KCKingdom
Fansided

Kansas Jayhawks: Devonte’ Graham Is Protecting The Ball

By Joel Wagler

facebooktwitterreddit

Devonte’ Graham wasn’t playing terrible for the Kansas Jayhawks before he injured his toe in December. His numbers, though, even for a freshman, weren’t anything to be very excited about, in all truth.

He shot the ball fairly well (9-20, 45%) before the injury, and he was looking good from three-point range (7-16, 43.8%). He was scoring 5.8 points a game as a back-up point guard to Frank Mason III.

In those seven games, Graham also produced twelve total rebounds, seven assists, seven steals, and seven turnovers, while averaging 14.8 minutes a game.

Since he has returned from his injury, most of his numbers look about the same. In fact, though he is still averaging 5.8 points, though he is shooting a little worse than he was before.

In the five Big 12 Conference games he has played in, he is only shooting 33% from the field (7 for 21), and just 30% from behind the arc (3 for 10). He is only averaging 2.2 rebounds, and .08 steals an outing.

More from Kansas Jayhawks

There is one giant statistic, though, that really stands out for Devonte’ Graham since he came back from his injury. It is rather remarkable to say the least, and it is the key reason he is seeing more playing time.

In Big 12 play, Devonte’ Graham has 20 assists and one turnover. That bears repeating. In 92 minutes of court time, Graham has turned the ball over one time.

His four assists per game is not an incredible number, but it is an excellent total for a back up averaging 18.4 minutes over this span of time. Consider that Frank Mason averages 4.2 assists an outing for the season, while playing over 33 minutes.

At this stage of his career, Graham has been an inconsistent scorer, but when one considers how much Head Coach Bill Self stresses saving possessions, and protecting the ball, in conference play, Graham as been otherworldly.

According to Jesse Newell of CJonline, Graham’s 20:1 assist-to-turnover ratio in conference play is by far the best in the country. Those numbers will result in some playing time.

The Kansas Jayhawks probably played their best all around game on Saturday, on the road, against Texas, winning 75-62. The Jayhawks turned the ball over just three times in the first half, and didn’t commit even one in the second half. It was an incredible performance.

Graham only scored two points, but he added three rebounds, three assists, two steals, and of course, no turnovers.

Mason and Graham combined to play 52 minutes, dished out seven total assists, with zero turnovers. That is taking care of the basketball.

A healthy, productive Graham allows a couple of key things to happen for the Jayhawks. One, Mason can get some periodic rest. When Graham was hurt, it was hard for Self to sit Mason for even the briefest amount of time without everyone getting a little nervous.

Two, by playing Graham and Mason together, Self has two superb ball handlers on the court, but it also frees up Mason a bit on the offensive end. Mason seems to be a shooting guard stuck in a small point guard’s body. Playing with Graham should allow Mason up to do some other things on offense.

The Kansas Jayhawks seem to be slowly improving. The Texas game was probably the first time all season Kansas played like a true Bill Self coached team, for forty minutes, on both ends of the court.

The natural maturation of freshmen Devonte’ Graham, Kelly Oubre Jr, and Cliff Alexander has been instrumental in this team starting to improve. There is a long way to go still, but fans must feel good that the Jayhawks again sit atop the Big 12.

Only a third of the Big 12 games have been played, but if Devonte’ Graham continues to contribute as he has, and can continue to protect the basketball, Kansas has a great chance to win their 11st consecutive conference championship.

Devonte’ Graham probably won’t maintain his 20:1 ratio, but it is a good start, and a great indication that he is starting to understand his role. It should be a fun final six weeks!

Next: KU: 5 Bold Predictions

More from KC Kingdom

Home/Kansas Jayhawks