Freshman Elmarko Jackson dishes 10 assists in Kansas Jayhawks’ 99-61 rout of Manhattan
Kansas’ No. 1-ranked basketball team blocked nine shots in the first half, one off a school record, flushed 11 dunks, many off eye-pleasing lobs, and dished 25 assists on 38 baskets in a 99-61 drilling of out-manned Manhattan College on Friday night at Allen Fieldhouse.
In terms of highlight-reel plays, the game was quite similar to Monday’s 99-56 season-opening victory over North Carolina Central.
“It was a good night. Now the season starts,” KU coach Bill Self said after Friday’s blowout before 16,300 fans, including former Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl winning linebacker Willie Lanier, who was recognized during the second half.
“The fun and games are over. Now the real games start,” added Self. His Jayhawks will take on No. 16-ranked Kentucky (2-0) at approximately 8:30 p.m., Tuesday in a Champions Classic game in Chicago.
The Jayhawks certainly thrived against lesser competition on Friday.
Freshman guard Elmarko Jackson dished 10 assists to one turnover and had one of KU’s seven steals in 29 minutes. He hit 3 of 6 shots and was 1 of 3 from 3.
“Elmarko did some good things. He fed Parker (Braun, 10 points, five boards, 17 minutes) in transition a couple times very nicely. He got 10 dimes. He and our other newcomers need to learn to keep the ball in front of them (defensively). I thought he was much better tonight than the first game,” Self added.
Jackson’s 10 assists were five off of KU’s freshman record of 15 in a game. Aaron Miles had 15 assists against Texas Tech on March 9, 2002. Jackson is the first Kansas freshman with double-digit assists in a game since Quentin Grimes had 10 versus Vermont on Nov. 12, 2018.
“I told him he did great. He had 10 dimes. I told the whole team. They all started clapping, all that stuff,” Self said. “I didn’t jump out of a cake or anything like that,” he joked. “Ten assists is a great number for anybody and only one turnover.”
Self said he still plans on using senior Kevin McCullar (15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, 26 minutes) as backup point to Dajuan Harris (five assists, zero turnovers, two points, 24 minutes).
“I think Kevin’s more comfortable. We’ll see,” Self said. “It’s one thing to do it against Manhattan, no disrespect. We’ll see how it all plays out.”
Self did have one criticism of Jackson.
“I still thought he was hesitant offensively. He was much better than the other night (eight points, five assists, one turnover vs. NCCU). “He’s just young. You’ve got to keep the ball in front of you. Straight line drives, got beat backdoor too many times. With his athletic ability that shouldn’t happen often.”
McCullar was impressed with the performance of Jackson, a 6-foot-3 McDonald’s All-American from Marlton, New Jersey.
“That is huge, having a guy that can play backup point guard when Juan gets a breather. He (Jackson) is affecting the game in many ways,” McCullar said.
Junior forward KJ Adams ripped home six of KU’s 11 dunks. He scored 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting and grabbed five boards with two blocks. Senior forward Hunter Dickinson had 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting with eight boards, two assists and three dunks.
Freshman guard Johnny Furphy scored 15 points off 6-of-10 shooting (3 of 7 from 3), while freshman guard Jamari McDowell had five points, six rebounds and an assist in 14 minutes.
“Jamari played great, He was aggressive, was on the glass,” Self said. “Of our four perimeter newcomers he without question will get his nose dirty the most. He’ll stick his nose in there. He was excited to play (after missing opener with minor injury). I was excited for him.”
Senior guard Nick Timberlake, who according to Self, “got his bell rung” the second half when a Manhattan player ran into him near midcourt, had two points with three turnovers, no assists in 19 minutes.
“We’re doing fine,” Self said. “The ball moved pretty well. I thought we didn’t guard anybody the second half (after leading 44-19 at half). The first half we guarded well, rebounded well. It was a good team outing. Now the season starts. I’m happy to get through these two games, play fairly well. Now we’ve really got to hunker down.”
This story was originally published November 10, 2023 at 10:45 PM with the headline "Freshman Elmarko Jackson dishes 10 assists in Kansas Jayhawks’ 99-61 rout of Manhattan."
