Good-natured Wayne Simien didn’t request an audience with Kansas University’s stat crew after his near-perfect performance Tuesday night against Pittsburg State at Allen Fieldhouse.
“Nah … I mean, I didn’t think I missed a shot, but it’s all good,” Simien, KU’s 6-foot-9, 250-pound junior center, said after hitting 10 of 11 shots and scoring 25 points in the Jayhawks’ 103-73 exhibition rout of the NCAA Division II Gorillas.
Simien’s only miss came on an awkward tip attempt four minutes into the second half.
The “miss,” which followed nine straight Simien hoops, easily could have been overlooked by the stat keepers, who gave the aggressive “Big Dub” an offensive rebound and shot attempt on his stickback try.
“We counted that as a shot? Good gosh, we’re playing at home,” a grinning Kansas coach Bill Self said, needling KU’s strict stat staff.
“The great thing about ‘Dub’s’ performance,” Self said, “is he got some easy baskets, but he made three or four from 17 feet. That’s good when we can stretch the defense from that spot.
“I think Wayne had a great game.”
The crazy thing about Simien’s performance — he would have attained career highs in points and baskets had Tuesday’s outing been an actual game — is that he started so slowly.
Simien didn’t score his first basket until 12 1/2 minutes had ticked off the clock. He finished the half with 14 points off 6-of-6 shooting, his first hoop off a perfect feed from Jeff Graves.
“Early in the game I wasn’t getting any looks,” Simien said. “I’ve definitely got to be more aggressive in trying to get more looks. It was a point of emphasis in the huddle. Coach mentioned it a couple of times … getting the ball inside. The guys did a great job after that.”
Simien was part of an effective inside game.
The Jayhawks, who made just three of 14 threes to Pitt State’s nine of 30, cashed 40 of 55 two-point tries for 72.7 percent marksmanship.
Freshman David Padgett scored 12 points off 6-of-10 shooting, while senior Jeff Graves was 3-of-4 for seven points.
Padgett and Graves each had three assists inside, the bread and butter of Self’s high/low offense.
“Our big guys did a good job of feeding each other. We also threw a lot away,” Self said. “I think Padgett and Wayne right now work together better. I think right now those two have played more consistently. We need Jeff to play better and understand what we’re looking for.
“I do think our three big guys are starters,” Self continued, “but you ask me the two who played the best (together) were Padgett and Simien.”
The Jayhawks’ second exhibition of the season didn’t possess the drama of last week’s 91-87 scare against EA Sports All-Stars.
KU used a 16-0 run to up a 16-14 lead to 32-14 with 4:26 left in the half.
Simien and sophomore guard Jeff Hawkins, who started for the first time in a KU uniform, had six points apiece in that run. The Jayhawks finished the half on a 30-12 roll and led, 46-26, at the break.
KU was never really threatened the rest of the way thanks in large part to Simien, Padgett and Graves, who combined for 44 points off 19-of-25 shooting. Keith Langford contributed 15 points in his first action of the season, while Aaron Miles had 12.
“I think the way our offense is structured and the way we seal (off), we get high-percentage shots,” Padgett said. “Wayne did extremely well. We were trying to get him the ball every time.”
Simien and Padgett both have shown range from up to 17-feet, and though Graves didn’t hit any deep jumpers Tuesday, he also has exhibited a soft touch from the free-throw line.
“They backed off Wayne a couple of times, and he made them pay. They backed off David a couple of times, and he made them pay,” Self said. “I am excited about them. We will be much better high/low-type action when those guys can knock down jumpers.”
Self ideally would like to see some threes start falling. KU’s 3-of-14 effort came after a 2-of-10 outing versus EA Sports.
“We have got to play better and we have to make some shots,” Self said. “You are not going to win consistently if you don’t make shots. We have got better shooters than what we are shooting right now.”
KU will open for real against UT Chattanooga at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at Allen Fieldhouse.