Kansas basketball: 3 players primed to level up in conference play

The Kansas Jayhawks are already the favorite to win the Big 12, but with slight improvements from these three players, they could become a sure-thing in one of the most loaded conferences in college basketball.

Kansas Jayhawks guard Elmarko Jackson (13)
Kansas Jayhawks guard Elmarko Jackson (13) | Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
4 of 4

You might be thinking, "How could McCullar have anywhere else to go after his recent production?" It’s a good question. He’s averaging 20.4 points for the season on 49/38/85 shooting splits, but over his last few games, he has displayed an even more impressive scoring prowess. 

Bill Self does such a great job developing wings like McCullar. Think back to Ochai Agbaji or Jalen Wilson in recent years. Veterans who just kept getting better at Kansas. Well, McCullar is the next in that lineage and the best player on this team, even ahead of Hunter Dickinson. 

Since the start of December, which includes games against UConn, Missouri, and Indiana, McCullar is averaging 23 points a game, 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.2 steals while shooting 47% from the field and 46% from three. 

Kevin McCullar, in his fifth year in the conference, has turned into the best player in the Big 12. This comes after averaging just 10.7 points a game last year and shooting under 30% from three. 

The level-up may have already happened, but McCullar is about to tear through the Big 12.

Schedule

Schedule