Melvin Council Jr. had career highs of 36 points and nine made 3-pointers to help No. 19 Kansas edge N.C. State 77-76 in overtime. Council had made just 5 of 27 3s.

NC State was led by Quadir Copeland’s 19-point performance, but it couldn’t stop Melvin Council, who scored a career-high 36 points.

As Wade said following NC State’s win over VCU in November, after the Rams attempted 42 triples: “It looks like, ‘Oh, my gosh, it’s an open shot’ — but it’s not nearly as high a percentage shot as you would think, if it’s the type of 3 that we want taken.”

It will be worth monitoring the decisions of key sophomores and juniors such as wide receiver Cam Pickett, linebacker Trey Lathan, and even quarterbacks Isaiah Marshall and Cole Ballard. If more impactful pieces continue to depart, Kansas could be in for a difficult offseason unless it adds quality talent from other programs.

On a night when KU needed him most, Council, the self-proclaimed “Robin,” became KU’s “Batman.” He erupted for 36 points, including nine 3-pointers, in a KU (8-3) road victory. No. 19 Kansas defeated NC State 77-76 in an overtime thriller Saturday afternoon at the Lenovo Center.

Kansas coach Bill Self said freshman star Darryn Peterson “was getting tight” in his hamstring and checked out late in regulation during the 19th-ranked Jayhawks’ 77-76 overtime win at N.C.

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. was otherworldly in the second half vs. NC State, leading the Jayhawks to an improbable victory.

Well, Kansas won an instant classic, 77-76 in an overtime game that looked right out of March. State didn’t fold. The Pack punched back on every front and while this Kansas isn’t the Kansas a few years ago, it’s still very well coached and entirely capable of beating most teams.