Kansas' Self calls ailing Azubuike MVP of Seton Hall win

Kansas coach Bill Self heaped high praise on center Udoka Azubuike, who battled through a knee injury to help the Jayhawks narrowly overcome Seton Hall in Round 2 of the NCAA tournament.

"If Udoka wasn't able to come back from his injury, we don't win," Self told reporters after the game, according to Jeff Borzello of ESPN.

The 7-foot sophomore, who missed the entire Big 12 tournament and could only manage three minutes in the first round of the NCAA tournament versus Penn, logged 22 minutes against the Pirates.

He contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks, and Kansas outscored Seton Hall by 21 points with him on the floor in the 83-79 victory.

"I was hoping 20 (minutes)," said Self. "That was what I was hoping. He could have played more, I think. ... But I thought he did great.

"In my opinion he was the most valuable player, because if his mind wasn't so right to get healthy that fast, there's no way we would have won that game."

Azubuike came off the bench for Kansas, which had to withstand 24 points and 23 rebounds from Seton Hall big man Angel Delgado to pick up the win and advance to the Sweet Sixteen.