The play that made Bill Self roar, and what it says about this evolving KU team
The Bill Self “fists up, roar to the crowd” is saved for special occasions, so you knew that something had gone right for Kansas following Christian Braun’s first-half three-pointer in Monday’s 91-71 victory over Iowa State.
It took a lot for KU to get those points. Marcus Garrett started things by poking away a steal when Zion Griffin attempted a crossover dribble — a particular move, by the way, that hasn’t gone well for anyone across from Garrett lately.
The Jayhawks ran in transition, with Ochai Agbaji missing a corner three. David McCormack — two steps outside the three-point line when the shot went up — sprinted under the basket to grab the offensive rebound, though, saving it from going out of bounds.
Garrett then found Braun, who stepped into the three from the left wing.
Self screamed out his approval after the shot went through.
“I just thought our guys were playing and hustling,” Self said. “And Christian needed something good to happen too.”
Yes, part of this celebration was about Braun, who’d been a slump lately while mustering just five combined points in his last three games.
Part of it, though, also seemed to be about the way KU was playing as a whole.
And make no mistake: Over its last 80 minutes of basketball, KU sure looks like a team that is starting to find itself on the offensive end.
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Sign upThe Jayhawks posted 1.30 points per possession Monday, its top mark in Big 12 play this season and also the second-best outing against Iowa State’s defense all season.
And while teams aren’t able to control each game whether shots are going in or not, they can have sway over how well they play together.
That part has looked much better for the Jayhawks over the last three days.
It makes sense that KU could be finding some rhythm now. For much of the season, the coaches were in experimentation mode while testing whether a two-big lineup would work. That debate has been settled; KU is a better team on both ends with four guards, meaning everyone can now confidently move forward while searching for ways to make that identity the best it can be.
Recently, many Jayhawks appear to be playing better to their particular strengths. Garrett hunts right-handed drives and takes threes when open. Braun and Isaiah Moss are the outside-shooting threats who are there to help unclog the lane for KU’s big men. McCormack is the backup center who can help on the offensive glass and with energy. And point guard Devon Dotson is the steadying force, using his quickness to get to the rim while posting double-digit scoring in each of his last 10 games.
KU’s staff seems to be hitting a stride too. A majority of the Jayhawks’ offense Monday came off set plays, which are often creatively designed to take advantage of the unique skillsets that Dotson, Garrrett and Udoka Azubuike have.
Here was a first-half example. Garrett received the ball on the elbow, with Azubuike setting a screen for him. That meant KU’s best passer Garrett initiated a right-hand drive (his strength), with the potential for Azubuike to catch a lob (his strength) with Agbaji and Braun spacing the floor as potential outside shooters (their strengths).
When Iowa State helped on Azubuike, Garrett made the right read. A simple kickout opened up Agbaji for a three, and he put it through for one of KU’s 12 three-pointers.
Though offense has been long considered the weakness of this KU team ... the Jayhawks suddenly aren’t looking bad there after all. With Monday’s effort, KU is now top 10 offensively in the schedule-adjusted measures from Ken Pomeroy and Bart Torvik, with more room for growth if the Jayhawks’ improved outside shooting continues.
Self was perturbed with the way his team played defense against Iowa State, and you can bet the coaches will work over the next few days to create solutions against middle ball screens that Oklahoma and Iowa State both used repeatedly for success.
The Jayhawks’ offensive ceiling, however, seems much higher than before. That’s important, as it’s rare to make a Final Four run without having your offense and defense win at least one game for you along the way.
KU’s defense shouldn’t be in question at this point, even after a couple subpar outings.
This offense, though, appears much more capable of lifting the Jayhawks — even through some tough games that are sure to be ahead.
This story was originally published February 18, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
