Kansas coach Bill Self impressed with what Elmarko Jackson brings to the floor
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Elmarko Jackson turned defense into wins with steals and timely inbounds theft.
- Bill Self praised defensive impact and urged focus over individual scoring feats.
- KU must fix effort, rebounding and cohesion after allowing high opponent totals.
Kansas sophomore guard Elmarko Jackson scored a career-high 17 points — 15 in the second half — in the Jayhawks’ 81-76 nonconference men’s basketball victory over Tennessee on Nov. 26 at the Player’s Era tournament in Las Vegas.
His 4-of-7 shooting (2 of 3 on 3-pointers and 7 of 7 from the line) proved pivotal in the Jayhawks handing the Vols their first loss of the season.
On Tuesday, Kansas coach Bill Self once again proclaimed Jackson KU’s player of the game after a 104-100 overtime win over TCU, but for reasons that had nothing to do with Jackson’s offense.
Jackson had five steals — including three in the second half and a huge theft in overtime — as the Jayhawks rallied from 15 points down in the final 4 minutes, 21 seconds of regulation en route to a 104-100 overtime victory over the Horned Frogs at Allen Fieldhouse.
During a film session with his players on Thursday, Self discussed the various ways Jackson — he had just two points in 23 minutes versus TCU — helped the squad in those two huge come-from-behind victories. KU rallied from 12 down in the second half in the win over the Vols.
“It was probably as big a defensive play as we’ve had this year, because if he doesn’t make it, we don’t have a chance,” Self said of Jackson swiping an inbounds pass immediately after Melvin Council’s free throw gave the Jayhawks a 100-97 lead with 24 seconds left in overtime against TCU.
Jackson passed to Council, who was fouled and hit two free throws, expanding the lead to five points with precious little time left in the game.
“So I asked the guys today … I said, ‘Elmarko was really good against Tennessee. He had 15 in the second half, and was really good.’ I asked them, ‘Was he better against Tennessee or TCU?’ And the answer is: Nobody cares. We won. Nobody cares. Nobody remembers that (17-point performance). The only people that actually remember it is maybe the individual or a parent. Your girlfriend doesn’t even remember that … nobody cares. That’s the thing that the guys have to understand. And Elmarko, I want him to know that, ‘You impacted winning today as much as you did against Tennessee.’ I think the guys understand that better, and he feels good about that,” Self added.
Jackson was asked about his pivotal steal versus TCU at a news conference Thursday held in advance of Saturday’s 11 a.m. (Central time) game at West Virginia.
“What I saw on the film is just toward the end of the game their point guard was pointing to where he would go on the floor on the inbound. So he pointed, and I mirrored him and the ball just kind of fell into my lap,” Jackson said.
Happy with Jackson, Self said Thursday he has not been pleased with the team defense in KU’s first two Big 12 games. The Jayhawks allowed 81 points in an 81-75 loss to UCF on Jan. 3 and 100 points on Tuesday.
Prior to Christmas break, KU had allowed 80 points in just one game (87 to North Carolina) all season.
“I say the difference is just energy and effort. It’s just a choice that you can make when you’re on the floor, playing with intensity and effort,” Jackson said. “I feel like earlier in the (TCU) game, we were a little lackadaisical and we turned it up a little bit toward the end.”
TCU was 15 of 35 from 3.
“We’re just going to have to continue to push and fight with that energy and effort we had toward the end of the game,” Jackson added. “I feel like as long as we build this momentum and keep it going, it’s something we can be feared for throughout the whole league. I feel we’re really, long and athletic. We can get our hands in the passing lane.”
Jackson is hoping the excitement of claiming a huge comeback victory can carry over Saturday at West Virginia (10-5, 1-1 in league) and continue through the difficult Big 12 slate of games.
“I feel like that game is big. I feel like it’s huge,” Jackson said of the TCU win. “I don’t know about any other comeback wins this season that have been up to par with that. I mean, UConn had one against Providence (overcoming 13-point deficit in second half to win), but I like ours more, to be honest. Tennessee as well. But I feel like just those two games, this one specifically is we’re continuing to etch our own identity and character as a team that we’re just never out.
“Especially here, bouncing back from the UCF (loss). … That game (TCU) was so big in a multitude of ways. The game was for Scooter (Ward, KU’s academic adviser who died Saturday). It was just a culmination of his life. I feel like this team, we’ve got a lot of heart and show a lot of pride. We love playing with each other. We’ll play for each other for forever until the buzzer ends,” Jackson stated.
Self feels this team, which has had freshman guard Darryn Peterson for just six games, is a work in progress.
“The last two games, it (defense) hasn’t been any good. We’ve been exposed in a lot of ways. We’ve been exposed physically. We got our (butt) whipped physically in two games rebounding the ball,” Self said.
“We’ll get there. We’re not there yet, but I look across America and a lot are scoring, but there are a lot of teams out there that are not there yet. There are a lot of teams out there playing really well. And what’s going to happen when March comes? There will be some teams that are playing really well now that are struggling (in March). There will be teams that are struggling now and playing really well and teams that are struggling now that will still be struggling.
“Teams that are really good will still be good. You just don’t know. There’s time, but we don’t need to wait much longer to try to get this thing a little bit more cohesive and well-oiled, even though we may not ever get there. But I think I think the chances are pretty good we can,” Self continued.
Self by the way, on Thursday said Peterson “feels good, is full speed” after playing 32 minutes versus the Horned Frogs. Thus, barring any setbacks he should be available Saturday at West Virginia.
