with physicality and touch, Skillings has all of the peaces to the puzzle. He only needs to put them together. Cincy will need this versatile forward to be a more consistent force as they enter the depths of BIG 12 play.

TEAM STATS OF THE GAME:

FG: Cincinnati 24/61 (39%), Kansas 24/52 (46%)

ASSISTS: Cincinnati 7, Kansas 17