What began as limited, early-season roles is turning into meaningful responsibilities for Kansas guards Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell. Both are seeing expanded roles as the Jayhawks look for their first road victory in Big 12 conference play.
Kansas Guards Step Into Expanded Roles in Big 12 Play
Jackson’s Steal Total Ranks Among the Big 12’s Best
Much of the attention this season has centered around Darryn Peterson and Flory Bidunga, but far less light has been shed on Elmarko Jackson.
Earlier this season, Jackson recorded five steals and two assists against TCU, then followed it up a week later with four steals and two more assists against then–No. 2 Iowa State, including one that led to a highlight lob to Bidunga.
Following the 84-63 win over Iowa State, head coach Bill Self called Jackson’s steal “the best play anybody’s made this year.”
Against Tennessee, he scored a career-high 17 points in 27 minutes, shooting 57% from the floor.
Through three seasons with the Jayhawks (including one redshirt year), the sophomore has consistently hovered around five points per game while adding roughly two assists.
The difference this season? He’s started just one contest. His production off the bench mirrors the numbers he posted two seasons ago when he was in the starting lineup.
McDowell Showing Consistency Despite Limited Minutes
Like Jackson, Jamari McDowell has played a limited number of minutes this season after redshirting all of last year.
Against Iowa State, he recorded six assists and one block, while remaining consistent on the glass, totaling two or more rebounds in each of the last three contests. McDowell maintains a positive assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.5, proving careful decision-making as his minutes increase.
The sophomore, however, has yet to deliver a breakout performance. He’s scored in double figures only twice this season. In 34 minutes against Syracuse—McDowell’s first career start—he finished with nine points on 3-of-7 shooting, adding four assists with only one turnover. His shooting percentage on the season hovers right around 40%.
On the glass, McDowell has posted two or more rebounds in each of the Jayhawks’ last three games: two against West Virginia, two against Iowa State and three in Friday’s win over Baylor. He’s one of only six players on the active roster averaging right around two or more assists per game.
McDowell has started just five games for Kansas this season, but his three-point shooting is up from around 30% last season to over 44% in 18 games through Tuesday.
Thus far, McDowell’s impact has come in brief spurts, though increased minutes in conference play could provide an opportunity to prove his playmaking ability down the stretch.
Up Next: Looking ahead to Colorado
The Jayhawks head to Boulder for the fifth matchup of conference play against the Colorado Buffaloes. A win for Kansas would mark their first road win since Dec. 13 against NC State, and the fourth straight win over the Buffaloes dating back to 2013.
Kansas head coach Bill Self will miss tonight’s game due to medical complications. Assistant coach Jacque Vaughn will step in, making his NCAA head coaching debut after joining the program in May.
Opening tipoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. CT.
© Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
