SE: Johnson Delivering Production Down Low for K-State

D.J. Johnson is a hard man to please, and as more and more of K-State’s opponents are finding out this season, he’s not easy to stop either.

A few days after pouring in a career-high 26 points against Maryland, Johnson pointed out his only missed free throw and one defensive lapse. After going 10-for-11 for 22 points in Saturday’s win at Saint Louis in a return to his hometown, Johnson’s lone field goal miss was the first thing he brought up.

“I feel like there’s always room for improvement,” Johnson said last week.

For Johnson, he has less room than most.

Through eight games, Johnson is averaging 11.6 points per game on 60.7 percent shooting, a rate that would rank among the top 35 in the country if his makes-per-game average (4.63) was at five or higher.

“His energy has been great,” K-State head coach Bruce Weber said of Johnson, who recorded the highest field goal percentage (60.4) for a single season in program history last year. “You just feel so good for him, what he went through and to be able to come back and now to be healthy and actually practice and get a lot out of himself.”

The 6-foot-9 forward has scored well against teams with more size (i.e. Maryland) and also taken advantage of smaller teams. He’s comfortable scoring off both shoulders and has displayed plenty of spring to throw down a plethora of dunks this season.

“He’s starting to dive a little more,” Weber said. “He moves so well other big guys can’t keep up with him, and now if he moves and sets a screen and then dives, he (can get) a lot of opportunities from that.”

No matter the opponent, Johnson’s combination of strength, speed and stamina poses problems. No matter the game, Johnson’s approach remains the same.

“I think it’s always the same for me,” Johnson told media after K-State’s 31-point victory at Saint Louis, the Wildcats’ largest margin of victory in a non-conference road game since 1964. “I go in with the same (approach), to take advantage of their bigs inside if I have the advantage and do what I can to hustle and get the win for my team.”

Johnson ranks second on the team with his 0.53 points-per-minute average, seeing 22.1 minutes a game that is a slight increase from his average time on the court last season. With his body at full strength, foul trouble is the only hurdle Johnson needs to clear to see the floor more.

“He posts so strong and he is so strong that a lot of times you’ll get a cheap one there, and then all of a sudden he comes and blocks a shot and he gets a cheap one and now you have to sit him,” Weber said, then stating Johnson’s value at its core. “He leads us on Play Hard Chart. He just does so many things for us.”

The fifth-year senior and the Wildcats’ only upperclassman forward leads K-State with 17 blocks (2.1 per game) and 55 rebounds (6.9 per game) while also ranking third in steals (9) and free throw percentage (70.4 percent; minimum 10 attempts).

All of it was on display in Johnson’s first performance in his hometown since he broke his foot in an NCAA Tournament game in 2014, an injury that forced him to miss the entire 2014-15 season.

This time around, he let nothing stop him. Johnson recorded his second career double-double while blocking two shots and nabbing a steal in 28 minutes of action.

“I couldn’t be more proud of D.J.,” said head coach Bruce Weber, whose team will host Prairie View A&M (2-6) on Tuesday at 7 p.m., in Bramlage Coliseum. “He was just tremendous (Saturday) for us across the board. He hit shots, he rebounded the basketball, he played defense and blocked shots. I’m happy that he was able to perform at such a high level in front of his friends and family. The last time he played in St. Louis, he broke his foot against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament and it started a really difficult journey for him. He has worked really hard to get back and he was able to show everyone the type of player he has become.”

Look at Prairie View A&M

Location: Prairie View, Texas

Conference: Southwestern Athletic (SWAC)

Head Coach/Career Record: Byron Smith/8-11 (took over as interim head coach late last season).

Current Record: 2-6

Games vs. Ranked/Power 5 Opponents: at Oregon State, 58-78 L; at No. 17 Saint Marys, 72-110 L; at Wisconsin, 50-95 L.

Key Players: Zachary Hamilton, 6-foot-4 junior, 14.1 PPG, 17-of-42 (41 percent) from 3-point range; Daquan Cook, 6-foot senior, 12.4 PPG, 12 steals; L.J. Westbrook, 6-foot-3 junior, 9.3 PPG on 45 percent from the field.

Ticket Information: Tickets are available starting at $10, while fans can take advantage of the Bramlage Bundle for just $20, which includes a general admission/bench ticket, $10 concessions voucher and a souvenir from the K-State Super Store.

Where to Watch: FOX Sports Kansas City (state of Kansas, Kansas City area), K-StateHD.TV and ESPN3 (outside state of Kansas).

Kansas State University Athletics

SE: Johnson Delivering Production Down Low for K-State

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