After Kansas rolled past Towson with a 73-49 win, it wasn’t just the scoreboard that told the story - it was the energy, the bounce-back performances, and the leadership on display. And at the center of it all? Melvin Council Jr., who’s quickly becoming the emotional and athletic engine of this Jayhawks squad.
Let’s start with Tre White. Just a few days prior, he had one of his toughest shooting nights of the season, going 0-for-6 from deep against NC State.
But Tuesday night, he came out with a different rhythm - and a different mindset. That shift, according to White, had a lot to do with his point guard.
“My teammates give the confidence to shoot it every time,” White said postgame. “I have no choice but to let it go. My point guard is telling me to let it fly.”
That point guard, of course, is Council. And yes, he did tell him - more than once.
“I told him to keep shooting, I told him to keep shooting,” Council said, doubling down on the encouragement he gave midgame.
White responded with a strong all-around effort: 16 points, six rebounds, five assists, and a 2-for-4 mark from beyond the arc. That kind of bounce-back speaks to more than just shot mechanics - it speaks to confidence, chemistry, and trust within the team.
And Council? He’s not just talking the talk - he’s walking it, too.
After torching NC State with a jaw-dropping nine threes in a 36-point explosion - one of just six such performances during Bill Self’s tenure - he followed it up with a solid 3-for-6 showing from deep against Towson. That’s consistency.
That’s growth.
Before that breakout against NC State, Council was shooting just 18% from long range. Since then?
He’s up to 35.4% on the year, and a red-hot 42% since shaking off an 0-for-10 start to the season. It’s a turnaround that doesn’t happen without work, confidence, and a little joy in the process.
“I’m just enjoying it,” Council said. “It’s my last year.
That’s really it. Just taking one game at a time, playing the best that I can.”
That joy is infectious - and it’s fueling more than just his shooting. Council’s energy has been a catalyst for Kansas’ defensive identity.
The Jayhawks are defending the paint with authority, posting a 17.4% block rate - fourth-best in the nation, per KenPom. And they’ve been even stingier on the perimeter, holding opponents to a Division-I-low 24.1% from three.
Council’s speed and athleticism are tailor-made for transition play, and he’s using both to spark fast breaks and push the tempo. Against Towson, that tempo was a point of emphasis. With standout freshman Darryn Peterson sidelined by quad cramps, Council stepped in to keep the offense humming - and did so while keeping the team’s energy high.
“He brings such a great energy,” freshman big man Flory Bidunga said. “Every practice he pushes us to be better. I think he’s the fastest person on the team - seeing him running makes me want to run faster.”
That mentality - that “dawg” mindset Council talks about - is starting to ripple through the roster. And while Self sees the fire, he also sees room for more.
“I do think he plays hard and everything,” Self said. “But I saw him back out of a charge down there.
So it’s not like it’s 100% on all the time. But I think he’s a really good player, and I think he’s having fun with it.
I think he can graduate from shitsu to at least a bulldog here in the next couple of weeks. He’s got a fight in himself, which I think is nice.”
That fight has earned Council some well-deserved recognition. Since his breakout against NC State, he’s picked up Big 12 Newcomer and Player of the Week honors, as well as national accolades.
It’s a long way from Monroe Junior College, where his college basketball story began. But it’s clear - he’s found his place in Lawrence.
“I’m just enjoying Lawrence right now and just playing with joy,” Council said. “I’m just happy to be here.”
And right now, Kansas is happy to have him.