St. Bonaventure transfer Melvin Council Jr. was one of three transfers that Bill Self enlisted when revamping his squad heading into this season. Council committed to Kansas under a month after hitting the portal, and during Tuesday’s exhibition win against Division II side Fort Hays State, Council was able to make an impact with his ability to glide to the basket and draw six free points from the line and a total of 16 on the day.
“I mean, coach will talk about it again, just to get downhill and be aggressive and stuff like that, and I got to do that to make sure my teammate is open, like Trey, Kohl, find them in the corner,” quoted Council after Kansas’ 71-35 win.
“So the more I be aggressive, the more it's going to open up for all of us.”
Council’s ability to get to the basket will hopefully be a boon for a three-point offense, which has been struggling thus far.
Over Kansas’ two exhibitions, the Jayhawks shot 12-36 from beyond the arc in their two wins against Louisville (90-82) and Fort Hays State (71-35).
Later in the conference, Self himself pointed out that Council’s scoring output is unreliable with his fierce drive to the basket. Which is fair, to ask for Council to get to the rim consistently for points against some of the nation’s toughest paint defense feels unfair; however, if Council provides enough early-game chaos with tough charges into the middle, then it opens up the space for defenders to close on him and then allow for the combo guard to kick out for a three.
In Council's two exhibitions, the transfer has mounted 6-15 from the field, along with a superb 15-16 mark from the free-throw line.
Council’s elite passing range has been on display with a laser-like 10 assists and just three turnovers. Watch out for Council to be a key cog in what hopefully is an improved offense from last season.
Last year, the Jayhawks managed just 76.1 points per game, which marked 7th in the Big 12.
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