photo by: Nick Krug

Arizona State guard Shannon Evans II (11) puts a three over Kansas guard Lagerald Vick (2) during the second half, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 at Allen Fieldhouse.

photo by: Nick Krug

Arizona State guard Shannon Evans II (11) puts a three over Kansas guard Lagerald Vick (2) during the second half, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Quick grades for five aspects of KU’s 95-85 loss to No. 16 Arizona State on Sunday at Allen Fieldhouse.

Offense: B-

The Jayhawks shot 48 percent from the floor and looked much more aggressive attacking the rim and finding their offense. And they were terrific early, particularly Devonte’ Graham. The problem was, ASU put so much pressure on Kansas with its offense that the shots the Jayhawks did miss came at crucial times and proved to be massive blows. Turnovers also were a big, big problem.

Defense: D-

Outside of the first few minutes and a couple of desperation possessions late in the second half, the Jayhawks were exposed in just about every way, defensively, in this one. KU’s guards could not contain the Arizona State guards on the drive and gave up good looks from 3-point range. And there was next to no inside presence. Both are problems that already have haunted this team and will continue to do so unless the Jayhawks make major improvements quickly.

Frontcourt: C-

Udoka Azubuike struggled most of the day. Even though he made six of his seven shot attempts, Kansas almost never was able to throw the ball to him inside and the 7-footer struggled on the glass and to be any kind of defensive presence. Mitch Lightfoot did what he could to be a factor and had a couple of good moments, but he does not bring enough to the table yet to overcome an off day from Azubuike.

Backcourt: C+

Considering half of this grade is for offense and the other half is for defense, the Jayhawks had very little chance for a high grade no matter how good their offense was. And it, too, was not great. Graham did what he could to be much better than he was against Washington, which helped, but none of the KU guards did much in the second half and none of them had any kind of consistency.

Bench: D

Lightfoot grabbed five rebounds and blocked a couple of shots in 18 minutes. And Marcus Garrett, whose early-season confidence has disappeared of late, did next to nothing in his 15 minutes. KU definitely is missing a spark off of the bench of any kind and not only needs these two to elevate their play but also to get a notable contribution from soon-to-be-eligible guard Sam Cunliffe.

More news and notes from Kansas vs. Arizona State

• More Miscues: Jayhawks struggle defensively, fall at home to Arizona State
• Tom Keegan: Jayhawks missing scoring spark off the bench
• Notebook: Malik Newman leaves game with a concussion
• The Keegan Ratings: Devonte’ Graham tops ratings in home loss to Arizona State
• Devil of an afternoon: Arizona State knocks off KU in Allen Fieldhouse

By the Numbers: Arizona State 95, Kansas 85.