Six games into the season, Bill Self had seen enough.
It was time for a coach/player chat with Kansas University senior center Sasha Kaun, who bricked three of four free throws in a Nov. 28 rout of Florida Atlantic.
The three misses dropped the 6-foot-11 Kaun to 10-of-27 from the line for a Shaq-like 37 percent.
“We told him he was 0-for-0,” KU coach Self said. “(Since then) he’s shot it pretty well.”
Kaun hit three of four free throws in the ensuing game against Southern California and in the past seven games has made 15 of 22 for 68.2 percent.
“Right before the USC game coach said, ‘Your free throws start now. Step up and make the free throws,”‘ Kaun said.
Before missing two without a make last Saturday against Yale, the career 49.8 percent shooter had made 15 of his last 20 for 75 percent in six games.
“I think it’s really mental for me,” Kaun said. “In practice I shoot them really well, 75 to 80 percent. I try to relax and do what I do in practice.”
Self, whose team has made 166 of 266 for 62.8 percent, believes confidence is key to making the unguarded shot.
“He’s been working on it. He seems more relaxed at the line,” Self said of Kaun. “I think he had lost some confidence when he didn’t shoot his free throws well. It kind of affected his total game. He’s more a presence now than earlier in the season.”
Kaun, a former starter who has given way to Darnell Jackson and come off the bench the last eight games, said it’s just a coincidence he’s played well in a relief role.
“We still get the same minutes,” Kaun said. “We play three or four bigs. Not starting may relieve a little more pressure, but it doesn’t matter whether you start or not. It’s been good for our team I think.”
Self said starting versus coming off the bench “is totally irrelevant. I don’t think it’s any big deal. He has been more productive of late. I don’t think coming off the bench has anything to do with it.
“Throughout his career, he’s gone through phases where he’s been very productive and phases he’s had a little bit of a dry spell. Now he’s certainly on an up-tick.”
Self likes the fact he doesn’t have to worry about ego issues on this team. Sherron Collins, who also comes off the bench, likely would be starting for any other team in the league.
“These guys don’t care who starts,” Self said. “Probably the best thing about our team is guys like each other so much.”
Don’t expect any lineup changes soon … as long as the team stays healthy.
“This is who we are. I don’t see an immediate change. Injuries or situations can change that. I like the way we’re playing in our rotation now,” Self said.
That’s fine with Kaun.
“It’s my senior year. I’m focusing on having fun,” he said.