Admittedly a bit spoiled after coaching 2017 and 18 Big 12 players of the year Frank Mason and Devonte Graham the past two seasons, Bill Self is willing to wait a while for his freshman guard tandem of Quentin Grimes and Devon Dotson to click.
Its been a little inconsistent. Our guys are not comfortable with anything other than survival right now, Self, Kansas 16th-year coach, said in an interview with NCAA.coms Andy Katz prior to Tuesdays season-opening 92-87 victory over Michigan State at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Forget about a guard knowing what everybody should be doing every possession. To them its Ive got to worry about myself. Were about a month away from those guys really maturing and developing into what I consider a big-time backcourt, Self said.
The two freshmen, who combined for 14 points, six assists and three turnovers in a pair of exhibition wins over Emporia State and Washburn, took giant steps forward under ESPNs bright lights on Tuesday night.
Grimes scored 21 points with four assists against one turnover, while Dotson had 16 points, three assists and four turnovers versus the No. 10-ranked Spartans. The duo hit nine three-pointers in 15 tries.
This is the first time weve seen him (Grimes) play like this. The first time weve seen Q and Devon play like this, Self said. The excitement of the game had them sped up a bit. Its a good problem to have.
Dotson, a 6-2 freshman from Charlotte, N.C., made three three-pointers in five attempts against Michigan State after missing his only three-point try in the two exhibitions.
I wasnt surprised (at hitting threes Tuesday), Dotson said, because of the amount of work I put into my jump shot. I put up shots every day. I wasnt surprised at all. They fell tonight. Really Im just happy we got the win.
Of Dotson, Self said after the victory: When he gets downhill, hes fast. Tonight he shot it well. Sometimes he reminds me of Frank (Mason) when he was young, with (more) speed, Self said of Dotson.
Grimes hit 6 of 10 3s vs. Michigan State after making two of seven in the preseason.
Thats what he does. He can get hot. We see it at practice, Dotson said of Grimes, a 6-5 native of The Woodlands, Texas.
I was coming off ball screens. My teammates were finding me every time, Grimes said.
KUs two other contenders for the starting guard slots sophomores Charlie Moore and Marcus Garrett combined for five points on 1-of-4 shooting in 25 minutes.
Garrett had two assists against no turnovers in 14 minutes; Moore one point, zero assists and zero turnovers in 11 minutes.
Dedric has been our best leader verbally, Self said of junior transfer Dedric Lawson, who scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds versus MSU in his official KU debut. Lagerald is quiet, Self added of senior Lagerald Vick, who opened the season by scoring two points on 1-of-7 shooting.
