Melvin Council Jr. has been a revelation for Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks all season, and the media has largely taken notice. Fans have embraced him for the "dawg" that he is, and Council has returned that love every step of the way.
Although he’s been this team’s emotional leader all season, the guard from Rochester, New York, has struggled down the stretch.
He will still be KU’s trusted leader heading into the Big Dance, but he must elevate his recent level of play if Kansas wants a chance to make a run in the bracket.
The Numbers
Heading into a chilly February contest at Oklahoma State, Council Jr. was averaging 14.1 points per game and shooting 35.4% from deep on the season. He played with a relentless motor and seemed to heavily impact every game he was in.
But since then, over the past eight games, Council Jr. has averaged 9.1 points per game and is just 3-for-22 from three-point range (13.6%).
Additionally, in the Big 12 Tournament, he scored a total of 11 points across the Jayhawks’ two games in Kansas City, while shooting just 4-for-26 from the field. He’s clearly been in a slump and must find a way out of it as soon as possible.
Still A Dawg
The good news is that, despite his recent performances, Council Jr. has bought into this group and fully believes they can make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament if they’re clicking together. His leadership mentality hasn’t changed a bit, and he’s clearly emotionally invested in every play.
Forget the stats for a second: Melvin Council Jr. is the kind of player you want in March. Darryn Peterson will command the spotlight and the scouting reports —and deservedly so— but Council Jr. has proven he can turn a game on its head with relentless passion.
The Bright Side
This team — including Council — has been inconsistent down the stretch, but has undeniably clarified more of its identity since the start of conference play.
Additionally, this is the healthiest the team has been all season, which is every coach’s dream in March. Bill Self will do everything he can to take advantage, and Council Jr. is expected to lead the charge.
March Madness is full of clichés, and one of the most famous is: "Guards win in March."
Fortunately for KU, when at their best, the Kansas guard duo — Council Jr. and Peterson — is the best backcourt in the country. If they’re clicking simultaneously, it’s a sight Kansas fans won’t soon forget.
As we’ve seen before, it only takes a few minutes to flip the script and build momentum, and KU has that chance against 13-seed Cal Baptist on Friday night in San Diego.
Can Melvin Council Jr. get back on track and lead the Jayhawks to the Round of 32?
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