Nonconference play rarely raises eyebrows in Lawrence, Kansas. This season, however, it has raised more than eyebrows — it's raised questions.
With the extended absence of Darryn Peterson, it's the question of who can step up and fill that role ahead of Big 12 conference play.
Darryn this, Darryn that — Kansas found answers in Melvin Council Jr.
The outlook for Kansas goes far beyond Peterson, who has missed 10 games nursing a hamstring injury and quad cramping. The true freshman has averaged 19.3 points per game this season,
My question is this: what about the guys behind him? While Peterson was sidelined, it was Wagner transfer Melvin Council Jr. alongside sophomores Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell who carried the bulk of the workload.
Council, who scored 36 points in a thrilling 77-76 overtime win against NC State after making nine 3s and scoring the last 13 points of regulation, also became the second player in Kansas basketball history to score 36 points in a road victory.
Following the game, Kansas head coach Bill Self called Council “the best performer that I think I’ve had on the road in my 23 years at Kansas.”
According to The Associated Press, Council’s performance against the Wolfpack was the second-highest single-game point total on the road, trailing only Jalen Wilson’s 38-point game against Kansas State in 2023.
Forget about the sky hook that Dickinson had last season; Bidunga screams potential
Flory Bidunga: One thing I will say, he’s that guy in the post. Better yet, he’s a young talent with a lot of upside, should he decide to stay.
The sophomore big man has scored 18 points in each of the last two games for the Jayhawks, scoring a season-high 25 points against Princeton and in double figures nine of 9 of the last 10 games.
If you’re Kansas, there’s something to be said about having Bryson Tiller in the lineup with Bidunga. The pair stack up well against teams like Texas Tech, who play a similar rotation that features guys like JT Toppin.
Where’s the ceiling? Where’s the floor?
Assuming this is a Kansas team that can stay healthy, it has a legitimate case for a share of the regular season title — though that’s a harder argument to make in a conference that includes Arizona, Houston, Iowa State and BYU, all of which have reached the AP Top 10 this season, with the Cyclones and Wildcats climbing as high as the top five.
That said, the Jayhawks have not missed a tournament appearance since 1989. That’s not a streak that’s anywhere close to being in danger of ending. Given that the Jayhawks’ only losses this season came against ranked opponents, there is nothing to worry about. Worst case scenario, they fall in line somewhere between a five or six seed.
Depending on the draw, a first-round exit in the Big 12 tournament would not come as a surprise, but could have major implications on post-season rankings.
Kansas next takes the court on January 3rd to open up Big 12 conference play against UCF. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT with streaming available on Peacock.