KU defeats Brazil 81-72 for second World University Games win

In the days before Kansas’ game against Turkey, the Jayhawks’ first contest at the World University Games, FIBA officials approached KU’s traveling party with a concern.

Kansas is representing the United States at the international event in Gwangju, South Korea, and the officials from basketball’s world governing body did not believe the Jayhawks’ uniforms accurately conveyed this fact. The uniforms, designed especially for this tournament, had KANSAS across the chest with a small USA logo on the shoulder. They also had “KU” logos on the shorts and back collar.

The jerseys, the officials said, needed to be changed.

So in the hours between an opening victory over Turkey on early Saturday and an 81-72 victory over Brazil on early Sunday morning, KU officials had the jerseys altered by a local company in Gwangju. On top of the Kansas logo was a rectangular red patch with the letters “USA.”

At this point, the jersey mishap is the only thing that’s gone wrong for Kansas — make that USA — during its time in South Korea. On Sunday, Wayne Selden continued his torrid summer with 23 points in a workmanlike effort against a physical Brazilian squad.

At its core, Kansas coach Bill Self has said, this trip to Korea is about his team’s development entering the 2015-16 season. If the trip serves no other purpose than to ignite Selden after a lagging sophomore campaign, it would probably be deemed a success.

For the fourth straight game — counting two exhibition games against Canada — Selden looked athletic and potent on the offensive end. He was active from the perimeter, hitting from three-point range early, and he continued to use his physicality to pound the offensive glass.

The Jayhawks now have a day off before finishing pool play with games against Chile, Serbia and Switzerland. Kansas must finish in the top two of its pool to qualify for the medal round, and it appears to be in solid position. Serbia is one of the favorites to win the event, but the Jayhawks will likely be favored to beat Chile (12:30 a.m. Tuesday) and Switzerland.

What caught our eye

For the second straight game, the Jayhawks started slow on the offensive end but found a groove over the final three quarters.

The momentum appeared to shift early on when SMU guard Nic Moore picked up his third foul during a on-court scuffle, and KU guard Frank Mason took over the ball handling responsibilities.

A stat to remember

Selden poured in 15 points before halftime, helping the Jayhawks’ stake a 40-28 lead at the half.

Freshmen watch

Freshman guard Lagerald Vick buried a three-pointer in the final minutes, capping Team USA’s victory.

Up next

Chile.

Team USA will return to the floor against Chile at 12:30 a.m. CT Tuesday. Because the game is being played at a smaller venue in Gwangju, it will not be televised.

This story was originally published July 5, 2015 at 9:52 AM with the headline "KU defeats Brazil 81-72 for second World University Games win."