Melvin Council Jr. and Trey Kaufman-Renn are already making an impact in Lawrence, but Bill Self believes the two experienced newcomers have even more to offer. Following Kansas' 95-65 victory over Fordham, Self discussed their early progress and why becoming more comfortable with their teammates could take the Jayhawks to another level.
Kansas men's basketball is beginning to see what its experienced newcomers can bring to the program, but head coach Bill Self believes there is still plenty of room for improvement. Following the Jayhawks' 95-65 victory over Fordham on Nov. 2, Self discussed the performances of Melvin Council Jr. and Trey Kaufman-Renn.
When asked about the two players, Self was pleased with what he saw but made it clear that neither has reached his full potential yet.
"I think [Council] played pretty well tonight. I still think there's another step he can get to, and certainly with Kaufman-Renn there is as well. Those guys are fitting in nicely, but I still don't think we're totally comfortable with that yet," Self said.
Council finished the season opener with 10 points, seven assists and six rebounds, providing Kansas with valuable production as one of its experienced guards. However, Self believes there is another level to his game that could make the Jayhawks even more dangerous offensively.
Kaufman-Renn also made an encouraging first impression after missing Kansas' exhibition games while working his way into playing shape. The former Purdue forward finished with nine points, five rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes against Fordham.
According to KU Sports , Kaufman-Renn's ability to connect with teammates was noticeable throughout his debut. His passing, decision-making and understanding of the game give Kansas another dimension in the frontcourt.
Self has also been impressed with Kaufman-Renn's basketball IQ, explaining that he was already calling out plays despite only spending a short time with the team.
"He just knows how to play," Self said when discussing Kaufman-Renn's potential role.
The forward's experience at Purdue could become extremely valuable as Kansas continues building chemistry with its new roster.
Council and Kaufman-Renn both bring different strengths, but their ability to fit together with the rest of the team will be important moving forward. Kansas has several talented players competing for minutes, and finding the right combinations will take time.
The Jayhawks showed their offensive potential against Fordham, shooting 58% from the field while scoring 95 points. However, Self understands that the team still has improvements to make before reaching its ceiling.
As Kansas continues its season, Council and Kaufman-Renn will have opportunities to become more comfortable in their respective roles. Their experience and production could make them two of the most important players on the roster. Kansas Athletics' official game recap .
Self's message is encouraging for Kansas fans. Both players are already contributing, but if they reach the next level he believes they can, the Jayhawks could become a much tougher matchup as the season progresses. Jayhawks Roundtable .
