In just under 24 hours, the No. 9 Kansas Jayhawks will travel to take on the No. 5 Iowa State Cyclones, in a reverse fixture of the game in which the Jayhawks caught fire.
Since Kansas dismantled Iowa State in mid-January, the Jayhawks have compiled an eight-game winning streak, and guard Melvin Council Jr. has played perhaps the biggest role in that run.
The Wagner and St. Bonaventure transfer has become a fan-favorite among fans and pundits, and it is not just his ferocious defense that makes him an underappreciated talent.
Since his 15-point and seven rebound outing against Iowa State, the senior has averaged 15 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.8 rebounds over the streak, which has seen Kansas rise to its highest spot all season.
Did I see he could be a good player? Absolutely,” quoted head coach Bill Self in his preview of Kansas’ trip to Ames, Iowa.
While Council’s shooting rate overall on the season does sit at just 40.6%, the guard’s game largely relies on three-pointers —where he has already attempted 89— or nifty drives to the rim, which oftentimes leads Council against some of the nation’s top rim blockers.
“You know, one thing about recruiting the portal, you don't get to know the kids as well. You can try, but still, you know, you're limited in talking to him, and you knew he had personality, and you knew he was appreciative, and you knew that he was a we-first guy.”
Council’s leadership was recently on show as Darryn Peterson was ruled out of Kansas’ eventual 82-78 win over No. 1 Arizona, thanks to “flu-like symptoms.” Redshirt sophomore guard Jamari McDowell was forced to make the start.
“You know, I get on him a lot,” quoted Council postgame. “Like, when I give him the ball, just shoot it. You know, sometimes she'd be second-guessing and stuff, and he didn't do that today, and I'm just proud of him.”
McDowell finished the game with 10 points, six rebounds, and four steals.
“But I didn't have any idea that his impact on our program would be near as great as what it is,” finished Self.
An upwards career
Council has spent his career forging his path to the top of the collegiate games by providing consistent energy that has made him a star everywhere he has gone.
In his first season at Wagner, Council averaged 14.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.4 steals. Wagner finished the 2023-24 season with a 17-16 record.
Council then moved to the Bonnies, where they finished 22-12, and Council totaled 14.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.1 steals.
Coming out of highschool Council immediately went to Monroe College in New Rochelle, New York, where he dominated in his two-year stint, having averaged 23.8 points and 7.4 rebounds his freshman season, and a further 18.7 points, 4.1 assists, 2.4 steals per game, and 5.6 rebounds. Finishing his career at Monroe as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,400 points and two NJCAA Division I All-America nods.
Council remains the key to Kansas success
Despite his high-energy and often frenetic attitude, Council has displayed a tremendous amount of cool on the offensive side of the ball, with an innate ability to launch fast breaks and an ability to take over in the clutch.
In Kansas’ win over Arizona, Council scored 11 crucial points in the final 11:50 of the gritty win, something that Kansas fans had feared might not happen without the likes of Peterson set to miss out.
Council will be needed as Iowa State will be looking for revenge over the Jayhawks. Tipoff is set for Saturday and is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT.
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