Why KU guard Nick Timberlake isn’t worried about starting (or coming off the bench)
Kansas guard Nick Timberlake did something he hasn’t done since the 2019-20 season on Monday.
He came off the bench.
The sixth-year transfer from Towson didn’t miss a beat in KU’s dominant 99-56 win over North Carolina Central. He had 13 points on 4-for-5 shooting from the field, including 3-for-4 from deep in just 20 minutes.
It was a welcome sight for the sharpshooter, who was a combined 1-for-9 from deep in KU’s last two exhibition games against Fort Hays State and Illinois.
“Just seeing the first one go through, my confidence went a lot higher than in the past,” Timberlake said. “I mean, (I’ve) just (been) getting in the gym every day, getting shots, whether it was before or after practice.”
And he’s doing it in a new role.
Timberlake was option No. 1 at Towson, averaging 17.7 points per game on 45.5% shooting. For the No. 1-ranked Jayhawks, he might not be a top-three scoring option.
Instead, he’s a floor-spacer on a team that needs it. Timberlake shot 41.6% from deep on 6.7 attempts per game last season.
“My role at Towson, I was sort of the man the whole time with one of my other teammates,” he said. “But now here I am just spacing the floor, scoring when I can (and) passing when I can. The biggest thing coach (Bill) Self has been on me for has been playing defense, too.”
He isn’t exactly worried about his role change.
“I was telling coach (Joe) Dooley on the bench that it’s much better being on this side than it is being on the losing side of it,” Timberlake said. “I’ve been on the losing side of a lot of these games before, just when we played high-major teams at Towson. But, I mean, winning is a lot of fun.”
Heading into the game, Timberlake was in fierce competition with freshman guard Elmarko Jackson and Johnny Furphy for the last lineup spot.
He found out he was coming off the bench in KU’s walkthrough.
“I don’t really (care). I played today,” Timberlake said. “It is what it is.”
As for why Self chose Jackson to start?
“I think (Timberlake) and Elmarko are the two options to start,” Self said. “Johnny is really not; he missed three weeks of practice (due to shin splints). But I think having some shooting off the bench is better for use.”
Self added: “It absolutely doesn’t register with me who starts. It’s far more important who finishes, and they all played the same minutes tonight, regardless. ... I think that gives us the best chance to play well with pace and energy early in the game with Elmarko in there, though.”
And Timberlake is A-OK with that.
