KU’s Council goes for career high 36. Why do unsuspecting role players keep lighting up the Pack? (Pt 1)

KU’s Melvin Council Jr (19%-3pt), single-handedly beat NC State last night with 36 points (9-15 from 3pt range).

This marks the third unsuspecting role player to torch the Pack from long range.

What’s going on? Gameplan? Execution? Both? We explore…

Before we dive into KU/Council, let’s look at the trend that has Pack fans frustrated.

When the fans look at their losses, they see 3 guys averaging 13 pts or less who were responsible.

They also remember Wade explaining that a lot of the open 3s they are seeing were ‘by design.’

The reason those guys are open is that the staff’s game plan is to limit touches/shots from the elite scorers and filter those to the ‘less capable’ guys. The “Don’t let the stud beat you” strategy has been around forever… And it’s a sound theory.

Bill Self said so himself.

The reason those guys are open is that the staff’s game plan is to limit touches/shots from the elite scorers and filter those to the ‘less capable’ guys.

The “Don’t let the stud beat you” strategy has been around forever…

And it’s a sound theory. Bill Self said so himself. pic.twitter.com/iT9xjDN5JL

— Pack Insider (@PackInsider) December 14, 2025

Let’s understand this theory a little better…

Melvin Council has played PG at Wagner, then St. Bonaventure, and now KU.

He’s never averaged more than 15ppg at those spots (and those are mid-majors), and he has never shot better than 29.9% from 3.

Meanwhile, Darryn Peterson is an elite scorer & likely #1 NBA draft pick. Averaging 20ppg, 53% FG and 41% from 3. When Peterson is active, Council’s usage in Pick & Roll drops big time (He shoots a poor 33% on PnR FG%). So choose. Peterson or Council in the PnR?

Because of this, State decided to blitz (double-team) the ball screen when Peterson was the handler. KU wants to use him A TON in P&R bc he’s dominant there. 1.205 PPP when used in PnR variations. The game plan worked in the 1st half. Peterson only had 5 pts on 6 attempts.

Because of this, State decided to blitz (double-team) the ball screen when Peterson was the handler.

KU wants to use him A TON in P&R bc he’s dominant there. 1.205 PPP when used in PnR variations.

The game plan worked in the 1st half.

Peterson only had 5 pts on 6 attempts. pic.twitter.com/cqz2z0yUJ3

— Pack Insider (@PackInsider) December 14, 2025

When you decide to double, someone is open.

This is where Council Jr. comes in. Statistically, you’d want to filter the ball from Peterson to him. And bait him into jumpers. He’s hit just 11% of his shots off the bounce + 26% off the catch.

He’s never been a shooter.

Let’s go shot by shot in the first half and see how this played out…

Shot #2:
Wide open transition 3 (make, 1-2)
Defensive Execution: ❌

This is why you want to keep KU out of transition.

Peterson attacking, so Holloman steps up to stop ball. DW & VAL late getting back. Copeland has to choose, Council for 3 or defend the rim runner? He chooses… pic.twitter.com/AMH52N0MQv

— Pack Insider (@PackInsider) December 14, 2025

Shot #4:
Open Corner (miss, 1-4)
Defensive Execution: ✅

Holloman pinches to stop the drive. KU kicks it. Holloman doesn't close out. He drops back.

This is one where you just wish he'd hedge out real quick and get a hand up to make Council hesitate. But he probably is worried… pic.twitter.com/qprRkkfGyu

— Pack Insider (@PackInsider) December 14, 2025

Shot #6:
Wide Open corner 3 (miss, 2-6)
Defensive Execution: ❌

This is an inexcusable one. You have Peterson in transition, up to Council, back to Peterson.

Holloman plays this perfectly and commits to Peterson, leaving Council wide open.

McNeil starts to close out, then… pic.twitter.com/Zgy4AjUiD9

— Pack Insider (@PackInsider) December 14, 2025

Shot #8:
Light contest wing 3 (miss, 2-8)
Defensive Execution: ✅

This is fine if you're NC State. He's 2-7 and settling for 3's on the P&R. Able and Arceneaux play this fine w/ Able giving a soft contest.

Council misses again. Meanwhile, Peterson still hasn't scored. Amazing. pic.twitter.com/rz5UEtsmbT

— Pack Insider (@PackInsider) December 14, 2025

Shot #10:
Light contest wing 3 (make, 3-10)
Defensive Execution: ✅

Pump fake gets Holloman biting a bit, so Q pinches in.

KU kicks to Council, Q closes out soft with a hand up.

You're up 1 with 5 mins left in the 1st. Council shooting them out of the game & Peterson has 2… pic.twitter.com/HCGkzOSyLA

— Pack Insider (@PackInsider) December 14, 2025

Shot #12:
Wide Open wing 3 (make, 4-12)
Defensive Execution: ❌

State doubles Peterson, who kicks to Council on the wing. This is Q's close-out, but he sinks down to protect the paint, but help is already there.

Gotta trust your rotation here and close out with a hand up. pic.twitter.com/OZ6vaJ7Sem

— Pack Insider (@PackInsider) December 14, 2025

Half is over.

Game is tied 30-30.

You just held Kansas to its lowest output all season.

Peterson attempted just 6 shots and has only 5 points.

Council might be 4-9 from 3, but he’s 4-13 overall, and his volume is the reason for Kansas’ struggle.

Think back to halftime. How did you feel?

I got a few texts and saw some tweets, mostly about needing to guard Council.

IMO, the frustration about Council being open was misguided. I think it was more about us missing open 3s.

We shot 11% from long range and were getting great looks.

Defensively we followed the scout perfectly. Took away volume from Peterson and gave it to Council.

As you see above, yes, you could shore up the execution as 5 of the 12 shots could have been defended better, but all in all, during the 1st half this strategy worked as well as you could have hoped.

If you were coaching, would you make a halftime adjustment or leave it be?

Did NC State switch it up at the half or play it mostly the same?

Was the execution worse, or did Council just get hot?

We’ll break down the 2nd half later today (or tomorrow…this took forever).