Just how similar are the runs made by Kansas guards Malik Newman in 2018 & Remy Martin in 2022?

By Matt Tait     Mar 30, 2022

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The play of current Kansas guard Remy Martin (bottom) is starting to remind a lot of Kansas fans of the postseason run turned in by Malik Newman (top) back in 2018.

New Orleans — For a three-week stretch during the 2018 postseason, former Kansas guard Malik Newman caught fire and helped carry the Jayahwks to the program’s 15th Final Four appearance.

It may now be 2022, and they may have different names and different games, but another Jayhawk is following in Newman’s footsteps.

During the past couple of weeks, countless Kansas fans have commented on how KU senior Remy Martin’s recent hot streak has reminded them of what Newman did in 2018.

It only made sense then to ask KU coach Bill Self if he agreed.

“Malik, in 2018, was the best guard in America over a three-week period,” Self said Tuesday, one day before the Jayahwks arrived in New Orleans. “I don’t know that Remy can quite make the claim that he was that. But what he has done for us, from a personality and an energy standpoint, I think carries equal value. And he’s also played very well on top of that.”

Although he has seen it with his own eyes and actually started to count on the kind of production the jet-quick guard has provided the Jayhawks, Self still marvels at Martin’s path.

Think about this: If Martin were to stay red-hot and the Jayhawks were to win two games here in New Orleans, he easily could be in line to be the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. If that happens, his name automatically goes up in the Allen Fieldhouse rafters. Not bad for a one-year Jayhawk who played 13 minutes or fewer in seven games during the heart of the Jayhawks’ season while missing seven games in February, as well.

“I’m really excited for him,” Self said. “I could never have imagined that a guy that could labor as much as he has all year long could have the three weeks that he’s having right now. And, of course, (he) has a chance to extend that. So, I’m real happy for him.”

Martin’s production and impact have been so crucial that some have wondered if he should be starting. When asked if he had considered plugging the former Arizona State standout into the starting lineup in light of his recent play, Self quickly shot down the idea.

Part of that has to do with the fact that Self likes having Martin’s energy and impact off the bench. He usually checks in at the first media timeout of the game somewhere around 15- or 16-minute mark of the first half. And the other part of it is Self believes he has a pretty good point guard in the starting lineup already in third-year sophomore Dajuan Harris Jr.

“Even though his play definitely warrants starting, I still think it’s best for our team to have (Remy’s) energy off the bench, and it’s also best for the other guys and best for Juan for (Harris) to be a starter. Juan’s been the point guard on a team that’s won 32 games. So, I just don’t want to change that. At all.”

Self has never been shy about dogging the importance people outside of his profession put on who starts games. So it makes sense that he would be less concerned about the first five on the floor and more interested in the production of those who play.

He calls Martin and senior forward Mitch Lightfoot part of a crew of KU’s “seven starters,” bringing forth the most obvious difference between Newman’s hot run four years ago and what Martin is doing today.

Newman was a starter on his team and he averaged 31.6 minutes per game in 39 appearances and 33 starts.

Martin has started just 13 games — while appearing in 28 — and is averaging 21.6 minutes per game.

The impact on their team’s chances of winning may have been similar, but their roles were still pretty different.

*Here’s a quick look at both paths through their respective postseasons:*

Malik Newman – 2018
————-

**Big 12 quarterfinal vs. Oklahoma State -** 30 points on 11-of-15 shooting and 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Also added 3 assists in 36 minutes

**Big 12 semifinal vs. Kansas State -** 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range. Also added 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.

**Big 12 title game vs. West Virginia -** 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 6-of-8 from 3-point range. Also added 6 rebounds and 3 steals.

**NCAA Round 1 vs. Penn -** 10 points on 5-of-12 shooting. No made 3-pointers. Also added 6 rebounds and 2 assists.

**NCAA Round 2 vs. Seton Hall -** 28 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range. Played 37 minutes.

**NCAA Sweet 16 vs. Clemson -** 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range. Also added 7 rebounds and 3 assists while playing 39 minutes.

**NCAA Elite 8 vs. Duke -** 32 points on 8-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-12 from 3-point range and 11-of-12 from the free throw line. Scored all 13 KU points in overtime. Also added 7 rebounds and 3 steals while playing 44 minutes.

**NCAA Final 4 vs. Villanova -** 21 points on 6-of-14 shooting, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range. Also added 8 rebounds in 39 minutes.

Remy Martin – 2022
————

**Big 12 quarterfinal vs. West Virginia -** 4 points on 2-of-3 shooting in 12 minutes. No made 3-pointers.

**Big 12 semifinal vs. TCU -** 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting in 19 minutes. Also added 3 rebounds and 3 assists. No made 3-pointers.

**Big 12 title game vs. Texas Tech -** 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including 2-of-6 from 3-point range in 26 minutes. Also added 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.

**NCAA Round 1 vs. Texas Southern -** 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including 1-of-1 from 3-point range. Also added 4 assists and 2 steals.

**NCAA Round 2 vs. Creighton -** 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range. Also added 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 29 minutes.

**NCAA Sweet 16 vs. Providence -** 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 1-of-4 from 3-point range. Also added 7 rebounds and 3 assists in 27 minutes.

**NCAA Elite 8 vs. Miami (Fla.) -** 9 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including 1-of-2 from 3-point range in 24 minutes. Also added 6 rebounds and 2 assists.

**NCAA Final 4 vs. Villanova -** TBD

**_______________________________________**

As you can see, Newman’s scoring and shooting numbers are clearly superior to what Martin has done this postseason. But, again, when it comes to impact, the two have been comparable.

Newman impacted his team as a high-volume minute guy and a knock-down shooter. Martin impacts his team as a change-of-pace, emotional lift, who almost immediately puts his stamp on the game after checking in.

Both were big for their respective teams. And Martin, who has seen his minutes and shot attempts increase throughout the postseason, still has the potential to play two more games to fill out his resumé.

If they’re big games — or, more importantly, if Kansas wins — Martin easily will be remembered just as fondly as Newman was for his run in 2018. In many ways, he’s already there.

Here’s a look at our coverage from New Orleans so far:

• KU guard Ochai Agbaji is in position to add name next to Danny Manning’s on exclusive list

• Hi Mom: KU coach Bill Self’s mom has been back in the bleachers for KU’s run to the Final Four

• Villanova’s Caleb Daniels completes ‘marathon’ from New Orleans to Final Four

• Bill Self, Jay Wright agree – 2018 matchup has no bearing on this year’s game

• Self finds it ‘pretty special’ to have Kansas City-area kids Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun as key part of KU’s run

• Bill Self hopes Jayhawks play for themselves and each other and ‘just enjoy it’

“>• Photo gallery from Day 1 of KU-Villanova

• Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski reached out to KU coach Bill Self after passing of Self’s father

• Bill Self breaks down Villanova guard Collin Gillespie

• Villanova, Jay Wright give initial thoughts on Kansas

• A quick capsule glance at Villanova

• Kansas enjoying ‘great experience’ in its first day at the Final Four

• Jayhawks arrive in New Orleans ready to soak up ‘college basketball’s best’

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Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.