Columbia, Mo. ? The Kansas University bench isn’t nearly as long as it is important.
As is often the case, only three reserves played in Saturday’s 92-74 blowout victory against Missouri in Mizzou Arena. Sherron Collins and Darnell Jackson were two of them, so quality wasn’t a problem.
No post player, even one who plays the sort of game Julian Wright did, can do it all without help in the paint.
And no perimeter player, even one as on target as Brandon Rush was, can take care of everything himself without another guard helping him make it happen.
Rush and Wright combined for 54 points, and the other three starters totaled just 10 points. No problem, thanks to Collins and Jackson.
As usual, KU’s offense worked in more of an East-West way most of the time Collins was on the bench and was full-speed-ahead when he was in the game. Collins influenced the outcome even more than his 14 points and seven assists suggest.
When Collins first checked in, KU was about to fall behind 16-8. He quickly inspired teammates to play with more energy.
“I try to keep my eyes so I can see where everyone is, so whoever’s man steps up to help or comes across to help, that’s who I get the ball to,” Collins said. “I’m just trying to get in the lane and create. If they don’t help, I try to finish. If they help, I look to dish, but when I get in the lane, I always look to dish first.”
Having the most important offensive player come off the bench is a nice luxury few teams in the country can boast.
Having four players for two post spots is a necessity, and thanks to Jackson, Kansas has that. Most teams couldn’t have absorbed the loss of C.J. Giles
so well. Jackson, not the shot-
blocking defensive presence Giles was, is a more productive player. He’s more active, hits the boards harder, has better hands and is a more reliable scorer.
Jackson was coming off a double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds) in 17 minutes against Kansas State. The confidence he gained from that carried into the other rivalry game on a day it was needed.
Sasha Kaun’s timing seemed a little off, and he picked up quick fouls. In eight minutes, he totaled three fouls and did not score. Darrell Arthur again was too eager defensively. Instead of holding his position with his long arms in the air and seeing if his man could shoot over him, he tried to do too much with his hands and was whistled for four fouls in 12 minutes.
Jackson, who has been playing with a bad back, made the most of his 20 minutes, totaling 10 points and six rebounds, four of them off the offensive glass. He made all four field-goal attempts and both free throws.
Coming into the game, KU had played six true road games and two at a neutral site. In those games, Jackson had made two of 17 field-goal attempts. In five of the road games, he was scoreless, and he scored two points in the other. This was a significant step for him, even if he didn’t see it that way.
“I wasn’t worried about that,” Jackson said.
What was he worried about?
“Crashing the boards, rebounding, hustling, getting loose balls, playing defense,” Jackson said. “I enjoy trying to get tip dunks or putbacks. That’s what energizes me.”
Energizing the team is what the Kansas bench is all about.
