On an early-season challenge that KU’s Bill Self probably didn’t see coming
Bill Self loves coaching, in part, because of the challenge it provides.
Things can look great for a roster in the preseason. A team can be gifted with talent and depth, yet once practices begin, one reality usually comes quickly.
There’s always something that needs fixed — an unexpected issue that has to be analyzed, overcome and fixed so future obstacles can be addressed as well.
And though this year’s Kansas men’s basketball season hasn’t even started yet, it appears Self has already identified something that needs immediate focus: Turnovers.
The coach is talking from a fact-based standpoint. Including Thursday’s exhibition victory over Emporia State, Self said KU had four, 40-minute, scrimmage-type situations this season.
Self, in his postgame radio show, rattled off the number of turnovers for his team in each: 22, 21, 21, 22.
What’s a bit strange, though, is that the problem is not coming from where you might expect. The Jayhawks’ big men are the ones turning it over frequently, with Self saying Wednesday he’s actually been pleased with the way that guards like Devon Dotson and Quentin Grimes have limited mistakes.
“Most of it,” Self said of his forwards, “is trying to do too much.”
Junior Udoka Azubuike appears to be one player who could improve in this regard.
Self referenced this on the television broadcast of Late Night in the Phog. When Azubuike pivoted in the lane a few times to try to shake a defender then, Self said KU’s staff would rather he just go up with the shot and try to make a simple play.
Azubuike wasn’t the only guilty one when it came to giveaways Thursday. Azubuike (6), Dedric Lawson (4) and David McCormack (4) combined for 14 of the team’s 22 turnovers.
“They’ve got to be able to handle catching the ball in the post,” Self said, “and being doubled a lot better than they did.”
There are reasons to think this will get better soon. Self admitted his team barely spent any time preparing for post traps, and Emporia State did that in both halves last game; KU’s coaches have focused on that in workouts since.
It’s also unfair to expect perfect numbers for KU’s big men. Self believes Azubuike and McCormack are likely to get one illegal screen per game, simply based on how many times they’re being asked to station themselves on the perimeter.
Staying at Thursday’s pace, though, is an unsustainable option. The Jayhawks turned it over on 29 percent of their possessions, which is higher than any single-game mark the Jayhawks have had over the last two seasons, a span totaling 75 regular-season games.
“Just indecisiveness. Being hesitant,” sophomore K.J. Lawson said. “Just need to make plays and don’t worry about turning the ball over. That’s when you turn it over.”
KU has a lot going for it offensively. It has a nearly unstoppable force at the rim in Azubuike, a gifted passer and mid-range scorer in Dedric Lawson and also the potential length and athleticism needed to be one of Self’s best offensive rebounding teams ever.
For those assets to come into play, though, KU has to get a shot up first.
It sounds simple, yes. But this appears to be one of those early roadblocks that will demand Self’s attention — both in the days and weeks to come.
Jesse Newell
Jesse Newell covers University of Kansas athletics for The Star.
