Even with freshman Darryn Peterson sidelined in Monday’s win over top-ranked Arizona, Kansas’ bench answered the call.
According to Melvin Council Jr., that type of response has become more than a pattern. It's a familiar theme.
“We got a lot of fight,” Council said after the game. “It really started in the Vegas trip, shorthanded, and stuff like that. Coach always preaches the next man up.”
The trip Council referred to is when the Jayhawks went 3-0 in the Players Era Championship, taking down Notre Dame, Syracuse and No. 17 Tennessee.
Council proved that mindset up on the floor. The senior guard poured in 23 points while logging all 40 minutes against the Wildcats. He finished 6-of-25 from the field and 1-of-3 from beyond the arc, marking his second conference game this season with at least 20 points.
Council wasn't alone against Arizona
Sophomore big man Flory Bidunga matched Council with 23 points of his own, providing a steady interior presence throughout the night. But it was a player typically coming off the bench who made an immediate impact in Peterson’s absence.
Jamari McDowell, who drew the start in place of Peterson, scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds. All 10 of McDowell’s points came in the first half, helping Kansas establish early momentum.
Elmarko Jackson, Paul Mbiya and Kohl Rosario also logged valuable minutes in Monday’s contest.
“Shoutout to Elmarko [Jackson], Paul [Mbiya], Kohl [Rosario], Jamari [McDowell], Tre [White], they played big for us, and just next man up, and we were prepared.”
Jackson led all bench players with 22 minutes, as Mbiya filled in with a crucial final minutes in the first half, and Rosario played a strong six minutes, however he is still looking to find the footing he had earlier in the season.
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