Jawun Evans is Fueling The Most Efficient Offense in the Country

Oklahoma State boasts one of the most prolific offenses in Big 12 history. They’re currently ranked No. 1 in adjusted offensive efficiency, according to the statistics driven database at KenPom. Averaging 85.9 points per game, this OSU squad is also on pace to be the highest scoring in OSU history.

Brad Underwood deserves a lot of credit for the big turnaround in his first year. He’s seemingly unlocked buckets of potential from the likes of Jeffrey Carroll, Davon Dillard and Leyton Hammonds. All guys who have flashed potential in the past, and all guys who, as it stands right now, average 20.5 minutes between the trio.

As good as the offense is and has been, it still runs through Jawun Evans. I thought this tweet summed it up nicely.

Jawun Evans is averaging is averaging 21.3 PPG, 10.0 APG, and 4.0 RPG over his last three games for Oklahoma State. The gas in the engine.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 23, 2017

He is the fuel. This offense simply does not look the same without Jawun Evans. (Fortunately, we haven’t seen it without him much.) With the ability to take over a game and impose his will seemingly by flipping a switch, Evans has, at times, single-handedly led his team to several wins along this 9-1 stretch. His latest masterpiece was his second half explosion to score 16 straight points for OSU and effectively close the door on OU’s hopes.

Lon Kruger has probably seen enough of Evans and would love for him to give the NBA a shot next season.

“He is a terrific player,” said Kruger after round 2 of Bedlam. “Our guys, well, we didn’t have him under control by any means, certainly we didn’t late. he made the plays he needed to late. But really good players do.”

Brad Underwood knows what he has.

“Best player on the floor,” said Underwood. “We isolated him in a bunch of different spots and let him go to work. It wasn’t one of his ideal games but that shows his true character.”

After the Cowboys’ comeback win in Manhattan, senior Leyton Hammonds acknowledged the luxury Underwood and Evans’ teammates enjoy.

“We are not really worrying about offense because when you have one of the best point guards in the country you kind of do not have to.”

Evans ranks second in the Big 12 in assists per game at 6.0 and third in the country in assist rate (42.5 percent). When conference play came around, Evans only elevated his effectiveness. Against Big 12 competition, he leads the conference at 6.8 assists per game and leads the nation in assist rate (46.9 percent).

He’s also the Big 12’s second leading scorer at 18.3 points per game, just behind KU’s Frank Mason — a current front-runner for National Player of the Year.

Evans’ usage rate leads the Big 12 (32.7 percent). In Big 12 play, he leads the nation in possessions used while on the floor (35.2 percent), as well as shots taken while on the floor (34.1 percent). Basically, he’s the most important player on the team and easily the most irreplaceable.

Evans has been named Big 12 Player of the Week three times this season. Baylor’s Johnathan Motely is the only one else to have won it three times. With three games remaining, last year’s Freshman of the Year may just make a case to be considered this year’s Big 12 Player of the Year.

All I know is that he is the best and most valuable player on the hottest team in the league. That earns him my vote.