It was no secret where KJ Simpson needed to find improvement in order to take the next step in his development. The truth was in the numbers.
Despite showcasing an explosive offensive ability, Simpson knew he had to be more consistent from long range. And in order to become a premier point guard, he needed to put up a much more efficient assist-to turnover rate.
Plenty of basketball remains for the Colorado Buffaloes. And the challenge of the final run through the Pac-12 Conference remains. But the early returns out of Simpson have been encouraging for the Buffs, who hope their point guard puts together another strong performance when they take on No. 15 Miami on Sunday in Brooklyn, N.Y. (noon MT, ESPN2).
During his first two seasons, Simpson showed flashes of being a dependable long-range shooter, even if his final numbers ended below-par both years. His assist-to-turnover rate, however, has always been a struggle until this season.
Simpson goes into the Miami game sporting a career-best 3.18 assist-to-turnover rate and a .452 3-point percentage after posting a .269 mark through his first two seasons.
“I’m happy about that, obviously. It just goes to show you I’ve been working on it,” Simpson said of his assist-to-turnover rate. “And I know I was capable of it. It’s just with me, I feel like I can take on the world sometimes. I try to make plays happen, but I’ve just got to play with more patience. I’ve learned that. I’ve matured and grown. I understand you get a lot more better looks when you play patient. It’s nice to see out there and finally show people I’m capable of doing that every night.”
In a bench role as a freshman two years ago, Simpson posted an assist-to-turnover rate of just 1.09. It was only slightly better last year in his first season as the starting point guard, finishing at 1.50.
It has been a much different story so far this season. Not only is Simpson’s assist total up (3.8 per game last year; 4.4 per game this year), but his turnover rate is down dramatically (2.6 per game last year; 1.4 this year). Simpson enjoyed only six out of 29 games last year with one or fewer turnovers, and he already has recorded five such efforts through the first eight games. Simpson has turned in only one game with more than two turnovers, finishing with three against Richmond.
Turnovers have been an issue at times for the Buffs this season, as they are averaging 14 per game after averaging 13 per game a year ago. If it feels like that discrepancy should be larger, it’s because CU has posted two of its worst three turnover games in its two losses, finishing with 20 in an overtime defeat against Florida State and 15 in last week’s loss at Colorado State.
Yet given the Buffs’ primary ball-handler is keeping his turnover rate low, it seemingly is an issue the Buffs can address ahead of Pac-12 play.
“Consistency. That’s the key,” Simpson said. “That was a real, real big focal point of mine. I talked to my coaches, going back home and watching film, just working on it and being consistent. Being consistent no matter how we’re playing, or no matter if we’re winning or losing, where we’re playing, we just have to play the same every single time, and the winning and losing will take care of itself. If I’m being consistent, that’s all you can ask for.”
