Mandatory Credit: Nick Krug – KU Sports

Having struggled on the offensive end at times over the past several season, Bill Self and his No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks finally have its run and gun scoring clicking on all (mostly) cylinders.

Currently, Kansas ranks as the third-best scoring team per game behind The Citadel (weird) and Butler, at 90 points per game.

Self still puts a premium on defense in terms of the focal point of what his teams must accomplish, but in many cases, stingy, active defense is what results in the easiest scoring opportunities.

A stat which reflects this is sophomore guard Devonte’ Graham’s 3-1 steal-to-turnover ratio. Although its a stat which doesn’t get much attention, it should because the significance of a starting guard in your backcourt one, averaging 3 steals a game, and two, only turning the ball over once per game are two meaningful results from one of KU’s key players.

Much like his 2008 national title team, the Jayhawks are creating more steals and finishing off those steals with buckets on the other end, helping lead to a 90-point average per game.

Earlier this season in Maui, the Jayhawks put up 123 points against host team Chaminade. The competition wasn’t the toughest, but the more important observation is the simple face that Kansas couldn’t miss.

The 123 points were the most ever scored in the long and illustrious history of the Maui Invitational, and were done so without the likes of Brannen Greene–a sharp shooter from three point range–and freshman Cheick Diallo, who potentially could have dominated a much smaller and less-athletic front line of Chaminade.

In scoring 90 points per game, the Jayhawks aren’t exactly chucking the ball up. With a team average of 59-percent shooting from the floor, KU ranks sixth in the country in overall team shooting percentage–meaning Kansas is a high-scoring, efficient offense.

The real difference, however, is KU’s ability to knock down shots from behind the arc. At just under 47-percent from three as a team, the Jayhawks have added another dimension to their offensive attack with their hot shooting from three.

Wayne Selden, Jr., not typically known for his outside shooting, has improved his offense from behind the arc by leaps and bounds. So far this season, Selden ranks seventh in three-point shooting percentage at 60-percent.

With a 54-percent from the floor and his incredible shooting from outside, Selden has an adjusted percentage of 74-percent overall this season.

With Frank Mason III, Devonte’ Graham, Brannen Greene, and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, and occasionally Perry Ellis knocking down their share from outside as well, Kansas has become a scary-good outside shooting team and possibly the best Self has had at any point during his time at KU.

Where Kansas has struggled so far this season has been from the free-throw line where the average through nine games is currently at 67-percent. That number is woefully bad for a team that can get to the line with relative ease, particularly considering KU has so many offensive possessions.

The concern comes down to future games where the outcome is in doubt and the Jayhawks needs points at the line with the clock stopped, or, are holding on to a lead and trying to fend off the opponent from the line.

Self doesn’t necessarily practice free-throw, leaving that to his players to work on at their discretion, but at this point, it might be a good idea to spend some practice time at the charity stripe.

Kansas is home to take on Montana, Saturday, December 19. The No. 2-ranked Jayhawks are looking for their tenth win on the season and to carry over momentum through the holiday break before returning to action after Christmas. Tickets and parking passes for Saturday’s game are on sale at Tickets For Less. With a variety of seats available at tremendous prices, Tickets For Less has the perfect tickets for you to see the Jayhawks take the floor in historic Allen Fieldhouse. Don’t miss out on your chance to see one of the best teams in the country. Go Jayhawks!