It was no secret the place KJ Simpson wanted to search out enchancment as a way to take the subsequent step in his growth. The reality was within the numbers.
Regardless of showcasing an explosive offensive skill, Simpson knew he needed to be extra constant from lengthy vary. And as a way to turn out to be a premier level guard, he wanted to place up a way more environment friendly assist-to turnover fee.
Loads of basketball stays for the Colorado Buffaloes. And the problem of the ultimate run by the Pac-12 Convention stays. However the early returns out of Simpson have been encouraging for the Buffs, who hope their level guard places collectively one other sturdy efficiency after they tackle No. 15 Miami on Sunday in Brooklyn, N.Y. (midday MT, ESPN2).
Throughout his first two seasons, Simpson confirmed flashes of being a reliable long-range shooter, even when his remaining numbers ended below-par each years. His assist-to-turnover fee, nevertheless, has all the time been a battle till this season.
Simpson goes into the Miami recreation sporting a career-best 3.18 assist-to-turnover fee and a .452 3-point share after posting a .269 mark by his first two seasons.
“I’m completely happy about that, clearly. It simply goes to point out you I’ve been engaged on it,” Simpson stated of his assist-to-turnover fee. “And I do know I used to be able to it. It’s simply with me, I really feel like I can tackle the world generally. I attempt to make performs occur, however I’ve simply received to play with extra persistence. I’ve realized that. I’ve matured and grown. I perceive you get much more higher seems while you play affected person. It’s good to see on the market and at last present individuals I’m able to doing that each night time.”
In a bench position as a freshman two years in the past, Simpson posted an assist-to-turnover fee of simply 1.09. It was solely barely higher final 12 months in his first season as the place to begin guard, ending at 1.50.
It has been a a lot completely different story to date this season. Not solely is Simpson’s help whole up (3.8 per recreation final 12 months; 4.4 per recreation this 12 months), however his turnover fee is down dramatically (2.6 per recreation final 12 months; 1.4 this 12 months). Simpson loved solely six out of 29 video games final 12 months with one or fewer turnovers, and he already has recorded 5 such efforts by the primary eight video games. Simpson has turned in just one recreation with greater than two turnovers, ending with three towards Richmond.
Turnovers have been a difficulty at occasions for the Buffs this season, as they’re averaging 14 per recreation after averaging 13 per recreation a 12 months in the past. If it seems like that discrepancy needs to be bigger, it’s as a result of CU has posted two of its worst three turnover video games in its two losses, ending with 20 in an extra time defeat towards Florida State and 15 in final week’s loss at Colorado State.
But given the Buffs’ major ball-handler is preserving his turnover fee low, it seemingly is a matter the Buffs can deal with forward of Pac-12 play.
“Consistency. That’s the important thing,” Simpson stated. “That was an actual, actual huge point of interest of mine. I talked to my coaches, going again house and watching movie, simply engaged on it and being constant. Being constant regardless of how we’re taking part in, or regardless of if we’re profitable or shedding, the place we’re taking part in, we simply should play the identical each single time, and the profitable and shedding will care for itself. If I’m being constant, that’s all you’ll be able to ask for.”
