Shaken, now stirring: Remy Martin has Jayhawks in Sweet 16
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas coach Bill Self has always relied on veteran point guards to run his teams, All-Americans such as Frank Mason III and Devonte’ Graham, or Tyshawn Taylor, who led an unheralded group of Jayhawks to the Final Four in 2012.
Often overlooked prospects, they grow and mature over three or four years in the program.
Remy Martin is the opposite: He is a senior transfer from Arizona State who gave up a starring, highscoring role for the Sun Devils for the chance to be part of a more complete team with national championship aspirations.
So far, so good. Martin was the catalyst for the Jayhawks through the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament, helping the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region advance to the Sweet 16 against Providence on Friday night. Martin scored 15 points in a blowout of Texas Southern, then poured in 20 to help hold off Creighton on Saturday.
“You know, his attitude the entire year I think is what has gotten him prepared for this moment,” said All-American guard Ochai Agbaji, the Big 12 player of the year. “For him to shine, you know, and for him to go out there and just be Remy — it was really nice to see. And you know, I’m just so proud of him, too.”
That’s because everything could have unraveled earlier this season.
Martin earned a starting role for the opener against Michigan State in the Champions Classic, scoring 15 points in an easy win, and he had 14 against Tarleton State in his first game at Allen Fieldhouse. But the road was rocky from that point right up through February as injuries and a crisis of confidence conspired to derail Martin’s senior season.
He scored 15 against Stephen F. Austin in December and didn’t hit double-figures again the regular season.