The Kansas basketball team enjoyed a very successful trip to Las Vegas, going 3-0 in the Players Era Festival with victories over Notre Dame, Syracuse, and Tennessee.
The latter of those games was the one where KU showed the most growth and heart as a team. Tre White collected his second foul with four minutes to go in the first half, with the game tied 30-30. The Volunteers went on a run to lead by seven at halftime. White immediately picked up his third and fourth fouls at the onset of the second half.
The Jayhawks erased a 12-point lead deficit in the second half without White, who committed his final foul, just minutes after returning to the game about midway through the half.
Elmarko Jackson and Melvin Council Jr., neither known for their scoring prowess, led the charge, playing with an edge fans hadn't seen yet. It was very encouraging. The team played with chemistry, toughness, and passion, finishing third in the event.
The performance bodes well for the Jayhawks when Darryn Peterson eventually rejoins the lineup.
Who are the statistical leaders for the Kansas basketball team so far
All statistics are based on averages. Peterson, with just two games, isn’t included.
Points
- Flory Bidunga - 15.8
- Tre White - 14.4
- Melvin Council Jr. - 10.8
Rebounds
- Flory Bidunga - 8.4
- Tre White - 6.4
- Bryson Tiller - 6.4
Field Goal Percentage
- Flory Bidunga - 62.8 percent
- Tre White - 54.1 percent
- Bryson Tiller - 46.6 percent
Three-point Field Goal Percentage
- Nginyu Ngala - 66.7 percent
- Tre White - 43.5 percent
- Jamari McDowell - 38.9 percent
Free Throw Percentage (minimum of 10 attempts)
- Tre White - 83.0 percent
- Melvin Council Jr. - 78.3 percent
- Flory Bidunga - 75.0 percent
Assists
- Melvin Council Jr. - 5.3
- Tre White - 2.1
- Flory Bidunga - 2.1
Steals
- Tre White - .8
- Jayden Dawson - .8
- Four tied with .5
Blocks
- Flory Bidunga - 2.6
- Bryson Tiller - 1.1
- Melvin Council Jr. - .8
Turnovers
- Flory Bidunga - 2.1
- Tre White - 1.8
- Bryson Tiller - 1.8
Fouls
- Tre White - 2.5
- Bryson Tiller - 2.5
- Flory Bidunga - 2.3
Players are settling into their roles, and the Players Era event gave them time to improve as a team. Peterson's reinsertion into the lineup will be a massive boost for KU, and his teammates are now better equipped to support him. His absence, though frustrating at times, may have made the team around him stronger heading into conference play.
Make sure to bookmark Through the Phog and follow us on X and Facebook with the username @Throughthephog