Michigan State’s Nick Ward had to be confused.
Early in the first half of Kansas’ 90-70 victory Sunday in the NCAA Tournament, center Landen Lucas received the ball on the left block with Ward positioned behind him. Three times in KU’s previous game against UC Davis, Lucas had shimmied before going over his right shoulder for a left-handed hook shot.
So Ward had to guess it was coming again here. He stayed on Lucas’ right shoulder, readying for a block if KU’s big man went to his favorite move.
Lucas, instead, delivered a curveball.